Table of contents for 30-Mar-2023 in Pick Me Up!

Bursting through the front door with a blue IKEA bag in tow, I prepared myself for the latest haul of goodies that were going to be laid out in front of me. With her iconic big bun, false lashes and white crocs, my daughter Bethany, then 19, had been collecting home essentials and must-haves for weeks on end, slowly getting ready to fly the nest with her friend in November 2022. So, getting comfortable, me, my hubby Ben, 42, and son Joe, 17, and the dogs, Maisie and Henry, would have to sit through seeing what looked like the entire store of IKEA. And for the last six weeks, it was clear that Bethany was finding her way in the world. Whether she was volunteering at St Giles Animal Rescue…

Heading into the stables, I smiled as my horses came trotting up to the pen to greet me. ‘Hello,’ I smiled, giving them a stroke as they nuzzled their heads into me. I’d ridden horses for as long as I could remember – it wasn’t just a hobby, it was a passion. Getting the horses saddled up and ready, I led them towards the waiting lorry. My mum Fran, 59, had come with me back in August last year, and we were planning to drive the horses over to another yard for a lesson, meeting the trainer there. ‘Beautiful morning for it,’ Mum smiled. ‘The boys will love it out there today.’ ‘They definitely will,’ I said. I’d grown up with my horses, and they really were my pride and…

Amanda Jenner is a Global Potty Training and Toddler Specialist who knows what is best for our little ones! From how to encourage your child to dealing with the unspoken rules of parenting, Amanda shares all. (amandajenner.com) How do I manage this? Q I’m a single mum of two boys, who are nine and seven. My youngest has severe learning difficulties, which requires a lot of my time and attention. Although, this is something that my eldest can’t seem to understand. I want to give them both my love – but I feel like I can’t show it in the same way, please help me! Christine, Portsmouth A It’s important you explain to your eldest and try and get them to understand their brother/sister’s disability. It will help them to…

Night-time itching Q During the day I am completely fine, but in the evening my whole body feels itchy. I haven’t changed my washing powder and I’m not allergic to anything. What’swrong with me? Annie, Stirling A There are several reasons why your skin may feel itchy during the evening. Your body naturally loses moisture during the night which can cause dry skin and make it feel itchy. If your body temperature increases significantly at night-time, it could be producing the same chemicals which are released during an allergic reaction and so you feel the same type of symptoms such as itchiness. Your body goes through hormonal changes at night and does not produce as many hormones which reduce inflammation and itching. If you are in a place with high…

WORTH £300! The annual Product of the Year awards are back once again – voted for by over 8,000 UK consumers. The famous Product of the Year red logo is a seal of approval, giving shoppers the inside scoop on the year’s most innovative buys. Make sure you look out for it when you’re next in store! We’ve teamed up with Product of the Year and 10 lucky readers will win a bumper bag of award-winning products, filled with this year’s buys across food & drink, health & beauty and laundry and household. Venus Pubic Hair & Skin starter pack £22 for 1 Razor, 2 Blade Refills and a 2-in-1 Shave Gel and Cleanser The new Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Starter Pack includes one razor plus 2x Refill…

Frolicking in the fields in the spring sunshine and getting ready for a picnic – sounds dreamy right? Although the weather isn’t always on our side, March can be glorious. Forget Cottagecore – Countrycore is trending. A play on what nature has to offer – all things dainty and stylish… If it’s a little chilly, layer dresses with thin-knit jumpers for a put together look Ditsy print is perfect for all shapes and sizes – try it for yourself! Woven textures are trending – think hats and bags. Buy now to use all summer long!…

Jazz up a plain room with some fun accessories…

Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April Mars in Cancer gives you the gift of progress at last. Every dog has his day and this is yours, but know when to cool it and you may just be in for some romantic rewards to put the icing on the cake! Wearing the clothes you feel confident in will give you the edge. Don’t just follow trends – you have your own style. Call me now for more on this winning streak. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Mercury helps you to expand your knowledge and although a career choice may upset your close ones, it is the right decision for you and it is only by talking to them face to face that they will ever…

Buy of the week No one wants to spend their time scrubbing the loo, but there’s no need to get bogged down with cleaning – thanks to the new Domestos Power Foam, your toilet will be sparkling with zero effort. Created to easily get to all those hard-to-reach spots, you can even use the bleach-free cleaner on the bath, shower and sink. Spring cleaning made easy peasy – we love it! • Available in Artic Fresh and Citrus Blast, £3 each • In all major supermarkets Get a sparkling loo in no time at all! Gin with a springtime twist – yes please! We’re loving Is there a better thirst-quencher than a chilled G&T? The fruity kick of neroli oil, extracted from the blossom of the bitter orange tree through…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. This 18l bin and caddy pair will make the perfect addition to your home. With an easy-access flip top lid and clip lock to hide those pesky bin smells, organise your waste in style. Ideal for storage or for composting your food waste, it even has an easy wipe surface. Be a winner! For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Tip of the week DIY hack If you have a small patch of rubbing down to do, hold a dust pan underneath to catch the dust. Judith Cairns, Colchester GREAT IDEA! Crafty coaster I had been searching for the right size of coaster for my mug, then I found it closer to home than I expected.…

