Table of contents for 25-Aug-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Having loved writing poetry in secondary school, with English lessons being one of my favourites, you could say I always had a natural affinity with words. Only this time around, in July 2020, I started writing my thoughts down to aid my grieving process. Me and my husband Patrick, 32, had lost our girl, Evelyn, at 14 weeks pregnant. And after experiencing three miscarriages before that, I felt numb. Although we didn’t want to tempt fate by buying anything for Evelyn, it was the first time we had reached the dating scan, and I prayed that this time around we would be able to start a family. I prayed we would be able to start a family Whenever I felt an emotion linked to my grief, I decided to write…

Fluffing another elephant toy and placing it inside the newly constructed crib, the room was starting to come together. Adding a splash of grey paint, and standing back to admire my work, it was clear to anyone what my favourite animal was! At 20-weeks pregnant, the nursery was set for our newborn’s arrival, even though I was nowhere near full-term. Me and my partner James, 30, couldn’t wait! Finding out we were pregnant in November 2020, after deciding to start trying, we were over the moon. Even the wait for the two lines to show was unbearable, so there was no way we were stalling the nursery! Deciding to tell our families at Christmas, we wanted the surprise to be magical. ‘Congratulations, you’ve been promoted to grandparents,’ my mum Heather,…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! If you’re looking for a convenient and hygienic way to prepare and chop food, this is for you. Designed to enable you to swipe chopped food to one side and then swipe peelings and waste to the other, there’s no mess whilst you cook! It has knife friendly cutting surfaces with non-slip feet, too. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Well polished If my shoes have any white marks where the upper layer has been scuffed, I cover the marks with the same colour nail polish as the shoes and they look as good as new. Collen Brunton, Enfield Itchy insects A really handy tip for this weather. Dab a bit of…

Anxious free days out! With this summer bringing us wonderful weather, you’ve probably been looking forward to keeping your pooch entertained. Although, if your dog is nervous, this will be more challenging. It’s important that you’re aware of their unique triggers and keep a careful eye on your dog to keep them comfortable. Desensitise them to any activity by easing them in gently, giving them lots of time, and create a calm space for them to recuperate in afterwards. Pro Dog Raw UK have shared their greatest summer activities to introduce to your anxious pooch – let the nerves just disappear! For more tips and tricks follow @prodograwuk on Instagram. LICKIMATS Licking releases ‘happy hormones’ in dogs and these mats can be enjoyed inside or outside on a sunny day.…

Wearing the rainbow doesn’t have to be a crime – you can do so with mixing colour together to your heart’s content. Miranda Holder, celebrity style expert and feel good fashion coach, has the low down on exactly what colour blocking is, and how to achieve it in your wardrobe… To find out more visit: mirandaholder.london ● Colour ‘blocking’ is the term given to wearing large areas of single colour on the body without any pattern or print to break it up, for example a red top with blue trousers. ● It’s a simple, easy way to inject a bit of energy into our look and breathe a bit of life into our wardrobes through using colour. ● If you are a little unsure about embracing colour and have always…

Addiction sits like an elephant in the room of many family homes. It has the power to tear through families, taking our loved ones away from us. The addictive behaviours of another can be destructive to family life. Loved ones often experience exhaustion, frustration and isolation whilst trying to help someone from falling into deeper pits of addiction. There were 275,896 adults in contact with drugs and alcohol services in the UK between April 2020 and March 2021, with around130,490 users beginning treatment within this time, According to GOV. UK figures. Furthermore, Action on Addiction predicts one in three will be affected by some form of addiction in the UK. ‘Families and loved ones affected by addiction often experience exhaustion, frustration and a sense of isolation when trying to help,’…

House Of Dragon, Sky The series we’ve all been waiting for will hit our screens this week. The reign of House Targaryen begins. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, this series is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Starring Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy and plenty more. Just as with Game of Thrones, expect drama, lust and epic scenes. Alan Carr’s Adventures With Agatha Christie, More Four In this brand-new programme, Alan Carr goes on a very personal, Great British literary journey of a lifetime to discover more about his favourite childhood author, Agatha Christie, and two of her most beloved characters, Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Alan heads off in search of the places that inspired his literary heroine and…

