Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer Special 2015 i Pick Me Up! Special

How chilled out does this little fella look? Only the latest Pick Me Up Holiday Special could wake him up! See celebrity dog Tuna in some of his fave outfits on p33. He's proof that a short stature and an overbite needn't stop you becoming a top model! We're sure you'll woof down this issue too. Read how one man stole from his dying daughter's charity fund, robbing her of the chance to go to Florida (p26 ). And on p54, tan fan Charley reveals she'll never give up sun beds - despite the health risks. We won't be following her example this summer… Christmas came early for Imogen (p34) - so cute! If you're going to a wedding this month, check out the bride and groom on p8. After…

Ever had a split-second moment that changed you forever? It might’ve been for the better, or the worse. But that one thing mapped out your life, changed your path. Mine was when I was 13. My dad, Joe, was in the Air Force and my family moved about a lot, so I went to boarding school. I was still really close to him and my mum, Clare, though. Whenever there was some class gossip, I always called home. ‘You’ll never guess what’s happened now?’ I’d giggle to Mum, filling her in. I was settled, happy... innocent Then one day I went to a party at a friend’s house. My life-changing moment. ‘Just nipping to the loo,’ I told my mate. Upstairs, I reached the bathroom door, when suddenly a figure…

When you picture your ideal holiday destination, what do you see? Shimmering turquoise water? Miles of pristine beach? Not me. See, my daughter, Amelia, 11, is allergic to sand. Just a few grains can leave her writhing in agony. Which means seaside breaks are a no-go. It all started in Menorca when Amelia was 2. ‘Last one in the sea is a rotten egg,’ my hubby, Nick, 44, grinned as he raced my sons, Callum, now 13, and Tyler, 4, towards the crystal waters. I chuckled as they crashed around in the surf, Amelia cradled in my arms. Popping her down on the sand, I shook out my towel. But a few seconds later... ‘Ouch!’ she cried. Her screams grew louder, echoing around the bay. Worried, I scooped her back…

Holding onto my rope, I leaned back and took in the view. A glistening lake surrounded by trees. ‘Beautiful!’ I beamed excitedly to my mate. It was November 2014 and we were rock climbing in Yosemite National Park in the US. Hanging off the side of a mountain probably isn’t most people’s idea of fun. But I’d been training for three years for this moment. Fastening my rope to some metal fixed in the rock, I climbed higher and higher. Suddenly, I heard a crack. The rock around the metal crumbled and I tumbled 50ft. ‘Arghhhhh!’ I screamed. Suspended from the rock, 15,00ft from the ground, I was in shock. ‘You’re lucky to be alive,’ my friend shouted to me. Every inch of my body throbbed in agony. I soldiered…

THE EXPERT Sophia Davis is a transformational life coach. For more, visit www.sophiadavis.co.uk WEAR’S MY CONFIDENCE? Whether it’s a swimsuit or a skirt, I hate showing skin in skimpy clothing. What can I do to feel more body confident? Firstly, wear clothes you feel comfortable in. There's no need to follow fashion - just choose what you feel and look best in. Remember, everybody else is so anxious about how they look that they're not really looking at you! Be aware of self-critical thinking, to catch it before it escalates. One way to stop that nasty voice in your head is to imagine that you have a little girl inside you. Every time you say something mean to yourself, you're saying it to her. Telling ourselves hurtful things…

PEDAL POWER Visiting England’s capital? Hyde Park is the perfect spot to spend a lazy afternoon. However, it’s not all about lying on the grass and soaking up the sun, seas the day at The Serpentine where you can hire a pedalo and race round the lake. • Adults £10 for 30 mins, £12 for an hour; children (4-15) £4/£5; under-4s free. Visit www.royalparks.org.uk ROW YOUR BOAT Scoff a lovely lunch and then work it off at The Marigold Café in Knaresborough. The café sits right on the banks of the River Nidd and, after filling your bellies, it’ll be aboat time to hire a rowing boat from them. Make sure you bring a camera – the region is one of Yorkshire’s…

3 of the Best We test 3 products so you don't have to. This issue CHOCOLATE LIMES 1 Dark Chocolate Limes, 75p, Morrisons There's tangy lime, creamy chocolate, and a nice crunch to these treats. What's not to like? 2 Chocolate Limes, 89p, Tesco If you love your citrus sweets, these are for you. A strong lime flavour with a soft, mild chocolate. Yum! 3 Sweet Heaven Dark Chocolate Limes, £1, Poundland These sweets are less tart than the others, and come with a good amount of chocolate in the middle. Baked Lemon Cheesecake Serves 8-10 Cook time 1 hour, plus 2 hours cooling 85g butter, melted140g oat biscuits, crushed(we used McVities Hobnobs)1 tbsp granulated sugar900g full-fat soft cheese175g golden caster sugar120g plain flour1tsp vanilla extract1 lemon, zest and juice3…

