Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Pick Me Up! Special

Many of us have had a lot more spare time than usual on our hands over the past few months, and that’s led to one thing – cleaner houses! Cleaning seems to have become more of a hobby than a necessity as we take more pride in our homes, so to get you started, we’ve got some great cleaning tips and advice on page 36, as well as some clever ways to transform your trash into treasure on page 12. While many of us haven’t been able to jet off on holiday this year, this month, we’re looking at some of the more unexpected outcomes of a trip abroad. Chloe (pg8) was in denial about her appearance, putting her health at risk. But it seems a trip to Magaluf with…

Scrolling through social media, I constantly compared myself to my friends, as every other 18-year-old girl does. But I took it a bit further... ‘Why are you all so much skinnier than me?’ I moaned to my pals regularly, not realising the trap I was getting into. I had always been curvier than my friends, with a bum and boobs. My friends were worried about me But I didn’t appreciate my body, instead getting myself down and wishing for a smaller frame. Little by little, I decided to stop eating food. Unbeknown to me, I was getting unhappier by the day. At home, my mum Eileen, 54, and dad John, 64, were getting a divorce. ‘They used to be so happy,’ I thought to myself, reminiscing of the happy years…

Giraffe women We’ve all seen images of women in parts of Myanmar and Thailand who wear heavy, brass rings around their neck. The group of people known as the ‘giraffe’ tribe believe that a long neck is a sign of beauty and wealth, and practice this custom to make a woman more attractive to a possible mate. Although it may appear to many that it must be torture for a woman to undergo the lengthening of her neck, this is really just a myth. In fact, the brass rings create an illusion, making the woman’s neck simply appear longer. Beauty scars Scarification is a popular tradition in many parts of Africa. In many of these cultures, both men and women undergo the painful process, but women tend to scar their…

Flicking through Facebook, I came across a picture with a familiar view. What a great way to start the morning, the woman had captioned it. What the? I thought to myself, suddenly realising she was on my boyfriend’s balcony. At 19-years-old, I felt the sting of my first heartbreak. I’d been with Kyle* for three years. At 23-years-old, he was the charming and handsome older man. But after confirming he’d been cheating on me for our entire relationship, I quickly broke it off. My ex wouldn't leave me alone Thankfully, I still lived at home with my mum and dad, but I was broken. Only, my sadness quickly turned to anger as Kyle constantly messaged me. Please, let’s talk, he begged, but I didn’t want to and so I blocked…

Should I force the issue ? Everyone talks about their sisters like they are best friends, but I just don’t get on with mine one bit. We have nothing in common and only ever bicker – even though we are in our 30’s. Should I force the issue and try and bond more? Cora, Port Talbot YES  Pick Me Up! reader Tracey from Blackpool says: You need to make a bit more of an effort to get along with her – she is your sister after all. I suspect the things you are bickering about are only minor, and if you actually both sit down and discuss your differences, you might find that you actually get along great. I think it would be such a waste to go through life…

Staring at the bright stage light ahead, I held up my script. Reading out my lines, I spoke clearly, loudly, and passionately, just like I’d practiced. At 10 years old, I was auditioning for a school play, and was filled with confidence. I’ve got this in the bag, I thought to myself as I came to the end of my solo. I hadn’t had butterflies in my stomach like all the other kids – I knew I was good enough. But as my drama teacher silently took notes, the edges of her mouth curling into a frown, suddenly, I was so nervous. My fate was in her hands. ‘Samantha,’ she started. ‘You’re very talented, but I think it’s time you accept that people like you will never get very far.’…

INSTANT + APPOINTMENT With Dr Patricia Macnair, Speciality Doctor in Palliative Medicine and Medical Journalist Genetic risk My mum had breast cancer Q - what are the chances of me getting it too? Is there anything I should be doing? Laura, Aberdeen Your risk of breast cancer is A higher than average as your mother had it, but how much higher depends on various factors. If just one first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) has had breast cancer, then your risk is doubled. But if two or more first degree relatives have breast cancer, then your risk is five times the average. If your mother had an inherited type of breast cancer, due to an abnormal gene, the risk may be much higher. Check your breasts every month and know…

