Innholdsfortegnelse for 02-Jun-2016 i Pick Me Up!

6 Apparently, there are at least six people in the world who look like you… there's a nine per cent chance you’ll bump into one in your lifetime. Those lucky people are so good-looking! What A Joke! This tickled me… I went to a bar this week and ordered a double…the barman brought out someone who looked exactly like me! What A Clutz! I’m known for being clumsy. Check out our hilarious post about being a clutz  by visiting www.lifedeathprizes.com and searching ‘clumsy’. What A Cheek! I had my cartoon portrait done in Florence and the artist said to me, ‘Ahhhh, spaghetti hair, cactus face!’ Charming! What A Hoot! I was swatting flies the other day and Cate my girlfriend asked if I’d had any luck. I told…

“When I told her Shane was coming, her eyes sparkled” As music blared from my daughter Emma’s bedroom, I had to giggle. Emma was singing at the top of her lungs to a Westlife song. ‘Who let the cat in?’ I teased, popping my head round the door. She didn’t care that she was out of tune, she just loved a good singalong. Especially to a Westlife song! Emma was their number-one fan. She’d been to see them at the O2 on their farewell tour in 2012. Shane Filan was her favourite, so, for her 21st birthday, I took her to see him in concert in Birmingham, then arranged for her to meet him backstage. The look on Emma’s face was priceless! And, when Shane spoke to her, my chatty…

Drive Away Heading off on holiday? If you want to hire a car, save up to 15% on car rental before 30 June, when you book with Avis before 2 June. Quote the Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number L628000 at www.avis.co.uk to redeem. Sweet Treat Treat yourself to a touch of indulgence with Thomas J Fudge’s Delectable Dark Chocolate Flapjacks – they’re now £2.60 (normally £3.25) at Waitrose until 7 June. Better Breakfast Bag a packet of Lizi’s Original Granola for £2.69 (normally £3.69) at Waitrose until 31 May. Its slow-release energy means you won’t have to deal with a mid-morning slump! Best For Pets Save on pet meds at www.bobmartinvetcare.co.uk instead of direct from the vet’s. Between now and 2 June, save an extra 10% when you enter the…

“We were overjoyed to find two tiny hearts still beating” At my 12-week scan, we got some shocking news... ‘Twins?!’ I cried. My husband Nick, 38, looked gobsmacked. ‘Identical twins,’ the doctor smiled. We already had Holly, 6, and Joe, 3, so this wouldn’t be easy. But we were so excited. Four weeks later, though, another scan showed that all was not well... One baby, Max, didn’t have enough amniotic fluid around him, while Sam had more, and was a lot bigger. But Max was also pumping his share of blood and nutrients into Sam, putting too much pressure on Sam’s heart. We were referred to St George’s Hospital, where doctors diagnosed twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). ‘We’ll need to operate,’ said the doctor. ‘Otherwise, they won’t survive.’ Nick and I…

“Dad was put in an induced coma to let his body recover” It was 26 March this year, the Saturday before Easter Sunday. My dad Steve, 54, had been complaining about indigestion and was trying to have a nap on the sofa. ‘Hot water might help,’ said my mum Lianne. As I walked into the living room with his water, I heard him making strange noises. Almost like snoring. He was slumped to one side of the sofa with bubbles of saliva around his mouth. ‘Dad?’ I asked shakily. Then we realised - he couldn’t breathe. Mum shook him but got no response. ‘Oh, my God!’ I panicked. I grabbed the phone, dialled 999 and yelled to the operator, ‘My dad needs an ambulance!’ She calmly advised us to move…

Turned out Steve had been recording it all for a month! My fella Steve Smeeth, 34, has always been a bit smooth. We’d first met in Revolution Bar, Plymouth, in March 2012 and, after buying me a drink, he gave me his jumper to wear home. ‘Keep warm!’ he’d insisted. We’d swapped numbers and met next day, so I could return it. Instantly smitten, we got together as a couple. We both enjoyed watching James Bond films. I reckon Steve fancied himself as a Daniel Craig lookalike. In time, Steve introduced me to his son Riley, 7, Since moving in with Steve in April 2014, we’d lots of fun when Riley visited. On Easter Sunday this year, Riley had been excited for weeks about seeing Disney’s Zootropolisfilm. So Steve had…