Waiting until my family was tucked up in bed, I crept into the living room and turned on the computer. Then I tapped out a message to my new friend. He was 13, the same age as me. A few weeks earlier he’d joined a conversation I’d been having with my mates in a chat room. Since then, we’d spent hours messaging each other. Just then, a reply popped up and my stomach flipped. I love the Spice Girls, too! he typed. We had so much in common - and he always knew the right thing to say. One day I was moaning about my mum, Mary, and he was quick to defend me. Why tidy your room when it's her job? he wrote. Exactly! After eight months, my friend…

As the alarm rang loudly in my ear, I forced my eyes open. Ah, I'd love another 10 minutes, I thought, lazily. No such luck. It was 7.30 in the morning and I needed to get my kids, Emily, 16, and Darrin, 13, up and ready for school. But, turning over to silence my alarm... What the..? There, staring out at me from under my pillow, were two green eyes! Was I still dreaming? But peering closer, I realised the eyes belonged to a large snake! What? A snake in my bedroom? In Fife? Surely it's a fake? The kids must be playing a trick… But, as I flung back the covers the slithery creature moved. Ahh! Snake!’ I yelled, leaping from the bed. As I hurtled across the room,…

Come on, Charley - we’re going to be late for the party,’ my mate moaned. ‘You’re brown enough.’ ‘Just one more layer,’ I grinned, massaging fake tan into my legs. See, to me, there’s no such thing as brown enough. My name is Charley – and I'm a tan-o-holic. I’m addicted to tanning. It all started when I was 14. I was a size 20 and an easy target for school bullies. ‘You’re the reason there’s people starving in the world,’ one lad sneered. ‘You’ve eaten all the food.’ Cruel laughter echoed. Don't let them see you cry, I told myself, trying to scurry past. The bullies said they felt sick looking at me, and that my bulk was enough to cause earthquakes. Each vicious insult chipped away more of…

Hearing the bell ring loudly through the cruise ship, I sighed. It was time for the fortnightly safety drill. ‘Not again,’ I huffed to my mate. ‘I can’t face 19 flights of stairs.’ I worked as a nursery nurse onboard, touring the Med. And at a size 20 I was huge - and unfit. ‘I blame the food,’ I’d moan. We’d be away for several months at a time, and I wasn’t keen on anything in the canteen. Oily curries and overdone meat with mash. So I stuck to the chips. And, whenever we pulled into a port, I’d race to the shops. Stock up on crisps, biscuits and chocolate. Yum! ‘You wouldn’t catch me dead in a bikini,’ I’d chuckle to the slimmer girls. On the beach, I wore…

Back in 1985, David Bowie was rocking the stereo, Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, and my cat Whiskey was born! I was only 5, but me and Whiskey became fast friends. With huge green eyes and black and white fur, he was absolutely gorgeous. In 2003, Mum sadly passed away, so I took on Whiskey. In a way, he comforted me - we grieved together. Time passed, yet Whiskey was still here. His mum, Lady, had lived to the grand age of 26, but that was rare. Or so I thought... In 2011, Whiskey hit that milestone himself - and he was still the same sprightly cat he’d always been. People ask what his secret is, but the answer is simple... ‘Lots of love and a healthy diet,’ I reply.…

I once lost my luggage... Now I take a couple of photos at various stages of packing so I can show the insurance company. Leanne Beardmore, Warks Place half a watermelon upside down and make several cuts in each direction – that way you have small wedges that are much easier for children to eat. Ann Johnson, Runcorn Make pretty ice cubes by putting an edible flower and boiling water (to make ice clear) in a tray. Lucy Robinson, Bristol A folding table, laid on its side, makes a great barbecue barrier to keep kids safely away. Frances Stevens, Glasgow Shins and forearms can get burnt in the holiday sun – protect them with sleeves from old pyjamas. Helen Baldwin, Leeds We created these sea-themed pictures by painting blank canvases…

1 Light up Invest in solar lights that use sunshine to power up through the day, to give you light in the evening. 2 Cross the finish line You don't need to splash out to have a sports day in your yard - just run, skip or hop to the finish! 3 Fun of the fair Use empty cans as targets to knock down with a ball - just make sure there are no sharp edges. 4 Flower power Before mowing the lawn, get the kids to collect daisies and make a giant chain out of them - that'll keep them occupied for a while! 5 Outdoor fridge Having a party outdoors? Fill your pool with cold water and ice and plonk the drinks in there! 6 Pack a picnic…