INTENSE TREATMENT Say hello to the newest range from TRESemmé! The 1 Minute WOW! range gives you instantly soft and stronger hair in just 60 seconds. £4.99 each, Superdrug 1. HYDRATE INTENSIVE TREATMENT A lightweight formulation that instantly nourishes your hair, this intensive treatment works to visibly heal dry ends, creating noticeably healthier and more hydrated locks. In just 60 seconds, it makes tresses easier to detangle. 2. SMOOTH INTENSIVE TREATMENT Smooth your frizzy locks for a gorgeous, slick finish. Perfect for those of you who struggle with a full, flyaway mane – this treatment will bring life back to your crown! 3. REPAIR INTENSIVE TREATMENT Cleanse and repair damaged hair with this supportive mask. Restoring your locks back to their former glory, this mask is perfect for those of…

WE’RE LOVING With the final weeks of summer coming up, you may be running out of ideas – and money! That’s why Decathlon are launching a rental service from just £20 per day, so you can explore new sports with equipment like kayaks, e-bikes and paddleboards! The sport retailer are making your summer fun by allowing you to pay per day, compared to per hour. Available in London, Southampton, Poole and Glasgow, the service will be rolled out to more stores in the future – so get outside and soak in the last of the summer! ● Visit: decathlon.co.uk HAVE YOU HEARD? Disneyland Paris has officially opened its gates to the new Marvel Avengers Campus. With the promise to empower guests to take an active role alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and…

Complete the grid then read down the shaded squares to reveal the hidden answer. Clue: TV soap. Answer on page 47. ACROSS 1 Una _, late actor in the TV shows Worzel Gummidge and Till Death Do Us Part (6) 4 _ Cumberbatch, star of the 2022 film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (8) 10 Having a superior attitude (7) 11 Child-carrying equipment (7) 12 Ground (4) 13 Arthur _, author of the 1912 sci-fi novel The Lost World (5,5) 15 Holy building (6) 16 Act tyrannically (7) 20 Lacking in detail (7) 21 Novice (6) 24 Someone helping a criminal (10) 26 _ Gatiss, star of the British sitcom The League of Gentlemen (4) 28 Auditorium (7) 29 Fruit bun (7) 30 Balderdash (8) 31 Roman emperor’s…

Stress is a horrible feeling. But many of us do not recognise it as a mental health issue. The Pick Me Up! team caught up with author and psychotherapist Katy Georgiou to find out more. 1) What are the most common triggers of stress in everyday life? A lack of feeling in control, lack of support, when things feel like they’ve got on top of us, or in situations where we are powerless. 2) How does stress affect us? Too much stress for long periods of time will impact our physical and mental wellbeing considerably. This can lead us to destructive behaviours and decisions which further impact our health and state of mind. 3) What is the best way of dealing with stress? Listen in to your body’s needs, then you…

Nicola says… Spotting a familiar little Shih Tzu runnning up to me, I smiled. ‘Hello, Marcel,’ I said, giving him a scratch behind the ears. ‘Hi there,’ Marcel’s owner said when she caught up. ‘How are you doing today?’ I often saw the very glamorous-looking lady and her pooch when I was out walking my Scottish Terrier, McTed. But we never progressed past a dog-name basis. Then I saw her at a mutual friend’s party, and she introduced herself as Jessica. ‘I go swimming every morning at Brockwell Lido,’ she told me. ‘You’re brave,’ I chuckled. ‘Why don’t you come with me?’ she suggested. ‘Challenge accepted!’ I replied, feeling determined. So, after a night of steak and good wine, I agreed to get out of bed early the next morning…

Watching the clock in the hospital waiting room, I tried to breathe out the nerves. Holding my son Joey, then one, on my lap, I couldn’t help but feel anxious. This was a make or break appointment. We would find out if Joey qualified for the surgery that would turn his little life around. Joey had always been a really happy and bubbly baby, with the biggest smile on his face. Only, when Joey reached six months old, things changed. Weaning him didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. He would gag as I fed him different kinds of baby food. At first, I thought maybe he didn’t like particular foods, but it soon became clear he couldn’t eat anything properly. Even when trying to bottle feed he would…

