Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Pick Me Up! Special

Spring is finally here. To celebrate, we’ve packed your April issue of Pick Me Up! with the latest fashion, beauty bargains, tasty recipes and picturesque British mini-breaks. We’ve got incredible mum Lisa, who lost 13st to join the fun with her thrill-seeking kids (p24), and brave Jasmine, who fought back when her abuser was allowed to walk free (p38). Also, see if you can best me – probably the world’s biggest romcom fan – in our fun TV and film quiz on p64. I got 11 out of 15!…

On parade Follow early-spring blooms with a marching band of bulbs that come in striking shapes and colours. First to show up, around April time, are the delightful bells of fritillaries, followed in May and June by spires of camassias and gladioli, along with bauble-headed alliums. Plant handfuls of these beauties and reap the rewards each year as they naturally multiply to make bigger, bolder displays. Ding-dong bells Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris, H30cm) is a native bulb that’s at home in fertile, damp meadows. Yet it also thrives in a container, where its curious, chequer-patterned bells in pink-mauve and white invite you to look closer. At the showy end of the spectrum is the exuberant crown fritillary (Fritillaria imperialis, H1m). The glowing orange bells of this statuesque plant nestle under…

Lisa Eden, 46, East Leake Pulling on their helmets, my daughters Summer, then 12, and Ellie, 10, jumped on their bikes. It was August 2011, and they were loving the summer holidays. Along with my husband Adrian they’d been riding rollercoasters at theme parks, playing rounders, going swimming. Now they were off for a family picnic. ‘You sure you don’t want to come, Mum?’ Ellie called. ‘I’m sure,’ I shouted back. ‘I’m very busy.’ What a fib. Truth was, I’d love to join them. But I couldn’t. I was too heavy to get on a bike. It would probably break under my big bum, I thought, holding back tears. I’d always struggled with my weight. I was a classic yo-yo dieter. Would eat well and lose a bit. Then old…

1 FRESH TIPS Try adding a new spin to your at-home manicure with a crisp, grassy shade of green. This matcha-inspired tone is more wearable than you’d expect, with a sweet and elegant look. And it’s an easy way to brighten up your nails for spring. Mavala Nail Color in Yummy Matcha, £6.40, John Lewis 2 PAMPERING TREAT Give lacklustre complexions a bit of a brightening boost while taking some relaxing time out with this vitamin-infused face mask. Slather over your skin for a few minutes before rinsing away – your face will feel refreshed and look dewy. W7 Vitamin Glow Face Mask, £6.95, w7makeup.co.uk 3 BRIGHT EYES This volumising mascara provides a serious lash lift, and the waterproof formula means that it will stay budge-proof during spring showers. Two coats are all…

A codeword is like a crossword puzzle but there are no clues! Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. Just decide which letter is represented by which number. To start you off, we’ve revealed the codes for three letters. Once you’ve filled in these letters throughout the puzzle, you’ll have enough info to guess words and discover other letters. Use the letter checklist and letter grid to keep track of the letters you have found. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ…

Chocolate egg tart This pretty pud is so simple to make and looks impressive MAKES 12 PREP 15 MINS, PLUS CHILLING COOK 5 MINS FOR THE BASE: ● 190g digestive biscuits, finely crushed● 170g unsalted butter, warm and melted● ½tsp mixed spice FOR THE FILLING AND DECORATION: ● 250ml double cream● 350g dark chocolate, finely chopped● 100g chocolate mini eggs YOU WILL NEED: ●23cm loose-bottomed baking tin, greased 1 Firstly, make the base. In a large bowl, mix the digestive biscuits with two thirds of the melted butter, and the mixed spice. Press the mixture into the base and sides of the cake tin, using the back of a spoon, until it’s around 4mm thick. Cool in the fridge while you make the filling. 2 Gently warm the cream and remaining…

The Pheasant Inn Cumbria Surrounded by woodland, The Pheasant Inn, a restored 17th-century inn, is the picture of tranquillity. When here, gentle strolls across the scenic landscape or hikes up the fells are essential. In fact, Bassenthwaite – one of the largest lakes in the Lake District – is just a six-minute walk away. Back at home base, hearty pub staples and Sunday roasts will refuel you. From £89, including breakfast, the-pheasant.co.uk. Mitton Hall Lancashire Mitton Hall is one of the finest Tudor mansions around. The Great Hall dates back to the 15th century and is now a piano lounge with an epic fireplace. Rooms have characterful furnishings – some suites offer four-poster beds and soaking tubs. Nearby, you’ll find Clitheroe Castle and the Ribble Valley to explore. From £122,…

