Table of contents for 23-Mar-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A Sight! I heartily recommend a stroll through Kew Gardens – and don’t forget to have a nosy at the art installation The Hive. We left buzzin’! 1 Happy New Year! For the ancient Romans, 1 March was New Year’s Day! Given the weather, I wish we didn’t have to bother with January or February, either! What A Surprise! While away for a joint birthday treat in the Cotswolds, my man Stephen sprang a proposal. As you can see, he was really pleased I said yes! What A Bite! Out for a family lunch, I bought a giant eclair to share with my mum. Turned out we’d bitten off way more than we could chew, though! What A Frock! As I’m getting hitched, naturally I wanted advice on how…

‘ He was looming over me – pushed a pillow over my face ’ To anyone looking in, I had it all. Gorgeous children, a loving partner and a nice house... If only they knew, I’d think. Life with my boyfriend Lee Coleman wasn’t easy. A heavy drinker, he was controlling and possessive. We’d first met in a bar in January 2004. He was big built and strong, I felt safe with him. I was a single mum to two kids, then 8 and 2, and Lee looked after us. In February 2005, I gave birth to our son. But, as time went on, Lee’s true colours began to show. If I met up with friends, he’d bombard me with calls. ‘Who are you with? How long will you be?’…

Snap Me Up! We’ve done the research – you save the dosh! Free Chocolate! TopCashback.co.uk is now offering all new members to the site 100% cashback on their first purchase, as long as that’s an Easter egg under £5! Just join the site before 23 April to claim your free egg! Pie Time You can’t go wrong with a good old pie! Whip yourself up a bargain tea as individual Pukka Pies are now just £1.50 (normally £2) in Asda until 31 March. Safety First To help keep your kids safer OF for less, Halfords is now offering customers 20% off all high-back booster seats when you trade in any cushion booster from any retailer before 31 March. Get Your Glass Head down to your local SPAR this weekend and…

‘Malakai became drowsy and his lips turned blue’ To look at him, you’d never guess my son had a life-threatening condition. Chubby cheeks, piercing blue eyes, cheeky smile. Perfect... But behind that adorable face was a silent killer. A few days after his birth in February 2014, a doctor detected a heart murmur. A scan showed Malakai had been born with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The condition left him with holes in his heart, a damaged aorta and narrowed heart vessel. ‘It makes it harder for his heart to pump oxygen round his body,’ the doctor told me and my husband Nick, 32. Worse, doctors couldn’t say what caused it. Just one of those things. He’d need surgery to increase the flow of blood to his lungs and help his…

‘Doctors believed the poison was from a false widow spider’ Waking one morning in October last year, I’d an itchy leg. As I reached down the back of my right leg, my fingers hit a bump... Flinging my duvet back, I craned my neck to get a look at it. Red-raw, something didn’t feel right. Concerned, I popped round to my neighbour to ask for her opinion. ‘You’d best go to the GP and get it looked at,’ she told me. So I made an emergency appointment straightaway. ‘It looks like you’ve been bitten by something,’ the doctor said. ‘I wouldn’t worry if it’s not painful.’ But, next day, I woke up in searing agony. Racing back to the surgery, I was sent away again, this time with painkillers. Except,…

Mysterious Telly Characters You’ve Never Seen! FEELING RATTY? Capybaras are the world’s largest rodent. Native to South America, they’re nearer the size of a Labrador than their closest relative, the guinea pig. These friendly critters hang out in large groups and the females are in charge! But do you reckon these huge rodents are cute – or terrifying? BIZARRE ACCIDENTAL DEATHS… 1 In 1993, lawyer Garry Hoy plunged to his death after hurling himself at his 24th-storey office window to show how safe they were. 2 In January 2007, Jennifer Strange, 28, died of water intoxication after downing 7.5 litres in a competition to win a games console. 3 While fleeing a fire in 1567, Austrian Hans Steininger, tripped on his 4.5ft- long beard and broke his neck. 4…

Staring out the window of our three-bed bungalow, I could practically hear the patter of tiny feet. I imagined swings in the garden, the sound of giggles coming through the window... Soon, I thought. Five years earlier, me and my boyfriend Carl, 33, had bought a rundown, old bungalow and had spent five years doing it up. We saved from my job as a nurse advisor on Holby City and Carl’s as work manager at a sheet-metal fabrication company. Finally the walls were painted, we had decking in the garden, the carpets were down...a home fit for a family. We were ready to start trying. Then, on 25 November 2009, I was off work and Carl had popped home at lunchtime. ‘You can take the car and I’ll take my…

