Table of contents for 23-Apr-2020 in Pick Me Up!

Setting up a Community Watch with a friend, we were desperate to put a stop the anti-social behaviour that was happening. I live in a nice area, but in a small walkway there were always things going on. Overgrown with hedges and trees, it became a prime area for trouble. So, we set up the Community Watch and soon organised a street clean-up. People of all ages from the area joined in to help tidy and bring the walkway back to life. Soon, the hedges were trimmed, and the streetlights were visible again. Only, during the clean-up, I noticed that despite all living on the same street, people were meeting one another for the first time. And so, as the weeks passed and the anti-social behaviour came to an end,…

Chucking down my backpack, I breathed in the warm humid air and took a seat on the cool ground next to my girlfriend. ‘Gorgeous evening, isn’t it?’ I smiled, wrapping my arm around her shoulder as we listened to the sound of crickets in the distance. It was January last year, and Rosa, 32, and I had been backpacking in Columbia for the past four months. Working as volunteers and tour guides, it was our chance to see a country many people hadn’t, improve our Spanish, and discover new horizons. We were based in a remote area over 600 miles away from civilisation, deep in the Amazon rainforest–inaccessible by car–and we were loving every minute. But being in this climate meant we were prone to tropical illnesses–which is just what…

Bleary-eyed, I crept into the nursery as quietly as I could. Staring down into the cot, I was met with 30 perfect little fingers, 30 toes, and three of the most adorable faces. Looking at my three babies, sleeping peacefully, I felt lucky. Having triplets is quite rare, but when I gave birth to mine on 29 January last year at Rikshospitalet in Oslo, Norway, I had beaten even bigger odds–you see, I’m a triplet myself! Born on 14 October 1987 in Budapest, me and my sisters, Sofia and Szilvia, had come as a complete surprise. Our parents, Judit and Zoltan, now both 54, had initially thought they were having twin boys–and then we came along. ‘They’re a force to be reckoned with,’ Mum would always say. Together every moment,…

Popping to the sandwich shop on my lunch break, I ordered a cheese roll, a bag of crisps and a full fat fizzy drink. ‘Oh, and throw the cake of the day in there, too,’ I laughed at the cashier. This was just standard practice during my lunch break, so the staff behind the till knew me well. With two girls, Abigail, 14, and Jessica, 11, a full-time job and my husband, Stewart, 45, I had my hands full. So, I always opted for convenience over health. Only, I hadn’t always been this way. Before the girls, I had a fairly healthy diet. However, when I fell pregnant with Abigail, I decided ‘sod it.’ ‘If I’m eating for two, I may as well go for it,’ I would laugh with…

Moisturising my face with SPF 50, I got ready for a day of working in my beauty clinic. I’ve been a beautician, specialising in skin, for 20 years now. Skin has always fascinated me, and ever since having acne as a teen, I’ve made sure to take care of my skin. ‘See you later,’ I called to my partner David, 39, as I hurried out the door. I spent each day advising my clients on how best to protect and care for their skin. ‘I won’t treat you if you don’t wear SPF!’ I said. ‘You should know by now how important it is.’ Then one day in November 2018, I was visiting my colleague Sarah, to show her some new beauty products. ‘You’ll love this one!’ I said. Sarah…

Triceracob corn holder set, £12.50, RedCandy.co.uk Prepare your meal to get prehistoric! This dinosaur is going to lend some helping horns. A great idea to encourage kids to eat their vegtables! Verdict: GENIUS! Absolutely dino-mite. Personalised photo magnetic dart board, £34.99, Prezzybox.com Remember that time when that person really annoyed you? Get back at them by sticking a smug photo of their face on your bullseye spot! Verdict: BONKERS! Practice your aim. Tan removing bath bomb, £8.50, Lussotan.com Ever wished that you could just sit in a bath and your fake tan would disappear, instead of endlessly scrubbing it off? Now you can! Verdict: GENIUS! A tan-lover’s dream! JUST FOR FUN Crack it! Work out which letter each number represents. When answer boxes at the bottom to spell out a…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You can either decide to try, or give up. Don’t forget that the beauty of your sign, Aries, is that you are great in a crisis. You are like the phoenix who rises from the flames. Someone has been arrogant lately. They’ve been wrong. But use this week to try and understand and find out what caused them to be this way. Peace and understanding will be yours if you do. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May You know by now that it’s time for you to do something different. Your routine is not sitting well with you as of late. What you want is for others to make the changes for you. They are too afraid, after how you acted earlier this year…

