Table of contents for 27-Oct-2022 in Pick Me Up!

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.…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a product from Addis. This rattan effect bin and toilet brush is a perfect accompaniment to your loo! Cleaning detergent can be dispensed in the toilet brush, pressing to dispense when required. The bin can also be used as a storage basket for your toiletries. To make life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Spooky snacks We like to make pumpkin faces out of cheese for our burgers. Really simple but effective. I even let the kids cut out their own pumpkin face designs too, so everyone’s happy. Carole Adams, Halesowen Hosiery hacks I couldn’t find any string to tie up my plants, so I cut up some old tights instead. It’s recycling at its best! Rose Janes, Monmouth…

Jo Howarth is a mindfulness practitioner. She works alongside schools, individuals, and businesses, teaching them to look after their emotional wellbeing. (thehappinessclub.co.uk) Is the same going to happen to me? Q After losing my mum at a young age, I can't help but feel like the same is going to happen to me. I know I'm in good health, but I can't shake the feeling. Will I always feel like this? Rebecca, Sutton A I lost my dad when he was 50 and I was 25. I turned 50 earlier this year and I have to admit that it crossed my mind that I am now the same age as my dad was when he passed away. But I also know that I am not my dad. I do not…

Rushing to the mirror, whilst throwing on a big coat, I knew the clock was ticking Putting my makeup brushes down, and staring at the chaos I had created, I only had one thought. I can’t do the school run like this, can I? Looking at my reflection, my natural face wasn’t staring back at me, but the infamous Halloween character Freddy Krueger was there instead! It was a scene from A Nightmare on Elm Street. And in all honesty, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to turn up to the playground dressed as a horror character – but I didn’t have a choice. I wasn’t going to wipe all of my hard work off just to go and get Sonny, eight, and Charlie, nine, from school – it…

As the colder nights pull in and we turn to making bread, soups, and baking delicious treats, it’s tempting to sweep the scraps into our pet’s mouths rather than the bin. However, not everything will be dog friendly, so make sure you pay attention… Butternut Box have shared what not to feed your pooch, so you can have a happy household this season. ● To see more visit: butternutbox.com Onions and garlic Even though onions bring flavour to any dish, for dogs it’s very different. Vegetables such as onions, leeks, garlic, and chives contain a compound which is toxic to dogs. Consuming these taste enhancers can cause tummy issues which could lead to vomiting and diarrhoea In severe cases, ingestion can lead to red blood cell damage So, next time…

Did you know over half of Brits forego gardening in the autumn? Miracle-Gro’s gardening expert, Kate Turner, shares her top seven tips for tending to your garden in the colder months – because after all, spring gardens are made in autumn! ‘There are lots of tasks, big and small, that can be done to protect and prepare for spring during the colder months,’ says Kate. ‘If you give your garden time and care in the autumnal months, you will reap the rewards come springtime, and make the most of your garden all year round!’ Mulch is your friend Continue to weed and clear leaves from any borders and add mulch (products like bark that help enrich soil) in a thick layer on top of your soil. This will help protect…

Throwing a Halloween monster bash and looking for some inspiration? You don’t have to spend hours slaving away – with a few ingredients and a splash of creativity, you can turn something basic into a spook-tacular feast, with the help of Opies! ● Available in a supermarket near you Oozing zombie brain cupcakes YOU WILL NEED ◻ 12 cupcakes, shop-bought or homemade ◻ 1 jar of Opies Black Cherries with Kirsch ◻ 400g buttercream icing, shop-bought or homemade ◻ 1 drop of purple / pink food colouring gel 1 Using a teaspoon, hollow out a hole in the middle of each cupcake. 2 Fill each hole with two to three cherries and a teaspoon of kirsch syrup. It doesn’t matter if they poke out of the top of the cake,…

Who doesn’t love a classic game of Top Trumps? The hit card game is back with a spooky twist. Compare the cult status and fear factor of horror films through the ages with this gruesome limited-edition version – strictly for adults. With 30 of the greatest horror movies of all time – from The Exorcist and Psycho to Silence of the Lambs and Paranormal Activity – it’s the perfect game if you like a fright! ● Top Trumps: Unofficial Guide to 30 Scary Flix, £10 from Amazon…

Pour yourself a drink that’s written in the stars! Cosmic Cocktails is a heavenly blend of mixology and astrology – learn all about your character traits, and which cocktails will complement them. With over 60 recipes, including a spin on classics like margaritas, martinis and mojitos, as well as an introduction to the zodiac, whip up the perfect tasty beverage for your sun, moon and rising signs. ● Cosmic Cocktails: A Guide to the Mixology of Astrology, by Lydia Levine – £7.99, available from Waterstones…

Stepping off the treadmill and catching my breath, I went to fill up my water bottle when I noticed a handsome stranger on the gym floor. I’d just finished my workout, and as I walked past him to the changing rooms, he flashed me a cheeky grin. I smiled back shyly. I knew of him – his name was Matthew Bailey, and he was the older brother of one of my school friends, Claire*. From then on, I kept spotting him around the gym – until one day, he plucked up the courage to introduce himself properly, back in February 2020. ‘Can I get your number?’ he asked, holding out his phone. ‘Go on, then,’ I smiled. Later that evening, I got a text from Matthew and I felt butterflies…

