Guest Blog: “Comparative Racism” by Ellen Hawley

Introducing moon child guest blogger: Ellen Hawley!

My name is Ellen Hawley and I am an American living in Britain. I have published three novels: The Divorce Diet (Kensington Press; 2015), Open Line (Coffee House Press; 2008), and Trip Sheets (Milkweed Editions; 1998).

I blog at Notes from the U.K. and have worked as an editor, a cab driver, a radio talk show host, a janitor, an assembler, a file clerk, and for four fun-filled hours a receptionist. I have also taught writing. I have never worked as a lion tamer and, at this stage in life, I am unlikely to.

You can also follow Ellen’s work on her website.

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“Comparative Racism” by Ellen Hawley

For better and for worse, the US has a reputation. Big cars, loud voices, outsize promises. It’s the place British writers send a character when they can’t resolve his or her situation at home and they’re not willing to write a tragic ending. It promises freedom, opportunity, vast stretches of land. And – oops – racism. We’re known for that too.

I say “we” because although I live in Cornwall and have become a British citizen, I was born and raised in the U.S. Ask me my nationality and the odds are I’ll say “American” before I remember that I have two.

Our American version of original sin was stealing the land from the Native Americans, and we compounded that by basing our developing economy on slavery. But injustice is never stable, so we needed laws, police forces, armies, vigilante groups, everyday beliefs, and religious interpretations to keep all the pieces—and the people—in their places. Racism sank it roots deep into our culture and our consciousness. Hundreds of years later, no one grows up there unaffected by it.

All of which you may already know. I don’t know you and it’s hard to know where to start anyway. The topic’s huge. I’ve started this essay three times already. Even a small chunk of the topic is more than I can do justice to. Sophie lives in Scotland, though, and asked me what racism’s like in the U.S. Since I don’t know where you – her readers – live, I’ll address her question as best I can and hope it’s of some use to you.

What’s the U.S. like now that we’re all officially free and equal? The laws designed to keep the races separate and unequal have been repealed and the army no longer fights the Native American tribes, but we live with our history. Here’s a quick and wildly incomplete report.

Back in the mid-1960s when I went out with a black man (I’m white), heads turned when we walked down the street. Literally: If I looked behind us, I’d often find that people had turned to stare once they thought we wouldn’t notice. Some didn’t wait that long. And that was in cosmopolitan New York. In parts of the South, he could easily have been killed for going out with me. Or walking down the street with me, regardless of what our relationship was or wasn’t.

Today. the shock is gone and the physical threat is gone. White families that would once have turned their backs on a mixed-race descendant now include and treasure them. (I use the phrases race and mixed race for lack of anything better; race is a myth, and I know it.) In some families that happened easily and in others it was a battle, but it happened all the same. I’m sure a few families are exceptions, but I’d bet not that many. Of the ones who include and treasure, not all are wise enough to do it well, but change is never smooth and easy, and this is a change. A small but also a huge one.

Times change, and it’s always personal.

I should add that my experience comes from the North. Parts of the South may not have gotten around to taking it in their stride yet.

Another thing that’s changed is that racial name calling now carries a social stigma and people who indulge in it complain about that, waving the banner of free speech; although the people shutting them up are exercising their free speech as surely as the name-callers are. Nothing in the Constitution guarantees the right to not hear it from other people when they think you’re an asshole. What the Constitution says about free speech is that Congress shall make no law abridging it. It’s not Congress that’s holding the name-callers back, it’s public opinion, and that really, really pisses them off.

But in spite the changes in law and culture, the average income of blacks and Native Americans is far lower than that of whites. Segregation of schools and neighborhoods continues, although no law enforces it. Some horrifying percent of young black men are in prison, and having been convicted of felonies will never vote or get a decent job (if they ever had one to begin with) again. Blacks are more likely to be stopped by the police, beaten by the police, killed by the police, and charged with more serious offenses for the same cause. Forgive me if I don’t trot out statistics. I’m a disaster with numbers. If you want them, they’re there to be found.