Walking home from school, me and my friend Jeanette, then 14, were chatting about boys and gossip from the school playground that day. ‘Are you going to come round to my house for tea tonight?’ she asked. ‘Sounds great, can’t wait to meet your family,’ I replied with a smile. Jeanette and I were like two peas in a pod. ‘This is my friend Anne,’ she said, introducing me to her mum, Janet, 44. ‘Lovely to meet you. The boys are somewhere around the house,’ Janet replied. Jeanette was one of 10 and had seven brothers. And as we went upstairs, I spotted a boy sprawled across his bed. ‘Oh, that’s my brother, Bobby. He thinks he’s a grown up,’ Jeanette joked, bashing the door open as we went by.…

Cathy Wassell is a business coach and owner of Socially Contented. She’s also an autism advocate and the founder of Teen Calm, a subscription box for anxious teens (teencalm.co.uk). What I did last summer Q Last year I went on holiday with the girls and I cheated on my boyfriend. The guilt is eating away at me. Should I tell him even though so many months have passed? Anna, Hull A It doesn’t sound as if you have forgiven yourself for what happened, and therefore you’re having a hard time imagining your boyfriend forgiving you. And maybe he won’t - you haven’t given much indication of the strength or length of your relationship with him. How important is trust in a relationship for him? And how important is it for…

Move it Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t do a workout, with lots of classes now being made available online. Responding to the pandemic, the UK’s largest fitness class provider, MoveGB, have launched a new platform, called Move At Home. For just £1 a week you can access hundreds of live-streamed classes and on-demand workouts from the world’s top trainers - all from the comfort of your living room. From twerking, to 80’s dance classes there is certainly something for everyone. If you fancy giving it a try, head to go.movegb.com to try out your free taster class. £301… That’s how much Brit’s would be willing to spend to rid themselves of insomnia and help them get a better night’s sleep. Have you tried… Salcura Bioskin Hand Sanitiser,…

This beautiful bracelet is yours free when you send an 88p stamped, self addressed envelope with the completed coupon to the address below. Complete the look with a lilac bead necklace for just £6, two pairs of earrings, silver-plated ball and knot studs - £5 for both pairs, and an adjustable ring for only £2. The full set of matching jewellery costs just £13, and if you order it all we will send you a mystery jewellery gift Ð absolutely free! Pearl Drop Earrings LYN797 These stunning earrings feature two lustrous white freshwater cultured pearls, with a 20mm drop, set in in solid 925 sterling silver with comfortable butterfly backs. BONUS OFFER How to claim your free bracelet Complete the coupon and send together with a stamped self-addressed envelope and…

Top tip Pastels are perfect for spring! Top tip Frills and puff sleeves are trending. Top tip Two-pieces are simple and stylish. Give your trainers a makeover The shoe experts at Public Desire have revealed their advice for keeping your favourite footwear sweet smelling and looking good. 1. GETTING OFF THE DIRT Use a dry cloth to get off any loose dirt and then use a wet toothbrush and scrub in a circular motion to remove thick dirt. 2. WASHING MACHINE The heat and movement in the washing machine can damage the glue in the stitching. If you must wash them, set at the lowest temperature and on the gentlest cycle. 3. LINGERING STAINS A solution of water, white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda and a little elbow grease will help remove stubborn stains.…

There is no manual that tells you how to be a parent. And there is definitely no guide to become a step-parent. Nothing can prepare you for the early challenges of joining a new family. Whether that be the children accepting you, the ex-partner despising you, or the wider family judging you - it’s a tough role to take on. Thankfully, step-parents aren’t alone. According to the BBC, it is estimated that 1 in 3 families in the UK are now stepfamilies. Every stepfamily has a different dynamic, and are naturally going through different experiences. Many of these stepfamilies are learning how to cope with the death of a parent. Often, after the loss of a mum or dad, is the arrival of a new stepparent. This can be especially…

Must try products: These are the hair products we are loving at the moment! Maui Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner, £8.99 each, Boots With 100% aloe vera–nature’s miracle moisturiser–this range is perfect for hydrating dry tresses. Enriched with coconut milk, guava oil and mango butter, alongside the aloe vera, this shampoo and conditioner will deliver the ultimate healthy glow and shine. So, wave goodbye to dry locks and treat your tresses to island-inspired hydration. OGX Apple Cider Vinegar collection, £7.99 each, Superdrug As ‘high shine’ walks off the catwalks and onto the high street, this new trio will keep you on trend with a gloss to turn dull hair, green with envy. Helping to fruitfully balance hair and scalp, this remedy helps to eliminate residue and…

Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid and the letters in the highlighted squares spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. Answer on page 47. 3 letters Egg Era Ewe Net Odd 4 letters Slow Snow Soil Soot Sown 5 letters Naive Navel Noise Novel 6 letters Advice Chords Falcon Famous Finest Office Sunlit 7 letters Amnesia Calcium Obscure 8 letters Bookends Broccoli Ethernet Suggests Sudoku pg 45 1, 1, 9 Cross it! pg 45 Walnut Sudoku! To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle, then read down the numbers in the highlighted squares for the answer. Answer on page 47.…

Gum disease Q My dentist told me I was showing signs of gum disease. How can I prevent it from developing? Holly, London A There are a number of factors including genetics, that can increase your likelihood of getting gum disease, but the most common cause is poor plaque control which is down to not brushing your teeth thoroughly enough. Signs of gum disease include, inflamed and bleeding gums and teeth becoming loose. Your dentist will easily spot gum disease and can advise you on the treatment needed. They may suggest you visit the hygienist for some specific treatment and oral health guidance, or in more serious cases they may refer you to a specialist in gum problems. Improving your oral health will prevent gum disease from developing further. Using…

Q My teeth have never been straight and I’m really self-conscious of them. How do I go about getting adult braces? Dean, Suffolk A Adult orthodontics has become increasingly popular as more people are starting to see the value of improving their smile. There are three different methods of braces you can choose from, which include fixed braces which are train tracks on the outside of your teeth, lingual braces that are on the inside of your teeth or clear aligners, such as Invisalign. Clear aligners are invisible and removable, but they must be worn 22 hours a day to take effect. Invisalign delivers great results, but for patients who require more complex treatment, a fixed and lingual brace may be more appropriate. Adults interested in braces should visit their…

Lucy’s Law As of April this year, Lucy’s Law has been officially brought into legislation in England–meaning that the third-party sales of puppies and kittens will be illegal. In line with the law, a new book has been released titled Lucy’s Law–the story of a little dog who changed the world. It follows the incredible true story of one little Welsh rescue dog who was adopted and helped bring an end to puppy farming in the UK. The book is available now for £8.99 on MirrorBooks.co.uk. PET NEWS Listen in whilst you’re at home or on a walk! PUPPY PODCAST Nikki Tibbles, founder of Wild at Heart Foundation, has launched her new podcast Dog Bless You. She speaks to people in the public eye who are dog lovers about how…

Treat of the week Heinz aubergine veggie bake Serves 2 ₽1 can of Heinz Cream of₽Tomato with a kick of chilli soup (400g)₽50g Olive oil₽1 clove of garlic₽40g parmesan cheese₽100g mozzarella cheese₽1 aubergine₽1 diced courgette₽1 diced red pepper₽1 chopped onion₽50g fresh basil 1 Pre-heat your oven to 180°C or gas mark 5. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, courgette, red pepper, onion and garlic to a frying pan and fry until soft. 2 Add the Heinz Cream of Tomato with a kick of chilli soup to the vegetables and mix together. Remove the pan from the heat and set to one side. 3 Slice the aubergines lengthways into 15mm slices and drizzle with the remaining oil. Grill on a pre-heated grilling pan on both sides. 4 Spoon a third of the…

J20 Pear & Guava ‘Summer Shine’, from £4.39, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. New this year, this limited-edition flavour includes the refreshing tastes of pear and guava with added ‘shimmer’. Jason’s Bread, £1.80, M&S. Combining a sourdough with a classic ciabatta, this ‘ciabattin’ bread is delicious, healthy and has all the qualities of a great artisan loaf found in a bakery. Gordon’s White Peach distilled gin, £16.50, Asda. The latest addition in the Gordon’s gin range, this new flavour captures the naturally mellow white peach taste. The perfect spring tipple! Mermaid Cornetto multipack, £3, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Set to cause a splash this summer, Cornetto Mermaid has a bright pink cone and comes in two delicious flavours - matcha and raspberry, and classic raspberry and vanilla. Ella’s Kitchen dairy free baby food…