Organising the family finances can seem like a daunting task. However, Money Magpie, Jasmine Birtles, is back to explain the best ways to sort your money! Please visit: MoneyMagpie.co.uk ● Use the envelope budgeting system – If you use cash, it can really help to use the envelope method. This is where you have one envelope for rent, one for food, one for the energy bills and so on. ● Find an app or bank that suits you – If you’re happy with apps, there’s some good budgeting ones around like Hyper Jar, Emma and Plum. Or you can join online banks like Monzo or Starling, that have savings pots for different bills you need to pay. If you’re struggling to cover your monthly expenses, check out Turn2Us.org. Uk and…

The highly nutritious faba bean (aka broad bean), has a low water footprint and the lowest CO2 emissions of all legumes and pulses. Pulsin’s faba bean protein powders are not only good for the planet, but are also really good for you! Bursting with protein, these little green beans will help aid recovery after workouts and boost muscle growth and energy levels as part of a healthy, meat-free diet. Just add to smoothies or to dishes such as soups and stews to boost your protein uptake. The Pulsin range is also hypoallergenic, naturally gluten and dairy-free and vegan friendly, and is a 100% plant-based protein source – it’s a win-win!…

Rachael has shared her top tips for plunging into the world of cosmetics, creating the best makeup looks at home this spooky season… • GET INSPIRED – Go on YouTube and watch makeup videos, look through other looks on Instagram and think how you could put your own spin on it. You need to be unique to be successful! • NEVER GIVE UP – If something goes wrong, try, and try again. We all start somewhere. • START SMALL – Starting out in special effects doesn’t have to be expensive. You could just start with some latex, tissue paper and fake blood, or even use cranberry sauce! Search for things that are the same texture as the look you want to make. • TAKE IT STEP BY STEP – Put one…

Sitting on the edge of the bath, I looked over at my fiancée Lauren. Neither of us could speak, and we couldn’t take our eyes off the pregnancy test in the sink. Looking up, I met Lauren’s eyes and gave her a smile. ‘Are you OK?’ I asked. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘Nervous.’ We knew very early on in the relationship that we wanted children, and had decided that after we bought our house, we would start trying IVF. After four happy years together, we had found our perfect home in October 2020, and began IVF in December ‘It’s time,’ I said. As Lauren, 33, turned over the test, her face dropped. With shaking hands, she passed it to me. It was negative. It was devastating – we were so hopeful.…

Setting up the camera, we all posed, smiling. Spending the entire morning getting ready for a wedding, it was the perfect opportunity to get some family pictures. Twirling in their pretty dresses, our daughters Daisy, then 14-months, and Immi, then three, were very excited. Daisy had her pink bunny in tow – it never left her side. ‘Let me get one of you three,’ my husband Ross, 30, said. So, I sat down on our living room floor with Daisy and Immi either side of me. ‘Ah, that one’s lovely of you all,’ he said. Only, I noticed something… There was a strange white glow on Daisy’s right eye. ‘What’s that?’ I asked Ross. ‘Maybe it’s something on the camera,’ he said. So, cleaning the lens, we took some more…

Miracle Aztec clay mask, £9.99, Amazon This trending mask is a must have for every single skincare routine. Claiming to do everything from fixing clogged pores to cystic acne, it actually does all of this using only one ingredient – bentonite clay. Said to be a famous ingredient in Cleopatra’s reign over 2,000 years ago, taken from Death Valley, it claims to be a miracle product to fix every problem. If it was good enough for a pharaoh, it’s certainly good enough for us! Verdict: GENIUS! I believe in miracles Brad Pitt’s perfect skin We all know that Brad Pitt is doing well for his age, looking glam at 58, and he has revealed his secret. Designing a new skincare collection, using grape-based antioxidants, the brand has been designed by the…

Like a lot of teens her age, Justis Marie Garrett was addicted to her phone, talking to her friends on social media platforms. Having recently moved family homes from New Smyrna Beach to Sorrento, Florida, with her mum, Danielle Pratt, 34, and younger sister, five, in March 2018, it was time to celebrate. Turning 16 in the same month, Justis was gifted a pair of black Nike trainers and the latest iPhone 8 to keep in touch with all of her friends at school, just a 20-minute commute from their new home. And it was true that wherever Justis went, her phone came with her, too. Only, unlike others, this didn’t make her unsociable. It was known that even if Justis’ life was falling apart, she would remain devoted and…

