Table of contents for 18-Apr-2024 in Pick Me Up!

Meltee was created when close friends Charlotte and Caitlin realised there wasn’t a candle brand where the scent matched your mood. And for them, a relaxing candle or wax melt should make you feel good. So, sit back, relax and breathe in… Visit: shopmeltee.com…

Laying a white sheet down on the floor, I gently placed my baby in the middle. ‘Let’s try again,’ I said to my partner Will, 32. I’m not sure how many people know the struggle of taking a passport photo for a newborn baby, but I can tell you it is hard work! And only a little newborn baby, our little boy Atlas wasn’t old enough to hold his head up by himself. But we’d had a brainwave. Placing him down on the sheet, Will held his arms, while I took a video of his face. Taking screen grabs of the video, we finally had a perfect passport photo – Atlas with his eyes wide open. And now we were ready to set off for our big adventure. It may…

Heading into my local opticians, I was booked in for a routine eye check. I’d had no sight problems, but I hadn’t had an eye test since 2019. So I decided it was time. As a busy mum and grandma, taking care of my family – husband Scott, 54, children Ben, 35, Ashley, 34, Stephan, 31, Jessica, 29, and grandchildren Logan, five, and one-year-old Patrick – always took priority. But on 21 October last year, I headed to my appointment and after the usual tests, I was sent into another room. Putting my head into a device that looked like a toilet bowl, the optician flashed a light behind my eyes. ‘I’m going to refer you to the eye hospital for further tests,’ he told me. ‘I don’t believe you…

Loading tin after tin of sugary, pre-cut fruit into my trolley, I had cleared the shelves in no time at all. From pineapple and peaches, I didn’t care what I was buying – it was cheap and would fill a hole. That’s all that mattered. ‘Corhh, are you having a party?’ a random stranger pointed, as me and my daughter Rosie, now 13, headed to the checkout. With over 30 tins in the trolley, we did gather plenty of strange looks. ‘Yes, we are!’ I muttered, quickly putting my head down. I didn’t have the heart to tell the truth – I didn’t even really like admitting it to myself. The fact was, we weren’t stocking up for any guests. Being bored had started my addiction The masses of tinned…

Georgina Sturmer is a counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She specialises in working with women, helping them to understand what is holding them back from being happier, more confident and resilient in their life and relationships. To find out more visit: georginasturmer.co.uk Will he ever be fun again? Q My partner has stopped drinking alcohol and I'm so proud of him. But he's not fun anymore. He's boring and blunt. How can I cope without encouraging him to drink again? Kathy, Faversham A When our partner changes their behaviour, it can have a knock-on impact on our relationship. It sounds like you’re proud of him, but you also miss the lively version of his personality that came out when he was drinking. It’s…

Walking through Corby town centre with my best friend Caitlyn, it was a busy Friday night. On 4 November 2022, the firework night celebrations had started early and after watching the display, Caitlyn and I headed to the town centre for a drink to warm up. Only on the way, we bumped into an old face. ‘Hi,’ a man greeted us. His name was Dean Hutchison, now 40. He’d been a few years above me at school – we’d never hung out, but I recognised him and found him quite attractive. And after a bit of chit chat, I found myself warming to him. ‘My flat’s just down the road,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you come for a drink at mine?’ Agreeing, Caitlyn and I joined Dean at his flat.…

Bright and fresh for those spring vibes!…

INSTANT appointment With Dr José Costa, senior paediatric consultant and NHS paedatric allergy service leader (thechildrensallergy.co.uk) Allergy anxiety Q My daughter is scared of using her EpiPen to stop her allergic reactions. Are there any other ways we can treat her nut allergy? Kimberley, Okehampton A If the allergic reaction is mild with symptoms such as hives, redness, mild swellings on the face or around mouth or eyes, then taking antihistamines might help. However, if there are signs of anaphylaxis with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, drowsiness or fainting, then the only option is to use the Adrenaline Auto-Injector – often either a Jext or EpiPen. If your child is afraid of using their EpiPen, it’s worth taking some time on a regular day – when you’re not…

