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Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024PRIZES WORTH £££ TO BE WON EACH MONTH!HOW TO REGISTER It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do. Just visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the Create Free Account button and then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! To find out more visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com For website rules of play, go to comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. Terms and conditions apply, UK only…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024ANIMAL MAGICSun worshippers My boys just love sitting on the windowsill and soaking up the sun. I always have to be careful they don’t get sunburnt, what with them having no fur! Paula, Barry Good luck catching them… Spotting the swans swimming down our local river always makes me laugh. It reminds me of my favourite film, Hot Fuzz. Surely you know the reference? Laura, Dorchester Sleepy head Here’s my fur baby after just waking up from his mid-afternoon snooze. As you can see, he can barely open his little eyes. He’s the cutest kitty. Jenny, Chester A special find Picking up a new stick is always a daily highlight for my dog Nancy. She spends more time chewing them than walking. What a cheeky girl! Sue, Gloucester…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Pick of the bunchAccidents, bust-ups, family drama, murder, you name it, it’s happened on the telly. However, there are some iconic moments that have really stuck with the nation. Here are some of our all-time favourites… EastEnders: ‘you ain’t my muvva’ – 2001 One of EastEnders’ favourite characters Kat Slater, has had some incredible one-liners as the series has gone on. But in October 2001, Zoe Slater stormed through the streets of Walford, after stating that she was going to Spain. Desperately trying to make her stay, Kat pleaded with her ‘sister’ Zoe. ‘You can’t tell me what to do, you ain’t my muvva,’ Zoe shouted. Only, bellowing at the top of her voice, Kat revealed the truth. ‘YES I AM!’ she yelled – the duff duff playing after. It was then revealed…2 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024LIKE A VIRGINClambering off me and lying on the bed sheets surrounded by sweat, instead of feeling euphoric, I was left feeling unsatisfied. Unlike other couples in the honeymoon period, who would be at it like rabbits, my partner Phil, then 21, would be lucky if he got any at all. ‘I don’t think that this is working,’ I announced. I didn’t actually mean the relationship as a whole, I meant our sex life instead. ‘That’s OK, we don’t have to do it,’ Phil said, reassuringly. However, at that point, I don’t think he quite understood what I really meant. The idea of getting frisky in the sheets filled me with dread. It wasn’t that he wasn’t very good or that I didn’t fancy him. He was a bit of eye candy…5 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024How to make… A SPRING WREATH WITH TULIPSWith a spring in your step, inject a little extra colour into your home with this easy-to-make tulip wreath. This craft by Jo Boland on the Hobbycraft Hub will add a floral pop to any room in the house, or maybe even your front door. And the best part is – the tulips last forever, too! YOU WILL NEED: □ A spring tulip wreath from Hobbycraft□ 4 white tulip bouquets□ Natural jute fabric roll□ Oasis flower tape□ Wire cutters METHOD: 1. Gather your tools and materials together. 2. Using wire cutters, carefully cut each tulip stem from the wired tulip bouquets. 3. Remove the foliage from each tulip stem, keeping only the wide tulip leaves on a third of them. Leave the rest of them bare. 4. Hold three tulip…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Little oneIn 2013 when they got engaged, celeb couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian claimed they were willing to pay $1 million a night to spend their honeymoon where? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares to find the answer. ACROSS 1 Breaks in two (5) 5 Posed for a picture (3) 6 Cinema walkway (5) 8 Precious stone (5) DOWN 1 Mineral water resort (3) 2 Donkey (3) 3 Buddy (3) 4 Thieve, nick (5) 7 Frozen water (3) Your answer____________________________________ Little one Answer: SPACE…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024DRASTIC ACTIONStanding on the scales, I felt the all too familiar pang of pure disappointment. For the past 20 years I had been to Slimming World on and off, but the scales barely budged. Over the years I’d lost a few pounds here and there, but the weight didn’t stay off for long. And having been struggling with my weight since I was 16, I’d finally had enough. After having my two boys Adam, now 31, and Macauley, 27, the baby weight didn’t budge, either. And it wasn’t like I was a big eater, either. With a relatively healthy attitude towards food, it