Table of contents for 26-Oct-2017 in Pick Me Up!

What A Countdown! Kate Williams, Head of Features Once Halloween’s done, the countdown to Christmas can begin! So, 55 days to go… Now, that is scary! 310... …that’s how many millions it’s estimated Brits spent on Halloween last year. Yikes! In my day, we made DIY costumes out of binbags. What A Head Scratcher! No fan of Halloween? Well, 31 October is also National Bug Busting Day, where the aim is to find all the head lice and zap ’em. Who knew?! What A Howler! Q Why doesn’t anyone like Count Dracula? A He’s a real pain in the neck! What A Wow! You have to check out these amazing jack-o’- lantern designs. Go to lifedeathprizes.com/pumpkin-carvings to see the fantastically intricate carvings.…

Julie Oldacres, 45, Nuneaton There’s nothing wrong with being different. And that’s what I always tell my son Jack, 9. See, he’s not like other little boys. He’s got a rare condition that causes dry, flaky, itchy skin. You were made to be special,’ I remind him daily. When he was born, in August 2008, he was a blessing to me and my husband Danny, 39. After two miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy, I worried we’d never have a baby. But then along came Jack, filling a hole in our hearts. Born at 35 weeks, he weighed a tiny 5lb, and was pink and wrinkly like all newborns. ‘He’s perfect,’ I told Danny. But Jack couldn’t seem to regulate his own body temperature. What’s wrong with him?’ I begged doctors…

SAVING OF THE WEEK Veggie Delights Goodlife’s frozen Spicy Veg Beanburgers, Mushroom & Spinach Kievs and Picador Parsnip & Sweet Carrot Nut Burgers are all brilliant sources of protein. Even better, you can now bag two for £4 (normally £2.49-£2.65 each) at Waitrose until 28 November. OFFER OF THE WEEK Draw A Line Buy any shade of a Sheida Kohl Liner from amirose.com and enter the code PMU19 at the checkout to get a free pack of eye make-up remover buds, worth £3.99. Offer runs until 15 November. Sweet Treat Hotfoot it to Asda before 25 October to snap up a sharing bag of Metcalfe’s skinny popcorn for just £1 (normally £1.59). We won’t judge you if you don’t share! Get Spooked Head to Home Bargains to transform your home into a…

1 DVT is a form of blood clot. □ True □ False 2 Only men can develop DVT. □ True □ False 3 Surgery is the main treatment. □ True □ False 4 It can lead to serious complications. □ True □ False 1 TRUE Deep-vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops within a deep vein, most commonly in the leg, causing pain and swelling. 2 FALSE Anyone can develop DVT, but it’s more common in over-40s. Other risk factors are a family history of blood clots, obesity, pregnancy, blood-vessel damage and long-term inactivity. 3 FALSE The treatment is usually anticoagulant medicines like heparin and warfarin, which reduce the blood’s ability to clot and prevent existing clots from getting bigger. 4 TRUE If left untreated, DVT can cause pulmonary embolism if a piece…

A Taiwan gift shop sells everything penis shaped, including soaps, ice lollies and waffles. Name The Noughties Films 6 Things We’ve Noticed Recently Why are grown-ups slurping from water bottles that look like baby bottles? Why have headphones become so massive? The bright spark who’s following their weather app so closely they think they’re a meteorologist. Ginger popcorn – we couldn’t think of anything worse. Winter is drawing in, but why are all the pubs getting ready for Christmas, already? X Factor and Strictly are back on our screens – with all our favourite judges Horrific Victorian Diseases Check out these 19th-century nasties: Consumption (aka tuberculosis) – where the body wastes away as it's ‘consumed’ by this contagious and potentially fatal disease. Phossy Jaw – gangrene of the lower jawbone…