Throwing a monster Halloween bash? No party would be complete without a spooky cocktail. Barcardi have released two new limited bottles of their Carta Blanca and Spiced Rums to complete your Hallows’ Eve celebrations. £16 each, available from all major supermarkets. Bacardi Spookito YOU’LL NEED: ◻ 50ml BACARDÍ Carta Blanca ◻ 25ml lime juice ◻ 1 tsp caster sugar ◻ 5-18 mint leaves ◻ Soda water ◻ 10ml grenadine 1) Add the Bacardi, mint, lime and sugar into a highball glass – don’t add the soda yet 2) Fill ⅔ of the glass with crushed ice and churn with a spoon 3) Top with crushed ice, add a splash of soda 4) Garnish with mint leaves Barcardi Fright Tai YOU’LL NEED: ◻ 40ml BACARDÍ Spiced ◻ 15ml lime juice ◻…

www.clairepetulengro.tv ARIES 21 March–20 April Venus allows you to adopt a more mature attitude. You don’t think about what to do next, but feel it. New admirers and friends make your life a more enriching one to live. Careful of selling things for less than their value – you’ll regret it if you do. Time to put that extra effort into what you think matters now, Aries, and not what others decide to dictate to you. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Don’t use the past to repeat mistakes. You are in charge of what happens next. Use what went wrong to work out what you don’t want, and say no to all that does not inspire you. It’s how you’ll make an ordinary week into an extraordinary…

Coming out of the cinema, it took a while to adjust to reality. Harry Potter transported me to another world, and its magic stayed with me for a while. ‘I can’t believe you haven’t seen the films!’ I said when I met my partner James, now 29. ‘Maybe one day,’ he replied. So, when our daughter Ellie was born, in September 2011, I couldn’t wait to show them both the magic. It would be the perfect opportunity for James to watch the films, too. The Wizarding World had other plans though, and Harry Potter flew into Ellie’s life before she could read! Getting married in Cyprus in 2015, it was a special day made more magical with Ellie, then three, by our side. Only, on the dance floor, in the…

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Fill your home with glorious autumn blooms thanks to family-run florist Bunches. Whether you want to send a bouquet to a friend or treat yourself, bring the outdoors in and choose a bunch filled with warm oranges and rich ochre tones to reflect the changing leaves, or stunning pinks and purples with beautiful foliage – filled with all kinds of beautiful flowers from roses and chrysanthemums and carnations to freesias and lilies. ● Prices from £21 ● Please visit: bunches.co.uk…

Old injury Q I injured my back when I was a teen – I’m now 53 and it still causes me issues. What can I do? Katie, Warrington A Firstly, start working to strengthen the back and legs with a neutral spine. This means avoiding exercises that round your back, like sit-ups which are often the first port of call for people thinking about strengthening the core. Work on larger ‘compound movements’ that are already common in day-to-day living, such as a lunge and a squat – we all do these every day, perhaps in a way that could be improved. For example, getting out of a chair and going up stairs - squat and lunge respectively. Work in both these areas to improve your body strength. If there are…

Refresh your wardrobe with new styles you can wear on repeat with Peacocks. The new autumn/winter collection features everything you need this season from cosy knits, check shirts and quilted outerwear to feminine dresses and must have separates. No matter what your style you’ll be sure to find something you’ll love! The new Louise Redknapp Autumn Edit includes a great collection of key wardrobe staples for the new season with most in sizes 8-24, available both instore and online at www.peacocks.co.uk. Shopping for your little ones? The new Louise Redknapp – The Mini Edit launches this month, featuring an adorable collection of trend-led styles for girls aged 12 months to 14 years. To celebrate the launch, Peacocks are offering 20% off full price items exclusively to Pick Me Up! readers…

Updating your wardrobe doesn’t have to leave you out of pocket, in fact you can grab essentials for a fraction of the price if you shop around. Here’s some of our favourites for just £25 and under… STYLING CORNER Supermarket fashion is the place to go this season and George at Asda have a great selection of items perfect for this time of year. You could even recreate this look for yourself… FASHION NEWS It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month As part of its Cancer Care Collection, Cancer Research UK has released its first ever post-surgery bra available to buy online in three different colours – white, blush and black. Working with hospitals, clinics, and a Patient Panel who have undergone breast cancer surgery and treatment themselves, this bra really does…

Have you heard of Japandi – this year’s hottest interior trend? It combines the cosiness of Scandanavian design, and the Japanese influences of nature. Now you can bring it into your garden, too! Matt Jordan, gardening expert for The Greenhouse People, shares his five golden rules for achieving a Japandi-inspired autumnal garden. Keep it simple Japandi gardens should inspire tranquility, so avoid overwhelming your space with lots of plant species and undefined focal points. Instead, use hardscaping to direct attention where it is needed. Large boulders are often used in Japanese gardens as abstract, natural art pieces that are both structural and subtle, seamlessly blending in with their environment. Alternatively, take inspiration from Zen gardens, which embrace the beauty of blank spaces. In these gardens, gravel or sand is raked…

Don’t get trapped! Do you want to play a game? Opening on October 27 until early 2023, Saw: The Experience places you right in Jigsaw’s playroom, and it’s up to you to get out… Players who survive the game, will find The Trap Room themed bar at the end, which features a collection of some of Jigsaw’s most fearsome traps. Players will be able to unwind from the horrors they have endured with a selection of drinks that have been created especially for the experience. ● Tickets start at £39 ● Please visit: sawtheexperience.com Petrifying palaces There’s a whole host of spooky goings-on at Blenheim Palace this October half term. Running until October 30, don’t wait to book! The palace has plenty of spooky activities ranging from a terrifying train,…