Pick Me Up! 28-Jul-2016

Lianne La Borde, Senior Feature Writer What A Frock Horror! I’m getting married very soon – and can’t wait – but picking my dress was a nightmare! You can read more when you go to www.lifedeathprizes.com  and search ‘wedding dress’. 26 …that's how many seconds we had to spare on my hen do at ClueQuest. We'd an hour to solve puzzles and escape from a room – and made it just in time! What A Laugh! I’ve just discovered US sitcom Arrested Development , and it’s laugh-out-loud hilarious. I just can’t believe the early series are 13 years old! What A Temptation! My talented little sis made this amazing cupcake bouquet. I’ve put in my order for the wedding! Maybe I’ll carry it down the…

Is that it? Not impressed. That appears to be the verdict from my son Albie on his first swing ride! Sammie Smith, Grays Academy award She does deserve an Oscar! But for now, my daughter Maria, 13, has to be content with a pretend one… Geraldine Miller, Liverpool All smiles My 1-year-old Bengal Lexi doing her Cheshire Cat imitation. Karen Gethins, Worcester Cut a dash After completing Cumbria’s Colour Run the Eden Valley Hospice, it was time to celebrate at the pub! Tracey Johnson, Carlisle Retail therapy Shop’s open! My boys Joe and Harry (and dog Pearly) are ready for business. Lindsay Matthew, Heywood Little STAR That’s a thumbs up from my 3-year-old daughter Ella after building her first sandcastle! Annette Pruden, Bedford What a mouthful! Bad hair day? No,…

I LOOKED LIKE I’D BEEN IN A CAR CRASH 'Too stunned to cry, I just looked at him' 'Officers had found me lying naked in a mass of blood' Tucking into a plate of steaming chilli, I looked across the table at my friend Paul Ross and smiled. A mate of my brother’s since childhood, we’d recently reconnected and begun spending a lot of time together, meeting up for meals. I was grateful for the company. Back then, I’d gone through a tough time, having split from an unhappy relationship. Slowly, we grew closer. Around Christmas 2014, our friendship turned to romance. It felt right, natural. We had so much fun, going for drinks or staying in and cooking. I’d lost my mum Norma to cancer seven years before, and…

‘When a doctor scanned my bump, her face fell’ ‘I set up a Facebook page and asked for dress donations’ The sonographer smiled. ‘It’s a girl,’ he confirmed. I was with my husband Nik, 31, at our 16-week scan, along with my three sons from previous relationships - Luke, 20, Daniel, 15, and Jay, 13. ‘She’s going to be spoilt rotten,’ Daniel beamed, beyond excited. Our baby girl, who we’d decided to name Lillie Grace, was a little miracle. Nik and I had conceived her through IVF. I’d been told it was unlikely I’d conceive naturally, as I’d been sterilised after my third Caesarean, with Jay. We were all so excited, we began buying things for Lillie straightaway cute dresses, pink bootees with pretty bows... ‘I got her this,’ Luke…

Don’t have a rack? Then prop up your toast in a grill pan to cool. Judith Cairns, Colchester Create a fun baby-shower gift by rolling up clothes into the shape of a bunny and putting them up in a cupcake box! Lisa Adams, Halesowen Before opening a bag of ice, tap all over it with a hammer to break it into smaller chunks that’ll fit into glasses. Angela Laird, Wirral Repair split mesh chairs with fishing line. It’s stronger and lasts longer than normal thread. Paul Baldwin, Leeds   Dice, bag and freeze any leftover peppers and pop them into casseroles or stews for added flavour. Mary Green, Millom I had loads of empty coffee containers so I sticky-taped them into a pyramid and our family had fun throwing…

1 Protective guard Shoes giving you blisters? Stick duct tape on your heel before wearing. Charlotte Primrose, Lawford 2 Good as new If your suede boots are beginning to look a little tired, spray them lightly from a distance with dry shampoo, then brush off. Angela Garvin, Romford 3 Tag ’em Write your children’s names on sticky labels and stick them inside b allet pumps so they’re easily found after dance class. Clare Cannon, Glasgow 4 Odour eaters Put unused teabags in trainers overnight and they’ll get rid of the smell. Joanne C ampbell, Whitehead…