My daughter and her boyfriend, both 15, have been together for a year or so. I trust her, she’s a sensible girl and we’ve had the sex talk. He’s a lovely lad and I let him stay over in the spare room. Now a friend tells me when my girl stays over at her boyfriend’s, his mum lets them share a bed. I’m furious, and so worried. I don’t think she has the right to make this decision for my daughter. Should I confront his mum? YES Pick Me Up! reader Vivien McLaren, says, ‘Yes. You need to find out exactly what’s going on so you can limit the damage. If they are having sex, make sure they’re using protection. ‘If you’re unhappy about a sexual relationship, you must put…

We put some truly original products to the test… Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera, £89.99, www.argos.co.uk This all-in-one camera lets you store your shots or print them in seconds using its built-in printer! There are three picture modes and you can print them with the Polaroid border. Perfect for snapping festival moments. Stealth Flask Hairbrush, £19.95, www.prezzybox.com If you can’t stand the huge drinks queues at festivals – get your mitts on one of these. Take the top of the handle off and fill it with your favourite tipple to enjoy later – and, of course, it still works as a hairbrush, as well! Tiger Lily Cat Teepee, from £80, www.sofa.com Why should humans have all the fun? Let your moggie enjoy a slice…

This week: Aluminium-free deodorant Gentle: Dr Organic Organic Dead Sea Mineral Deodorant This roll-on variety was really kind to my skin and didn’t irritate it at all, even when I used it straight after shaving. I also liked that the scent wasn’t too overpowering. Fresh: Soft & Gentle 0% Aluminium Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Unlike the other two, this one promised anti-perspirant protection. I was chuffed to find that it didn’t disappoint and kept me feeling fresh. I’ll be keeping it in my gym bag! Lasting: Lavera Basis Sensitiv Deodorant Spray I hadn’t used a natural formula before, and was surprised at how long it lasted. I was sweat-free and smell-free all day long Worth paying extra! READER’STIP Leave your hair until it’s about 70% dry before using the hairdryer to reduce…

‘Mervin rocks the look way better than Miley!’ Some dogs melt your heart the moment you see them. I’d worked for a rescue centre for two months when, in February 2014, we had a little stray Chihuahua brought in. He had badly damaged back legs and needed an operation to fix his joints. Tiny Mervin, 7, weighs just 5lb. Adorably, his tongue permanently sticks out to the side. Sadly, this is because he’s lost some teeth but he really suits his cheeky look. I volunteered to foster cute little Mervin while he recovered from his leg operation. Me and my fiance Michael, 28, had three other rescue dogs. Our Pomeranian called Moose, 13, a Boston terrier named Abigail, aged 7, and Border collie-cross Minnie, 4. Michael’s a big softie and,…

Freeze a small batch of fresh chillies – as mild or hot as you like! – then simply grate over your meals for a quick and easy burst of flavour. Great if you’re dieting! Paul Webb, Prestatyn Spray lampshades with perfume and when you switch on, the room will fill with scent. Anita Saunders, Merthyr Tydfil Using shower-curtain hooks and a rolled bit of carpet stuck together with masking tape, I made a bed for my birds. Lynde Tiplady, Mabe Burnthouse Empty laundry tablet containers make great crayon storage boxes – cover with your kid’s favourite cartoon characters! Lisa Adams, Halesowen Instead of buying expensive dog tug toys, plait together strips of old pillowcases, towels, T-shirts or blankets and tie the ends. Rebecca Coram, Bridgwater Create pretty vases by crocheting…

1 Full cover:  Some companies cover travel disruption. If you’re planning on doing any activities, make sure your policy covers for this. 2 Family deals:  Check whether your insurance covers family members joining you. 3 Health issues:  Declare any medical conditions. It shouldn’t stop your travel, but you may need to pay extra. 4 Intrepid routes:  Annual multi-trip cover could save you money, but check all the countries you’re visiting are covered. 5 Sea travel:  Policies with cruise cover can offer higher cover for baggage and valuables. 6 Age concerns:  Swinton Insurance has annual multi-trip policies for up to age 85.…

