Table of contents for 21-Oct-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Hanging out at my friend’s ranch, I couldn’t stop admiring the man sitting opposite me. Scott was three years older than me, and we were in college together in Oklahoma. Hanging out at parties and fishing with our friends, we got to know each other fairly well. However, we had a strictly platonic relationship. Then, after finishing college in 2003, I soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue my dreams of teaching. I didn’t hear from Scott again, but in 2017, he popped up on Facebook. Hi there, he wrote. If I’m honest, I was a little shocked to hear from him! However, we soon started chatting back and forth, and agreed to meet up when I went back home for Christmas. After 14 years, I couldn’t wait to see…

Sue Tappenden is a coach and people expert who helps her clients improve their relationship with themselves and others. (www.headspaceforchange.com) It bugs me Q My ex-husband has started dating someone new. I don’t want him back but I’m annoyed that he’s moved on. Why does it bother me? Laura, Swindon A Although you know that you don’t want to be with your ex, it can feel strange when they meet someone else. There may be many reasons for you feeling as you do, but there are two particular ones that spring to mind. I wonder if you have some ‘unfinished business’ in terms of the ending of your relationship with him? Perhaps you still feel angry or sad about it at some level and seeing him moving on has brought…

BIG health story Looking in the mirror as I brushed my teeth one morning, I frowned. I gently traced my finger over a bump on the right side of my jaw. It was a soft lump and it wasn’t painful, but it was definitely noticeable. I’m sure it’s nothing, I thought to myself, and I carried on getting ready. It felt like pins and needles. But when I mentioned it to my mum and my siblings, my brother was concerned. ‘It’s getting bigger,’ he said. ‘You should see your GP.’ I thought he was being a bit over-dramatic, but when the lump started to become more painful, I booked an appointment with my doctor. She was stumped, too. ‘I’m not sure what it is,’ she said, as she felt around…

Gazing down at my newborn daughter Sienna sleeping in her crib, I smiled. ‘She looks so peaceful,’ I said to my partner Albert, 31. When I fell pregnant it had been a surprise, but after getting over the initial shock Albert and I were thrilled. At just three weeks old, Sienna was already such a happy little girl, and she really had changed our lives for the better. My older daughter Maddison, nine, doted on her baby sister, too. One evening Albert was doing her night feeds, so I kissed her goodnight before heading off to bed myself, where I quickly drifted off into a peaceful slumber. The next thing I knew, I was being shaken awake. ‘What’s going on?’ I said, blearily sitting up. ‘It’s Sienna,’ Albert said, and…

DON’T MISS A Year in the Ice: The Arctic Drift, Channel 4 Get an incredible insight as scientists embark on the most ambitious climate research expedition yet. None have been so remote as the over-500 scientists and crew on the Polarstern, a 12,000 ton German icebreaker, which was home for those on the Mosaic expedition. Film crews followed the ship for an entire year as its scientists undertook vital research in the most hostile and unknown terrain on earth. Ten years in preparation, costing $150 million, Mosaic spent 390 days, 150 without sunlight, 600 miles from the nearest land, locked in ice on board the ship. During the journey, scientists took to the ice to build research stations, battled -40C temperatures, storms and the dangers of the very phenomenon under…

As the nights draw in and days get shorter, it’s time to get cosy and prep your home for the new season. Have a look at our top tips to help you transition your home from care-free summer to cosy autumn… Declutter Lots of us pick up little bits and bobs throughout the summer that take up far too much space in the autumn. Start this season off the right way, by decluttering your spaces. Pack away those summer tops, or drop them off at the charity shop if you know you’re not going to wear them next year. Put the shades and hats away, and make some room on your hooks for your essential coats and scarves. And don’t forget to clear out your kitchen cupboards to get rid…

WE’RE LOVING Staying in has never looked so good with the first ever on-demand Happy Hour. From the folks at Your Big Night In, all you need to do is place your order and you’ll receive everything you need to kick off the night in just 30 minutes. With pre-mixed cocktails from Tails Cocktails and lots of nibbles, this box won’t disappoint! • Your Big Happy Hour, £30 – order nationwide from Uber Eats and Deliveroo. What a great idea We’re always trying to find ways to be more sustainable, especially when it comes to single-use plastic. That’s why we love this super cute range of straws from Bendies, that come in an array of character pouches. Each pouch contains two reusable silicone straws for you to use time and…