Want the perfect... Mother’s Day Beauty Gift? Try one of these… Luxury: Champneys A Well Earned Treat Make sure your mum has some me-time on Mother’s Day to enjoy this amazing pampering set. Every single item is so luxurious that she’ll emerge from the bathroom a whole new woman! Cute: Vintage Bouquet Birdcage How pretty is this gift set? And we love it that, once Mum has finished with the soothing body lotion, shower gel and hand cream, she can use the cage as a cute decoration. Treat: NSPA Spa Skincare Box Skincare can be really pricey, but this box has everything your mum needs to leave her skin cleansed and refreshed. A very welcome treat that she can use every day. Pick Me Up ! FOR LESS £34.99 at…

 Sarah, 46, London ‘I had no idea, aged 14, that I was being groomed’ Growing up, I was sports mad, into netball, hockey and athletics - but the 1500m was my speciality. I raced for my school in southeast London, and at county level. Then, one day in 1984, when I was 14, supply teacher Cyril Carter, then 36, was taking one of my classes. ‘I’ve seen you running on the track,’ he said, smiling. He chatted to me and other students about sport. But he soon singled me out. ‘Do you enjoy sport?’ Mr Carter asked. ‘Yes,’ I grinned, telling him I dreamed of competing for my country. Mr Carter was a regular substitute teacher at my school. ‘I coach Olympic athletes,’ he told me. He’d coached the British…

Growing up on a council estate in London’s East End was tough. There was crime, poverty… The Bible and a hymn book were the only two books we had! So my mum Anne often took me and my four siblings to the library. It was such a treat, crammed with books I could lose myself in – crime, thrillers, classics, romance – and all for free! I especially loved the romances. And I knew I wanted to write. Except, at school, I excelled at sport. I could run like the wind, and shot-put better than the lads. But it didn’t mean as much to me. So, aged 16, I turned down the opportunity to train to a professional standard. ‘I’m quitting athletics. I’m going to be a writer,’ I told…

‘There was a high chance I’d suffered a spinal injury’ For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been flexible. My bendy bod meant I could kick my legs high, do the splits... As well as being super supple, I’m double jointed. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with joint hypermobility. It means I have an unusually large range of movement. With the help of physiotherapy, I learnt to manage the condition. Advantage Being bendy had its good points. Aged 18, I took up cheerleading. Sporty and active, I loved it. But it wasn’t until February 2015 that I realised just how much of an advantage my suppleness was... I’d just been for dinner and was staying with friends. We got a bus back, then walked to my…

1 Take Your Own  Ditch your coffee-shop fix and make your own. Take it in a flask and save up to £767. 2 No Takeaways  Just one takeaway pizza a week with two sides sets you back over £1,500 a year! 3 Stop Smoking  If you smoke 20 a day, it’s likely costing up to £3,504 a year. Quit, save your money and improve your health. 4 Walk Or Cycle  If you live within reasonable distance of work, walk or cycle instead of taking public transport (or the car), and you could make a yearly saving of £1,752. 5 DIY Brekkie  Porridge is good for you, but at £2 a pop in some stores, you should make your own and…

Mid-cycle bleeding QI get a mid-cycle bleed every month, so I know when I’m ovulating. Does that mean there’s no need for contraception until I see the bleeding? Emma, Aberdeen A No. An oestrogen dip causes the bleed around ovulation, so timing is imprecise. Sperm can survive for a week, so fertility estimation using a mid-cycle bleed is very inaccurate. Lack of protection at any time of the month can result in pregnancy. Food fear QI had really bad food poisoning, and still get cramps if I eat. I’m nervous to eat now, and too scared to try anything new. What should I do? Meghan, Dartmouth A If you feel otherwise well, the infection has passed, but your gut is obviously still sensitive. Re-introduce small amounts of mild, easy to…

‘Criado was found with a kitchen knife in his hands’ Journalists reporting the case for the New York Daily Times, The Oregonian and the Mail Tribune, all said the same thing. A motive was unclear. Jordan Criado had murdered his wife and four young children. But no-one could work out why. The family’s neighbours were stunned by the news. ‘I would never have expected this,’ one said. ‘They were a tight-knit family,’ said another. There’d never been any problems at the Criado home in Medford, Oregon. The police had never been called out to the house. True, neighbours had heard a few rows. Others had complained the back garden was a mess. Normal family stuff. But at 5.30am on 18 July 2011, Jordan Criado, 59, made a call to emergency…