With their cartoon grins and hair like Mr Whippy, John and Edward Grimes looked like they were from another planet. For me, it was love at first sight. I’d gone along to the X Factor auditions in London, in May 2009, for a laugh - though I can’t sing a note! And standing in front of me in the long, winding queue were Irish twins, Jedward. Bouncing around like they were on an invisible trampoline, laughing and singing! I didn’t fancy them, but their personality was infectious and I was smitten. Somehow, I got through the first audition with my version of Rihanna’s Take a Bow. But the next week I was sent packing. Not that I cared because Jedward skipped over to me. ‘Laura!’ they chirruped. ‘How’s it going?’…

After a couple of lengths of the hotel pool, I swam to the edge and prodded my bikini top. Phew! The chicken fillets I’d wedged in earlier were still safely in place. Never satisfied with the size of my breasts, I always wore padding. Even inside my swimming cossie! It was June 2007 and I was in Cuba with my boyfriend, Tristan, and 5-year-old son, Brayden. Climbing out of the pool, I joined them on the sun loungers. ‘I wish my boobs were bigger,’ I sighed. ‘You’re gorgeous the way you are,’ Tristan replied. As if! My bee stings were a 34A and, since breastfeeding Brayden, they resembled a couple of mud flaps. Back home, I cringed at the holiday photos. Even with the fillets, my breasts looked empty. ‘I…

We're off to… Florida My children are huge LEGO fans and the house is full of it. We’re forever telling them to tidy it up. So imagine how excited my daughter was when she heard she’d be staying in a hotel pretty much made of the stuff! Even more excitingly, this brand new hotel has just opened at LEGOLAND Florida, where we’d be enjoying 30›C temperatures and she’d heard the ice-creams were the biggest she’d ever eat. LEGOLAND Florida has recently opened its first on-site hotel on the banks of Lake Eloise at Winter Haven, on and around what was Cypress Gardens - Florida’s first theme park, which opened more than 75 years ago. A LEGO Friends Heartlake City section opens in the park this summer and the new hotel…

LloydsPharmacy’s expert reviews post-holiday problems Tummy troubles Q I got food poisoning on holiday. It’s not as ‘violent’ now but, two months on, my gut still hasn’t really returned to normal. Dave, Aylesbury AA low immune system might be why it’s taking longer to recover, so visit your GP to check there’s nothing more serious at play. A good probiotic could also help restore the gut-flora balance, and make sure you’re well hydrated. Something like Dioralyte Relief is good, to replace essential electrolytes and reduce the duration of diarrhoea. Once bitten... Q I got an insect bite on holiday in Spain that swelled up and the skin went red. The swelling has gone down but the skin isn’t healing. Doreen, Swansea A It’s rare to catch diseases from insects within…

Lifting the hot cheesy pizza to my lips, I took a big bite. Yum! Weeks earlier I wouldn’t have dared stuff my face with greasy takeaways. On nights out, I always ordered a salad while my mates gorged on burgers and chips. At 8st and 5ft 3in, I was happy with my trim figure. But soon after starting at Leeds University, in September 2010, my appetite had shot through the roof. I gave into cravings for chips, biscuits and pies. Not like me at all. ‘Just popping to the shops. Anyone need anything?’ I’d ask my housemates most evenings. ‘Run out of sweets again?’ they’d giggle. Soon I was gorging on around 5,000 calories a day - nearly three times the recommended amount for a woman. ‘You’re so lucky, you…

Louise Cox, relationship expert, says: 'While you've got a different opinion on your wedding day, remember both of you have great intentions because you love and care for one another. Rather than calling the wedding off, instead take a breather from it – have a week off with no wedding discussion – this can be an eye-opener to getting back to the truth and realising what is important to you: wanting to marry and have a future with this person. Remind each other that you can get through anything and this is just the start of a real marriage. It takes compromise and unconditional love.' YES  Pick Me Up reader Marie, from Sussex says: 'You're putting all this pressure on yourself and worrying so much when you could just be…

Now that's what we call a brilliant surf-ace for creating some art – but why didn't they wave for the camera? People raised the roof when they saw this perfect pic! When night falls and there's a chill in the air, seek out this busker. He's hot stuff! When it comes to this artist, the sky's the limit! We've heard of headstands, but this takes it to a whole new level! Well , what a place to make a wish. Do you think he needs the microphone to keep shouting 'don't try this at home'?…