Abi Neale, 29 and Karl Neale, 29, started Village Wax Melts with a pot of melted wax and a small range of scents created in the spare bedroom of their home in Bolton. Today Abi and Karl have just processed their 100,000th order! Wax melts are a low-cost alternative to candles that the home with a wick-free, long-lasting scent. ‘We’ve always loved home fragrances but struggled to find any that lasted, that’s when we had the idea of making them ourselves,’ Abi explains. At first, they just made them for family and friends but now we can all enjoy the range that includes 80 amazing scents. Discover more at www.villagewaxmelts.com…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! With a high-grade anti scratch Nylon head, this whisk won’t mark your pots and pans when you’re cooking! It has a wide, teardrop shape making it ideal for mixing in large bowls. It’s also dishwasher safe. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Be a winner! Bright idea Remember this… Don’t forget to clean and disinfect the cogged wheel of your tin opener by immersing it in undiluted white vinegar and scrubbing the mechanism with a toothbrush. Colleen Brunton, Enfield Tip of the week Laundry hack When changing a king-size duvet cover I find it is easier if you drape the duvet over the banister. Ilze Skujina, Belfast Hands free! If you are pulling a…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Juliet Anton, chartered psychologist and founder of AskDoc (askdoc.com). The AskDoc app is available to download for free through the Apple Store and Google Play. Eating issues Q I’ve been struggling with my body image, and I’ve recently started making myself sick. Do I have an eating disorder? Alexandra, Bristol A If you are struggling with your body image and you have recently started to make yourself sick, it may be time for you to see a professional. Your GP will give you options as to how you can address these symptoms. They can refer you to talking therapies, or if need be, more specialist services who are more trained in this area. To get a diagnosis for an eating disorder, you will need to have a…

Know your body It’s a common condition that affects how women’s ovaries work, which can lead to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and uterine cancer. However, more than half of UK women are unable to identify the main symptoms. Digital healthcare provider, Livi, found out which symptoms people were most unaware of. These are acne, no periods, long gaps between periods, weight gain and excessive hair growth, too. Young women aged 25 to 35 are least likely to know what symptoms to look for, despite most diagnoses happening during this time.…

Top tip If you do want to wear a suit, make it casual with a pair or trainers, a graphic tee and a messy bun! A WARDROBE MUST HAVE THE BLAZER… Lisa Talbot, award winning personal stylist says: ‘The smart casual dress code is an elevation of casual to a neat and well-fitting look and relaxation or less formal look than that of the business casual. For autumn 2021, the blazer is still a prominent garment and in my opinion another unsung hero of the wardrobe. Use a blazer to immediately elevate your look. From single & double breasted, structured or formal to the ponte style a blazer is a must for your wardrobe!’ Top tip Pair with denim jeans for a sophisticated yet casual look. Find out more about…

Lauren and Rachel are twin sisters who opened their small, fun-loving cake shop in Blackburn and turned it into a huge success. Fans regularly line up for their best-selling cake jars and creative bakes, and they have a huge social media following. Their new book, Finch Bakery: Sweet Homemade Treats and Showstopper Celebration Cakes, is out now! Cake jars Makes 4 Layering sponge inside a jar creates an impressive mess-free dessert – just grab a spoon and you’re ready to go. Cake jars are perfect for using up leftover buttercream, cupcakes or cake cut-offs. This method shows you how to make cake jars with an already-baked sponge. Generally, each layer of sponge requires 50g of cake or 1 cupcake. It will fill a standard 454g jam jar. You can add…

Bitesize! pg 3 Site Strike it! pg 13 Improve (Cross out: 6, 7, 12, 24, 27, 35, 41, 68, 74, 86) Cross it! pg 45 Comedy Fill it! pg 13 Burrito Crack it! pg 38 Exclusive Follow it! pg 8 Blackfish Number fit! pg 13 7475 Sudoku pg 45 2,7,5 PLEASE NOTE Pick Me Up! will still be bringing you great puzzles to pit your wits against, but will no longer be offering prizes. Don’t forget, you can do puzzles for big cash prizes every weekin our sister magazine, Chat.…

When lockdown restrictions lifted, I celebrated by visiting Mount Snowdon. On the day of the climb, my girlfriend Sara was working. I got this pic on the summit, so she was there anyway! Mark Dabbs, Walsall My energetic cat Mabel wore herself out after an attack of the zoomies! Emily Shiers, Gloucester Say cheese! My boy Ronnie enjoying our walk at the park. Bless him! Alexandra Low, Halesowen STAR LETTER This is me getting stuck in the mud on one of my lockdown walks in the countryside. Claire Marie Ferris, Warwickshire This is my husband after ordering the huge 20oz Tomahawk steak. He ate it all, no problem! Lisa Adams, West Midlands If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of…

