Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i Pick Me Up! Special

Life is full of unexpected surprises. Sometimes they’re good and sometimes they’re bad, which is why we shouldn’t take a single second of it for granted. Carlie (pg16) knows all too well the importance of living in the moment. Just days after proposing to her boyfriend, she discovered a lump on her breast. To her horror, at just 30-years-old, she was diagnosed with grade three breast cancer. Instead of celebrating her proposal, she battled through chemo. Now, more than ever before, she’s determined to live every day to the fullest. This month, we talked to three women who all took the plunge and followed their dreams (pg34). None of them had ever planned or expected to become business owners, but each of them were shortlisted for eBay’s 2020 Business Awards!…

Around 20 minutes later, the ambulance arrived and rushed Audrey to Kern Medical Centre. Due to Covid-19, I couldn’t sit with her, so I had to travel behind, not knowing whether my daughter would make it. I waited, praying that she’d wake up any moment. Only, she never did. At just 34-years-old, my beloved Audrey was pronounced dead. ‘Her injuries were too extensive,’ the doctor told us. ‘What about the baby?’ I sobbed, barely able to breathe. Doctors had performed an emergency C-section and incredibly, they managed to save her little boy. Audrey died in the hospital ‘He’s on life-support,’ the doctor warned, taking me straight through to see him. His tiny body was covered in wires and tubes. A month early, he was so tiny. ‘He’s a miracle,’ I…

Giggling away with a cheeky grin on his face, my boy Harry, seven, has always loved watching silly things on telly. As an old bloke spilled a tray of drinkson You've Been Framed! my youngest George, five, howled with laughter. ‘The drinks!' he squealed. Me and my partner Rebekah, 38, and the boys were having an evening watching TV in March. The pair kept us smiling throughout lockdown. Looking after them one day, while Rebekah was at her cleaning job, I put on the TV. It was something they found boring, so they scurried upstairs. After some time passed, I realised how quiet they were being – suspiciously quiet. Pulling myself to my feet, I needed to go and see what they were up to. When I saw what was…

Child Psychologist Dr. Amanda Gummer, from the Good Play Guide, offers up her top tips to support parents and improve home life. 1 End of the day Make bedtime routines a special part of the day. Early bedtimes are a great way to get some time for yourself whilst allowing your children to get more sleep. 2 What's your favourite? Play the games that you enjoy with your children so that everyone has fun playing together. 3 The essentials Spend time with your children while doing the everyday stuff – like preparing dinner. It teaches your children important life skills. 4 One in one out Bring the rule of one game out at a time to your household, so they learn to tidy up behind themselves.…

Scouring the internet, we tried to find pretty ivory headbands for the younger flower girls to wear on the big day. ‘Nothing looks comfortable,' Charlotte sighed. My twin sister Charlotte was getting married in November 2014, and we couldn't find any headbands that ticked our boxes. At the time, I was working in a local bridal shop and Charlotte was a therapist. Although we enjoyed what we were doing, we had always dreamt of running our own business together. We also wanted to find something flexible to fit in with our young families. ‘I bet other people are struggling to find headbands, too,' I said to Charlotte. Charlotte agreed, and suddenly we knew we could fill this gap in the bridal market. We began creating and selling pretty headbands at…

With the UK housing market currently experiencing a boom, price comparison website, comparethemarket.com has carried out an eye-tracking experiment to reveal what buyers really notice on a viewing. Based on the findings, comparethemarket.com offers insight on what sellers should focus on to prepare a property for viewings. 1. Radiators If you have viewings booked, consider turning your heating on before to ensure your home is warm. Not only will this show that both your heating system and radiators work, but it'll create a cosy atmosphere. 2. Garden access The eye-tracking experiment showed that buyers looked out into the garden as soon as they entered a room that backs onto it. They then checked the patio doors for access. 3. Cupboard doors When walking around the kitchen, one of the first things buyers…

INSTANT + APPOINTMENT With Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (www.doctorfox.co.uk) Growing pains Q My 10-year-old son keeps complaining of pains in his legs. Could it just be growing pains? Jenny, Durham A Growing pains are very common and are felt in the thighs, sometimes behind the knees and in the calves. In fact, research suggests these pains are not due to growing at all, but occur because of natural trauma occurring during the day. Treatments like a warm bath, a hot compress and paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. If there are other symptoms or signs such as joint swelling, redness or tenderness or any other symptoms such as tiredness, headaches or bruising easily, it's strongly advisable to take your son to see your GP. Rarely, joint pains in…

POSITIVE AFFIRMATION CARDS Need a little boost to help get you through the cold winter months? Positive affirmation cards could be just the thing! Proven to improve happiness and give you a little pick me up when you need it the most, these cards aim to help you reflect on the things you can be most grateful for. Each card features a unique colourful illustration and affirmation statement, and can be carried in your bag ready for when you need a positive word to get you through the day. After all, who doesn't need a bit more positivity in their life? The cards are available from adbra.co.uk for £12.50. SAY IT WITH HEINZ! Inspired by a real-life proposal, Heinz has launched a limited edition ‘Marry Me' edition' of Heinz Alphabetti. The…

