Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Pick Me Up! Special

Growing up, my youngest son was the smartest boy I’d ever known. A math whizz, Jack had dreams of becoming an accountant. ‘I’ll be well rich, Mum,’ he would tell me. Not only was he a brainiac, but he was such a kind, loving young lad. He was never embarrassed to tell me he loved me, and always demanded a ‘Mummy hug.’ At 6ft 7inches, he truly was our soft giant. We had the most perfect family. Jack’s step-dad Roger, 49, came into his life when he was just six-months-old, and the pair were inseparable. Roger may not have been Jack’s biological father, but he was the best dad in the world after his walked out. With Jack, his big brother Max, now 30, and his step-sister Jai, now 20,…

Walking into the school changing rooms, my heart quickly sank. ‘Right, time to get in your P.E. kits, girls,’ my teacher said. Every time the lesson came up on my school timetable, I instantly felt full of dread. I should have been enjoying exercising with my friends, but the thought of changing in front of my peers horrified me. When I first started high school, none of the girls needed bras as we hadn’t begun to develop yet – but as the months passed, more of my friends began wearing bralettes to support their growing chests. It seemed as though we were all going through it together. That was, until I noticed I had one breast much larger than the other. Shopping with my friends, I picked out bras to…

Growing up I would love to stay active. I joined a dance club, which I attended three times a week and I would also compete in regional competitions. I loved dressing up and performing. But, even though I enjoyed regularly taking part in sports, I was a lot bigger than the other girls in my class. I was 5’11 and a dress size 14 at age 13 and although this wasn’t big by any means I stuck out like a sore thumb compared to all the petite girls in my team. And as a result I started feeling self-conscious. So, I decided to drop out of dance school. At age 18, I went off to Portsmout University to get my degree in social policy and administration. My body confidence was…

This year is all about colour! Match accessories, or even your nail polish to your jumper for a coordinated look. These timeless sweats will not only provide comfort but they suit all seasons! Your outfit will speak volumes with these slogan sweaters… Pattern jumpers add personality to an outfit. Ditsy prints are perfect for casual day to day wear or go bold with retro prints!…

Liz Earle Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser, £18, Boots From the creators of the iconic Cleanse & Polish, this ultra-gentle, milky cleanser effectively cleanses without stripping skin’s goodness to protect and strengthen the moisture barrier and effortlessly melt away impurities and makeup. Botanics Foaming Cleanser, £6.99, Boots Deeply cleansing without overly drying, the new Clarifying Foaming Cleanser helps to wash away dirt, oil and makeup, whilst keeping your complexion clean, refreshed and clarified. Lacura Jelly Cleanser, £3.99, Aldi Get daily skincare routines off to the right start with this jelly cleanser. Packed with key ingredients, the affordable but luxurious gel to foam texture will remove even the most stubborn makeup, dirt and impurities. Used daily, you’ll be left with a perfectly cleansed complexion.…

As the nights draw in and the weather gets cold, wet and miserable, it’s tempting to lock ourselves away and hibernate. But there are things we can do to stop ourselves slipping into a wintery slump from now until next year. Cheryl Lythgoe, matron at Benenden Health, shares eight useful tips to keep our wellbeing in check and beat the winter blues… Get some ‘me time’ Taking time out for yourself is an important step in beating winter blues. Stress can have a big impact on both our mental and physical wellbeing, and it can be exhausting. When you have a million-and-one things on your plate, it’s easy to forget to look after yourself. So make sure you swap stress for self-care with BlissBox. The unique subscription box is delivered…

December special Snow may not be falling yet, but Christmas sure is coming! With the countdown officially underway, we have everything you need to get ready for the party season. With an extra special beauty treat (pg42), we’ll have you glowing from head to toe in no time. As well as seasonal delights, we have plenty of binge-worthy real life to get you through the month. Driving down the dual carriageway, Katherine knew she was in trouble (pg22). Only, her little girl leapt into action and made a life-saving call. And she’s not the only brave one this month. After a devastating diagnosis, Darlaine knew she had to face it head on (pg55). After making a huge decision, she is now living her life to the fullest, one length at…

