Pick Me Up! 1-Sep-2022

Surveying the extra space in my clinic after a busy day with clients, I realised how full of potential the place was. Owning my own cosmetic practice, FTT Skin Clinics, since 2014, I spent my days performing a variety of soothing facial treatments. Only, I never really thought about utilising the extra space until I received a life-changing phone call earlier this year. ‘Frances, I need your help,’ my friend said urgently down the phone one evening. ‘What can I do?’ I replied, concerned. ‘I’m housing a refugee and she desperately needs to find work!’ she said. Luda Holomovza, 44, had not only been forced to flee from her home in Ukraine, but she also had to come to terms with the fact that her and husband and daughter, who…

WE’RE LOVING We all know how important it is to protect bees – and now you can help in the most adorable way! Florist The Last Bunch has teamed up with beekeeper charity Bees for Development to launch these cute miniature bouquets – or beequets – for our buzzing buddies. The cut-flower market has a devastating impact on our pollinators, and the aim of the beequet is to make the most of blooms that would have been chucked in the bin. Even better, £2 from each purchase goes directly to Bees for Development. ● £11.99, please visit: thelastbunch.com HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS? When you toss a banana skin into the food waste bin after eating a healthy snack, you probably don’t give it much thought at all. But did…

Back in 2000, I took this photo of my then 12-year-old nephew Sam and his brother Tom in London – not knowing that 20 years later he would be one of those horse guards! Lucy Travell, Gloucester Here I am 30 years ago, ready to start primary school, with my big sisters Nicola and Hayley ready to go back to secondary school. Katie Gooding, Tidworth My sons Rory, 14, and Fraser, nine, were happy with their little robes and slippers on our recent stay at The Grand Hotel in York. Natasha Douglas, Kent This is my beautiful six-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, Harold, enjoying this week’s magazine with me (well, trying to stop me reading the stories!) Stacey Bigrid, Torquay My little Mia, seven, was loving camping life with her new inflatable…

Watching my baby boy Kyle playing with his cousin, I realised something wasn’t right. He was 18 weeks older than my niece, Alex. But they looked worlds apart. While Alex was bubbly and social, Kyle was withdrawn. He didn’t cope well out of his own bubble and he struggled if his routine was interrupted. I asked the health visitor, who told me he’d come out of his shell. But I was a nurse, and I knew this wasn’t normal. My husband Scott and I kept pushing, and eventually, just after starting school, Kyle was diagnosed with autism and ADHD when he was five. We learnt how to deal with his quirks – he was a very happy little boy, as long as he was in his comfort zone. He loved…

Stepping off of the plane in Marrakesh, I was suddenly enveloped by a wave of heat. As I made my way down the steps back in April this year, I smiled at the thought of five fun-filled days ahead of us. I’d only found out about the trip three weeks earlier – my husband Dan, 41, had booked it as a surprise for my 40th birthday, and I was so excited. I’d been to Marrakesh a few times, and it was one of my favourite places. We’d come with four of our kids – Brooke, 15, Ava-Blou, 14, Sonny, nine, and eight-year-old Meadow. They’d never been before, and they were buzzing. Our younger three had stayed at home with my sister and brother-in-law as they were still a bit too…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Ideal for all hard wood surfaces and carpets, the Carpet Sweeper will make your home sparkle. With no batteries or leads requires, as well as being effective on pet hair, watch as the rotating brushes sweep your dirt away. It also folds flat for easy storage – what more could you want?! Please visit addis.co.uk LUSCIOUS LOOS When you have cleaned your toilet, fill it with bleach and leave your toilet brush to soak. Abbie Cairns, Colchester Quick fix Fed up of my rucksack zip coming open and worrying that my belongings would fall out, I used a carabiner clip to keep the zip secure. A safety pin would work, too! Rose Janes, Monmouth Waste effective…