Vaccination concern Q I’m worried about having my baby vaccinated again when the time comes. Last time, she was really unsettled for several hours. What if it happens again? Jana, Portsmouth A This is common but harmless, likely due to the slight pain of the injection and the body’s normal response to the vaccine. Giving her baby paracetamol within the hour should make it much less eventful for your daughter. Electric shocks QI get a biting, electrical shock-like pain on the side of my face, triggered by things as simple as me wiping my mouth. It’s not responding to anything I’ve tried. Gwen, Birmingham A This is trigeminal neuralgia, a disorder of one of the facial nerves. It tends to get worse and doesn’t respond to painkillers. It can be…

Q My husband never talks about his feelings. But recently, he’s been tired and can’t be bothered to do anything. He even said he wonders if life is worth it. Denise, west London A Sounds like he’s depressed and needs to seek help. Men are often not good at talking about feelings, but more suicides occur in men than women, so please urge him to see his GP. 30% ...that’s the percentage you can reduce your risk of dementia by walking for 30 minutes a day, research has found.…

Zingy Caribbean Upside-down Cake Serves: 6 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 55 min • 115g tub Stork margarine, plus extra for greasing • 6tbsp golden syrup, warmed • 1tbsp rum (optional) • 3 canned pineapple rings, drained and chopped • 2 bananas, sliced • 55g shredded coconut • 115g self-raising flour • 1tsp baking powder • 115g caster sugar • 2 medium eggs 1 Preheat oven to 160C/ Gas 3, and grease and base-line a 20cm cake tin. 2 Pour half golden syrup and all of rum (if using) into tin, and arrange pineapple rings, banana slices and coconut on top. 3 Sift flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl, add sugar and eggs and beat together with a wooden spoon. 4 Spoon mixture into tin, level top…

''Mark’s body was found on the estate Diane had been led to,, UK: ANSWERS FROM BEYOND Mark Green, 31, was last seen in January 2002, leaving a bar in Birmingham. But when he failed to come home that night, his parents were concerned and phoned the police. Confession Weeks on, Mark’s disappearance was still a mystery. Looking for answers, his aunt contacted a psychic - Diane Lazarus. During a reading, Diane claimed Mark came forward, revealed he’d been killed and told her how. Diane even went to an estate in Birmingham, claiming Mark had guided her there. And that a TV show would smoke out the killer. Later, Mark’s parents made an emotional TV appeal. After watching it, James McMahon confessed to helping the killer - his brother Robert. Police…

''I was over the moon when I found out I’d won a holiday,, Alexandra Won A Holiday And £1 000! Alexandra Malten, 62, Sydenham Relaxing on the sun lounger, I soaked up the afternoon rays. ‘Heaven!’ I said to my friend Steve, 69. It was November last year and we were enjoying an all-expenses-paid trip to Tenerife. We’d spent the week in a luxurious, all-inclusive, five-star hotel. It was incredible! We’d had cocktails on the beach, fancy meals, refreshing dips in the pool... ‘Thanks for inviting me,’ Steve smiled. But it was all thanks to Pick Me Up! Bingo really. See, I’d won the trip after playing a few of my favourite games online. I joined Pick Me Up! Bingo in 2012. I knew lots of people who played bingo…

ASK JESS QI love using fake tan on my body, but I’m worried about applying it on my face and being left with streaks I can’t hide! Do you know of a good one I can use? Charlotte Chapman, 24, Kirkham AI’ve been using Autograph Tan Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil, £9.50, Marks & Spencer, to give my face a light glow. It has a dropper applicator so you can get just the right amount of product. It sinks in quickly and develops in around four hours. Jess’ Beauty Hero Dove Derma Spa Youthful Vitality Body Cream, £8.99, Boots, is the perfect pampering treat at the end of a long day!…