Placing his wooden blocks in a pile, my little boy Dylan was determined. ‘Well done,’ I beamed. It was 2014, and Dylan, then two, loved Mummy time. As a single mum, I had my hands full with him, his brother Jake, then four, and six-week old Elliot. Just then, Dylan’s head jolted, and a spurt of vomit came out. ‘There, there,’ I soothed. It had been the same routine every morning for about a week – Dylan would be happily playing, then start throwing up. I was confused, as he showed no other symptoms, didn’t seem ill at all. Worried, I took him to the GP. ‘It’s probably just a virus,’ I was told, but I wasn’t convinced. The next day, after Dylan threw up again, I bundled the kids…

The Superhero Foundation supports families of both children and adults who have an illness or disability. They support people who want to take on their own physical challenge to inspire people to donate. Their support team provide social media mentoring and publicity support to enable these heroes in the making to move beyond the limits of their physical and mental capability. Everyone has the potential to be a superhero, sometimes they just need a helping hand. For more info, visit superherofoundation.org…

BRING BACK MY GILLS SEALIFE Brighton has brought some underwater realness to one of its home residents. Queen Gary III, a Queensland Grouper fish, had its own TV installed during lockdown and has watched every episode of RuPaul's U.S Drag Race – that's right, all 12 seasons! Gary typically enjoyed watching SEALIFE visitors and interacting with the centre's aquarists on a daily basis, but during the first few weeks of lockdown, staff noticed that Gary had not been his usual self. To keep Gary entertained and familiar with human interaction, the team set up a personal TV screen that could be watched from inside the display. Senior Aquarist Joe Williams says: 'I'm not 100% sure which queen is Gary's favourite, but he always watches when Mama Ru is on the…

With traditional bra fitting not currently accessible to everyone, female-founded lingerie brand Nudea is stepping up to support women. Nudea's Fit Tape and Online Fit Finder have been designed for simple, accurate self-measurement at home, eliminating the need to visit a physical store. What's more, Nudea's newly launched free Virtual Fit Sessions, with the in-house bra fit expert team, help to find the right fit and recommended styles to suit different shapes, sizes and address any health breast concerns. With the purchase of every Nudea Fit Tape (RRP £2.50), you can download ‘The Fit Is Right' Trivia Kit online. As well as a donation to charity CoppaFeel! for every tape purchase. Go to www.nudea.com to find your fit and shop their beautiful lingerie range.…

Listening to my daughter nag me about joining her at the gym, I wasn’t feeling particularly enthusiastic. ‘Come on, Mum,’ she encouraged me. ‘I need some moral support.’ Bethannie, then 20, was off to Camp America that summer in 2014 and wanted to get fit. If me joining her at the gym was going to help, then I could hardly say no. ‘Oh go on then,’ I agreed, somewhat begrudgingly. But at 23 stone, the gym was hardly a place I was familiar with. In fact, the thought of going to workout in a room full of super-fit people filled me with dread. ‘I promise I wont sign us up to any hard classes,’ she encouraged. ‘You’d better not!’ I smirked. But before I knew it, the pair of us…

One man's trash truly is another man's treasure! The latest interiors trend, upcycling, involves turning an unwanted item into a new, one-of-a-kind piece. Whether you're modernising it, fixing it, or putting your own stamp on it – upcycling is a great way to fall in love with an item all over again. Best of all, almost anything can be upcycled, with very basic DIY skills and tools. Plus, it needn't cost much money. We're all familiar with repainting old furniture and distressing worn jeans, but have you ever thought about DIYing your recycling? You can turn used plastic bottles and cardboard boxes into showstopping interior items – from floral displays to dolls houses. The possibilities are endless! Presenter, author and blogger Georgina Burnett, a.k.a. The Home Genie, shares her upcycling…