‘He’s already a qualified instructor, teaching others!’ Rebecca Oliver, 33, Morley, Leeds My son Alfie flung his arms around me. ‘I did it!’ he shouted. After three years of training, he’d officially got his black belt in Wado-ryu karate. And he was only 7! It started out as a hobby – one of those things you sign your kids up for. When I took him, aged 4, to his first lesson at a local karate school in Morley, Alfie was a little nervous. But, after a few classes, he loved it. He spent most of his time practising, chopping and kicking his way around the house. He was always a very active child, so he loved the physical side of it. And he picked it up really quickly. But we…

April McGee, 26, Telford The chubby one. That’s who I was at school. Despite being a competitive swimmer, I adored food. Then, when I was 16, my family and I emigrated from Liverpool to New Zealand. My dad landed a job there. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I told my friends on Skype. But quitting the swimming and starting a new life sparked more weight gain. By 17, I was 5ft 6in and wearing a size-18. In September 2008, I ended up in a turbulent relationship. I’d comfort eat when we went through a bad patch – which was most of the time. Within 18 months, my weight almost doubled as I went from 15st to 29st. ‘You don’t realise how big you’ve got,’ said my mum June, now 54. I was in…

100-Calorie Gallery Flattering Fashion As a general rule, the simpler and higher the heels, the longer and thinner they’ll make your legs look. And these red-hot satin beauties will definitely make you want to show off your pins at every opportunity Get Moving! The BodyBoss Ultimate Body Fitness Guide, £39.90 online edition, bodyboss.com Gym-phobes, listen up! This aims to get you fit in 12 weeks from the comfort of your own home. Beginners start with the four-week pre-training guide, then move to the main plan – you’ll see a difference from the first two weeks. Food Swaps Swap 1 ONION BHAJI 299 CAL For MINI MEAT SAMOSA 81 CAL Save ...218 cals PickMeUP! FOR LESS £1 at Asda until 15/11/17 (normally £1.59) Try this…. Aunt Bessie’s Vegetable Chips, £2.50, Tesco Lower-calthan- average chips,…

Jodie’s make-up is bloody clever Jodie Gibson, 30, Pontypridd For me, you could say every day is Halloween. You see, I love make-up. Forget the false lashes, lippie and blush, though. I’m talking about something a bit more gruesome… Blood, zombies, missing limbs. It’s been like this since I started working on film sets in 2012. First, I started working as a composer. I loved helping to make music. But when the make-up department needed an extra pair of hands, I jumped at the chance. Soon, I was taught the basics of fake blood. Red liquid packed into pills for actors to bite on. Exploding everywhere! Then purple and blue bruises. Next, I was shown the tricks of latex and wax to make cuts. ‘Disgusting!’ I cried at some of…

Puzzle 1 Ed’s Test p3 Final answer Puzzle 2 Follow It! p8 Final answer Puzzle 3 Bitesize! p23 Final answer Puzzle 4 Cross It! p28 Final answer Puzzle 5 Sudoku! p28 Final answer Puzzle 6 Crack It! p30 Final answer Puzzle 7 Strike It! p44 Final answer Puzzle 8 Number Fit! p44 Final answer GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR READERS! Pick Me Up!, published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, will collect your personal information solely to process your competition entry. We will not be using this issue’s competition entries to send you special offers or to pass on to third parties. 4 WAYS TO ENTER EASY TO ENTER ONLINE! ONLINE It’s free and only takes a moment to enter from your smartphone or on your laptop. Join our Pick Me Up! comp club now and enter your puzzle…

Little STAR I love this photo of my 3-month-old son Albie dressed as a pumpkin on his very first Halloween. Matt Read, via e-mail Get in touch If you’ve got a story for these pages, send photos and letters with all names and ages, plus a daytime phone number and full address, to the address below and GET BIG MONEY E-mail pickmeup@timeinc.com Call 020 3148 6460 Write to Pick Me Up!, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP Twitter twitter.com/pickmeupmag Facebook facebook.com/pickmeupmag Time Inc. (UK) Ltd reserves the right to reuse any submission sent to Pick Me Up! magazine, in any format or medium. Unfortunately, we can’t return photos without a stamped sae. Letters/photos must not be sent to any other publication. LIFE! DEATH! PRIZES! Check out our website: lifedeathprizes.com Spooky supper Everything…