Change Your Life in 5 Minutes a Day, by life and career coach Joanne Mallon, will show you how to fire up each day with positivity and passion, and reinvent your downtime to make it work for you. Inject some magic into your mornings, make your days more fulfilling and set yourself on course to achieve your dreams – and all in just five minutes! Available from Amazon for £8.99. Morning miracles Start your day on a more positive note and you’ll already be moving upwards! Mornings are when motivation and energy levels are highest, making new, positive habits easier to begin. Behavioural science tells us that it’s easiest to add a new habit on to an existing one, so try slotting a new habit into your current daily rhythms;…

Aries March 21st - April 20th Trust your instincts this month, Aries. You know what to do!I see that close ones have not supported you in the way you had hoped.You attempted to talk to them last month, but there were points where you felt more apart than you did together.You enter February with Venus in Aquarius. You want to know where you're going and rightly so! You're not hanging around for answers. If you don't get them you take action to build on your future independently.Don't confuse a new face in your personal life with an ex. Keep your vision of clarity. Taurus April 21st - May 21st The Ash Moon on Saturday 27th gives you the push that you'd have liked to enter the new year with. Better…

The team at Specsavers Clacton has replaced the electric bike of 88-year-old veteran Albert Morton after it was stolen from outside the store during his hearing test. Albert is a regular customer in the Clacton-on-Sea Specsavers store. His electric bike is his pride and joy, helping him keep fit and get around town. A thief struck and cut the chain In October, Albert had securely chained up his bike outside and headed inside for his appointment when a thief struck and cut the chain either side of the lock. ‘When the bike wasn't there, it was a horrible shock,' Albert said. ‘It was incredibly distressing, but the Specsavers staff were really helpful. ‘They gave me a chair to sit on, rang the police and ordered me a taxi home.' The…

Colour can affect our moods and how people respond to us. Award-winning stylist Susie Hasler (styledbysusie.co.uk) shares the colours to wear to suit your mood. Red - Without a doubt, the most passionate colour you can wear to make an impact is red. This colour demands and commands attention. Wearing red can be done subtly, and you can add a flash of it with a lipstick, handbag or scarf. Pink - Pink is a girlie, feminine, flirtatious colour that evokes sensitivity and empathy. If you're blonde, choose soft pinks and if you have darker hair, go for hot, neon pink for maximum impact. Blue - This is a reassuring colour, subtly powerful and confident. It is a great one to wear for Zoom work calls. Wearing blue is calming, peaceful,…

Cathy Hassell runs www.teencalm.com – a box for anxious teens and tweens. We asked her how parents can navigate the often-explicable world of viral challenges. 'The 'dare' between children has been around for years, but some of the new wave of viral challenges can be hazardous to your child's physical and mental health. 'Teens and tweens who have grown up on YouTube are susceptible to peer pressure, and unfortunately self-harm is likely to be a subject not unfamiliar to them,' Cathy says. Follow Cathy's advice to help protect your children. 1. Be there for your child – be available and non-judgemental. Listen to them. 2. Stay up to date with teen trends – make it your business to know what's going on both in the wider world and in your neighbourhood…

Walking into the salon, I asked for my usual curly perm and took a seat, ready and waiting for my hair transformation. I have always hated my natural afro hair. It used to be so difficult finding products and services that catered for my hair type. And so, a curly perm was my only option. Then when lockdown hit and salons shut, I didn't know what to do. Forced to care for my own hair, I found natural products and remedies that worked well, and began passing advice onto my family and friends. ‘This oil is amazing for root stimulation,' I told my relatives. I realised that there must be hundreds of people like me, looking for a solution, but more so, that I had grown to love and appreciate…

From TV shows, to books and music, so much of what we see on a daily basis suggests that life is all about being in a happy relationship. It can make you feel as if there is something wrong with being single. And if you struggle with being on your own, being single can be lonely. It may even mean that you end up making rash decisions when it comes to finding a new partner - which doesn't necessarily mean you'll be happy. Trace it back There could be lots of reasons why people have a problematic attitude to being single. It could be down to personality type or it could be down to other influences. If you come from a big, stable family, you might find it strange to…

There's no denying that smiling gives us that feel-good factor. Whether it is a grin or a beam, it's always sure to lift our spirits. But did you know that as we age, we smile less? Research has shown that children smile an average of 400 times a day, compared to a typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day! Here's some very good reasons why you should be trying to smile more... It boosts your immune system We're all after the secret to a good immune system, but could the answer be as simple as smiling? According to some scientists, that could very well be the case. A recent study found that laughter, which always starts with a smile, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. These help improve…

Strolling around the streets of London with my family, my little brother, Frankie, 13, rushed over to me. ‘Greggs have launched a vegan sausage roll!’ he screamed excitedly, grabbing me by the arm. So, we rushed to the nearest store and asked for the tasty treat. ‘I’m afraid we’ve run out,’ the lady behind the counter told us. ‘We just launched today!’ ‘What!?’ my brother exclaimed, absolutely gutted. We’d been raised vegetarian, and unlike our other siblings, we’d never been tempted to eat any meat. All of my friends love Greggs, and always go on about how amazing their sausage roll is. I’ve never been jealous, as I could have a pizza slice or their veggie bake, but it was never my go to fast-food shop. ‘Not again,’ I used…