Chocolate cake is always a good idea, and for new bakers, this Easy Peasy chocolate fudge cake is a must. The FAB Flour Easy Peasy Baking Campaign is designed to help the UK’s non-bakers get the oven on. FOR THE SPONGE: 175g self-raising flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 150g soft light brown sugar 50g cocoa powder 2 eggs 150ml/g sunflower oil 150ml/g milk FOR THE ICING: 300g dark or milk chocolate 150ml/g double cream TO MAKE: 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, bicarbonate, sugar and cocoa powder. 2. Add in the eggs, oil and milk and whisk everything together until no lumps remain and the texture is smooth. 3. Divide the batter into the two cake tins and bake for 20-25 minutes until…

Olympian, foodie, parent and social media star Tom Daley is ambassador for British Lion eggs and here are some of his favourite recipes! Tom Daley's beetroot, kale and goat's cheese quiche Serves 6 This quiche is perfect if you're having friends or family round for dinner – its bright colours and indulgent flavours are so impressive! The leftovers also make the perfect lunch dish for the next day. INGREDIENTS: 3 large British Lion eggs 1 x ready-made pastry tart case (around 23cm in diameter) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 150g curly kale, tough stems removed 150ml milk 150ml double cream 275g cooked beetroot, larger ones sliced in half 75g goat's cheese, cut into rounds Small handful of dill, roughly chopped METHOD: 1. Preheat the oven to…

Lying back on the leather bed, you prepare yourself for the fast, sharp pulses and buzzing noise. Wincing with pain, your skin tenses up. You’re familiar with the experience, but this time you’re not getting a tattoo – you’re removing it. What was once self-expression, may now be a regrettable mistake. A 2019 study by Beauty PR Club and Data Pad revealed that over one third of people have a tattoo, and one quarter of people regretted their tat. Body art is more mainstream than ever before, and consequently, so is tattoo removal. According to IBISWorld, there’s been a 440% increase in revenues from tattoo removal procedures in the past decade. For some people, the thrill and pride of their design never wears off; for others, remorse can begin straight…

An Uber spokesperson said; ‘We are delighted to hear that Lara and her baby are doing so well. ‘Sherif remained calm under pressure and ensured they arrived safely to the hospital. ‘Uber is proud to play a small part in helping this new family when they needed a quick, reliable ride the most.’ Uber driver Sherif Cacaj from Deptford, London, had been an Uber driver for six months at the time and was shocked to find he had an extra passenger. He said; ‘First the lady in my car said; ‘It’s coming, it’s coming’ and the next thing I knew she said ‘the baby is out’ and it was crying. ‘I just drove as fast as I could to get to the hospital in about five/six minutes. ‘The parents told…

Suzanne Roynon has been a leading UK Interiors Therapist for over 20 years. Interiors Therapy was apparently used by Jennifer Aniston after her breakup with Justin Theroux. According to Suzanne, everything from bedding to the art we choose can impact our mood and consequently our relationships. Here she shares her key interior tips for a healthy love life. Suzanne’s new book Welcome Home: How stuff makes or breaks your relationship (Panoma Press, £14.99) is out now. Suzanne says: Being stuck at home more means people are spending much more time surrounded by their own stuff than they are used to. As a result, the energy of their possessions has more time to impact on the way they feel. That's great if everything you keep around makes you feel relaxed, happy…

Where you live has a big impact on the chances of you living to 100, according to a study by Washington State University. The study examined how several social and environmental factors affect the likelihood of reaching centenarian age, and found that elderly people who live in highly walkable, mixed-age communities may actually live longer and reach their 100th birthday. While it's no surprise that daily exercise and fresh air help, neighbourhoods offering more age diversity mean the elderly get a lot of community support and are less likely not to face isolation.…

As my donkey, Penny, barged her way through the gate, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. ‘Patience, Penny,’ I chuckled. ‘Why can’t you be well behaved like little Blueberry?’ I asked her. But Penny certainly had a mind of her own. Penny and Blueberry were my two miniature Mediterranean donkeys and the pair of them were the best of friends. While Blueberry was a gentle creature, Penny could be a feisty little thing. I loved them to bits and they weren’t my only animals. In fact, my partner, Stewart and I had a farm in Perthshire. From ducks to dogs, we had it all - including some chickens and alpacas, too. And five years ago, we added the donkeys to our ever growing brood. At first, just starting with…