Not that many years ago, someone did a study of hiring practices by sending out two versions of the same resumes, one with a name that sounded African-American, the other with one that could assume was white. Guess which one wasn’t offered an interview? I don’t know how many they sent out – again, you don’t want to trust me around numbers – but enough to see a pattern.

We’re none of us out from under the shadow.

So we have a body of black people who don’t see any way to get at the American dream. Predictably, they’re angry. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s raised hopes and changed some things, but not enough. When the tide of hope receded, it left a ring of bitterness. Do you know the Langston Hughes poem: What Happens to a Dream Deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

If you’re white, you can live your entire life in the same country and never know what it’s like to live there in a black or brown skin, and you can manage not to know what they’re so angry about. Slavery ended a long time ago. What’s their problem?

I sound like I’m being a wise-ass there. I am a wise-ass, but I’ve seen those words, written in not quite that order. As a serious question or statement.

We also have a body of whites who feel aggrieved by what has changed. They can’t forgive Obama for being (a) black and (b) the president. Some of them will say that outright and others won’t, but either way he just drives them nuts. Their sense of grievance is wider and deeper than just Obama, but that’s enough to give you a sense of it. Huge topic. Limited space. We’ll stop with that one example. When a group loses its privileged position – or even a small part of it – its members aren’t all going to smile and say, “Well, that’s a relief” – although an enlightened few may.

You’ve heard about the young black man shot by the police in Ferguson, Missouri, and about the fury that sparked. You may have heard about Trayvon Martin, an unarmed seventeen-year-old, shot by a vigilante who, having been charged with second-degree murder, was acquitted. The list goes on. With social media, suddenly it’s possible to track these incidents, to put them together, to start a #BlackLivesMatter movement. That’s part of the American reality. It’s not new, but the wider world is finally hearing about it.

Sophie asks if the U.S. is being demonized (actually, she said “demonised”) by the media stories. I wouldn’t say so. What you’re reading and hearing is true. We’re talking about a country built over a deep pool of bitterness, and we live at a time when it’s found a way to the surface. It’s not a pretty sight, but then it’s not a pretty reality. Making it visible may – just may – mean we stand any chance of changing a few more things.

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A few words from the primary blogger – I chose to feature a piece by Ellen because I found her work, particularly her blog post on the Cornwall Gay Pride, to be truly fascinating, intelligent and sophisticated. Ellen’s writing has an exceptional way of reveering the reader; to open their mind to new perspectives they may not have considered.

After talking with Ellen, we decided that a piece on comparative racism would make an interesting guest blog post and this piece is truly excellent. It begs a lot of questions about not only racism in America but racism all around the world, and furthermore encourages the reader ponder on their own humanity. This piece is very sobering, evocative and thought-provoking, and I can’t thank Ellen enough for allowing this piece to be featured on ‘moon child’.

Featured image courtesy of Ted Eytan via Flickr.

If you’d like to guest blog for ‘moon child’, visit the guest blogging page for more information.

Guest Blog: “YOUniversity Living” by Rachael Procter

Introducing moon child guest blogger: Rachael Procter!

I am a 20-year-old student of English, creative writing and journalism at the University of Strathclyde. With a passion for the written word, I currently contribute to four student magazines and occupy the role of Features editor the Strathclyde Telegraph. My love of stationery has inspired me to start a stationery blog where I find comfort in writing about really, really sad things – like nice pens, Filofaxes and uniformly highlighted pieces of paper.

You can follow Rachael’s work on Twitter, Facebook and on her WordPress blog: Rachael Rites.

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“YOUniversity Living” by Rachael Procter

There are many ways in which I feel I am different – and not in the obnoxious sense, before I begin.

