ANAEL: HOW TO HOST A PERFECT HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Reader Anael has six simple steps to hosting a perfect Halloween party... read on and wow your friends!

Anael says:
Hosting a party doesn't have to be stressful or scary - it's all in the planning, promise!

STEP 1: INVITES
Set a date and venue, and check that with family (or teachers, if you're using a classroom at school) that this is OK with them. Next buy those party invites - the shops have a great selection at this time of year - or design your own, if you're the arty type! Hand out invites the week before the party so your guests can plan their costumes!

STEP 2: DECORATIONS
Even an ordinary living room or classroom can be transformed if you decorate it well. Again, the shops are filled with Halloween themed decos at this time of year, and supermarkets are a great place to gather some budget items. Drape fake spider webs, fairy lights, fake spiders and plastic skeletons from the walls and carve a Halloween pumpkin to set in the window!

STEP 3: FOOD
Make a shopping list - get organised! Stock up on paper plates and cups, cutlery, balloons and perhaps a spooky plastic tablecloth... plus basics like fruit juice, pop, sweets, cakes, popcorn etc. Plan some show-stopper specials like a scary Halloween cake and a spooky blood-red punch - check online or in recipe books for inspiration! Plain shop bought cupcakes can be transformed by icing spiders onto them using shop-bought black icing... easy!

STEP 4: MUSIC
Make a playlist with all your favourite tracks, plus a few scary ones thrown in for fun! Check out Monster Mash, Ringo Starr; Once Upon A Dream, Lana Del Rey; Thriller, Michael Jackson; Black Magic, Little Mix; Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr.

STEP 5: COSTUME
Make your own - or visit your local party shop for inspiration! Witches, corpse brides, black cats, zombies, ghosts and vampires are all popular - or mix it up! Last year I was a witch-vampire-corpse-bride! Check out the CC book MARSHMALLOW SKYE for how to make a ghost girl costume, or CHOCOLATE BOX SECRETS for top Halloween facepaint advice!

STEP 6: FUN!
It's only Halloween once a year... so enjoy it!

(Photos courtesy of Pexels)

Cathy says:
I love this... it's ages since I've done a Halloween party, but maybe this will be the year! Are YOU going to be celebrating this Halloween? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

WHO'S YOUR CC CHARACTER TWIN?

Readers spill the beans on the CC characters they have most in common with... 

Emily says:
I am truly, in every sense of the word, a CC superfan: I have read all the books, have most of them, and (no joke) Skye is totes my twin. When I first read MARSHMALLOW SKYE, both my head and my heart thought they couldn't ever want to be like anyone else, myself included, ever again. I always had empathy for Jodie - I'm a bit of a Summer-basher sometimes, and I think this is because I am almost jealous. Sure, Skye is awesome - I knew she was my favourite sister - but still, I was envious of Summer. She is perfect, whereas I - um - am not. MARSHMALLOW SKYE is my rock, but I love HOPES & DREAMS too, and I am probably more like Jodie than any other character. I would love to see a series all about Rochelle Academy!

Cerys says:
I have lost of favourite characters in CC books, but the character I am most like is Bex from LOVE FROM LEXIE. Bex is just like me... she dyes her hair turquoise and then red, I have had mine purple and silver. Bex loves Doc Marten boots, and I have three pairs, in bright colours and patterns. Bex is hot tempered and fiery and I am also, and yet like Bex I work hard at school and do well in my exams. Bex is in a foster family, and I am not, and she has a pierced nose, and I don't, but we do have lots of things in common. I loved reading about such a strong character and one I was very like. Bex is great and I can't wait for her installment in the LOST & FOUND series (if she has one!)

Louise says:
My CC character twin is probably Jude from SUNDAE GIRL. She is very quiet and worries about what people think of her, but underneath this she is a strong character who is quietly coping with lots of difficult stuff. Well, I don't have a mum who drinks too much or a dad who is an Elvis impersonator but I do live with my grandparents, for different reasons. There are some challenges in my life and I try to be positive about it all but like Jude I find it hard to let people get too close. I also go to a Catholic school and it was nice to see that detail in this story because you don't usually. All that's missing is that I need a secret admirer like Carter... but that's just a matter of time, right?