Free exercise classes for kids! Xercise4Less is offering parents and children aged 3-5 the chance to enjoy exercise together, with four free lessons a week! Each 45-minute class features different activities for an extensive but fun workout. For details, visit: www.xercise4less.co.uk/xercise4kids/ Try this…. Itsu Beef Twerky, £2.39. Itsu stores These marinated beef strips are high in protein, gluten-free and just 97 cal per pack. Asda Great Shape Shakes, £1 each Tasty low-cal shakes to replace meals at a bargain price. Take 3… McDonald’s burgers Flattering Fashion Light, bright and at a super-smart price, this crochet kaftan is a beach holiday must-have. In sizes S-L, and only a tenner! Check out www.peacocks.co.uk Food Swaps Swap 100g RAISINS… 299 CAL For 100g GRAPES… 97 CAL Save 202 cal…

‘Nick bagsied the biggest bedroom… for his cans!’ We met at a party in 1975, when I was 16. He was asking for ‘empties’. ‘I collect them,’ Nick West, 17, explained. I was intrigued, and we got together. For his 18th birthday, I even gave him a book about beer-can collecting! His obsession grew - he had a special tool to pierce the base, drain the beer, but keep the ring-pull intact. Over the years, we’ve spent countless holidays trawling shops for new specimens. The advent of the Internet made it worse. Each night, after work as Assistant Marketing Manager at Lloyds Bank, Nick scours online auctions for rare finds. He once spent £1,240 on the first-ever British beer can - Felinfoel Pale Ale, from January 1936. Bonkers! As Nick’s…

‘The tissue in my little toe on the left foot was dead’ ‘I want to show being disabled doesn’t define who you are’ You’re probably feeling sorry for me. No legs, poor thing... I don’t blame you. But you shouldn’t pity me. I’m happy, normal and proud to be me! My legs came off in stages. I was born with both, and they served me well. Until about seven years ago. I was getting pains in my feet. Then they’d started looking red and swollen. An X-ray at Stirling Hospital showed the bones in my feet were disintegrating. ‘You’ve got a rare infection called necrotising fasciitis,’ the doctor said. Basically, I had a bug that was eating at my bones and tissue. No-one knew just how I’d got it. I…

“I couldn’t move my left arm and was losing a lot of blood” “Surgeons told me I’d been in theatre for nine hours” I’d always been body-conscious. Counting calories, trying fad diets... But by 14, I had anorexia. Thankfully, by the time I was 20, I’d got it under control. And, at Leeds Uni studying Mental Health Nursing, I felt good. ‘One day, I want to help teenagers with eating disorders,’ I told my boyfriend. By April 2011, I’d almost completed my first year and was finishing up a placement at Malham House Day Centre. On 18 April, I’d handed in some coursework, then caught a bus to Leeds Central Bus Station to hop on another home. But first, I nipped into Greggs for a cheeky bacon-and-cheese sarnie. Back at…

1 Fir  sure  Pine cones on the soil surface of outdoor planters will help discourage slugs. Ria Jones, Ruthin 2 Weed killer  Sprinkle a little salt between the cracks of paving stones to stop weeds growing in them. Angela Clifton, Felixstowe 3 Rose nose  A clove of garlic at the base of your rosebush will deter greenfly. Rita Rogers, Crewe 4 Goodbye kitty  Spray vinegar on your paths and patios to keep cats away – safe for cats and plants. Mandy Shaw, Stoke-on-Trent…

“Little Olly’s immune system was under attack” “Luke threw Olly up in the air as our boy giggled” By the time you get to baby number three, you’re more relaxed about things. Me and my husband Rodger already had Cory, 2, and Lexi, 3. So when our third child Olly developed a temperature at 3 weeks old, I didn’t panic. ‘Probably nothing to worry about,’ I reasoned, taking him to the doctor the next morning. But the doctor was concerned. ‘It could be meningitis,’ he said, sending us by ambulance to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. Rushed to Intensive Care, tests eliminated the illness. But Olly was in a bad way. Five days and two hospitals later, a consultant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital finally made a diagnosis.... ‘Olly has hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis,’ he…

1 PND is caused by hormones. True False 2 Help and treatment are widely available. True False 3 PND is rare and only affects women. True False 4 The symptoms vary from person to person. True False 1 FALSE No-one knows exactly what causes PND. But factors can include exhaustion, not having enough support, and mental-health problems. Sometimes, the upheaval involved with having a baby can trigger it, too. 2 TRUE If you think you might be depressed, speak to a doctor or health worker. There are many treatments available, and most women make a full recovery. 3 FALSE It’s common. One in 10 women experience it within a year of giving birth. And research shows one in 25 dads become depressed after having a baby, too. 4 TRUE Symptoms…