Bring a ray of sunshine into your home!…

Jetting off on holiday this summer? We all dream of a first-class flight – Champagne on tap, leg room for days and complimentary toiletries. But for most of us, it’s out of reach. Not anymore though – travel experts at Forbes Advisor have shared their tricks to blag a free upgrade on your next flight! Check in early Most people arrive at the airport with enough time to check in bags, clear security and relax before taking off. But if you want to improve your chances of a free first-class seat, check in either very early, or last minute. If you arrive several hours early, you’re most likely to beat off competition for first-class or business tickets. If the economy cabin has been overbooked, airlines will want to rectify this…

Sue Tappenden is a coach and people expert, who helps her clients improve their relationship with themselves and others. For more search: Head Space for Change Done with it Q My in-laws are horrible and it’s putting a strain on my relationship. It’s clear they don’t like me, and I’ve given up trying now. Is there still time to salvage what we have left?  Louisa, Sleaford A It’s said that we can choose our friends but not our family, but it’s also never too late to make changes. You could start with a calm and honest conversation with your partner about how you really feel right now. If they truly care, they will want to support you and find ways to make things better so you are happier. I would…

Nicola and Jessica have front-crawled their way through their fair share of lidos – here are their favourite five… 1. Charlton Lido, Greenwich It’s where we swim every day and we simply love it! 2. Hillingdon Lido, Middlesex It’s just like a mini trip to Miami, with all its glorious Art Deco glamour. 3. Guildford Lido Banked with greenery and beautiful lawns, it’s a truly uplifting swim. 4. Jesus Green Lido, Cambridge The longest lido in the UK, it stretches out to mimic the adjacent River Cam – 91 metres of sparkling blue water. Simply wonderful! 5. Hilsea Lido, Portsmouth You can feel the passion that surrounds this lido, which is steeped in history. It first opened in 1935 and has the deepest diving pit – it was used by…

Take some summer inspiration from a refreshing fruit cocktail of raspberries, pineapple, oranges, and apples. Which one is your favourite?! BERRIES PINEAPPLE APPLE ORANGE…

Here are a few helplines available to families and addicts that can help support the journey to sobriety. ● FRANK, provides confidential advice and support surrounding drug use – call: 0300 123 6600, text: 82111 ● Adfam, provides support for families – adfam.org ● Addiction Helpline, provides support on entering rehab – call: 0808 163 9632 ● The National Gambling Helpline provides support for anyone affected by gambling – 0808 8020 133 ● These helplines provide guidance and support for anyone who calls – addict or family member.…

Rug anti-slip mat, £9.99, Dunelm Are you fed up of tripping over your kitchen mat, or have to keep moving it time and time again when cleaning? A genius solution can stop just that. By placing this anti-slip mat underneath, you’ll prevent slipping, creasing, and folding, meaning your statement rug can be the star of the show. Verdict: GENIUS! No more slip ‘n’ slides! The most expensive rug ever sold! If you thought buying a new rug was expensive, then this will blow your mind. During a 2019 Sotheby’s auction in New York, one item sold for an astonishing price that baffled everyone. Shattering all records, the ‘17th Century Antique Persian Carpet’ sold for a whopping $33 million. The unknown buyer was not willing to let it go, no matter the…

Little tot, Henry Prisby, tilted his head back and smiled widely for his grandmother Elaine. He laughed exposing his baby teeth. Elaine’s camera snapped at exactly the right time capturing this moment forever, perfectly in black and white. Even though little Henry’s parents Amy Lewis Oliver and Chris Prisby were separated, their joint custody agreement meant Henry, three, could enjoy spending time with his paternal grandparents. The relationship between Chris and Amy had been quite messy, according to family members. Amy had not wanted another child prior to having Henry, and the battle for full custody was always ongoing. Despite this, joint custody seemed to work. A few days later, on Tuesday October 27, 2020, Amy drove from Green Cove Spring to pick up Henry from his dad’s house in…