1 Start selling Flog your unwanted clobber on eBay and Facebook Marketplace to make some dosh. 2 Hit the outlets Outlet stores are a great way to make big savings, as they’re mostly filled with last year’s stock. Visit soon, though, to avoid the Christmas crush. 3 Book your train Cut the cost of travelling to see family by booking your train tickets about eight to 12 weeks in advance. 4 Brave Black Friday online Bargains can be found especially on sites like Amazon. Shop around first to check you’re getting the best deal. 5 Stock up If it’s your turn to host this year, add one extra thing to the weekly shop to spread the cost. The same goes for pressies, too.…

Real-Life PLUS Trends, Info and Advice Sam Beedles, 35, St Helens My daughter Jasmine’s 15 years of life haven’t been easy. Five days after being born in June, 2002, she stopped breathing and turned blue. Doctors managed to save her life but soon made a disturbing discovery. ‘Jasmine’s heart is back to front,’ revealed a cardiologist. ‘And there are two holes.’ Worse, it was unfixable. Me and my husband Ben, 37, were utterly devastated. When she was 6 months old, we learned Jasmine had DiGeorge syndrome, a disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the womb. ‘She probably won’t make it to her teens,’ we were told. But our brave girl defied the odds, despite the many problems she faced. Walking put too much strain on Jasmine’s heart, so she…

Ashleigh Gossage, 26, Burgess Hill My first pregnancy had been going so well. I’d been full of nerves and excitement ever since my test had come back positive, but things took a bad turn when I reached 35 weeks. ‘My head hurts,’ I’d groan to my partner Shane, 27. The headaches went on and on, and my legs became swollen and uncomfortable. I also became easily fatigued, and my vision was blurred. Is this normal?’ Shane asked when he phoned the hospital. The midwife insisted there was nothing to worry about, so I struggled on. Three weeks later, I went into labour, still feeling awful. On 15 November 2016, our little boy, Finley arrived safe and sound, weighing 7lb 1oz. 25,000 ...that’s how many people in the UK may suffer from…

Katt Morris, 25, Liverpool For some time now, I’ve been a gaming girl. Once my son Jacob, now 2, was in bed, I got straight on my PlayStation 4. Call of Duty was once my favourite game and then I discovered Overwatch. Overwatch is all about teamwork, with players divided into two groups of six. Each taking on a different character, or hero, we are divided into different categories. Offence, defence, tanks and support. I am D.Va, the best- ever tank operator! In a purple catsuit, with long, brown locks. But there was a downside to being a girl online. Nice boobs, some of the male characters would write about my character in the chat room as we played. So frustrating! Just because I’m a woman. Blokes would always put…

Verdict: GENIUS! Great for both kids and adults. Orochi The Dragon Night Light, £9.99, firebox.com This cute dragon will help you nod off. And even better, it turns off automatically after one hour. How clever is that?! Zombie Blood Shower Gel, £7.99, prezzybox.com Hang this spooky bag in your shower and lather up in gunky green ‘blood’ this Halloween! For something so gross, it smells pretty good! Verdict: BONKERS! Teens will go mad for this. Inflatable Halloween Suit, £25, Flying Tiger You’ll be the talk of the party with this hilarious Halloween get-up! At least you won’t have to worry about your hair and make-up! Verdict: BONKERS! How could you even get through the door?…