Back in high school when I turned 18 – the first to legally enter the realm of intoxication among a group of beer-thirsty 17-year-olds – I wanted for nothing more than the consistent peer pressure to stop. As a public transport enthusiast, lacking all intentions to begin driving lessons in the foreseeable future, I did not possess a provisional licence before my 17^th birthday like the majority of my friends. And so, when greeted by scrunched noses and abuse upon rejecting any queries involving the borrowing of my passport for I.D. (yes, my ticket out of here), I laughed them off and focused my attention on what really mattered to me: getting into university.

I’m aware of the multiple forms of motivation surrounding university living: the flat which, with the help of your best friends, will provide the location for every bored Saturday night to come; the attractive singles, clearly distinguished, looking for someone special; the drinks promotions in every club within the university vicinity; the student discounts… However, there is one more factor of university which will not go unnoticed, for entry into a prestigious learning ground – where no one even knows your name – entitles you be one thing that can’t be documented on Facebook for the world to see: a complete and utter stationery guru!

Matching pens, matching folders, Filofaxes, the laptop of your learning, the notebooks to scrawl a hundred references… The creative possibilities of even the most factual of course notes are endless and inspiring. You’ll find yourself dwelling over shelves in warm second-hand bookstores with a hot drink in your hand, tips peeping out of your fingerless gloves red raw from carrying heavy bags of shopping.

These tiny, priceless moments are what excite me the most about university, and I want you to appreciate what you’ll really miss after you graduate. Therefore, I have devised a list of everything you could possibly need to help you make the most of it while you can:

A Filofax to prevent time wasting

I swear by my Filofax to keep me in check. I review a lot of shows and also have editorial meetings with magazines on top of social events and university coursework. There’s a modern saying being thrown about today that we have the same hours in our day as Beyonce, and while you might not worship Beyonce (you’e speaking to a Taylor Swift lady here) whoever coined this phrase has a point.

Take this advice: write down everything you need to do the next day, get up early and do it a little at a time, every single day. You won’t need to worry about writing your essays when you know you’ve scheduled in an hour’s work in a few days’ time. After all, no one likes a surprise assignment. Actually, it might puzzle you to learn that there’s generally nothing “surprising” about them.

Most universities provide deadlines at the beginning of term, so write them down in your diary beside every social gathering, birthday party, family occasion, potential ‘date night’, pamper and study session you’re going to give yourself to make sure that you: 1. don’t double book 2. get a balance. You have more time than you think.

A flask to save you buying liquids

In winter, I take soup on the train to university. I simply heat it up in the morning, put it in my flask and carry it in the faith that it will stay warm until lunchtime. This saves me buying expensive and unfulfilling sandwiches at the university canteens. Also, take your own coffee and take it to lectures with you, if that appeals.

You’ll save time and pennies if you’re not having to stop at a brewery every day on the way to class. Did you know that if you bring your own cup and tea bag/sachet of hot drink almost every café, coffee shop and canteen will fill it with hot water for around 20p? I didn’t. Doesn’t that sound much better than £1.95 for a flavour you don’t even drink at home?

A rucksack to take the weight off your shoulders

Rucksacks are practical, usually waterproof and much more comfortable to wear than messenger bags. Across-the-body bags put strain on your shoulders if their heavy whereas wearing a rucksack diverts much of the weight onto your back, where your muscles are strongest.

Another reason to invest in a good bag is that backpacks come in a variety of styles, sizes and patterns and have many more useful features, for example: a water bottle pouch, an earphone socket, a build in laptop sleeve and various zipped pouches to separate books, folders, stationery and cables.

Tote bags because we pay for shitty, plastic alternatives now

One thing you might not consider about university is how much shopping you will find yourself doing – especially if your survival is riding on your weekly food shop. Buy cheap, cotton tote bags to avoid plastic failure whilst taking your groceries on public transport. Supermarket ‘bags for life’ only hold so much so more durable options are becoming a fact of life. They come in the sweetest designs, too, and roll up nicely in your bag.