Millie says:
The CC character I am most like is - this will sound odd - Shay Fletcher from CHERRY CRUSH and the CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS series. OK, he's a boy, but otherwise the similarities are there. Shay is a bit misunderstood and doesn't always get on with his dad, and my dad is strict and moody. Shay is very musical and plays guitar and writes songs, and I play piano and guitar and write poetry, and one day I hope I will write actual songs. Also Shay annoys everyone by finishing with his girlfriend to go out with someone else, and something like this happened to me but with friends. I have been told LOVE FROM LEXIE is about a girl who joins a band and writes songs, so I am getting that book next!

Cathy says:
I love this... so cool! Do YOU have a CC character twin? Who are YOU most like, and why? Tell us all in a COMMENT BELOW!

YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR OCTOBER...

Skye Tanberry here, with your horoscope for October... see if my predictions ring true for you!

LIBRA: Sept 22 - Oct 22
Balance in your life is definitely a good thing... but don’t feel scared if you find yourself in a little bit of chaos... the drama will pass!

SCORPIO: Oct 23 - Nov 21
Helping people is definitely a good thing, as long as you don’t try to control other people’s lives... try to support your friends and listen to their worries, but don't be tempted to interfere too much. They have to make their own choices in life!

SAGITTARIUS: Nov 22 - Dec 21
You're lucky enough to have some great supportive friends around you, but try not to take advantage of the people who offer you help. It’s important to give as well as take... try it and see those friendships deepen.

CAPRICORN: Dec 22 - Jan 19
If things are going well, don’t second guess them, because you will end up creating problems where none exist. Life has some awesome moments up ahead for you - open your eyes and make sure you don't miss them!

AQUARIUS: Jan 20 - Feb 18
The new school year has lost it's novelty and an edge of stress may be creeping in about some aspects of your work. Ask for help if you need it, and keep tje big picture in mind - take every day as it comes and make time for fun as well as study!

PISCES: Feb 19 - Mar 20
If you are feeling cornered or unappreciated by your friends, step back a little and don't give them such a big role in your life. Sometimes, you have to put yourself first and focus on your own happiness.

ARIES: Mar 21 - Apr 20
If you feel an old friend is drifting, make the effort to reach out and keep the bond strong. Yes, you both have busy lives, but a few texts, messages, calls or meet ups can keep things fresh and fun. Don't be scared to make the first move!

TAURUS: Apr 21 - May 20
If someone has gone out of their way to make you happy, let them know how much you appreciate them. Sometimes, a little thanks, can go a long way! A secret admirer has their sights set on you... but are they the person you're dreaming of?

GEMINI: May 21 - Jun 20
It’s good to let go sometimes! Don’t feel scared to put yourself first every now and then and share the work load - asking for help is a sign of strength, y'know! Build in plenty of downtime and fun days with friends to balance the stress!

CANCER: Jun 21 - Jul 21
It’s good to be ambitious, but remember to keep in mind how your actions make other people feel... and take time to make your friends feel valued and loved, too! If you're feeling low as autumn kicks in, make an effort to up your exercise and leisure time. It'll put a smile on your face!

LEO: Jul 22 - Aug 21
Don’t forget about spending time with your friends and family, even if you have a lot on your plate. Try not to jump to conclusions or assume the worst of others... a hasty judgement is rarely a fair one, and may cause real hurt to others.

VIRGO: Aug 22 - Sept 21
If things don’t go according to plan, relax and go with the flow! You may have a set idea of how things should be, but sometimes a little change can work out even better. Adapt and keep moving forward... you may get to your goal even faster!

Cathy says:
Do October's predictions chime for you? Do YOU follow your horoscope avidly, or just see it as a bit of fun? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!