Guinness Cake Serves: 8 Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 30 min Buttercream: Icing: 1 Preheat oven to 190C/ Gas 5, and grease 2 x 20cm cake tins. 2 For cake, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy, then mix in eggs a little at a time. Fold in flour, cocoa, baking powder and a pinch of salt, while pouring in Guinness. 3 Spoon mixture between tins and bake for 30 min, then remove to a wire rack and leave to cool. 4 For buttercream, beat butter with icing sugar and dark brown sugar until fluffy, then mix in cocoa and Guinness. 5 For icing, melt chocolate in a bowl over a pan…

‘I’d always seen myself as the chubby one’ ne chop, and my blonde ponytail dropped into my hairdresser’s hand. ‘Too late to back out now,’ I laughed. The electric razor buzzed into life, and she shaved off the rest as my mum June and three mates watched. It was December 2013, I was 16 and I was shaving my head for Cancer Research. I raised over £1,000, and was proud of my buzzcut at first. New goal Only, as it grew back, I felt self-conscious. ‘You look butch,’ mates joked. They didn’t mean to upset me, but I’d always seen myself as the chubby one anyway. While I was far from fat, at 9st 10lb, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. I’d better go on a diet, I thought…

Get Moving! Glow In The Park At various venues around the country from April to November, you can enjoy a fun night out while you walk, run, jog or even dance your way along a 5km course. There will be DJs, neon lights, a party at the finish line, and you’ll be helping to raise money for the Marie Curie charity. Visit www.glowinthepark.co.uk Flattering Fashion The stripes on these wide-leg trousers are instantly flattering, making you look much taller (especially if you wear high heels, too!). Just £14 from Matalan, team with a tucked-in top or a boxy jacket to keep the proportions slim. 100-Calorie Gallery Try This…. SlimFast Advanced Vitality Powders, £14.99 for 10 Add skimmed milk (or water to the dairy-free options) for a high-protein, high-fibre…

‘ Doctors warned us that we’d reached the end... ’ ‘ um, I’m bleeding,’ M yelled my daughter Michelle from the bathroom. She’d just turned 11 and was growing up fast. ‘Don’t worry, darling,’ I soothed, digging out some pads. ‘You’re just starting your period.’ We’d already had the talk. Michelle was about to go on holiday with her dad Mark, so I called him to tip him off. We’d split when Michelle was little but had stayed friends. He doted on his daughter. Michelle had a great time on holiday in Turkey but when she came back, she was still spotting. And she was still bleeding a month on. I took her to the GP, who prescribed a contraceptive Pill to regulate her cycle, but that didn’t help. ‘Mum,…

1 Floss Is Boss When sewing on buttons, use dental flos s as it’s strong, threads easily and will last longer than weak cotton. Caroline Janney, Louth 2 Game On If you’ve lost any playing pieces or counters for your favourite board games, buttons work perfectly as replacements. Beth Cooper, Middlesbrough 3 Cooler Clothes Give a plain-white kid’s T-shirt a makeover by sewing on some colourful buttons in a pretty pattern. It looks adorable on a little one’s sleepsuit, too! Evelyn Stanford, Brecon 4 Brilliant For Bookworms Make a cute bookmark by gluing a paperclip to the back of a button, then use felt for a smooth finish and to seal the glue. Penny Fanning, Motherwell…

‘ I was shaking so much I could hardly stand ’ Growing up, I was always extra careful when it came to using tampons. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is rare. But, despite that, I knew of two people who’d died of the bacterial infection. TSS is commonly linked to using tampons, so I changed mine every five hours, and never left one in overnight. Even when I went to Keele University to study Pharmacy, I was really careful. I read so many horror stories about girls leaving their tampons in for days on end due to being too drunk or tired. Not me. I’d recently had heavy periods, but in December 2016, when my period arrived, I bled non-stop for a whole month. I went to the doctor’s. ‘You may…