Film and TV 1 What is the pub called in the ITV soap Emmerdale? a The Queens Head b The Woolpack c The Ship 2 When Ross and Rachel first get together in Friends, what animal does Phoebe compare them to? a Doves b Seahorses c Lobsters 3 The expression “well jel” was made famous from which British TV show? a The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE) b Love Island c Made in Chelsea 4 In Legally Blonde, what is the name of Elle's chihuahua? a Bruiser b Fluffy c Tinkerbelle 5 Which Shakespeare play is 10 Things I Hate About You based on? a Othello b Romeo and Juliet c Taming of The Shrew 6 Who plays Edina in Absolutely Fabulous? a Joanna Lumley b Jennifer Saunders c Jane…

This is the incredible moment acrobats performed gymnastics on the world’s biggest metal nut. Dunkin Devils carried out the crazy stunt on the massive nut, measuring two metres by four metres – and weighing a heavy two tonnes. Cranes lifted the nut twenty metres in the air where the fearless quartet performed their insane acrobatic tricks in the air in Slovenia. Jan Žnidaršič, one of the Dunking Devils acrobats who performed the stunts said: ‘The basic idea of the video was to mimic the dynamics and movement on the nut with our bodies and connect to it through types of rotation. ‘The execution of the project was quite challenging due to the nut’s sheer size and weight, but luckily we were able to pull off practically all acrobatic tricks we’d…

There are so many more ways you can upcycle your recycling, and turn potential trash into priceless treasures. Use your imagination, and stop and think before you take the rubbish out. Here's ten more ideas to get you started with upcycling… 1. Turn tin cans into pretty flowers pots. 2. Yoghurt pots make great containers for seedlings. 3. Clear plastic food containers can become the ‘glass' for a homemade picture frame. 4. Glass jars and bottles can be turned into lanterns. 5. Turn cardboard boxes into a dolls house for your child. 6. Use plastic milk bottles as bird feeders. 7. Turn an old paint tin into an ice bucket for drinks. 8. Cut a metal can into cookie cutters. 9. Use a shampoo bottle as a pen pot. 10.…

No salon, no problem A short-term fix to roots is to colour them in with brown eyeshadow. Simply dab with a brush! M. Shane, Cornwall Show me the money! To clean old or dirty coins, place them in a bowl of Coca-Cola and leave for a few hours. Stacey, Swansea Scones or scones? I store my bakes in tubs upside down. The lid acts as a tray and is easier to slice up and serve. Patsy, Gloucestershire Summer loving I keep my aftersun lotion in the fridge so that it stays cool. Helps to calm burns! Thora, London Hinchers I pour a capful of Zoflora on a sheet of kitchen roll and keep it in the bathroom bin. Then it always smells nice! A. Kilner, Liverpool Mamma Mia! Add a…

This month... BBQ STAINS Barbeq-shoo those sticky stains away! Cleaning experts at Dr.Beckmann’s share their top tips on banishing summer spills… 1 Ketchup Treat quickly! Gently rub washing-up liquid into the area, before rinsing with cold water. 2 Wine Blot the alcohol with a cloth then sponge with cold water and treat with stain remover. 3 Fruit juice Simply pop on a hot wash or soak in vinegar if the stain is a dark fruit. 4 Grass Pre-soak the area with a mixture of one-part spirit vinegar to two parts warm water for around 30 minutes. 5 Chocolate Blot the mark with a damp cloth and apply a stain remover, scrubbing repeatedly. 6 Flowers Blot the mark with a damp cloth. Use a stain…

Most men in a new relationship would run a mile at the first mention of babies, but my boyfriend Adam was different. Both just 18 years old in 2001, we’d met through a mutual friend on a night out. Just a few weeks in, I brought Adam home to meet my family, and he was brilliant. Even when I handed him my newborn cousin Leigh, he didn’t flinch, instead happily sat there rocking her. He wasn’t even that bothered when she threw up on his brand new shirt! I knew then that he was a keeper. We tried all we could for a baby Through our 20s, we went out, had fun, spent our Saturdays hosting boozy dinner parties with friends and our Sundays going gooey over baby cousins at…

