Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2021 i Pick Me Up! Special

Although summer is still a few weeks away, there’s so much to look forward to in May. Sunshine, picnics and don’t forget your two bank holidays! As we ease out of lockdown, May is looking exciting, so we’re helping you to celebrate! It’s understandable that after a year at home, you may be feeling a little flat and lethargic. Maybe your anxiety is higher than ever? We know how you feel, so we’re helping you get your mojo back (pg12)! Vicks (pg34) knows how important it is to think positively. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she was left worried for her future. However, with her optimistic attitude, she powered through and is now encouraging other women to check their breasts. It could just save your life. And she’s not…

Isolating at home with my pregnant bump, I worried about the health of my expectant babies. was global pandemic, and my husband Aaron, 32, and I were pregnant with twins. My high levels of anxiety masked a lot of the excitement. Aaron and I already had two children, Riock, nine, and Marcy, seven, and just two years prior, in March 2017, we had lost our five-month-old baby girl Lottie to cot death. The pain of losing Lottie was on my mind, whilst I was forced to shield at home. And to make matters worse, the twins had been diagnosed with a rare pregnancy condition called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). ‘You may lose them both,' the doctor had warned me. In June 2020, when I was just 30-weeks pregnant, I went…

Sitting in my living room, my heart felt full as I watched my little girl Amelia-Rose staring up at the telly. Suddenly she turned to me with a huge smile. ‘Mummy, I want to be able to walk Chloe into school on her first day,’ Amelia-Rose said. I was nearly overwhelmed by her words as I tried to keep from bursting into tears. -Rose her little sister Chloe, who is a year younger than her. ‘That’s lovely, sweetheart,’ I beamed. ‘And I know you will.’ She’s always been such an incredibly determined little girl. I soon began to worry again When my husband, Ben, 38, and I had got married back in 2012, we immediately knew we wanted to have children together. In June 2014 we welcomed our beautiful little…

Whether it’s dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis, managing side effects of treatment or talking to others in a similar situation, Breast Cancer Now is here for you. The charity’s online support services are just one click away for anyone, at any time. Their Moving Forward Online courses help people adjust to life after hospital treatment, with specialist advise and information. Through Younger Women Together Online, small groups meet and hear from experts on issues including fertility, exercise and mental health. For people living with incurable secondary breast cancer, it’s valuable to connect with others and their Living With Secondary Breast Cancer Online course is available 24/7. To sign up to Breast Cancer Now’s online services, visit breastcancernow.org/ online-services or call their free helpline on 0808 800 6000.…

Pink can have a calming effect Pink is this season’ hottest colour!…

Stopping to catch my breath, we were halfway up the hill in Gleniffer Braes Country park with the sun beating down on us. My husband, Alan, 33, was being yanked to the top by our Cavapoo, Marley who was on the lead. Our daughter Emma, five, was full of beans and was way ahead of us. Alan looked round to see I was falling behind and grinned. ‘Well, you’re being pulled up,’ I laughed to him. ‘It’s an advantage,’ he said back. It was May, last year, and we’d often come here as a family to let off some steam while we were trapped during the lockdown. We reached the top and stood and admiring the views of our hometown Paisley glowing in the sun. ‘We conquered the mountain!’ I…

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT... Little Moons – the delicious mochi ice cream balls making headlines this year - are fast becoming the ultimate food trend that is on everyone's lips. After taking the world of TikTok by storm, sales have risen by 700% since last December, with retailers struggling to keep them in stock! A fridge freezer essential, each mochi ball is made by wrapping bite-sized balls of creamy artisan gelato ice cream in a layer of soft and delicate mochi dough that has a distinctive soft and chewy texture. With a variety of flavours to choose from including vegan Belgian Chocolate, Italian Roasted Hazelnut and Himalayan Salted Caramel, there is sure to be something to satisfy everyone. You can get your hands on a pack at Tesco, Waitrose, Morrison's, Wholefoods…

Aries March 21st - April 20th Try to make the most of Mercury direct, as he turns retrograde on the 29th until June 22nd. You think you have more time than you have. Acting with speed and authority is what can gain you the ground you lost in March. Venus helps you to open up to others and you start to feel more able to trust those you entered the new year feeling distant from. Pisces link to the help you need professionally. Seek them out. They have something you need. Travel, which is cancelled mid-month, may be able to go ahead. Taurus April 21st - May 21st A more professional feel to your work evolves. You start to see that you were the one who was treading water. Those…

How funny! Which month can't make a decision? MAYbe. Tuk tuk time I've been planning my next trip to South East Asia, I can't wait to go back. Vic, Leicester Blooming gorgeous I love this pic of some crocuses I took, it's my lock screen on my phone now. Claire, Liverpool All you need is a little vitamin sea. Sea breeze I found the most gorgeous spot by the beach where me and my boyfriend go at least once a month now. Emma, Swansea How funny!  I stayed up all night to see where the sun went But then it dawned on me Stormy sea I found this old pic from a holiday in the Caribbean, the sky looks so moody and I love it. Naomi, Glasgow Holey…