From sinister abandoned asylums, forests infested with phantoms and folkloric monsters that roam the land, to houses that were home to homicidal maniacs, museums devoted to the macabre and haunted castles, this digital magazine is an essential read to any budding paranormal investigator, amateur historian and dark tourist. To get your free copy of The Traveller’s Guide to Cursed and Creepy Destinations use this link: bit.ly/PMU449 Or scan in the QR code using the camera on your smartphone Offer available from 11 April to 11 May 2024 Check out more of our amazing bookazines at www.magazinesdirect.com/guides-and-specials The link directs you to a landing page, please leave your details so that the digital download can be emailed to your inbox, this can take an hour. The download is best read on…

Visit: highwaycodeuk.co.uk Middle lane hogging The Highway Code states that drivers should not hog the middle lane – you should only be in the middle lane if you are overtaking someone in the inside lane. It increases the risk of crashes and could see you handed a £100 fine or points on your licence. Undertaking This is not illegal, but it is highly discouraged by the Highway Code. Because it is unusual – overtaking is more common – it can catch people by surprise, especially in high-speed environments like motorways. Horn honking Drivers should only use their horns to alert other road users of their presence – using your horn to display anger is a form of road rage, and could earn you a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £1,000.…

Stretching out on my sunbed, I was making the most of the sun. Flying out to Greece, with my two kids Jaydan, 11, and Phoebe, eight, on 18 July last year, we were only going to be in Rhodes for four days. With 20 family members staying at the Lindos Imperial Resort and Spa, we were there to watch my brother and his fiancé Susan, 31, tie the knot. Watching Ross, 31, and Susan say their vows in the sunshine was truly glorious. And with the happy couple already off on honeymoon, some of the family had stayed in Greece for a few more days. The kids had never been abroad, and I could tell they were having the time of their life. Splashing around with their cousins, I couldn’t…

Kelly Wilkinson was strong, fierce, loving, brave – and she loved deeply. She wasn’t afraid to jump in the deep end. And that’s exactly what she did when she met Brian Earl Johnston. At home in Australia back in 2011, she was just 18 when she connected with the former US marine online – and their whirlwind romance moved quickly. Within months she’d travelled to Ohio, where he was born and raised, to meet her internet lover. And by January 2012, the pair had tied the knot and Kelly started a new life in the United States. It seemed like a fairytale, and the couple went on to welcome two children. But within five years, cracks were beginning to show in the relationship. Flying back home to Queensland with her…

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.…

Trying to initiate sex one day, I’d shrugged Dean off. ‘I’m too tired,’ I told him. ‘You’re sleeping with someone else,’ Dean suddenly spat. ‘Who is it?’ ‘I’m not going to lie and give you a name,’ I said, holding my ground. ‘I haven’t been with anyone else.’ But Dean flipped. Hitting me in the face, Dean punched me to the floor. ‘What are you doing?’ I cried. On the floor with my hands by my thighs, I couldn’t defend myself as Dean started strangling me. Feeling his hands around my neck, I was terrified. Dean continued choking me until I wet myself and passed out. I have no idea how long I was unconscious for, but coming round, I saw Dean was crying in the corner. ‘Why did you…

Gone are the days of counting pennies and stashing them away in your piggy bank. In fact, around just 7% of in-store payments are predicted to be paid in cash this year, according to WorldPay. But we all know that learning how to budget and save is essential. So, how exactly can we teach our little ones to be money-wise without the pennies to play with? Luckily, we’ve found a few useful apps you can use to show them how. 1. GoHenry Available on the Apple App and Google Play stores, the GoHenry app helps children learn more about their money in a fun and accessible way. A pre-paid card for children aged eight to 18, parents can set spending controls to introduce the idea of following a budget. You…

Stepping through the bustling Italian crowds, I was all on my own In July 2022, I was on a month’s study in the beautiful Tuscan city of Siena. Studying applied foreign languages and business at Sorbonne University in Paris, I was majoring in Italian. And after my month studying at Università per Stranieri di Siena, I would be heading home to Abu Dhabi. But there were a crazy amount of people and police. I had no idea what was happening and while my Italian was quite strong, I didn’t have a lot of confidence. Scanning the crowds, I made eye-contact with an older lady. Smiling at me kindly, I could tell she was friendly and approachable. ‘What’s going on?’ I went over and asked her. ‘It’s Palio season,’ she told…