didn’t seem to matter if I was eating crisps and sweets, to syn-free salads – nothing was working. ‘I must just have a really slow metabolism,’ I moaned…7 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Your dilemmasInternational Executive Coach of the Year, Jo Emerson, answers your questions. Listen to her podcast Tell Me Who You Really Are on your preferred platform now. Jo’s new email course can help you build confidence – visit jo-emerson.com. Grab her book, Flying for Beginners, on Amazon. Find Jo on Instagram: @jo_emerson_ Like a virgin… I’m 34 and still a virgin – I’ve just got into a new relationship. Should I tell him? Mandy, York YES Pick Me Up! reader Caroline from Hereford says: Why not? There’s no shame in telling him the truth. And it may mean that things end up being a little better in the bedroom when you decide to get down and dirty. It means you can take things slowly and at your own pace, instead of…4 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024IT’S A SMALL WORLDCracking open a plastic ball, it exploded across my crafting table. Inspecting the tiny little pieces, I grinned. From a tiny plastic cup to miniature tapioca pearls, this ball promised the chance to create my very own miniature bubble tea. Let’s try something different, I decided. I’d created so many miniature bubble teas from the MGA’s Miniverse sets before, but I liked to remixthem so they looked different. I never got bored of them So I set my mind on creating a spilled over bubble tea. Switching on my UV lamp and carefully assembling the pieces, I used resin to stick them all together. Spending every Sunday crafting and listening to my favourite podcast, True Crime with Kendall Rae, it was my time to unwind. Only, I heard the door…3 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024How to upcycle decorative garden screensBagging a cheap win during her trip to Home Bargains, Kara immediately saw potential in her new mirror. Follow these quick steps to see how she transformed her interior mirror into a decorative outdoor feature. YOU WILL NEED: □ A décor bargain□ Sandpaper□ Rust-Oleum spray paint in a colour of your choice□ Spray surface primer METHOD: 1. Bag your bargain – this indoor mirror was just £3.99 from Home Bargains. I then removed the glass panels from the mirror frame. 2. Sand the wooden frame down with a sheet of sandpaper. This helps to prepare the surface for the spray paint, to ensure that the paint will stick. 3. Spray the mirror frame evenly with a coat of primer. 4. Then, evenly spray the frame with a layer of multi-purpose,…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024ONLY FOOLS AND HEARSESHearing a familiar jingle on the TV, I knew what Dad was watching. My dad John, 74, was an Only Fools and Horses superfan – so much so, that my mum Linda, 71, paid for UK TV Gold so that he could watch all the episodes on demand. I remember growing up with my sisters Sharon, 51, and Jodie, 46, watching Only Fools with Dad – he’d roar with laughter throughout. He loved Grandad’s character – famous for his armchair one liners – and when the show modernised, Uncle Albert was a firm favourite. Watching anything from exploding tour buses to sex dolls in the back of the van and Del Boy falling through the bar – they definitely wouldn’t be billionaires by next year! But Dad didn’t care. Dad…7 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024BOY OH… GIRL?!Staring at the positive pregnancy test in front of me, I wasn’t sure I was ready for a baby. I was only 19 and lived with my mum Julia, 42, at the time. But even so, something was telling me I had to put my trust in the universe instead. ‘We’re going to be parents,’ my partner Jake, now 23, beamed when I told him the news. ‘I really can’t believe it.’ After the initial shock, I found I was over the moon, too. Sitting round the dinner table, we couldn’t help ourselves from speculating over the baby’s gender. ‘I reckon you’re going to have twins!’ Mum said. ‘I’ve just got a funny feeling.’ ‘That’s ridiculous,’ I laughed. ‘No way am I having two!’ Except, on 5 April 2022, we…4 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024ACT F.A.S.T.The NHS urges us all to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke. ‘Help Us, Help You’ Act F.A.S.T. – supported by the Stroke Association – highlights that a stroke is a medical emergency and urges the public to call 999 if they notice any signs of a stroke in themselves or others. This comes after new research revealed that 59% of adults in the UK were not aware that stroke is the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK, and 39% did not recognise stroke as a medical emergency that requires attention – even though every minute following is vital. Around 100,000 people have a stroke each year in England, Scotland and Wales, which is approximately one stroke every five minutes – with…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Juliet Bouverie OBE, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said:‘Stroke is when a blockage or a bleed stops blood getting to your brain, and your brain starts to die. ‘We know that despite its debilitating and deadly consequences, strokes are still largely misunderstood. ‘Stroke is a medical emergency and time lost is brain lost. This is why it’s incredibly important that you act F.A.S.T. ‘It is our responsibility to know the signs and be on the lookout for stroke. Acting F.A.S.T. saves lives and we’ve seen impressive results from previous Act F.A.S.T. campaigns, too. ‘This one little thing could save a life.’