It’s fair to say most people aren’t that fond of bees. They fly at you, buzz around you, and it hurts if you get stung. But me and my man, Oliver 32, adore the stripy insects. A member of the Merchant Navy, Oliver’s used to being busy, so he gets bored on his weeks off. ‘How do you feel about beekeeping?’ he said, one evening in spring 2011. He didn’t have to ask me twice. We both love trying to help the environment. Doing research, we were soon buzzing about our new hobby. We made sure to read up on the risks, but actually there was only one real danger - having an allergic reaction - it didn’t affect us, as we weren’t susceptible. Before long, we had six functioning…

Rolling over in my sleeping bag, I groaned as the rain hammered against the tent. 'This was a bad idea,' I moaned to my fella, Peter, 49. More one for luxury spas than canvas, I'd never been camping. But Peter had talked me into it, so here we were in Robin's Hood Bay, Yorkshire, in August 2014. In torrential rain! Next morning, it finally stopped. We headed to nearby Staithes and walked hand-in-hand along the crowded pier. Soon dark clouds swirled in the sky. Suddenly. whoosh! A huge tidal wave crashed on the pier, sweeping us out to sea. I can barely swim, so I thrashed about desperately trying to stay above water. 'Don't let me drown!' I cried. I was at least 30ft from the shore. Peter…

VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept The planets give you plentiful support this month, a time when you can set new targets and goals and show real single-mindedness to forge ahead. Someone from your past or an old memory or experience can prove surprisingly valuable in the first two weeks. With your ruler Mercury slamming on the brakes mid-month, do be vigilant around online purchases. A glitch can be in the works and you need to be eagle-eyed to spot it. In love, you may find yourself reminiscing about the past or meeting up with an old flame. It is possible that you can enjoy a good connection. However, by the total Lunar Eclipse of the 28th, just how firm this can be could be tested by your desire to be more…

Sharon White was Head of Art at secondary school level for 17 years and now teaches art therapy. For more information about her work, visit www.mumbojumbopaint.co.uk A JOB LOT OF FUN Abi, South Wales Sharon says: Abi uses a delicate palette, with an unusual combination of pinks and yellows. This was either a strategic move or the first colours she found! Looking at Abi's technique she seems to like to ‘get the job done'. There are areas she has missed, but her mission was to complete the task, probably whilst planning the dinner and making a mental job list of things to do. She has a busy mind so this form of meditation would help ground her. Abi says: My pink was meant to be a bold red - but…

Stuffing swimsuits, shorts and toys into a couple of small cases, there was barely room for my own clothes. My kids, Sienna, 9, and 5-year-old Harvey were so excited about our holiday to Alicante, Spain. But I knew they might get bored in the evenings. So I threw in their favourite game, Pass the Bomb , and zipped up the bag. With just hand luggage for our three-night trip, we headed straight to security at Heathrow. I placed our belongings in a tray on the conveyor belt. Giggling, I pulled out the board game. 'Will this be OK?' I joked, pointing at the name. The security guard looked down at the box. Then square into my eyes. 'No, madam,' he said, firmly. 'It won't.' He went…

Growing up by the seaside was just as much fun as you’d think it’d be. Beaches, candy floss, Punch and Judy... The summers were like one long holiday! And the reason I had such a laugh was my best mate, Dave Lane. We’d been friends since his parents moved next door, when I was 5 and Dave was just 3. Our folks were close, so me and Dave grew up together. When we were old enough, we were always having adventures. We spent our evenings playing in the street, our weekends with my dad, Mike, on his boat. ‘You’d make such a lovely couple. I bet you’ll end up getting married,’ my mum, Linda, said as we got older. ‘Don’t be silly,’ I’d cringe. I didn’t fancy Dave, we were…

My daughter, Ashanti, has a condition called Hutchinson-Gilford progeria, which causes premature ageing. Doctors don’t think she’ll live beyond her 15th birthday. She’s 12 now, so that’s three years we’ve got. We got the diagnosis when Ashanti was about to turn 1. On that day, me and my boyfriend, Ashanti’s dad, Albi Elliott, 32, made a promise. ‘To make every single day count,’ said Albi. Ashanti had been a gorgeous, happy baby, but her skin wasn’t right - it was hard and wrinkled. She was sent for tests at Great Ormond Street in 2003, which is when she’d got her diagnosis. The condition was genetic and speeded up the ageing process. Hair loss, wrinkled skin, stiff joints, heart disease - my baby had all the things you’d associate with being…

