Table of contents for 16-May-2024 in Pick Me Up!

For neutral fans, textured items give an elevated look…

Crossing the line, head to toe in hot pink, I’d completed yet another Race for Life. Since 2013, I’d participated most years. You see, I’ve always been keen to raise awareness for Cancer Research. Working as a nurse, I have cared for patients who’ve battled cancer. So I was running for them. And my kids Haydn, now 31, Morgan, 28, and Milly, 14, would join me. In October 2020, I’d turned 50 and was invited for a routine mammogram at the breast clinic. I wasn’t worried at all – I’m a great believer in having health screenings. It wasn’t until two days later, when a letter arrived, that alarm bells rang. Being a nurse, I knew how procedures worked – this was probably bad news. The letter invited me for…

Spring has finally sprung! Eflorist.co.uk are giving Pick Me Up readers an exclusive 20% off so you can fill your home with the freshest bouquets. Simply use the code PICK20S at the checkout. We believe in the transformative power of flowers. Every blossom tells a unique story, carrying with it the emotions, memories, and messages of its sender and receiver. With our passion for floral artistry and commitment to quality, we strive to create breathtaking arrangements for your special moments. Backed by over 75 years in the flower industry, we embrace sustainability and community, prioritising local British growers and supporting eco-friendly farming communities. We have worked with 1,500 independent florists, offering a reliable same-day and next-day delivery service. Shop now at Eflorist.co.uk Pick Me UP! *To claim your 20% discount…

OH SO GLAM Get ready for some serious glam this summer with Morphe’s brand-new Rich & Foiled collection. With three eyeshadow palettes consisting of mattes, shimmers and metallics, they offer a wealth of possibilities. Choose from: Gold Seeker: This warm-toned palette delivers bronze and neutral shades, plus a stunning metallic gold, too. Going Platinum: For those who prefer cool tones, this is perfect. Create subtle or bold looks with these silver tones. Rose to Fame: This rivetingly rosetoned palette is blushed-out and sultry, with its metallic rose gold shade giving serious payoff. £15 each, available from uk.morphe.com Luxe for less Have you heard? Ted Baker have launched a brand-new bath and body collection with prices starting from just £4. With three new signature scents, the range is designed to transform…

Lorraine Collins is a registered counsellor, psychotherapist and cognitive behavioural therapist. She is also BACP registered and has over 15 years’ experience in addiction and relapse prevention. Lorraine’s built an extensive private practice in London. Please visit: bacp.co.uk or follow @Lorrainecollinstherapy on Instagram for more. We had steamy sex in the office! Q I’m absolutely mortified. I had a fling with my boss last summer, something that we have both professionally moved on with, but there’s more. Our sex was caught on camera – and HR have found out, too. I can’t go back to work! Kathleen, Leicester A Facing a situation like this must feel incredibly overwhelming and distressing for you. It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling mortified and anxious about returning to work. First, it’s important to remember that…

One of the most glamorous ladies that you could ever meet – that was Alessandra Matteuzzi. A quick glance at her Instagram and you would see Alessandra, 56, dressed from head to toe in all the latest trends. From colourful bikinis to classy evening wear and a street style only teenagers would be brave enough to wear – there was no doubt about it, she looked fab. And Alessandra liked to document her life online, sharing flawless selfies and snaps of her designer bags, shoes and tasty meals. I want magic, was her most recent post. And her life certainly did look magical. It looked like she lived the perfect life. Alessandra seemed carefree and glamorous, spending her time sunbathing and shopping. Known for long blonde hair and big blue…

Walking into the house, I put our new arrival down. With our family growing, I couldn’t wait to introduce them to their siblings. Only, it’s not what you may think – Albert Sebastian was a parrot! And he’d be joining Piper and Rio – my other two feathered friends! They were my babies – alongside my daughter Eve, 20, that is! The birds would chatter away to my hubby Stephen, 56, and I all the time. Albert Sebastian – a rare Lord Derby’s Parakeet – was bewildered when he joined us but was coming along in leaps and bounds. And in September last year, I was training them before popping into Glasgow. Popping Albert back in his individual cage, I ran upstairs to get changed, while Stephen finished his breakfast.…

Gathering the essentials from my kitchen cupboard, I started making a packed lunch. It was for my son Rocco, now nine, to take to school, alongside lunches for his siblings Jesse James, now 15, and Tigerlily, now 14. Only, Rocco’s packed lunch consisted of 12 packets of Skips, a tube of Pringles and a Kit Kat bar. It’s all Rocco would eat – crisps, biscuits, Jacob’s crackers and anything crunchy. Then he’d have a glass of chocolate Nesquik. I look like such a bad mum. But I knew I wasn’t – it’s just that Rocco’s fussy eating had been going on for years. Going to the doctors when Rocco was three, they thought he could be autistic. I had to explain Rocco’s fussy eating to his teachers so they wouldn’t…

INSTANT appointment With pharmacist Thorrun Govind (cetraben.co.uk) Cream concerns Q I’m worried about using topical steroid creams to treat my eczema. Are there any harmful side effects from using them? Kirsty, Birmingham A Topical corticosteroids are a Kirsty, Birmingham type of steroid medicine applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation and irritation. They are available in four different strengths – mild, moderate, potent and very potent – and like all medications, they can have side effects. The most common side effect is burning or stinging when applied, but this usually improves as your skin gets used to the treatment. Side effects are more likely to occur if you are using a more potent corticosteroid or you are using it for a very long time, or over a large area. It is…