…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024What’s TRENDING?WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Just an hour from London, Howletts Wild Animal Park is home to some of the world’s rarest and endangered animals. With the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, more gorillas than any other zoo in the country and Kent’s only giant anteaters, you are in for a treat – especially with the recent additions, adorable lion cubs, Zemo and Zala! Working with The Aspinall Foundation, Howletts is dedicated to conservation and rehabilitating animals back to the wild. And to make your day extra special, why not add an unforgettable experience? With prices starting at just £15, you can feed the elephants, go behind the scenes with the gorillas, meet black rhinos and scatter some snacks for red river hogs and anteaters. What’s more,…3 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024March specialThere’s something truly wonderful about March. With the start of spring, everything just starts to feel that little bit brighter With vibrant daffodils bursting out the grass and cherry blossom coming into bloom, I find it hard not to smile. And with the start of spring, Mother’s Day and Easter filling up the March calendar, we’ve had a lot to pack into this issue. Brighter days are on our minds and little Archer knows a thing or two about that (pg16). Despite facing hardship from the moment he was born, this brave toddler has proved everyone wrong – all with a smile. For Ellie (pg36), happiness came in unlikely form. When her Only Fools and Horses mad dad passed away, she knew she needed to give him a send off…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024MUM’S WORST NIGHTMARESitting on a picnic rug on a sunny beach, I laughed as my daughter tucked into a custard cream. ‘Are you going to eat the biscuit, or just the cream in the middle?’ I chuckled. ‘Cream!’ Louisiana smiled, licking her lips. Custard creams were her favourite snack, but she’d only ever eat the cream inside. I used to be able to easily find her at home – all you had to do was follow the trail of discarded biscuits and you’d find Louisiana, then two, with a big, creamy grin on her face. But that was the thing – my girl never stopped smiling, her joy was so infectious. Raising my children, Lexus, now 13, Timothy, now 12, and James-Dean, now six, as well as Louisiana, as a single mum,…5 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Head to EmmerdaleWant to step foot in the Yorkshire Dales and walk in the footsteps of the infamous Dingle family? This unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity means that you can! Taking you behind the scenes, you can embark on your very own 90-minute journey through the heart of Yorkshire, on the actual set where the filming of the soap takes place. Not only that, but with a Star Tour option available, too, you can meet a surprise member of the Emmerdale cast. With plenty of photo opportunities, pose with a pint in The Woolpack, spot the home farm and trek your way through the village amenities. You’ll be right at home – no cliffhangers here… Prices start at just £38, vouchers redeemable against the tour are available to book now. Please visit: emmerdalevillagetour.co.uk…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024PHIL SAYS…‘Although we were active early on in the relationship, it became clear that it wasn’t going to be an integral part of it as time went on. In fact, I wasn’t upset or anxious about a sexless marriage – I respected Terri more for her openness and honesty during that time. Before meeting Terri, I’d had a few girlfriends, but only one of them was ‘physical’ – so from that point of view, sex wasn’t important at all. Once we were married, when I was 23, I concentrated solely on things that Terri and I shared and did together – accepting her daughter, too. I’m not very paternal, so wanting my own children was off the cards anyway. I do think that my fairly strict upbringing in the ‘70s contributed…2 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024OUR TOP 7 SUPER EASY TIPSThis month… HEARTFELT DONATIONS Don’t forget that your junk could be someone else’s treasure! Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the British Heart Foundation, has suggested some surprising goods you could donate. Please visit: bhf.org.uk 1 Phones and tablets You can donate your used devices if they’re in working order. Follow the simple steps on the BHF website to get your devices ready for donation. Then all your data will be erased by the BHF before your device is resold. 2 Toys and games Before you donate old toys and games, check that board games and puzzles have all their pieces. However, LEGO and Duplo are exceptions – they can be resold as incomplete sets. Remove any batteries from toys, too. 3 Musical instruments You can donate your unused musical instruments…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024IN THE FAST LANEGiggling with my hubby Clark, then 20, as we gazed at the image on the screen, I felt a quiver of excitement. A boy! It was November 2019 and we were at my 20-week ultrasound scan. I’d been married to my childhood sweetheart Clark for a year, and this was our first child. Keen to start a family, we’d tried for seven months before I’d fallen pregnant. Now, we couldn’t wait. So distracted by the image of my growing baby, we barely noticed the sonographer leaving the room. Or returning with a doctor in tow. ‘What’s going on?’ I asked, spotting the doctor studying the screen as Clark rubbed my back. Then she dropped a bombshell. ‘Your baby has spina bifida,’ she said, and my head spun. I couldn’t fight…4 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024In response:Dr Neil Jennings, Clinical Director of Surgery at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Any form of weight loss surgery is a major operation. It has to be very carefully considered by a team of health professionals in line with national guidance. ‘Patients have to go through a series of checks. ‘This includes a full health check, counselling and support and commitment to lose weight before any procedure can take place. ‘For some people surgery will not be in their best interests. ‘Many people will be offered alternative treatments, but this may not always be effective. ‘We would strongly recommend that anyone considering travelling overseas for private care researches their options carefully and understands the risks involved.’…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024JACK’S LEGACYComing downstairs in a hurry, I had no idea what my son was going to say. ‘Do I need to shampoo my eyebrows?’ Jack, then 14, asked. With his distinctive bushy brows, I couldn’t help but giggle. Completely dippy, he always had a way of making me laugh. Sweet, kind and considerate, Jack and I were extremely close – as a single parent, it was just us two. Every year we’d go on a holiday abroad, spending time together. Studying Health and Social Care at college, Jack also loved to play football, as well as working part-time at McDonald’s. Even though he was determined, always rushing around meant that Jack, then 17, was tired constantly. Something that we both noticed more in summer 2019. ‘It’s probably just because of work,’…8 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024BEAR NECESSITIESJumping at the sound of the doorbell, I rushed to fling open the front door. ‘Another delivery,’ the courier smiled, handing me a stack of boxes. ‘They’re here!’ I called out to my dad Leon, 75. Together, we carefully opened them, only to be met by hundreds of googly eyes and a flurry of multi-coloured fur – from the orange stripes of a ginger cat to the pink sparkle of a unicorn. It was our latest delivery of Ty Beanie Bellies – the latest range of plushies from Ty. We had to get our hands on the latest releases – our 23,900-strong collection would be incomplete if not. Luckily, we even had a special Ty dealer out in Illinois who sourced the plushies for us. Filling up any spare corner…3 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Kara’s top tipsIf you’re looking to renovate your home on a budget, follow Kara’s top tips to help you save you some pennies, all while achieving an expensive-looking style. 1. Keep your eyes peeled for discounts Before buying items brand-new, always check your local car boot sales and Facebook Marketplace. Often, you can get items for a fraction of the price. Recently, I bought an electric stove fire for £30 second hand, all while they’re still being sold in Dunelm for over £100. 2. The power of Fablon Don’t underestimate the power of Fablon – sticky back plastic. It’s the easiest way to switch up the colours in your home. I wrapped my fridge with pink Fablon for just £12. 