Calling an ambulance, they instructed us to get Jack onto the floor. ‘Can you feel a pulse?’ the call operator asked. Putting them on loudspeaker, Roger felt Jack’s wrist. ‘It’s there, but it’s weak and slow,’ he admitted. His face dropped. I couldn’t process it. ‘You need to start doing CPR,’ the operator announced. Looking up at Roger, I knew I couldn’t do it. It had to be him. ‘I can’t,’ he gasped. ‘You have to, Roger!’ I sobbed. Leaning over Jack, he entwined his fingers and began pressing down on his chest. My baby boy. I watched on helplessly. ‘What if I break his ribs?’ Roger cried as he pressed down. I could see how distressed he was, but he didn’t have a choice. Then, after just five minutes,…

Spotting Bess the sheepdog as she lay sleepy-eyed in a puddle, I giggled to myself. ‘Are you sure you’re not a fish?’ I asked her. My dad, John, brought home Bess the Border Collie when she was eight weeks old. From a young age, we could tell she was very intelligent. Growing up to be a sheepdog on our farm in Snowdonia, she never failed to impress us. My mum, Ann, 51, adored her too. Sadly I had to say goodbye to Bess when I moved for work, to Tattenhall, Cheshire, in 2019. But I still visited regularly. One thing about Bess which we always found adorable was her love for sploshing around in water. So, it wasn’t unusual to spot her having a doze in the occasional puddle. On…

Taste the difference by featuring JAZZ™ apples in your cooking, baking, or salads. Their tangy yet sweet flavour will bring your recipe to the next level. Try this quick and delicious one pot wonder! YOU WILL NEED: ☐ 2 JAZZ™ Apples (cored and cut into thin slices)☐ 400g cauliflower florets☐ 2 red peppers (cut into chunky slices)☐ 4 cloves of garlic☐ 4 shallots (each cut into segments)☐ 2 tbsp olive oil☐ 1 tbsp sherry vinegar☐ 2 tbsp harissa☐ Salt & pepper to taste TO MAKE: 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan. 2. Break the cauliflower florets apart, cut the peppers into strips, break apart the shallots and peel the garlic cloves before adding to a large bowl. 3. Mix the olive oil, harissa and sherry vinegar together and pour…

They were a couple who had both proudly devoted themselves to their country. US Army Staff Sgt Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Hamilton had done two tours of duty and was now in a team that assisted the Pentagon, while his wife Crystal, 29, was a recovery coordinator for wounded Marines. Crystal was a naturally empathetic person who brought comfort to those she met, so she was a natural when it came to caring for military personnel and their families. Ronnie and Crystal had met while growing up in South Carolina, and by 2016, they were living in an imposing home in Woodbridge, Virginia, with their eleven-year-old son. But while they were a force for good in their public roles, at home things were far more destructive. Ronald was unfaithful, and yet he…

International Executive Coach of the Year, confidence & human behaviour expert Jo Emerson answers your questions. Grab her book Flying for Beginners: A Proven System for Lasting Self Confidence on Amazon. For confidence building tips, advice and inspiration find Jo on Instagram at @jo_emerson_ Can I be brutually honest with my husband? I love my husband, but he’s really let himself go during our marriage. I would be furious if he asked me to make more of an effort, like lose weight and dress better, but I really need him to change. Shall I just tell him? Carly, Modbury YES Pick Me Up! reader Abigail from York, says: If your husband is starting to give you the ‘ick’, you need to just tell him. But be supportive. Start by asking…

Raiding my boyfriend Tom’s wardrobe, I went through the coat hangers and threw on one of his checked shirts. It was March last year, a couple of weeks into the first lockdown, and I was finding ways to keep myself entertained. Creeping down to the garden where Tom was chilling, I was ready to give him the fright of his life. Stepping outside, I announced my arrival while trying to keep a straight face and getting into character. ‘My name’s Joe Exotic, otherwise known as The Tiger King!’ I spoke. Tom nearly jumped out of his chair as his jaw hit the floor He was speechless for a couple of seconds, and I couldn’t help but burst into hysterics. ‘That is the creepiest thing I think I’ve ever seen…’ he…