Verdict: GENIUS! Shake and make Ice Cream Shaker Maker, £6.99, Menkind As soon as the sun starts to come out, the temptation of needing a delicious ice cream is all too familiar. But what if you could have it at home in just three minutes? By adding your items into the cute ice cream, along with ice in the bottom, all you need to do is close the lid and shake. You could add your favourite sweet treats inside for a different concoction of flavours, too. Pass the shaker around to get the family involved. And once three minutes is up, you have your delicious soft scoop ice cream ready to eat – enjoy! Verdict: BONKERS! Want to try? We all scream for ice cream Warburtons crumpets and Birds Eye frozen pea…

Picking up my phone, I knew what to expect. A text from my sister Kelly, 35, which she sent on Tuesday every week. It was a photo of my mum Lorraine, 57, fast asleep in her favourite armchair. Typical mum, I laughed. Every week, Mum went over to Kelly’s for dinner. Even though I couldn’t be there, having moved from Kent to Scotland in March 2020 with my wife Caitlin, 26, and my kids Logan, five, and Leilah, four, Kelly kept me in the loop. Despite moving a 10-hour drive away, I still always chatted to Mum. At least, that’s when she answered her phone. ‘Sorry John,’ she’d say. ‘My phone’s on silent!’ But she was always a busy bee. Getting involved in the community, Mum was a keen darts…

With the sound of laughter coming from the garden, I knew exactly what I would find. As in our Mississippi home, my hubby Wells, then 31, and our son Conrad, then three, always had a way of staying entertained. Whether we were at the lake or playing sports, Wells was an active, hands-on dad. Which meant the most after we found out we were expecting another baby boy in late 2019. Working as a welder, which had different hours to me as a dental assistant, Wells came to all of my scans. ‘Don’t worry this time, you need to save your holiday,’ I told Wells on 6 August 2020, as I had our 36-week scan that morning. I was fine to go alone. ‘Let me know when you get there,’…

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.…

MUST-VISIT Mr Doodle! at The Holburne Museum Located in Sydney Pleasure Gardens, The Holburne Museum is a perfect portrayal of grandeur and history, full of Renaissance treasures. However, there’s chaos on display this season – as Mr Doodle has gone wild. Renowned artist and internet sensation, who often refers to his talents as ‘obsessive compulsive doodling’, is in Bath for his first ever UK museum exhibition. With personal sketchbooks on display, the gallery walls, floors and ceilings will be filled with the most ludicrous and bonkers doodles. You can have a go, too. On now until the beginning of September, it’s an exhibition not to be missed – enjoy! Tickets from £5.50, under 18s go free. Pre-book your tickets or pay on arrival. Please visit: holburne.org Climb Bath Abbey Take…

Puckering up, there were a few questions that immediately ruined the moment. ‘What kind of kiss are we going for?’ my fiancé Eleazer, now 25, swooned. ‘Long? A peck? Are we going straight in for tongue?’ ‘Let’s just make sure we are on the same page,’ I teased. ‘No tongue, three seconds.’ Despite my rising heart rate and obvious sexual tension, I knew we couldn’t kiss just yet. Not until the altar. Unlike other people my age, instead of having a first kiss as an early teen, I’d never made out with anyone else. And Eleazer hadn’t either. In fact, even though we’d been in a relationship in Texas, for 17 amazing months, a rock on my finger by January 2023, we’d never smooched. No peck and no making out.…

Huddling to stay warm as I found myself with a broken boiler, there was no immediate fix. And as I tried my best to beat the cold, back in 2014, I felt compelled to act. Not to necessarily improve my own situation, but to help other vulnerable people who were stuck, freezing in their homes instead. I wanted to make a difference. So, that winter, with my own determination, as well as the help, support and generosity of my friends, I founded Small Acts of Kindness. Putting together 50 Warm in Winter gift bags, I distributed them to the older people in my community, free of charge. The packs included a fleece blanket, thermal gloves, a mug and hot drinks, too. As well as distributing practical gifts, my aim was for…

Boost your salad game this spring with Mary Berry’s very own dressings – who said vegetables had to be boring? Mary Berry products can be found in a Sainsbury’s near you Treat of the week Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 30 minutes Serves: 4 Honey, Pear and Blue Cheese Salad YOU WILL NEED: □ 1 tbsp oil□ 2 pears, cored and cut into wedges□ 75g walnuts□ 2 tbsps clear honey□ 100g mixed-leaf salad□ 2 heads red chicory, thickly sliced□ 3 tbsps Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing□ 100g Gorgonzola, torn into pieces□ 100g red seedless grapes 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the pears for three to four minutes until golden, turning once. Remove and add the walnuts and honey and fry for one minute, stirring until caramelised, set…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Venus in Gemini helps you realise that if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with a bit of rain. You have strong supporters around you now, Aries. In fact, arrangements made with others this week gives you the confidence to plan for the future. This means you won’t just be existing, which has recently been the case. You can aim higher with your personal life, too! Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May This is a week where it would be worth taking another look at the attitude you are showing close ones. I can see that stress has been a factor of late, but you haven’t done anything about distancing yourself from who has been the cause of it. Buying and…