Pick Me Up!

Passing a brightly coloured scarf to a little boy from the nursery, I encouraged him to give it to one of the care home residents. And as he toddled up to one elderly lady, aged 90, her face broke into a big smile. Since 2007, I had been a Debutots franchisee, a company that uses drama to entertain, educate and inspire children of all ages. And in 2018, one of my colleagues had an incredible idea… She suggested that we team up with care homes around the UK and run sessions with both the kids and the care home residents. I absolutely loved it. Growing up, I had been close to my grandparents, Doris and Leo, and when they started visiting a care home, they’d often bring me and my siblings along with them. We’d always put…

Buy of the week We’re obsessed with these chic eco-friendly reusable bags – in collaboration with British artist Kit Agar. Chosen for their calming hues and uplifting energy, these poetic Picasso-esque illustrations are sure to make you the most stylish shopper in the supermarket. With three designs to choose from – Dream, Elsbeth and Sunbeam – each bag is made from six old plastic bottles that were originally destined for the ocean or landfill, and folds into a handy pouch to pop straight into your handbag. • £11, visit: kindbag.co We’re loving January’s a time when we’re all in need of a bit of a pick-me-up – and Costa’s brand-new range hits the spot! The tasty new additions to the menu include a vegan Me’tball Wrap and BBQ Chick’n Panini, as well as a Cajun Spiced Chicken…

Caught a rainbow in Scarborough on Marine Drive. Dawn Humphrey, Scarborough This picture is of our wee Autumn looking at her bottle. I can just see her thinking: ‘What’s this? Got anything stronger?’ Fiona Deans, North Ayrshire My two babies – Hope, and now her companion, Eve (white and grey). When we first adopted Eve, she was full of anxiety and has now come out of her shell. Happy cats, happy life! Louise Wiggs, Stevenage My little granddaughters Billi, eight (in the driving seat), and Georgi, six, decided to try out their driving skills on a recent visit to a garden centre. It’s going to be a good few years until they can put their skills into practice. Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying…

Tucking into a delicious ice cream with the view of Hastings beach, I was besotted with my date sitting opposite me. And it was a good job that he was just as funny in person as he was over text. After meeting at a friend’s party back in June 2021, and not being much of a social butterfly myself, I stood awkwardly in the corner before Oscar, 27, came to the rescue. Not hearing anything about him before that moment, or even knowing who he was, we simply made small talk while our mutual friends chatted. Oscar seemed nice, even if I was judging him from a brief encounter. That was before I dashed home early in true Kaylie style – not being much of a social person, that was enough interaction for the day. Plus,…

Popping up on me when I least expected it, Oscar was following my every move. ‘Let’s do something,’ he suggested one Saturday. ‘I’m just going to Sainsbury’s with Kayden, I promised him we’d watch a movie this evening,’ I replied. ‘You’re selfish, after everything I do for you,’ he fired, before hanging up. Then, moments later, he showed up at the supermarket unannounced as if nothing had happened. And he made a routine of trying to meet me when I was spending time with Kayden – it was suffocating. ‘I told you that I don’t want you to meet him yet,’ I said. Only, with a brand new pair of trainers in his hand, he’d always try and win me over by using materialistic gifts. ‘You should feel lucky that someone like me is with you,’ he spat…

Dear Mum, Sitting in the salon at our monthly nail appointments, I would smile as you studied the colour wheel. ‘What do you think I should get?’ you would ask. You always wanted my opinion, but I knew what choice you’d make. Hot pink, magenta, lilac, violet or Fuchsia – you always chose pink or purple. Pink was your favourite colour after all. And it suited you perfectly – you were a feisty, fun and formidable woman. And being in your presence was always so fun. You were my best friend. And being the only girl of the family, alongside my brothers Nick, 39, Tom, 35, and Josh, 26, these dates felt so special. We were so close as a family. And you made the most mundane tasks feel so exciting. I remember when we were children, Josh hated getting up for…