Designer Henry Holland has teamed up with online department store Freemans, and it’s a collaboration we’re excited about! The new collection, called Henry Holland Modern Living, consists of 100 affordable pieces that stay true to Henry’s design aesthetic and interiors vision, with a nod to iconic designs from the 1970’s. Get high-end looks for a fraction of the price at Freemans.com An affordable way to get on board the retro trend!…

As the days get shorter and colder, we tend to get more prone to picking up winter bugs. But how can we support our immune system to fight off colds and flu? Claire Barnes, nutritional therapist at Bio-Kult, shares her top five tips… Take a vitamin D supplement During the autumn and winter months we’re advised to take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D. Vitamin D receptors are found on most cells of the immune system, which suggests how important it is for supporting our immune health. Eat the right foods Good nutrition is important for supporting our immune response, whilst insufficient nutrition can increase our susceptibility to infection and how severe the infection is. Exercise regularly Evidence suggests that moderate to vigorous aerobic and strength training…

Q I’ve been struggling with anxiety, but when I told a friend he told me to ‘man up’. How should I respond? Jamie, Mancheste A When we express our vulnerability and the other person responds like this, it’s a reflection of them. They may not understand mental health or have the capacity to support us, despite our bravery to express our vulnerability to them, and such phrases can be interpreted as dismissive, cold and devaluing. In any case, when someone says something like that to you, let this be an opportunity for you to understand that this person may not be able to help you, and it’s best to take a different approach. This can be talking about your emotions and mental health to a mental health professional, and also…

Sitting on the edge of the bathtub I waited anxiously, staring at the wall. I grabbed the pregnancy test and turned it over slowly. Two lines were staring back at me. I couldn’t believe it. I’m pregnant. I had been told that I couldn’t have children due to being diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, so the result was the biggest surprise to me. I was overjoyed. I had desperately wanted to be a mum. The next nine months sailed by so quickly. The pregnancy was amazing and I enjoyed every single second of carrying my baby. And then on the 11th May 2011, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy, weighing 7Ib 4oz at Nevil Hall Hospital. I called him David. Although his dad had walked away, I was excited…

Obama Llama game, £22, bigpotato.co.uk The crazy Obama Llama game is fun for all of the family! Can you find a rhyme in time to beat your opponents? If you win the game you get the mighty Obama Llama! Verdict: GENIUS! No laughing matter! Forest cat scratcher, £54, redcandy.co.uk Bring the outside in with this mini forest scene – perfect for making your cat think that it’s sleeping amongst the pine trees of a forest. Who needs real indoor plants when you’ve got these? Verdict: BONKERS! Timber! Tanked Up Bottle Display, £44.55, redcandy.co.uk Load up the tank with your best bottle of Burgundy and watch the mayhem descend on the dinner party. It’s a real show stopper, you’ll tank us later. Verdict: BONKERS! Attention!…

Working at a bookstore in Eastchester, New York meant that every day, Valerie Reyes was surrounded by hundreds of her favourite thing – books. Valerie, 24, was known to read in coffee shops to lose herself for a few hours, and she’d go hiking along local nature trails to escape the noise of the city. But she also loved nothing more than spending a busy Sunday with her family, catching up with her siblings and her mum. Valerie dreamed of being a tattoo artist, and would draw portraits for her friends. Being creative helped her during her struggles she had with depression. But despite her personal battles, Valerie always put everyone else first. In January 2018, Valerie met a man named Javier Da Silva Rojas online. Javier was an immigrant…

Oreo Doughnuts, £1.50, ASDA If you’re an Oreo fan, these indulgent doughnuts are the perfect, satisfying treat. The soft spongy ring is piped full of a vanilla crème filling and there are lots of tasty sprinkles of Oreo cookie pieces on top! OUR MUST TRY Old Jamaica’s Rhubarb & Ginger Ale, £1.20, ASDA This brand-new refreshing drink offers a unique and bold flavour of sweet rhubarb with zingy ginger. It’s perfect as a mixer with your favourite gin, vodka, whisky or rum. And it’s also great to enjoy just by itself. EarthGarden Sauvignon Blanc, £10.50, Tesco This perfectly fresh and zesty white wine has lifted aromas of citrus fruits and flavours on the palate that showcase fresh herbs, passionfruit and lemongrass. Also, it’s 100% BioGro organic certified! Cadbury Snack! Shortcake…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April You’ve lost control and are allowing others to lead. This is unlike you. With Jupiter direct in Aquarius, you’ll now know the right thing to do, you were just too worried what others thought of you. The transferring of finances could lead to mix ups if you don’t make time to do some sums. In fact, security for the rest of this year depends on you making this a priority. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Life feels so much better for you, since a certain person and you came full circle. Yes, you’ve been hurt, but you’ve also healed. Friends make it easy for you to admit where you went wrong, as they suffer from dramas which see…