1 This condition affects the heart. 2 There are two types of angina. 3 Angina is life-threatening. 4 Medication is the only treatment. 1 TRUE Angina causes a dull, tight pain in the chest that occurs when the blood supply to the heart becomes restricted. Symptoms can also spread to your arm, neck or stomach. 2 TRUE The two types are stable and unstable angina. Stable angina attacks occur when the heart is forced to work harder, while unstable angina is more unpredictable, without obvious triggers. 3 FALSE Angina isn’t life-threatening on its own, but it’s a serious warning that you’re at increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your GP about possible treatments. 4 FALSE Medication and lifestyle changes will reduce the risk of a…

‘So far, I’ve spent about £10,000 on my dolly look’ Tottering down the street in my pink, skyscraper heels, I could feel all eyes on me. ‘Fake,’ I heard someone whisper as I passed. ‘Thank you!’ I smiled, taking it as a compliment. I’m used to getting attention wherever I go. And, with 32J breasts, plumped-up lips and heavy make-up, I don’t expect anything less. See, I love looking fake. In fact, I’m striving to look as plastic and doll-like as possible. To me, it’s a fashion statement, a way to express myself. It all started when I was 9. Whenever I saw women with big boobs, blonde hair and tons of makeup, I’d stare at them in awe. They look beautiful, I’d think, fascinated. But it wasn’t until I…

Verdict: GENIUS! Especially good if you have narrow feet. Sticky Heelz, £6.99, Boots Pretty much every woman has battled with their feet slipping around in their shoes, especially when wearing heels. These stickers are designed to secure the back of the shoe to your foot, so you can wave goodbye to sore feet and blisters! Verdict: BONKERS! We’re not quite sure what we’d use it for! Esonic CAM-3HD Micro HD Camera Pen, £159, www.detective-store.com It might look like a normal pen, but this gadget is hiding an HD camera! It starts to record whenever it senses movement and can film for up to an hour when fully charged – perfect for any sleuth. Verdict: BONKERS! It’s crazy, but we love it. Gin Jam, £6.50, www.…

Famous Todgers! After Napoleon Bonaparte’s death, a doctor amputated his penis to keep as a souvenir! The 200-year-old todger is now a family heirloom. In 1916 Rasputin’s assassins cut his willy off. The 12in member is in a jar in the St Petersburg Museum of Eroticism. One glance at it is said to cure impotence. Egyptian King Tutankhamun was mummified with an erection. It broke off after his tomb was discovered, and has since gone missing… THAT’S NOT YOUR NAME! These baby names have all been banned… You mustn’t call your child Stalin if you live in India. In Saudi Arabia, it’s illegal to name a child Elaine. Having the moniker Mona Lisa is deemed far too embarrassing in Portugal. You can’t call a newborn Anus in Denmark. (Why would…

Teddy’s been in our family for three generations. All the hugs have left him a little threadbare over the years... Not that my daughter cared. When my Dad James, 57, gave Teddy to my 21-month-old girl Zoe, she was thrilled. He went everywhere with her - even to the loo! She cuddled Teddy, took him to nursery, ‘fed’ him. Soon, what was left of his dark-brown fur was matted with food. But no-one could replace her beary best friend. Only, in February, Zoe went shopping with her dad Paul, 41, in Glasgow. And they lost Teddy! ‘I didn’t realise until we got home,’ Paul fretted. Poor Zoe was distraught. She screamed and cried when I suggested sleeping with a different toy. Next morning, I dropped her off at nursery, still…

‘I found George with his head in the washing machine!’ No-one could call being a dog owner glamorous... But when I went outside to clear up the dog mess in the garden in October last year, I did have a chuckle. We’d two little Staffies, George and Lola, both 4 months old. And in the middle of one of their puppy poos was a sock! I recognised it as one of my 4-year-old daughter Imogen’s, although it wasn’t as colourful as it’d once been... Which of them’s been eating socks? I wondered. Canine culprit Over the next few days, I found more socks that’d been scoffed by a puppy and come out the other end. I still didn’t know who the thief was, but I wasn’t worried. It was what…

ARIES 21 March–20 April There's a naughty feel to your chart, which is going to make it difficult for you to avoid doing things other people deem unacceptable. Know how far is too far to go, and stay within the limit, as you’re already on your last chance with someone you’d hate to lose from your life. Call: 09058 170 710* CANCER 22 June–23 July The money sector of your chart is full of opportunity. You start to see there are other options to the problems you’ve been facing. You’ve had too many opinions around you, which were blurring your common sense. Just being yourself this week works miracles. Call: 09058 170 713* LIBRA 24 Sept–23 Oct Relationships may not have been going the way you’d like them to, but…