Coming home after a busy day of teaching, I headed straight to the kitchen and pulled on my apron. While some people would have preferred to just collapse onto the sofa, my idea of relaxing lay within the mixing bowl instead. I’d loved baking since I was a little girl, so it was no surprise when, after graduating from university, I became a fulltime pastry chef. Among my friends and family, I was the designated cake maker – I’d whip one up for every occasion. Only, after five years of being a pastry chef, I was pulled in a different direction and got into teaching science. I loved it and soon became an assistant head at my local secondary school. But my love for cake-making couldn’t stay hidden in the…

You’ve goat to be kidding me Joanne Jarvis, 50, from West Wales, had one unusual birthday wish… Pulling on my wellies, I trudged over to the stables and breathed in the fresh country air. Giving my two goats Eric and Ernie a pat on the head, I smiled as my cat Daisy purred in greeting and the ducks ran over to meet me. I’d always had an affinity with animals – something that I’d realised since adopting my beloved Dalmatian and best friend Dexter back in 2004. Writing a book about my experience, Dexter’s Diary, after he passed in 2011, his legacy lived on and he inspired me to rescue many more animals – including my beautiful cat, Daisy. She had been badly abused and wasn’t even officially up for…

Trying to stay focused, the temptation to eat my salted caramel Galaxy bar was just too overwhelming. So much so, I had to make sure there was a fresh bar on my desk every day. It was my pregnancy craving after all! Finding out that me and my husband Josh, now 31, were expecting in August 2019, it was an amazing feeling to know that our family was expanding – especially as Jackson, then two, would be a great brother. And as soon as we knew that we had a girl on our hands, we turned our attention to nesting. With the pregnancy running smoothly, Josh took to building the furniture for the nursery – the house had to be perfect! Only, waking up one morning, in early March 2020,…

Verdict: GENIUS! Who doesn’t love a dupe? Teddy Pots, 99p, Teddy Eva Scents A bargain price for luxe scents. With dupes of familiar perfumes and household cleaning products, these wax melts are the perfect addition to your home. For 99p you’ll want to stockup on them – what are you waiting for? Free Test Pots If you want to try a new scent, Teddy Eva actually offers certain pots for free on their website. However, there’s a catch – there are some very mad smells! From Engine Oil, BBQ Sauce, Tikka Masala and Garlic Bread, We’re not sure you’d want your home to smell like these – it’s definitely a talking point! Verdict: BONKERS! Have you tried eau de garlic? Verdict: TOTALLY MAD X-rated scents Cockshells – Adult Wax Melts, £4.49…

Here is my baby Rosa at just 10 days old. My beautiful little girl who I thought would never come. Her big brother, who is five years older, loves her so much. Now my life feels complete. Kim Leary, Tarporley This is Ryan and me on holiday in Saint Lucia. We had a volcanic mud bath which is supposed to make you look 10 years younger! Debb Hunt, Nottingham I thought that we had a hot air balloon coming out of our chimney when I stepped outside the other day! It was certainly a funny start to the morning. Katie Gooding, Tidworth STAR LETTER I would love to win my wife Cheryl some flowers. We have been together for 16 years and married almost eight. I am whisking her off…

ALL THAT GLITTERS Treat yourself, or your loved ones, with some jewellery from LYNA London. Created by two sisters in 2021, this small business packs every order with love. Affordable and tarnish free, these gems are not to be missed! Please visit: lynalondon.com Super sparkle…

Waking up one morning, I was so exhausted. You see, I’d only had a measly two hours sleep. For years I’d suffered with an unbearable pain in my back which kept me up at night. I had a bulging disk in my spine and flare-ups of fibromyalgia, too. And it had been going on since my twenties. I had always been athletic at school and was also a gymnast. Only as I headed into adulthood, I realised something was wrong. I had stinging sensations up my spine – it felt like I had been given an electric shock. I remember watching TV when my leg jerked forward and kicked the coffee table. The pain in my back had caused my legs to shoot forward. It was so painful I was…

Feeling a twinge in my stomach, my heart sank. It’s happening again, I thought sadly. Grabbing a pregnancy test from my stash in the bathroom cupboard, I closed my eyes and prayed. But three minutes later, there was no mistaking the result. Negative. Comparing it to the positive test I’d taken just days earlier, I felt my heart break. Another miscarriage. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said to my partner Simon, 40. ‘It’s OK,’ he reassured me, putting on a brave face. ‘We can try again.’ ‘There must be something wrong with me,’ I said, tears in my eyes. ‘Don’t say that,’ he said, giving me a big hug. I couldn’t help but think it. I’d had a little girl Katiee, now 21, back in 2001 – but since then, I’d…

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The Windmill Melin Newydd Cottages, Anglesey Astay in a windmill certainly makes for a quirky break, and this one is the ideal spot. With 360-degree views of the surrounding area, a windmill is the ideal place for a weekend getaway – whether a romantic retreat for two or a family holiday that’s that little bit different. This stunning windmill, nestled in the heart of Anglesey, boasts views across the whole island. It has a third floor living room with a balcony, as well as two gallery bedrooms with picture-perfect windows opening onto green fields. Dating back to the early 19th century, it oozes character and country charm. • From £79 per night, please visit: cottages.com Treetops Treehouse Fox & Hounds North Devon Biosphere Reserve, Devon Why not make your childhood dreams…