My partner Daniel, 33, had no idea why we were at the ITV studios sat on the famous This Morning sofa. It was my favourite daytime watch, so I sent them an email asking if I could pop the question on their show. It seemed like a crazy idea but why not? I thought. I had been with Daniel for 16 years and wanted to take our relationship to the next level. The bright lights and cameras were sending me dizzy. ‘Marry me?’ I asked Daniel. I waited anxiously on one knee, with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield staring in anticipation. ‘Yes!’ Daniel chuckled. Phew, I thought. But five years after my moment of madness, me and Daniel still hadn’t got married. Life just seemed to get in the way.…

Gotta Have it Bestseller Mask Indulgence Set, £26.50 Spotlighting Amika’s three hero treatments, this gift set is packed full of moisture to hydrate and repair any locks! Includes, Soulfood Nourishing Mask, Flash Instant Shine Mask and The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment. Blonde Appetit Bust Your Brass Toning and Repair Set, £43 Stop brassiness in its tracks with this set that offers everything blondes need to tone, repair and strengthen hair. Contains Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, as well as Your Brass Intense Repair Mask. Back For Seconds Dry Shampoo and Shine Set, £28 This stunning gift set from Amika includes the finishing touches for glossy hair. For those who want shiny, healthy hair, this set features Amika’s new Top Gloss Shine Spray, plus Perk Up Dry…

Cancer, and the treatments for it, can have a serious effect on your sex life. Whether it’s communicating with your partner, building back confidence with a changed body or deciding what to write on your Tinder profile, there’s a lot to navigate. Two pioneering artists and former cancer patients, Brian Lobel and Joon-Lynn Goh, have partnered up with Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium to launch the UK’s first online sex shop, designed by and for people living with and beyond cancer. They’ve curated a range of products and sexual aids to answer the specific challenges relating to cancer, as well as featuring artwork and information on how people living with and beyond cancer can take charge of their health and wellbeing. • Visit sexwithcancer.com…

SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS Candles have the power to transform your home. And that’s exactly why Crystal Pavitt began making candles in her kitchen seven years ago. Today, she runs Treasures On Sea from her studio in the picturesque town of Leigh on Sea, where she makes soy candles, wax melts and diffusers. Using inspiration from the little fishing town, nostalgia and food, all of Crystal’s products are vegan, eco-friendly and made with a low carbon footprint. As well as bringing comfort to your home, Crystal also hosts regular candle making workshops, so you can turn your own story into a beautiful scent. Whether you love burning lavender to help you relax or a seasonal favourite to enhance your excitement for that time of year, there’s a candle for every…

Film and TV 1 What was the first feature-length animated movie ever released? a Sleeping Beauty b Snow White and the Seven Dwarves c Bambi 2 For what movie did Steven Spielberg win his first Oscar for Best Director? a Schindler’s List Jaws c E.T. the Extra Terrestrial 3 Who won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK? a The Vivienne b Baga Chipz c Davina de Campo 4 Which of these actors has not appeared in The Vicar of Dibley? a Emilia Fox b Keeley Hawes c Peter Capaldi 5 Who played the ‘unsinkable’ Molly Brown in Titanic? a Bette Midler b Margo Martindale c Kathy Bates Showbiz 6 Who is the oldest Kardashian sibling? a Khloe b Kim c Kourtney 7 Which British royal made headlines for wearing the same…

Heading out into the garden, I had my paintbrush at the ready. I put my headphones in, pressed play and waited for the inspiration to come. It was the first time I’d put brush to canvas in five years since dropping an art A-level, but with a bit of spare time on my hands, I decided to give it a go. Only, what to paint? I’d enjoyed painting portraits, but who now? Whilst I knew my mum Nikki’s face like the back of my hand, I knew if I got it wrong, it wouldn’t go down well! Then, it came to me. Since his death on 9 April this year, at the age of 99, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, had been all over the news. It was hard…