3. Chalk paint Spruce up your outdoor areas with chalk paint. It’s…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 202424 HOURS INEast LondonYou won’t Adam and Eve it, East London is the place to be this March! From glorious wildlife hot spots to Victorian throwbacks, there is something for everyone. Break away from the typical touristy sightseeing in Westminster and Central London and get yourself down the East End! An urban paradise Heading to a big city, you wouldn’t believe the largest urban wetlands are nestled into 211 hectares of Walthamstow. Walthamstow is most famous for birthing boy band East 17, but it is also an area rich with wildlife. Walthamstow Wetlands is the main water supply for 3.5 million Londoners and home to creatures ranging from rare wildfowl to migrating birds. Built 150 years ago – although the land has been used since 1066 – it was only opened to the…4 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024INSTANT + APPOINTMENTForever fatigued Q No matter how much sleep I get, I’m constantly yawning and feel so fatigued. My routine and diet haven’t changed, so what could this be? Thelma, Newport A Feeling tired all the time is the reason for 10 to 20% of all GP consultations, so this is very common and you are not alone. Common lifestyle factors that can cause tiredness include stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, excess alcohol or a side effect of medication – for example, antihistamines used to treat allergies or some cough medicines. Some medical conditions can cause tiredness, such as anaemia, thyroid disease, diabetes, heart disease, liver or kidney disease. Tiredness can also be a sign of aserious condition such as cancer or an autoimmune disease. A common cause of daytime…3 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Know the signsThe F.A.S.T. test helps to spot the three most common symptoms of stroke – but there are other signs that you should always take seriously. These include: ● Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including your legs, hands or feet ● Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences ● Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes ● Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall ● A sudden, severe headache You should call 999 immediately if you identify any single symptom of stroke.…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024SUPERMARKET SWEEPFor Easter egg inspo, check out p62!…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024BORN AT60MPH!Tugging the seatbelt over my shoulder, I strapped myself in. ‘Are you ready to go?’ I asked my daughter Eva, then three. Setting off to our local supermarket, we grabbed our food for the week. I had to ensure I was stocked up on plenty of beetroot. My very weird, but strong, pregnancy craving. ‘Did you get your beetroot?’ my hubby Sean, now 36, laughed as we walked back through the door. At least I finally had an excuse for him to help me carry the shopping bags in. After nine happy years together, we wanted to be able to give Eva the chance of being a big sister. And the waiting game was nearly over for us all. I was heavily pregnant. On 21 October 2020, the day before…6 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Michelle’s styling masterclass…Recognisable for her iconic style, there’s no denying that Michelle Keegan knows a thing or two about fashion. Now you can learn from the very best. Take note… Tip one – tailoring + trainers ‘My go-to look is definitely pairing tailoring such as blazers and smart trousers with trainers. The combination of both smart and casual pieces creates an effortlessly stylish look which is easily executed.’ Try this basic styling combo now! Tip two – colour blocking From monotones and neutrals, to vibrant colours, colour blocking is a universal styling tip – even if you’re a minimalist! ‘I love to contrast a neutral outfit paired with a fun pop of colour. The colour olive really achieves that statement look.’ Tip three - layering and textures ‘Building out my capsule wardrobe…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024PUPPET MASTERServing 26 years as a medical sergeant in Iraq, Darrin Reuben Lopez was what you could call an unsung hero. Returning to the States as an Army veteran, his battle scars were a reminder of his service. After suffering a severe brain injury, he was left disabled. But back at home, he had no family to care for him. His marriage had broken down and his three daughters had moved out of his Tennessee home. Like many veterans, Darrin was in a dark place. But he knew just how to get his life back on track. Reaching out to an old girlfriend, Jennifer Faith, on LinkedIn, the two were soon catching up. Dating back in high school, the pair had discussed tying the knot. But the lovers couldn’t make it…6 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024HOP TO ITStanding in my front garden, I shut my eyes and tried to picture a giant Easter scene sprawling over the front of my terraced house. A chocolate egg here, Easter bunny there – the possibilities were endless. And I had a knack for coming up with some wonderful creations, too. You see, for the past few years my home was my canvas. It had all started back in October 2021 when I was having a Halloween party for my kids – Jensen, 14, and Arlo, four Ooh I’ll just put a few balloons out, I