A trusty pair of kicks to keep your toes smiling

As a student, likely on a budget, you’ll find that the power of your legs has never been more valued. Many university campuses are situated out with amenities and clubs, bars and restaurants. Or, like is the case with my uni (the University of Strathclyde), universities well within the city centre are often situated atop steep slopes and far outside of the main shopping routes. Buy yourself a decent pair of shoes to avoid blisters and actually enjoy your days studying. The prospect of stewing in a library all day is motivationally poisoning enough without having the physical pain of blisters.

A cash book to track spending

This speaks for itself: keep on top of your finances. Make sure you know what’s coming in and what’s going out, and then use what you have left for disposable income.

A corkboard to reminisce

Buy a pinboard and decorate it with items from your studies as if to make yourself a scrapbook to look back on in years to come. Include things like: Polaroid pictures, gig tickets, club wristbands, leaflets from your favourite restaurants, badges, inspirational quotes and good feedback from tutors. It may all smell like regrets and beer but these years are the best in your whole life. Take everything with both hands and be thankful you had them.

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A few words from the primary blogger – I chose to feature Rachael’s work because both her fiction and journalistic articles make for superb reading but I particularly love Rachael’s kitchy, stationary pieces. I think this post is the perfect little lifestyle and stationary guide for students starting college/university in the coming days and weeks. If we were all as organised as Rachael, studying would be so much easier.

Featured image couresty of Thomas Huang via Flickr.

If you’d like to guest blog for ‘moon child’, visit the guest blogging page for more information.

Sophie’s Choice: Film Preview for Autumn/Winter 2015

Published by Student Rag.

Here is my pick of the best films coming out in the coming months. Make sure you pop down to the cinema and snuggle up with some popcorn and a Tango Iceblast and see…

Legend – Certificate 18 – Release Date: September 9

Following the superb telling of the lives of Kray twins portrayed by brothers Martin and Gary Kemp in the 1990 film, the story of the infamous identical twins and gangland figures Reginald and Ronald Kray is being interpreted in film once again but, this time, with a twist.

Rather than having brothers or, better yet, identical twins, playing the dangerous duo, the writer and director of Legend, Brian Heldgeland, has instead opted to have one actor alternating between both roles. Enter: Tom Hardy as the notorious gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

The British crime thriller is based on the book ‘The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins’ by John Pearson which tells the chronicle of the deadly brothers’ intense relationship and childhood up until their reign of terror over East End London in the 1960s and their downfall.

Legend will focus on the life of Reggie Kray and his struggle to control his brother Ronnie’s psychotic and violent tendencies while maintaining the Krays’ mobster status, dodging the police and dealing with their enemies.

For fans of The Godfather, Goodfellas, Scarface and other gangland epics, Legend should be top of your list of films to see at the cinema this month.

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The Visit – Certificate 15 – Release Date: September 9

‘The Visit’, an American horror comedy film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, follows siblings Rebecca and Tyler as their mum leaves them with their grandparents for the first time. But as time goes on, the brother and sister begin to notice that there’s something strange and grandma and grandpa as they are warned not to leave their rooms after 9.30pm but when they do, they find sweet ol’ grandma frantically scratching a door until her hands are bloody, as you do.

As they plead with their mum on video chat to come and get them, they are met with the typical “you’re imagining it, everything is fine” horror movie response and have to endure their grandparents increasingly disturbing behaviour. Both horror and comedy buffs will love this film!

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Victor Frankenstein – Certificate PG-13 – Release Date: 4 December

‘Frankenstein’ is a legendary tale that has been retold and adapted in film over and over again. But, this time around, American filmmakers have interpreted contemporary adaptations of Mary Shelley’s globally renowned 1818 novel and shifted the perspective from the doctor to his helper. Starring James McAvoy as the title character and Daniel Radcliffe as the doctor’s faithful helper, the film is told from Igor’s perspective, showing the troubled young assistant’s dark origins and motives, his loyal but conflicted relationship with the young medical student Victor Frankenstein and his eyewitness account of how Frankenstein managed to animate death back into life and succeed in his mission to create a man after his own image.