Find out the origins of coffee, answers to all your coffee questions and some quirky products to satisfy all your coffee needs – for all great ideas start with coffee. Coffee Q&A Assembly Coffee’s roaster, Claire Wallace, answers the most common coffee questions… How much caffeine is in coffee? On average there is around 95mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee. With accurate coffee brewing we extract the same percentage of coffee regardless of the brewing method. So, the total amount of caffeine should be relatively consistent whether your final beverage is a 30ml espresso or a 250ml filter brewed coffee. Do light roasted and dark roasted have different levels of caffeine? Although dark coffee may taste stronger and some people may tell you that light roasted coffee preserves…

ONE: One Pan, One Hob, One Meal, by chef and food stylist Elena Silcock, is a must have for busy home-cooks, who want to get a tasty meal on the table with minimal fuss. All the 85 versatile recipes can be made in one of two pans - either a large saucepan or a non-stick frying pan. One: One Pan, One Hob, One Meal by Elena Silcock is published by Hamlyn (£16.99) Date night ragu Serves 4 Disclaimer: I know this recipe makes more than two servings. That still makes it an ideal date night meal though, because if the date goes terribly, you can at least console yourself with leftover ragu to enjoy in the days to follow. INGREDIENTS: ☐ 500g stewing steak (use a cut like shin or…

Why not try creating your own makeup transformation with Liss’ top five tips and tricks? 1.MAP IT OUT: Start by mapping out your face and do each part in stages. I begin with the high points – the cheekbones, nose shape and chin. 2.ADD DEPTH: Using a darker shade of cream contour, add depth to the face to change the shape of it. 3.USE PICTURES: Keep referring to a few different photos of who you are transforming into to make sure you have got all of the details correct. 4.LIGHT IT UP: Make sure that you’ve got really good lighting. It ensures you can see the details and that you’re applying it properly. 5.TRUST THE PROCESS: It takes a long time to finish, and it may not look how you…

Spreading my bills out in front of me, I sighed. They were mounting up, and despite working long hours as a delivery driver, I was still struggling to pay them all. So I started thinking of ways to make some quick cash, and suddenly it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. What about OnlyFans? I’d heard of the risqué website, but I’d never given it much thought, until now. When I started looking into it though, I quickly realised it was the perfect solution. I asked my boyfriend, Owain, what he thought about it. ‘Go for it,’ he said, encouraging me as always. ‘I definitely would if I were a woman!’ I grinned. I’d always been very openminded, and Owain telling me I’m beautiful every day made…

1. Eylure Smokey Eye Effect, £6.45, Boots Look no further, Eylure has given you the ultimate final touch to complete any smokey eye. This range delivers you serious smokiness! Easy to apply, choose from two trendsetting styles to elevate your look to the next level. 2. Elegant Touch Merry & Bright, £6.50, Superdrug It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and what better way to get in the mood than with these gorgeous nails from Elegant Touch? Keeping to tradition with these squoval festive red nails, but adding a dash of twinkle to keep you following the North Star. 3. Avon Maxima Icon Eau de Parfum, £20, Avon Perfect for fragrance lovers, Maxima is a beautifully light scent that is packed with vibrant mandarin, Hippolyta flower and leather accord.…

A new study from charity MedicAlert has revealed that 40% of men with health conditions are open to speaking out about it, compared to a quarter of women. Research found that men actually feel less worried, uncomfortable or stressed when talking about new or pre-existing conditions than their female counterparts – which is a step in the right direction in getting men to speak up. It’s important to be open about health conditions – as it could save your life in an emergency.…

TOPS SKIRTS JUMPSUITS DRESSES…

Aries March 21st-April 20th I can see you’re growing tired of a situation which does not seem to be going anywhere. With a Full Moon total eclipse in Sagittarius on the 3rd, I’m not surprised! Why not take your foot off the controls, and allow others the opportunity to show you how well they lead? You’ve been trying to do everything on your own when others are ready, willing and able to provide you with the help required. Ring now to hear why you need to be firm with objectives Taurus April 21st-May 21st Venus makes it hard for you to trust what others say, so you are left with a feeling that you are only being told part truths. Try not asking too many questions before the 16th. Sometimes,…