thought. But before long, I had balloon tentacles climbing all the way to my upstairs windows, and huge pumpkins scattered on the lawn. Working as a prop designer for the past 11 years, it was…5 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Your pick me upsPuppy love Here’s my daughter Casey snuggled up with the newest member of our family. Our puppy Milo is so adorable. Sally, Yarmouth Part of the furniture Me and my daughter visited the Van Gogh Immersive Experience this time last year. My highlight was standing in Van Gogh’s bedroom! Julie, Walthamstow Beauty all around This gorgeous butterfly landed right in front of me while I was in the garden. Isn’t it stunning? Fiona, Salford Beautiful blooms I picked up this bunch of spring tulips while doing my weekly shop. They’ll definitely brighten up my living room. Jean, Skegness Suds and soaps I’ve recently given my bathroom a mini makeover with this portrait of my favourite Corrie character, Gail Platt. She takes pride of place above my loo! Kerry, Liverpool Treasured…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024HAUNTED FOREVEREvery fibre of my being wanted to stay and keep looking for her but deep down I knew she was gone, and I needed to get out to be with my other children. Staggering backwards towards the window, I threw myself out of it, collapsing on the floor outside. I felt completely numb. Stood like a tree planted into the ground, I watched as the fire burned the chalet with my daughter inside. I knew straight away – Louisiana didn’t make it. By the time we’d realised there was a fire, half the caravan had been in flames. Standing watching it burn, I knew there was no hope. By this point a group of concerned neighbours had arrived to try and help – but there was nothing we could do.…4 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024BrainwavesLiquid luck My least favourite part of planning for a holiday is sorting out my toiletries for my travel allowance. Buying minis can be so expensive. So instead, I save any mini alcohol bottles I’ve used throughout the year and decant my toiletries into them. They’re the perfect size and don’t cost me a penny either. Leila, Bournemouth Perfect blend Blenders can be tricky to clean – my scrubbing brush can’t get in between all the blades. So instead, I fill the dirty blender with hot, soapy water and turn it on. The blender does all the work for you, leaving it squeaky clean. Jemma, Melksham Clinging on Cling film can be such a pain to work with sometimes. But if I keep mine in the fridge, it’s much easier…2 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Slim oneResearch by a pie-making company has revealed that one-third of all information pasted on social networking sites is what? To find out, solve the following puzzle. Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, LEG PART = HIGH + T = THIGH. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the two word answer. Congregation Link together Slumber Middle Crane Fire arm Other name Grab Directors Your answer____________________________________ Slim one Answer: FALSIFIED…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Your styleStep into spring with these blue-tiful pieces. Whether you want to rock double denim and become a jean queen or want to transition with the season in blue hues, look and feel your best……1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024FAST AND FURIOUSIt’s a game that many kids know and love, and most will have played at some point in their lives. Ding Dong Ditch, sometimes known as Knock Down Ginger – knocking on a stranger’s door, then quickly running away. Something most kids have cheekily attempted growing up. For adults and homeowners, maybe a mild annoyance. But in general, a bit of harmless fun by bored teens looking for a way to kill time. And on the evening of 19 January 2020, that’s exactly what one group of friends decided to do. Sergio Campusano, 18, Drake Ruiz, 16, Daniel Hawkins, 16, Jacob Ivascu, 16, and Daniel and Jacob’s younger brothers Joshua Hawkins, 13, and Joshua Ivascu, 14, were having a sleepover celebrating Jacob’s birthday, and daring each other with pranks. The…5 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Home on a BUDGETSnuggling up on the sofa, I switched on one of my go-to programmes. 60 Minute Makeover, DIY SOS, Grand Designs – renovation shows were my staple. Only, as I binged the episode, I noticed that every room was grey. Including mine. God, this is so boring, I thought. The four walls I spent so much time in didn’t reflect my personality. Before I met my husband Darren, 45, I had brighter colours in my home – mainly pink. From a pink kettle and toaster to a matching washing bowl, I created my own pink world. But when we moved into our council house 10 years ago with our children Erin, 15, and Shay, 11, we made our home family friendly. I went to car boot sales as a kid ‘What…3 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Your homeBring your home to life with a pop of colour…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Look amazing!EYES WIDE SHUT Undereyes – often the area of most concern. Dark circles and dull complexions can leave you looking tired and lacklustre. A good eye cream is a crucial part of your skincare routine to help with the signs of ageing and leave you with an awakened look. Here are some of our favourites. 