The pair’s unethical experiments eventually come back to haunt them as they are hunted down by monsters and police alike as they lose control of the creation they ignited with life.

The tale warning of the dangers of scientific experimentation and ‘playing God’ is a timeless classic that always seems to contain elements that are relevant to modern science and life today. This revamped take on a gothic horror classic will no doubt by a huge hit with Frankenstein fanatics.

Guest Blog: “Lego” by Georgia Wilkinson

Introducing moon child‘s first guest blogger: Georgia Wilkinson!

I am a 19-year-old student going into my third year at Strathclyde University, where I study English Literature with Creative Writing. Originally from Fife, I now live in Glasgow during term time. I write on a freelance basis for my university newspaper, The Strathclyde Telegraph, as well as CultNoise magazine, and I frequently publish other reviews and more creative writing pieces. I currently run two blogs, Georgia Can’t Shut Up where I publish a range of my writing, and Our Girl In Otago, where you can follow my upcoming exchange to Dunedin, New Zealand.

You can follow Georgia’s work on Twitter and Tumblr too!

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“Lego” By Georgia Wilkinson

While clearing out my brother’s room, we found the greatest of all toys; a big massive box of Lego. As my 15-year-old, too-cool-for-anything-that-isn’t-Xbox-or-WWE brother slouched off, muttering darkly about his dork of a sister, I dived in squealing. Because Lego is the best toy ever.

I don’t say that lightly. There are many excellent toys – Tamagotchies, Rubix Cubes, Transformers, the list goes on – but none of them even come close to Lego. And here’s why.

Refugees Welcome: The People Have Spoken

Published by CultNoise Magazine.

Today, David Cameron finally bowed to the overwhelming public outcry, and immense national and international pressure urging Britain to do more to help in the Syrian refugee crisis.

Following the shocking image that went viral this week of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi who drowned and was washed up on a beach in Turkey as his family tried to flee to the Greek island of Kos, the British Prime Minister announced that Britain will act “with our head and our heart” and “accept thousands more” Syrians from refugee camps in countries bordering Syrian; in the hope that this move will discourage Syrians from taking the treacherous journey to Europe on boats organised by people smugglers which has already resulted in thousands of deaths at sea.

The disturbing and tragic image of Aylan Kurdi, who was buried in his hometown of Kobani today, and the story of the 71 refugees found dead in a lorry abandoned on an Austrian motorway this month have galvanized public interest in the urgency and scale the Syrian refugee crisis, sparked by the Syrian civil war which initially began in 2011.

While many have taken to social media to share their feelings of disgust that an image of a dead child was being “politicized” and that the use of such a photograph is “disrespectful”, these comments only illuminate how misdirected and ignorant attitudes in Britain still are in relation to this crisis.

The mere fact that such a young child like Kurdi and his five-year-old brother Galip and their mother Rehan were forced into a situation where they had to flee their home and seek asylum by embarking on a dangerous and unpredictable journey that resulted in their harrowing deaths is the part of this story that warrants a public outcry. The fact that this harrowing event was allowed to happen in the first place is what deserves to be acknowledged. The use of this, albeit disturbing, image does not deserve public angry in comparison with the suffering of tens of thousands of refugees. It is the crisis itself and the inaction to stop it that deserves public outrage – not a photograph.

While many have praised Britain’s role in proving aid and opening its doors to Syrian refugees, others have criticized the slow response and have said that accepting thousands rather than tens of thousands of refugees is simply not enough.

What remains clear is that much more must be done on a global scale to ease the suffering of refugees and we all have a part to play. It is now the time to put our religious and political differences aside and look within ourselves to find our compassion and humanity, and to recognize that this is not a migrant crisis – it is a humanitarian crisis.