Kevin Nicks has built the world’s fastest shed. The motorised marvel can reach up to 96.8mph. THE WOMEN WHO HELPED THEIR KILLER LOVERS Despite not taking part in the crimes themselves, their lies meant they faced prison, too. •Maxine Carr, then 25, gave a false alibi for boyfriend Ian Huntley, who’d murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. She got 3½ years for conspiring to pervert the course of justice. •In Florida, Skyler French left her 3-month-old with boyfriend Charles Dowell Jr. The baby suffered fatal injuries but, instead of rushing him to hospital, French waited until later that night and he died. She was sentenced to 10 years for child neglect and being an accessory after the fact to felony murder. •Ben and Catherine Mullany were shot on honeymoon…

Courtney Blighton, 19, Leeds As I turned on the TV, I couldn’t believe it. The news was filled with stories of sinister clowns terrorising cities around the country. My worst nightmare! Ever since I was a little girl, the sight of clowns had terrified me. At a birthday party when I was 5, I’d run out of the room screaming when a clown came to surprise my friend. That must’ve been what triggered my fear of them. The fear, which is called coulrophobia, means Halloween has always been a scary time for me. As for a trip to the circus? Forget it! But it was while I was studying English Lit at Leeds Beckett University last year that I got my biggest fright. Surely all these lurking clown stories must…

‘I started getting slurred speech, forgetting my words’ Natasha Lynch, 24, Alicante, Spain At 18, I became a holiday rep working with kids in hotels abroad. Running around after little ones, soaking up the sun. My dream job. In November 2013, I came home to Liverpool from Egypt. Weeks later, I got a sore throat. I knew it wasn’t unusual for reps to feel under the weather after returning home from working away. So I ignored it, started training to be a team leader. Then one day in January 2014, I woke up sweating. I had a fever, stiff neck and an awful headache... I knew the symptoms. Meningitis. But I had no rash. My GP referred me to Whiston Hospital. Tests ruled out bacterial meningitis and pointed to the…

• Raped as she slept in her bed • A decade-long wait for justice • Not his only young victim Sarah Savage, 29, Hawick, Roxburghshire As I pulled on my red and white striped football jersey, I smiled. I couldn’t wait to celebrate my team Maryhill Juniors’ success in the championship. It was August 2006 and I was headed to the football presentation. I wanted to laugh and dance with my friends, like any other 17-year-old. ‘Remember to take the hamper I got you,’ said Uncle Paul as I headed out. ‘Usually, I was feisty – now I was frozen with fear’ ‘Oh yes,’ I laughed. ‘Thanks again for it.’ Paul had donated it for our raffle. So kind. But that was him. I called Paul ‘uncle’ even though we…

Tips 1 Scary stencil If you’re not great at pumpkin carving, you can print a design off the internet to use as a stencil and mark it out with a dry-wipe marker! Andrea Illingworth, Runcorn, Cheshire 2 Cast a shadow Create eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin! Scarlett Humphreys, Lowestoft, Suffolk 3 Wrapped like a mummy Get a few days’ extra use out of your pumpkin by wrapping it up tightly in film and storing it somewhere cool, like your fridge or garage. Danielle Waldren, Truro 4 Stay fresh Cutting off the top of a pumpkin deprives it of moisture and nutrients. Instead, make a hole at the back to put your lights in – it will keep the pumpkin fresher for longer! Gabby Bernes, via e-mail…

Elle Wren, 33, Cambridgeshire My nan held out an old penny and I closed my eyes to make a wish. It was a silly tradition of hers. Every New Year, she’d ask everyone to make a wish on a penny. This time, I knew exactly what I craved most. I want to be pregnant before my birthday in June, I wished. It was 2014, and me and my husband James, 34, had been trying for a baby for two years. We already had Jacob, 15, and Jessika, 11. But we were desperate for a baby to complete our family. ‘Hopefully your penny will bring us some good luck,’ I told Nan. Sure enough, months later in May, my period was a day late. Usually my cycle ran like clockwork, so I…