1. Skin Proud Secure the Barrier, Barrier Boosting Eye Cream, £14.95, iamproud.com Remove makeup and impurities for clean and hydrated skin. With a nourishing formula, including aloe vera and natural oils, it will leave your complexion smooth and nourished. 2. CeraVe Reparative Eye Cream, £13.99, Superdrug Developed by dermatologists, this cream helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Gentle on the skin and fragrance free, this also has hyaluronic acid to help retain the…2 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024ACT FASTSpooning coffee into a cup, I waited for the kettle to boil. 14 June 2021 was a beautiful day, and my husband Keith, 75, and I planned to sit in the garden with our coffees as the sun shone above us. That day we’d taken the car into town for servicing before getting the bus back home. ‘I’m just going to put the paperwork away,’ Keith said as I poured milk into the mugs. Only upon his return, Keith’s right arm was dangling. ‘I don’t know,’ was all he could say – like he didn’t know what was going on. As he couldn’t raise his arm, I knew what was happening to him. ‘Darling, I think you’re having a stroke,’ I said. I knew the symptoms of a stroke –…3 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024NICE HOOTERSCarrying another load of dirty plates back to the kitchen, I sighed. This wasn’t the life that I wanted for myself. At 19, I was working as a waitress, doing long shifts for a measly £6 an hour. The evening work meant I didn’t have much of a social life and didn’t get to see my friends as often as I would have liked. I loved travelling but the poor pay and lack of holiday stopped me going on trips. And by summer 2020, I’d had enough of it. But what could I do instead? Scrolling through articles on my phone, I kept noticing women who had made a fortune on OnlyFans. These girls were making thousands, working when they wanted to. I knew of a few girls in my…5 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Your styleCombining classy neutrals with staple pieces, celeb Michelle Keegan has created her own collection with fashion retailer Very. Build your own capsule wardrobe from just £25 and step up your spring fashion today. Available to shop now via: very.co.uk…1 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024NIGHTMARE NEIGHBOURRushing out of the front door with the kids in tow for the school run, I knew a friendly face was never far away. ‘Morning!’ I said in a hurry, turning to give my next door neighbour Benjamin, his wife and kids a wave before carrying on with a busy day ahead. After moving into our new home in July 2013, it didn’t take long for me and my hubby Craig, now 45, and our kids Sally, now 20, Emily, now 19, and Anthony, now 13, to settle in. Especially as we had such a lovely family who moved in just next door a few weeks later. With girls of a similar age, we became close. I’d often have Benjamin’s children over for dinner or if we were planning a…7 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024YOUR STARSAries March 21st - April 20th The new moon in Pisces, in conjunction with Saturn and Neptune, helps you see clearer what you want from your life. You realise, with ease, what and who is wrong and why. Mars is also on hand to give you the tools to move on without you having to make it as personal as others are baiting you to be. Time you spend with older faces this month does much for them adopting a sense of order to their life. Ring now to hear why it’s worth putting in overtime for free this month. You’re not destined to be overworked and underpaid. Taurus April 21st - May 21st You have a lot to get through and your standards that you set for yourself just…6 min
Pick Me Up! Special|March 2024Pick Me Up! QUIZFILM AND TV 1 Which country does Forrest Gump travel to as part of the All-American Ping-Pong Team? a Vietnam b China c Germany 2 Which one of these is NOT the name of a child who found a golden ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? a Charlie Bucket b Veruca Pepper c Mike Teavee 3 Which two movies actuallystarted from the same script? a E.T. and Poltergeist b Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones c Toy Story and Shrek 4 What’s the pub called in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks? a The Queen Vic b The Woolpack c The Dog in the Pond 5 Which singing competition was the first to feature Simon Cowell as a judge? a Pop Idol b The X Factor c Britain’s Got Talent SHOWBIZ 6…3 min