YOU WILL NEED: 3 heaped tsp Horlicks Original 1 scoop vanilla ice cream 200ml milk 1 banana 20ml caramel sauce 1 crumbled biscuit 2 slices of banana Handful of ice cubes Pinch of cinnamon TO MAKE: 1. Place the milk, Horlicks Original, banana, ice cream and ice in a jug blender and blitz at full speed until smooth and creamy. 2. Pour blended contents into your favourite glass. 3. Decorate with a squeeze of caramel sauce, crumbled biscuit, slices of banana and a pinch of cinnamon. Go to horlicks.co.uk for even more delicious recipes!…

Is it time to forgive and forget? A friend and I fell out last year after a huge argument where she said some unforgivable things and betrayed my trust. She’s come to me saying she’s changed and wants to be mates again. Can people really change? Shall I give her a chance? Lisa, Oxford YES  Pick Me Up! reader Tina, from Croydon says: It must have taken a lot for your friend to admit she was wrong. And we all make mistakes when we’re young. Have you ever sat down with her and heard her side of the story? There might be some things you don’t know about – a secret struggle she had. Perhaps you should find out more before you make up your mind. To reach out, she…

For years, reports have predicted that robots will replace human workers in the future. And now, it seems they already are. LumiDolls is the world's first sex doll brothel franchise, based in secret locations in Spain, Russia and Italy. Sex doll brothels have the advantage of being legal in many countries, where human prostitution is not legal. Instead of paying women, clients are allowed to pay for sex with dolls. In each room, you can find a bed, a TV, a shower and of course, a doll. Clients can go on the website and choose a male or female, hair colour, body shape and an outfit. Brothel owners believe that it is ethical because there's no exploitation of real women. However, critics argue the dolls teach men dangerous lessons about…

Discover the latest women's collection at Tu Clothing in Sainsbury's. Designed to help you dress well and feel good! Filled with khaki tones, classic denims and gingham prints. Wearable and stylish staples for the season ahead.…

Listening to the announcements on the radio it was clear that my North American road trip with my girlfriend Willow wasn’t going to go as planned. The pandemic had hit us like a brick, as it did the entire world. ‘We can’t leave her,’ Willow whispered, cuddling our new family member, Aimee the cat. Neither of us knew what to do, now that lockdown was coming into action across the country. What we did know is that we weren’t going back home and leaving our little fur baby behind. We decided to adopt a cat In August 2019, after years of planning and preparation, Willow and I started living our dream of travelling across America in a van. We bought a rickety old VW camper in 2015 and Willow put…

Get this season's latest arrivals from your favourite high street store. Gorgeous dresses, floaty florals and pretty pastel shades. You can even find most of the range in miniature sizes, to twin with your mini me! Mix and match the entire collection. Share your outfits on Instagram #ImWearingRi @riverisland Twinning has never looked better!…

The text only said Help but it was all Brittany Killgore could write in her final moments. It was a desperate plea from a young woman who knew that she was in the darkest of dangers, but it wasn’t enough to save her. Four days later her abused and battered body was found dumped in a ditch. Brittany had just made the decision to divorce her husband but he was on the other side of the world and had nothing to do with her death. Instead, a chance meeting with her twisted killers sealed her fate. Brittany and Lance Corporal Cory Killgore had been married two years when they filed for divorce in April 2002. Marine, Cory, had been deployed to Afghanistan while Brittany, 22, was back at their home…

Connor Attridge, 26, and I were childhood sweethearts. When I first met him as a teenager, he swept me off my feet. We went on to have two children together, Connor Jr and Levi. I hoped that we would be one happy family, but the cracks started to show soon after I fell pregnant. Connor was paranoid and controlling. The romance quickly became rocky. After seven years, I finally found the strength to leave him. Despite us not getting along, I wanted Connor to be a part of his childrens’ lives. Whilst we didn’t work out, he could still be a good dad. So, when Connor Jr’s sixth birthday came around, I invited his dad to the party. ‘When will Daddy be here?’ Connor Jr asked, peering out of the…

In the bag Keep all your old shopping bags inside another shopping bag for storage and to make them easy to grab before a shop. Lexi, Dumfries Thirsty plants Don't over water your houseplants. Check if they need more watering by pressing your finger into the soil. If it's dry, they need drink Milly, Brighton Dry your eyes Keep your onions in the fridge, that way when you cut them they don’t make you cry as badly. Yasmin, Cheltenham Washroom wonders Use baking soda and bleach to clean grimy grout in your bathroom. Paige, Carlisle  you smelling sink pour a kettle’s worth of boiling water down it, wait for five minutes, then pour down the same amount of cold water to shift any grease build-up. Flora, Telford Hotel hack Store…

