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picture perfect

I love this photo of my mam Joyce, taken on her honeymoon in Blackpool in 1953. It was the only holiday she and Dad ever had! They enjoyed a great marriage, and I miss them both so much every day. Christine Williamson, Workington Look what my son Joe, 2, got up to when he found an old phone and pair of specs at his nan's house! He's so cheeky, and will no doubt be asking for his own mobile soon… Wayne Rolfe, Upminster My wonderful mother-in-law Lorna is never without her copy of her favourite magazine. Here she is, catching up on the latest stories on holiday in Rhodes. Heather Crudge, Glasgow Here's my mum Christine - with crazy eyes and definitely not acting her age! Shelley Barrett, Sheffield Cute! My three gorgeous dogs are my best friends.…

the man behind the mask

Susanne Kelly, 55, Swindon Sitting in the pub, I played nervously with the glass of wine in front of me. It was March 1988, and I was on a double blind date with my pal, then 51. ‘You’ll be fine,’ she reassured. It was clear he wasn’t my type... but I was lonely She’d arranged a date with some bloke, and when he’d asked if she knew anyone for his friend, Michael Kelly, then 24, she’d invited me along. The two fellas arrived – and, as we chatted, it was clear that Michael wasn’t my type. ‘You look like a jockey,’ he laughed, pointing at the silk blouse I was wearing. Charmer! He spent the rest of the evening drinking too much. Definitely not the man for me, I thought to myself. Only, my mate was very keen to see…

just genius

Roll up, roll up..! When you’re making gluten-free pastry, it can be difficult to roll it out. But, if you put it between two pieces of clingfilm, it makes it so much easier to work with. Sheila Page, Newbury Peeky blinder! Secure blinds with a clothes peg – it makes it easy to see out of the window and stops the panels rattling in the breeze and getting damaged. Tracy Ridley, Walsall Sweet idea Earrings in a mess in the drawer? My husband came up with a brilliant idea after someone gave me a fancy box of chocs. Problem solved! Kay Mann, Ilkley Wheely comfortable My husband's arms were hurting from resting on the hard arms of his wheelchair. So I bought some foam padding and covered them with it. Now, they feel much softer, and he's far more comfortable. Mrs…

the bold and the beautiful

Sharnee Parkins, 45, Chaddesden, Derby As I pulled up outside the toy shop, my two eldest were already halfway out of the car. It was June 2008, and my son Xavier, 5, had birthday money to spend. ‘Look, Power Rangers!’ his big brother Gabriel, 7, cheered as my youngest, Orlando, 3, followed them both around. No such thing as girls’ toys or boys’ toys in our house! But Xavier’s eyes quickly fell on something else. ‘Can I have this?’ he asked, staring at a baby-doll set. The tiny doll had big, blue eyes and sat in a pastel-pink box. A girls’ toy some would say. But... ‘Of course,’ I smiled. Back home, Xavier showed my husband Chris, 34. ‘Dad, I’ve got a baby!’ he beamed. ‘Awesome!’ Chris replied. All that mattered to us was that our kids were happy. There was no such…

how to wear... statement skirts

STYLE TIP Knee-high boots suit a straighter skirt STYLE TIP Mix textures like satin and velvet STYLE TIP Slogan tops aren’t just for teens! STYLE TIP Balloon sleeves flatter all arm shapes…

one hour to kill

It was a scene as tragic as it was harrowing. On the morning of 20 June 2001, Rusty Yates went to work, leaving his wife Andrea, then 36, and their five kids having breakfast. As soon as he left, Andrea turned on the bath taps. She had an hour till her mother-in-law arrived. Starting with Paul, 3, she took the children, one by one, to the bathroom. And, there, she calmly drowned them in the bath. After Paul, she killed John, 5, then Luke, 2. Then she put them on her bed, covered in a sheet. As she was drowning Mary, 6 months, her eldest, Noah, then 7, wandered in. ‘What’s wrong with Mary?’ he asked, spotting his baby sister floating in the bath. Sobbing officers Sensing danger, he ran. Andrea dragged him back to the…