OK sweetheart, you can look now,’ I grinned. I whisked my hands from my girl Imogen’s eyes. ‘Wow, Mummy!’ she gasped, excitedly eyeing the rows of toys and smiling elves. It was exactly like Santa’s grotto. But we weren’t anywhere near the North Pole. And it wasn’t Christmas. In fact, outside it was sunny! Santa? Well, he wasn’t due to arrive for another eight months. Yet in April this year, his little helpers had worked their magic to bring Imogen some early Christmas cheer. You see, she’s a very special girl. At just 2 years old, she’s already been through so much. As a baby, she suffered terrifying seizures. I’ll never forget the first time it happened. I was cradling her in my arms, when suddenly her tiny body went…

Last year was a fantastic one for me. It was my 17th wedding anniversary to my husband, Damon, 39, and we got to celebrate in the most amazing way. See, on the day itself, I won over £50,000 on Pick Me Up! Bingo! A few months later, we were clinking glasses in romantic Morocco! We even got to take our three teenagers on a family holiday to Majorca. It was brilliant. Exciting I joined Pick Me Up! Bingo because the prizes and games looked exciting. And I wasn’t wrong! The Deal or No Deal slot was my favourite game. If you got three bonus symbols on a line, you got to play the Bonus Game, which was like the TV show. And that’s how I bagged such a huge amount!…

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Windsor, Berkshire There are lots of thrilling rides for all ages to have a go on – from water rapids in Viking Land to a dragon roller coaster. You can also earn your LEGO driving licence, and, if you stay in the hotel, there’s a pirate-themed pool to play in. • Opening and closing times vary. Visit www.legoland.co.uk LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, Trafford Centre, Manchester You don’t even need to explore the real Manchester, because you’ll find all the city’s most famous buildings in mini LEGO form here. There’s a DUPLO farm for pre-schoolers, plus a 4D cinema, karaoke and a laser challenge in a maze. Good luck! • Open daily, 10am-7pm. www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Great Western Brick Show 2015, STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon…

THEY SAY ‘Salonpas Pain Relief Patches are designed to provide all day relief from the pain of sprains, and mild to moderate muscle ache and joint pain.’ YOU SAY ‘Unlike anti-inflammatory and pain relief gels, these stick-on plasters are so handy and less messy than a cream or gel.’ Theresa, Weston-Super-Mare WE SAY Providing up to 12 hours’ relief, these handy, easy-to-use medicated patches worked wonders when we tried them on a strained knee. Fab!…

Water works If your eyes are itchy or irritated, splashing water on them can be very soothing – especially if you’ve got any minor foreign bodies in your eye, like an eyelash. If you’ve got anything sharp or dangerous (like chemicals) in your eye, seek immediate medical attention though. Blinking heck! Blinking naturally hydrates your eyes. So when you’re concentrating on something – whether you’re at work, making the dinner or helping the kids with a school project – make sure you are regularly blinking. Switch off Whether it’s your phone, tablet or PC, staring at screens all day can be damaging to your eyes and strain them. If you’re tired, stop looking at funny pictures of cats online and give your eyes a rest. If you can’t stop, follow…

You could say I’m mad about mules. Good job, too, as I’ve worked as a vet at The Donkey Sanctuary for nine years. But last June, we welcomed a very special donkey. An overstocked farm had asked us to take in 3-year-old miniature donkey, Summer. She needed expert care as she was heavily pregnant. We’d had miniature donkeys at the sanctuary before, but never their offspring. ‘It’ll be wonder-foal,’ me and my colleagues all agreed. And it was. On 7 July, colt Charlie was born, weighing just 2st. Talk about a dinky donkey! He was healthy, though, and soon suckled from his mum. But we monitored Charlie, as there’s always a chance mums won’t take to their little ones. With Summer and Charlie, that certainly wasn’t the case. Summer was…

Sipping on a gin and tonic, I cast an eye around the packed pub. ‘Check it out, girls,’ I giggled to my pals. ‘Hotties at 12 o’clock.’ I nodded in the direction of a group of handsome, suited and booted blokes across the bar. ‘Nice spot,’ they said, in approval. I hesitated for a moment, then... ‘I’m going over,’ I told the girls. A quick slick of lippie, a check of my hair in my compact mirror... Show time! It probably sounds like I was on the pull. But I’m actually happily married. And my hubby, Jamie, 40, wouldn’t bat an eyelid if he knew I was spending my Saturday night chatting to sexy strangers. See, I’m a professional hunk hunter. I spend my time scouring the nation for hot…