Celebrity fashion stylist Joey Bevan, from BBC's You Are What You Wear, shares his favourite summer style staples that every wardrobe needs. 1. Enjoy the shade Sunglasses are probably the most essential piece to your summer wardrobe. My tip is to  grab a classic style frame that won’t date. Keep to tortoise shell or black, that way it will work with most of your garments in your closet. 2. Revenge of the chub rub! Summer means one thing… return of the thigh chaffing. I would definitely invest in a comfy, lightweight cycling short to wear under your dresses to ease any pain. Brands like ASOS and M&S have a wide range. 3. The wicker A wicker bag, large or small, is the perfect bag for the summer months. Solid and…

YES: LONG LIVE THE SPACE COWBOY Lisajane, 45, from Surrey, struggles to remove her youthful mistake... When I was 22, my friend asked me to go with her to our local tattoo shop. Whilst she was having an awful clown tattooed on her leg, I was bored watching. And then another tattooist said to me: ‘Anything that you want, love?’ As a joke, I said: ‘No, not really, well, unless I can have JK the Jamiroquai logo from the new Space Cowboy album.’ He asked what it looked like, so I nipped to the car to fetch the CD. I didn’t have any tattoos at the time, so I don’t know what I was thinking. The tattooist traced the cover image, and there and then I had it spontaneously…

Fresh on the shelves Following the sell-out launch of summer 2019’s GLOW collection, MUA are releasing a new Bright Lustre range which goes one step further. Adding vibrant, popping shades, new products and next generation formulas to cult favourites, this collection of summer staples is sure to fly off the shelves. Coming this month to www.muastore.co.uk 1.Shimmer Spray, £6 After the GLOW Shimmer Spray sold out last summer, it's back with two new shades. Available in Best Self (gold, coconut fragrance), Good Vibes (rose gold, fruity/floral fragrance) and Mesmerising (iridescent, grapefruit fragrance). 2. Shimmer Silk, £4 The next generation of MUA's cult Shimmer Highlighter, in a silky smooth, cream-to-powder formulation. Available in Dazzle (gold) Golden Hour (bronze) Bright Spark (rose gold) and First Light (iridescent). 3. Light Lustre Palette, £8…

Brittany hatched an evil plan to get rid of her ex-boyfriend’s fiancée. Teen Brittany Navarra was still in love with her ex-boyfriend – the problem was, he’d moved on with a new girlfriend, and was engaged. Brittany was consumed with jealousy and started figuring out a way to win him back, but instead of playing fair, she decided to have her love rival killed. But Brittany didn’t want to get her hands dirty, so she persuaded a friend to carry out the deadly deed on her behalf. In January 2008, bright, beautiful Krista Rae Pike from Madera, California, certainly had a lot to celebrate. She was well-loved by her friends who affectionately called her ‘Giggles’, and she’d got back together with the man she loved. Dustin slashed her with a…

Aries March 21st - April 20th Give your best from day one this month. You have the power to make your world as good as you want it to be. You are no longer the ram who accepted second best, or who allowed themselves to be treated as a second class citizen. Those days are gone. However, certain close ones will need reminding of this fact as you enter September, so keep a firm tone. It can save you from becoming angry and frustrated with yourself later on. Places you go for fun this month open your mind and feed your soul. Someone's done a lot of growing up lately. Taurus April 21st - May 21st Family and close ones seem to be giving you responsibilities that you neither want…

Strolling along the beach, I took in the stunning view as the waves lapped the shore. It was September 2017 and the start of a two-week holiday in Mauritius. After months of saving, it was a well deserved treat to celebrate graduating from university. The four-star resort had everything I could’ve wished for. Only, not everything was perfect to me. See, the public beach connected to the hotel was overrun with stray dogs. Growing up with dogs as a child, I was an animal lover. And seeing this was heartbreaking! As I walked along the golden sand, a small, white pooch approached me. ‘Hello, beautiful,’ I cooed. Crouching down, I stroked her. But my hands met skin and bones. And patches of fur were missing on her scrawny body. The…