Dr Arabella Onslow has been a GP for 11 years and was Rosemary Conley’s Health Professional Slimmer of the Year in 2012 after losing 10st. Has this splinter become infected? Q I love gardening and often get splinters. Usually I can get them out but sometimes I can’t. I noticed one getting really painful and it had a small blob on it but no redness. Do I need antibiotics for this? Nicole, Romford AA reaction around the foreign body causes pus formation (made of dead white blood cells, not bacteria) and the pus helps discharge the foreign body. You will only need to consider antibiotics if the redness spreads up the skin. Foot pain just won’t ease off Q I’ve had persistent foot pain for ages and nothing seems to really…

Pick Me Up! VALUE £1 £2 £3 1 M&S Vampire Fangs, £2 These cheese-flavoured corn snacks are crunchy and moreishly tasty. The vampire-fang shape makes them a perfect fun snack for a Halloween party! 2 Asda Pumpkin Crumpets, £1 for a pack of 4 Have a startling start to the day with these creepy crumpets. Best enjoyed toasted with plenty of butter. 3 Iceland Jalapeño Roulette Wheel, £3 A dozen bites made from mozzarella cheese mixed with chillies and covered in a delicious breadcrumb coating. And three of them contain super-hot Carolina Reaper chillies – but which three? PLUS How to whip up your own at home! 19p per serving Make it yourself... Cheesy Broomsticks Serves: 12 Prep Time: 10 min □ 6 slices Dairylea cheese □ 12 pretzel sticks □…

A £1,250 win hours after joining Sammi Evren, 31, Hull Me and my pals always used to go to bingo, and we’d have a right laugh but, over the years, with two kids, I had less time to play. A friend said she’d won £1,000 playing Pick Me Up! Bingo so, last May, I joined. I checked out the games and thought Sapphire – a 90-ball bingo game – was fun. I bought tickets and had a couple of games. A bit later, after tidying up, I had another quick game of bingo. Soon, I needed one number. Then…it came up! Congratulations! flashed a message announcing that I’d won £1,250. I couldn’t wait to tell my hubby, so I called him and yelled down the phone, ‘I’ve won £1,250 on…

BELGIUM: SLASHED LIKE SCREAM ‘He bought a replica Scream outfit, then chose his victim’ Thierry Jaradin was a lonely lorry driver who spent his spare time watching movies. He particularly enjoyed Scream, the terrifying film in which a killer dressed in black robes and a hauntingly ghoulish mask mercilessly slashes his victims to death. But, once the movie ended, Jaradin’s sick imagination kept on running. The 24-year-old Belgian decided to recreate the killings he’d seen on screen, and went out to buy a replica Scream robe and mask. Next, he chose his victim, schoolgirl and neighbour Alisson Cambier, 15. Having invited her over to exchange videotapes, he tried to seduce her. When she rejected him, he saw his opportunity to strike. He went into another room to slip into the…

Kim Wallis, 34, Chelmsford, Essex You’ll see them everywhere this week. Fake ones hanging from ceilings, people dressing up as them... I’m talking about bats. But I don’t find them scary – I reckon they’re cute. My love for all things batty began eight years ago when I volunteered for the Essex Bat Group care network. It’s a local charity that helps rescue sick or injured bats. I’ve loved animals since I was a girl, so it was up my street. And, soon, I became attached to the critters in my care. Often they'd been attacked by cats. Other times they’re like skeletons from lack of food. With my own funds, and public donations, I set up shop in my childhood bedroom! My parents didn’t seem to mind… When I get…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Secrets will stifle you, so speak up and share your worries with the people you trust. A problem shared really is a problem halved this week. Travel plans get exciting, and you start to realise you were living life at half speed. That changes from here on in. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May I know you’ve had a hard few days, but you must embrace the belief that nothing happens to us that we’re not fitted by nature to bear. A new friendship comes with a warning, but remember – everyone’s allowed to have a past. It’s how we learn. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June It’s easy to find happiness when you know what’ll make you happy. Realise this, and…