Verdict: GENIUS! Make the swap! Bamboo WipeOut Swipes, £20, magnitone.co.uk We all know that makeup wipes aren’t the best for our skin, or the planet, but sometimes the ease of using them means that we rely on them more than most. Not anymore, as these Bamboo WipeOut Swipes are a genius alternative. Activated when wet, the bamboo microfibre traps dirt, removing makeup in just one swift movement. Instead of throwing them out after, you can just pop them in the wash at 60°C. Each swipe can be used over 1,000 times – how great is that? Verdict: BONKERS! Watch it grow The world’s fastest growing plant After planting your bulbs and seeds, it can feel like an infinity before you actually see a shoot grow. But not with this plant – the world record…

Denim – one of the most universal materials in our wardrobe. But although we might rely on the same trusty pair of jeans, you can mix up how you style it to create a fresh look each time. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy Lemon pairs perfectly with all shades of blue – it’s a match made in heaven. Yellow also works well with ecru and white, so make sure you’ve got jumpers, cardis or a basic tee in this colour. Double denim It’s not a crime – we promise! Just make sure that if you’re going to wear double denim, you either wear a matching co-ord or pick two different shades. Think light blue jeans and a dark indigo shacket. Clean sneaks Nothing brings an outfit together like a classic pair…

New in Give your nails a budget-friendly mani from the comfort of your home with Collection's brand-new Spotlight Shine Nail polishes. £3.99 each, available from www.collectioncosmetics.com then Superdrug 1. Sweet Lilac A stunning lilac-y pink 2. Gamer A gorgeous soft pink 3. Immersive A deep fuchsia 4. Interactive A metallic pink 5. Lucky A striking green 6. Bubblegum A soft baby pink 7. Virtual A cute baby blue 8. Meta-scape Lilac with silver pearls 9. Avatar White with pink pearls 10. Digital A glittery silver 11. Billionaire A dazzling gold 12. Cherry Bomb A classic red Lash-tastic Love the look of fake lashes but hate the faff? Well Eylure's newest collection may be just what you're looking for. The Underlash Pre-Glued Flares come with 30 clusters and a reusable gold…

Dubbed the ‘air fryer king’, Bored of Lunch’s Nathan Anthony is back with a new cookbook after three Sunday Times bestsellers, teaching you how to make the most out of your handy kitchen gadget ● Bored of Lunch Healthy Air Fryer: 30 Minute Meals, £20, available at WHSmith ● Follow Nathan on Instagram: @boredoflunch Sticky Sesame Chicken YOU WILL NEED: ◻ 3 to 4 tbsp cornflour◻ 1 tsp garlic granules◻ 1 tsp onion granules◻ 1 tsp Chinese 5 spice◻ 300g chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks◻ 1 egg, beaten◻ Low-calorie oil spray SAUCE: ◻ 1 tsp sesame oil◻ 2 tbsp soy sauce◻ 3 tbsp honey◻ 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce◻ 1 tsp rice wine vinegar◻ ½ tsp Chinese 5 spice◻ 2 tbsp sriracha◻ 1 tbsp garlic purée◻ 1 tbsp ginger…

ARIES 21 March–20 April You enter Taurus season with the mindset that you will make your life a better place to be. You realise, from conversations you instigate, who you no longer want to be a part of your inner circle. Luckily for you, Mercury is on hand to show those who let you down in their true colours – and not a moment too soon! Listen to what the stars are telling you. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug The chance to get to finally know someone who you have always admired from afar could not have come at a better time. You’re willing finally to work as part of a team, and you no longer see yourself as having to carry the burden for others. Exams…

Strolling through our local woodland, the sound of birds chirping filled the air. With his magnifying glass in hand, my son Daniel, 14, scoured the earth for clues. He’d even set up his trail cameras on nearby tree stumps – overnight, they’d film any movement before Daniel collected them in the morning. ‘Maybe I’ll find something this time,’ Daniel grinned. But Daniel wasn’t just looking for local wildlife on a walk with me, his sister Emily, 12, and my husband Craig, 44. He was looking for Bigfoot. Diagnosed with autism, he enjoyed watching TV with his grandparents rather than socialising with his school friends. And in March 2021, he watched Expedition Bigfoot with them. Glued to the telly, he watched as the presenters delved into the myth of Bigfoot and…