By the time he was 10, he was full of rage Bodies were piling up in New York... Mafia bosses, homeless people, even an NYPD detective were found dead. Yet no-one made a connection between the killings. The body of one victim, George Malliband, was discovered stuffed into a 55-gallon drum. Another, Louis Masgay, was last seen in July 1981. Some 15 months later, his partially decomposed body was found in Orangetown, New York. He’d been shot in the head and wrapped in plastic bags, and authorities said his body had been stored in a freezer. Three more men had gone missing, too. Paul Hoffman’s body was never found. Gary Smith’s was discovered under a bed in a motel, along with his roommate Daniel Deppner. And the chief suspect? Mobster…

The doctor drew back, eyes widening in surprise. ‘I want to be sterilised,’ I repeated. I was only 26. Young, free and single with no idea what the future had in store. But I was certain of one thing - I didn’t want kids. Even as a little girl, I’d never felt that maternal tug. I’d no desire to be called ‘Mummy’, to deal with nappy changes, night feeds, drippy noses, catchment areas, school runs, teenage hormones. Never had, never would. The doctor shook her head. ‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘You’re far too young.’ Crestfallen, I left clutching another prescription for the contraceptive pill. Suffering The problem was, since I’d started taking oral contraceptive tablets at 18, I’d been suffering from horrendous side effects. Nausea, vomiting, relentless bleeding and acne,…

1 Yes to Tomatoes Combination Skin Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser, £8.99, Boots Charcoal is a must-have beauty ingredient if you’ve got oily skin, as it absorbs oil up to 200 times better than any other ingredient! Use this cleanser daily to help clear up spots and excess oil from your T-zone. 2 Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask, £5.99, www. freemanbeauty. co.uk Simply leave this mask on for four minutes, before massaging gently into your skin and rinsing with warm water. Use once a week to buff away dead skin cells. 3 T-Zone 6 Charcoal Nose Pore Strips, £6.99, www. t-zoneskincare.com The charcoal works like a magnet to pull the impurities and oil out of your pores for clearer skin.…

‘I added loads of blood, a bite mark, wounds, stitches...’ ‘One online troll even accused me of child abuse ’ Babies dripping with congealed blood, children glassy-eyed, decomposing flesh hanging off their bones... Dead. Well, the walking dead. To some parents, it’s the stuff of nightmares - but to me, it’s art! See, I take photos of children dressed up as flesh-eating zombies. Walking, blood-soaked corpses hungry for brains. I know it sounds crackers. But my passion for photography started when my grandma Linda and my parents Helen and Graham clubbed together to buy me a camera for my 15th birthday. And it turned out I was a dab hand at taking pictures! I’d take snaps at live music events, put them on Facebook. Walking dead After studying Graphic Design,…

I got together with my fella David, 32, online and, three weeks on, we met up. ‘I’m actually a Leap Year baby,’ he revealed. Born on 29 February 1984, he celebrated his birthday on 1 March instead. But, every four years, his family have a little fun. On his 16th, they’d teased him with 4 Today! birthday cards. David and I had our daughter Lily, 2, in September 2013 and married in July 2015, then honeymooned in Egypt. Later that month, I discovered I was expecting again. Visiting my GP, my due date was confirmed as 28 February 2016 – a Leap Year. ‘The baby might arrive on my birthday!’ David said, excited. At my 20-week scan, we learned I was having was a boy. Then, on 28…

GEMINI 22 May–21 June A relief in money pressures comes at the right time and links to an interfering but very knowledgeable Taurean. New ways to get on in your career come via a social link you made who can help you make your name and mark. Call: 09058 170 712* LIBRA 24 Sept–23 Oct A Gemini can help you replace those funds you’re missing but are sure to want something back in return. A forced change in direction in your career will turn out to be a blessing in disguise, so go with the flow and don’t fight it. Call: 09058 170 716* AQUARIUS 21 Jan–19 Feb New friends make for a happier social calendar in the weeks ahead. Relationships with Ariens could move into romance, particularly if you…