Tammy Young, 49, Staffordshire The smell of fried chicken was strong as I walked into the kitchen. ‘Fancy some KFC?’ my partner Kelvin smiled, as he and our son Brandon, then 19, demolished a bucket. ‘You’re two peas in a pod,’ I laughed, pinching a chip. It was March 2023 and Brandon was working with his dad in construction. After work they’d usually head to the gym, then enjoy a bucket of chicken together. I had to laugh at their funny ways, but I loved seeing them bonding. Kelvin was an incredible dad to Brandon, our daughter Nicki, then 24, and my daughter Ariana, 28, from a past relationship. Together for decades, Kelvin and I had never got around to marrying. But we were twin flames, soulmates. Even our birthdays were…

Lizzie Hurrell, 29, Cowes, Isle of Wight Holding a forkful of spicy noodles to my lips, my belly was rumbling. The fiery snacks were the only thing that could satisfy these pregnancy cravings. It was June 2019, and at 35 weeks, I was counting down the days until I could meet my baby boy. Me and my fiancé Jack, then 22, had just moved into our own flat. Once our baby was born, we planned to get married. A proper little family. But first, I had to push this baby out. My pregnancy had gone well, but throughout I’d craved the hottest noodles. Now, with Jack doing a night shift at his factory job, I tucked into my spicy snack with no one to witness my guilty pleasure. Afterwards, my…

Mark van Dongen was a long way from his loving family in Belgium. His construction engineer skills had led him to study and then work in Bristol. In his 20s, he was young, handsome and single, with a promising future. And it wasn’t long before he was snapped up. In 2010, he met Berlinah Wallace, a fashion student in her 40s, on a dating site. Although there were nearly two decades between them, they became serious and moved in together. But it wasn’t happily ever after. Over their five-year relationship, they broke up time and time again. But something always brought them back together. And those who knew Dutch-born Mark probably couldn’t understand why. He had told his family and colleagues that he was scared of Berlinah. Even claimed she…

Salmon noodle salad Eating the rainbow has never tasted so good! SERVES 2 PREP 20 MINS COOK 10 MINS ● 100g thin rice noodles● 1tbsp sesame oil● 100g mangetout, halved● 1 red pepper, sliced● 1 orange pepper, sliced● 2 spring onions, thinly sliced● 2tbsp coriander leaves● 1tbsp sesame seeds● 200g hot smoked salmon fillets, flaked FOR THE DRESSING ● ½ shallot, diced● 1 clove garlic, crushed● ½ red chilli, chopped● 1tbsp lime juice● 1tbsp fish sauce● 1tbsp soy sauce● 1tbsp brown sugar● 2tbsp sesame oil 1 In a large bowl, pour boiling water over the rice noodles to cover, soak for 5 mins. Drain and toss with the sesame oil. 2 In a small bowl, mix all of the dressing ingredients together. 3 In a small pan of boiling water…

Jasmine, 24, Coventry As I curled up in bed, sweat rolled down my face and my stomach heaved. It was March 2021, and the early stages of pregnancy had hit me hard. Throwing up non-stop, I’d been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum – extreme morning sickness. I’d even been admitted to hospital for fluids. Now, back home, all I wanted to make me feel better was a cuddle from my boyfriend Jack, then 20. It’d been a shock for both of us when I’d realised I was expecting after we’d been together for a year. ‘I’m scared,’ I’d told Jack. He’d promised it’d be OK. ‘We’ll be connected forever,’ he said, pulling me in for a hug. Now I was feeling rotten, another cuddle and a bit of reassurance would do…

Jessica Last, 36 Scrolling through photos of buzzing Mumbai food markets and golden beaches in Hong Kong, I felt a wistful pang. It was April 2021 and I was reminiscing over my old Instagram posts from 2018, when I’d spent eight months backpacking around the world with my partner Charlie during a sabbatical from our jobs in advertising. Now both 33, we were firmly back in the ‘real world’, working full-time in London. ‘How about some more adventures?’ I asked Charlie. But with COVID-19 restrictions causing chaos worldwide, it seemed impossible, and we were now running our own advertising agency, so we couldn’t skip off for months on end. Plus we’d become more mindful of climate change and didn’t want to increase our carbon footprint by catching flights. ‘Let’s have…

Snuggled up on their sofa, it’s clear to see how much Blake and Cassee adore each other. ‘Every day, I say his eyes are beautiful,’ smiles Cassee, as Blake leans over to give her a tender kiss. While the couple, who live together in America, are undoubtedly besotted, there are striking differences between them. For starters, while Blake is 5ft 7in, Cassee is half his height, standing at only 2ft 10in. Then there’s the age gap. At 32, Cassee is 13 years older than Blake, who’s 19. Cassee admits that these differences concerned her right at the start, when she and Blake first got chatting after meeting on Facebook Dating in summer 2023. But she says she realised this was something special and Blake was in it for the long…