If you live by yourself, these tips from Insulation Express could save you £172 per week! 1 Cut council tax If you live alone, you’re entitled to a 25% reduction on your council tax. 2 Benefit check If you’re on a lower income it could be worth checking if you eligible, as many are based on wage. 3 Car insurance Adding an extra named driver on your insurance can lower the costs significantly. 4 Meal planning Tesco have a useful meal planner which can save you money, or just do it yourself. Also, meal prep can save big bucks. 5 Preloved clothes Save around £21 a week by buying second hand clothes, while being kind to the environment, too. 6 Insulate By installing proper…

Having too much fat and sodium, the majority of which we consume as salt, in your diet can increase your risk of having a stroke. In addition, consuming too much salt can lead to high blood pressure which is the single biggest factor for strokes. This is why LoSalt, the UK's leading reduced sodium salt, are encouraging everyone to #SeasonWithSense with these low fat, low sodium healthy recipes – perfect for Stroke Awareness month in May, and beyond. With the same taste as regular salts, LoSalt contains 66% less sodium and is a simple switch with a big health benefit. For more info visit uk.losalt.com Thai prawn noodle soup Serves 2 INGREDIENTS: 2 very low salt organic vegetable stock cubes 1 lemongrass stalk, halved and thinly sliced 1 red chilli,…

Summer officially starts on 21st June, so now is the perfect time to prepare our wardrobes for the season ahead. Award-winning personal stylist Lisa Talbot (www.lisatalbot.co.uk)shares the fashion you year. Monochrome basics - Staple black and white basics are such an essential in your wardrobe. Think white T-shirts, black vests, shorts and leggings. You can create a monochrome look or add a splash of colour, as black and white pair well with all shades. Maxi dresses - Floaty dresses make the easiest and most flattering outfits in summer. Beautiful sheer fabrics keep you cool in the heat, and save you from planning whole looks. All that's left to decide: sandals or trainers? Wide leg trousers- A trend that we all need to embrace – even if you are a skinny…

Staring at my computer screen, I struggled to concentrate. It was September 2016 and I was in my office, where I worked as a chartered financial planner. But no matter how hard I studied the screen, I just couldn’t seem to focus. ‘I’m starving this morning,’ I said to one of my colleagues, as I sipped on some water. It wasn’t because I’d not had any breakfast, but instead down to some new medication I was on. I’d recently been prescribed some antidepressants and one of the side effects was always feeling hungry. I’d struggled with depression on and off throughout my entire adult life. And now, a year on from having my little girl Holly, I was feeling lower than ever. With postnatal depression hitting me hard, I knew…

SPRING SMILE Lips in need of some serious TLC? Enjoy pillowysoft pouts by way of ultra-nourishing formulas – the latest lip balms from Catrice and Essence are all you need to pamper your pucker! Available from justmylook.com 1. Essence Lip Butter, £2 Pampered lips for the ultimate no makeup look? No problem! The new nourishing Lip Butter from Essence cosmetics contains 10% coconut oil to help nourish, repair and care for dry, chapped lips and conjure up a real holiday feeling with the dreamy coconut scent. 2. Catrice Lip Cushion Protection Multi-Balm, £3.99 The SOS remedy for dry lips is here! The new Catrice Lip Cushion is enriched with hemp seed oil, coconut oil and vitamin E, providing optimum care for sensitive lips. Plus, the protective balm is not only…

AUTHENTIC FLAVOURS Award winning Valencian Food Tour Company are bringing an experience like no other to the comfort of your kitchen. Valencia prides itself on being the birthplace of paella, which is why their Sea Saffron workshop cooking workshop is the best there is to teach you step by step how to make the perfect, fragrant rice dish. Go from zero to paella hero in just two hours. • £25 from seasaffron.com AROUND THE WORLD IN 65 YEARS A beautiful travel memoir which spans 75 countries and continents and truly captures the warmth of the human spirit. Biku Ghosh's Around the World in 65 Years brings the reader along with Biku in the stories she tells of her travels. From learning to ride running trains at the age of eight, to…

W comes getting dressed for a busy day, it is possible to achieve both comfort and style. Clothing brand Seasalt Cornwall shares some useful pointers for busy mums looking to elevate their wardrobe. Comfort is key Leggings, tracksuits and jumpers will always be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'comfort' but handy fastenings and soft materials have proven it is 100% possible to achieve both comfort and style in a single look. Opting for soft, natural fabrics that are gentle on the skin will help you to feel relaxed and unrestricted all day long. Simple yet secure magnetic or popper style buttons make adding and removing layers much easier. Likewise, the use of zips in place of buttons is a great way to be…

Back in January last year, I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. I was absolutely thrilled by the news and quickly started scanning mummy groups online. It wasn’t long before I came across a post on Mumsnet, linking to a Facebook page for babies September. We all leaned on each other The group had been started by a lady in France named Emelie Valla and around 20 women had already joined. Almost immediately, we all started sharing our symptoms and results of our initial scans. Still in the early stages of our pregnancies, none of us had told many people, so it was nice being able to chat with other expecting mums. For most of us, this was our first time, so it was nice knowing we were…