Picking up the phone, I had a suspicion I knew what the call would be about. ‘I found Audrey mocking me to the rest of the class again,’ her teacher told me down the phone. Let’s just say, it wasn’t the first time it had happened. Despite not speaking until the age of four, Audrey sure enjoyed being the class clown. We could barely get her to stay quiet after she started speaking! ‘You know you shouldn’t do that,’ I’d tell her every time the teacher rang. But as she batted her eyelids, it was hard not to find it funny. From a young age, she knew how to make people laugh and that trait grew with her after she left school. She went on to work in a local…

Laughing with my friends, it was another boozy student night at Hull University. ‘Lets do another shot,’ one of my friends called out. We all cheered and grabbed a shot of Tequila Honey. Every night ended up with some hilarious story. Getting rowdy, the usual jokes and challenges began. ‘I bet you couldn’t get inside the tumble dryer,’ my friend Maya said, with a look of mischief. Looking down at myself, then back at the dryer my drunken brain calculated a perfect fit. I’m 5’8’’ and a size 10. ‘Challenge accepted,’ I slurred, with a huge grin. The chanting began, the whole room was cheering me on, psyching me up. The mission began, and I reversed myself into the drum. Crossing my legs inside of it, I was surprised by…

Planning our next holiday, I scrolled through endless photos of forests and mountain peaks. I was looking for something off the beaten track with my boyfriend Andi. And as I browsed through photos online, I thought I’d found the place for us. We were both keen climbers and were desperate to go on a hiking holiday together. After a little bit of research, I’d found the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. ‘What do you think?’ I said to Andi, showing him the photos on screen. ‘Looks perfect to me,’ he smiled. It was just what we were after and we soon booked a two week holiday together. And as our walking holiday got closer and closer, I did as much research online as I possibly could. But while scrolling through websites,…

Can I lie to protect her from the truth? My late dad wasn’t a very nice man. I’ve been contacted by a woman who is my half-sister – after my dad cheated on my mum. We’ve met and I like her, but she wants to know all about our dad and I feel like the truth is cruel. Should I tell some whites lies to save her the hurt? Cecilia, Bath YES  Pick Me Up! reader Emma, from Bristol: Don’t destroy her view on her dad – we only get one, she’s grieving - so don’t give her a complex. Tell a few white lies, don’t make up stories about him, and skip over the nasty bits. Maybe just try and keep it short and sweet. By keeping it extremely…

Upcycling has always been a hobby of mine. I’m a creative person, and I love re-energising old, pre-loved furniture. I have always worked in sales and manufacturing, and never thought upcycling could become my livelihood. Then in 2019, I was bored of my manufacturing career and felt like I have more to give. ‘Why don’t you try something different?’ my ever-supportive husband Steve said. I saw an advert on a business selling site for Oscar’s Boutique – a business that I had actually purchased homeware from previously and I loved what they sold. With age comes wisdom So, I bought the goodwill and website of the business, and House of Oscar was launched. House of Oscar is an online home store for unique home décor, inspired by my love of…

Staring down at my pills, I couldn’t face them anymore. When I hit 16, I had become sick of my cystic fibrosis (CF), a lung condition which caused a build up of sticky mucus. ‘I’m not taking them anymore,’ I declared to my family. Getting into bed, I was ready to sleep the day away, and hopefully my bad mood too. When I was just four-years-old I was diagnosed with the illness after terrible bouts of diarrhoea. Having it since such a young age, as a child I’d got on with life and got used to having the nebuliser 10 times a day and taking 40 tablets. I didn’t know any different. But when I reached 11, I began noticing how different my life was compared to everyone else’s. That’s…

LOVE YOUR SKIN Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Face Care Range, four-piece set, £19.99, Amazon. Indulge yourself in the ultimate coconut treat. Palmer’s have formulated a sublime new Facial Collection which comes with a set of four superior skincare products that can be used to detoxify, purify and hydrate the skin. Infused with vitamin E, this collection is an affordable yet luxurious skincare hero. Buy the products together or separately – no matter how you choose to use them, you’re sure to love them. The collection includes: Luminous Hydration Facial Oil – combines fair trade extra virgin coconut oil, plus nine other skin-nourishing oils to boost hydration, replenish and revitalise skin so it looks dewy, healthy and extra radiant. Cleansing Balm – uses fair trade coconut oil to gently remove dirt,…

BOOZY BOARDING Flying is not as easy at the moment as it used to be, and we are all missing our onboard beverages. The Air Charter Service reveals what drinks are most popular for passengers high in the sky. 1. Bloody Mary Low pressure in aeroplanes means that sensitivity in taste buds are reduced by around 30%. A spicy Bloody Mary is ideal for one in four Air Charter Service's customers. 2. Whisky One in five customers opt for a strong and smooth whisky to calm in flight nerves. 3. Red wine A total of 12 per cent of customers decide to indulge in a glass of red. Elegant reds like Pinot Noir and Rioja are ideal for your dulled taste receptors. 4. White wine A beautiful balance of acidity…