John Atkins, 45, Liverpool As my wife Ros pulled the brush through our daughter’s hair, Maggie smiled a toothy grin. ‘Remember to tie it tightly, Mummy,’ Maggie, then 4, said, giving her a hairband. ‘Of course,’ Ros laughed, expertly finishing our girl’s ponytail. Ros loved being a mum. And I was in awe of how she took every stage of parenting in her stride. She was a natural. Especially with things like plaits and ponytails. ‘I’m glad you’ve got this covered. I’m useless!’ I joked to Ros. Both teachers, we’d married in 2007. Ros loved her job, and I’d been so proud when she’d become a headteacher. As she’d been committed to her career, we’d delayed starting a family. But after a few years of trying, our precious Maggie had…

What joke would comedian Omid Djalili tell if asked to do so in a corporate interview? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word answer. ACROSS 11 Mist (6) 12 Foretold (9) 13 Pledge (4) 14 More fashionable (8) 15 Aquatic mammal (5) 16 Character played by Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things (6) 17 Undertakes a challenging task (7) 18 Type of spiced cake (11) 20 Desert haven (5) 22 Part of the week (9) 24 Smell (5) 28 Decoration for food (7) 29 Be worthy of (7) 32 Steps (6) 34 First (8) 36 Medical institution (8) 37 Simple boats (6) 39 Fruit of the palm tree (7) 40 Trivial _, board game (7) 45 Smiles broadly (5) 47 Exactly…

Reign of chaos Clinging on to the roof of a moving bus, Mizzy, then 17, beams with delight. Holding his phone, he films himself laughing, before posting the video on TikTok for his legion of followers. A dangerous stunt, but Mizzy – real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro – didn’t care. Because pulling dangerous and offensive pranks racked up millions of views. He’d enter random houses without permission, recording the frightened reactions of residents. Even ran off with a woman’s dog as she walked in the park. Many of the unsuspecting members of the public were left visibly distressed by his actions. He also repeatedly harassed Orthodox Jewish people in his local area of north London, and tore up books at his local library. And all to amuse his followers. Mizzy’s home-invasion…

Everybody has the right to a roof over their head – a home where they feel safe. But there are currently 117,450 households living in temporary accommodation in England – the highest number since records began. Within those statistics, a shocking 151,630 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. Families and individuals can be made homeless for a number of reasons, such as fleeing domestic violence situations, losing an income or being evicted from a rental property. Shockingly, half of working renters are just one missed pay cheque away from losing their home. While local councils may step in to offer emergency housing, this could be a room in a shared house, hostel, B&B or refuge. Others might stay with friends or relatives. The rising figures mean council spending…

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Toddling up the aisle in a white princess dress, with a head full of curls, Riley Fox, 3, scattered red rose petals. By her side, her older brother Tyler, then 6, carried a ring. An adorable pair, playing their roles perfectly at their uncle Chad’s wedding. But as they neared the altar, Riley broke away. Ran straight into the arms of her dad Kevin, then 27. A daddy’s girl, Riley loved being carried on his shoulders, and when he took her fishing. Two weeks later, on 5 June 2004, Riley’s mum Melissa, then 25, visited Chicago to take part in a walk for cancer, an hour away from their Wilmington home. Kevin planned to greet her at the finish line that Sunday morning. The family spent Saturday afternoon making posters…

Anu Verma, 44, Coventry Tracing my fingers over my wedding photo, I smile. Surrounded by confetti and all our friends and family, Rob and I look so happy. We were younger, in love, with our whole future ahead of us. It’s hard to believe we’re now divorced but happier than ever together, and still very much in love. When I met Rob on holiday in Ibiza in 2015, I wasn’t looking for love. In fact, I was actively avoiding it. I was 35, and up until then I’d had a bit of a chaotic life and had jumped from one disastrous relationship to the next. But there was something about Rob that was different. He was kind, funny, a true gentleman. We spent some time together with friends, and exchanged…

Taurus 20 April – 20 May Your birthday season starts with a tricky few days. Thankfully, others are listening. Need to straighten situations that haven’t gone your way? That’s when to do it. Call 0905 789 4151* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Gemini 21 May – 20 June Life may have been confusing lately, but from the 7th things fall into place. You can have conversations without mishap and from the 16th it’s easier to be assertive. Call 0905 789 4152* and choose weekly, monthly and yearly updates Cancer 21 June – 22 July There’s been a lot of backtracking, but the 5th is your best day for getting stuff done. Put effort into a personal project. Other hiccups take care of themselves. Call 0905 789 4153* and…