It is the moral responsibility of all of us as citizens of developed countries to implore world leaders to act now. It is of paramount importance that we collect donations, raise awareness, hold vigils and demonstrations and shout about this issue until our voices are heard; until leaders around the world listen to the people. This is a time to temporarily forget about the rigidness of policies, legislation and formalities, and to acknowledge that this is the biggest and most devastating refugee crisis since the second World War.

At one time, there were thousands of Britons in need who sent their children, sometimes thousands of, miles away to the countryside and rural towns to escape the danger in the cities during WW2. We seem to have forgotten that at one time, Britons were seeking help and safety just as the Syrians and refugees from other nations are today, which is all the more reason to have empathy and compassion; and to offer help in the form of our various resources from donations and aid to welcoming refugees who want nothing more than safety, freedom and peace.

Image courtesy of Eoghan Rice / Trocaire via Flickr.

It is the time to dispel ignorance, racism and selfishness, and to instead offer help and support to those who need it most. The millions of people in Syria and other countries struggling in conflict and poverty are not just refugees or asylum seekers; they are human beings. They are people just like you and I with their own families, hopes, ambitions, dreams and sorrows, and they desperately need to be greeted with compassion and, above all, help.

A crisis of this scale is never going to be solved over night. There is only so much that any one country can do to help relieve the suffering of the refugees of the Syrian civil war. The solution to this crisis remains unclear, but what is clear, is that we should be doing more to help.

To contribute to the relief efforts, you can: gather clothes, shoes and toiletries to take down to your local collection point to donate; donate money through Oxfam or Save the Children; fundraise yourself; buy an item on the Amazon wish list for donation to refugees in Calais and Greece; donate directly to the relief efforts in Calais; attend a vigil in your city (Glasgow has sparked a series of “Sees Syria” events around the country); or anything at all that you can manage to do – every act of charity, no matter how small, will help.

No human being is illegal. Let’s create a world without borders. Refugees welcome.

What are your thoughts of the refugee crisis? Let us know in the comments section below.

Featured image courtesy of Haeferl via Wikipedia.

Header image courtesy of Leif Hinrichsen via Flickr.

7 Reasons to Love Hermione Granger

Published by CultNoise Magazine.

Growing up watching the Harry Potter series, Hermione was unsurprisingly one of my all time favourite characters. Having someone – albeit a fictional character – to look up to who showed that you could still be funny, friendly, pretty, brave and clever all in one go was something that hadn’t been shown to girls so much in other fandoms. So, naturally, I loved everything about little Miss Granger. Here are my pick of seven reasons to love Hogwarts most famous insufferable know-it-all, Hermione Granger:

1. She may be a bookworm but she knows what’s really important

Remember this scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when Harry is about to go off on his own to face what he thinks could be his sticky end? Instead of blushing at Harry’s compliments, Hermione reminds him that there are more important things in life than having your head stuck in a book. She reminds him that friendship and bravery are fundamental qualities, both of which Harry has in bucket loads. She also builds Harry up, encourages him and makes sure he knows how much of a great wizard he really is. She’s just great, isn’t she?

2. She’s a clever cookie

Aside from showing young girls that you can study hard, be a bit of a geek and still be fab, Hermione also has intuition as well as brains. She often picks up on things that Harry and Ron miss and is able to solve puzzles with minimal clues. Ron’s right – they wouldn’t last two days without Hermione.

3. She isn’t afraid to stand up for herself

I’m not condoning violence or anything (although Draco did kind of deserve this one and it was “bloody brilliant” as Ron would say) but you have to admit it’s a great that Hermione sticks up for herself and what she believes in. She shows that you can still be polite and appropriate when need be but that doesn’t mean you should ever let someone walk all over you. Hermione isn’t afraid to speak her mind and call people out for being mean or disrespectful and this is definitely a reason to love her.

4. She is a true friend

Hermione is always there for her friends, whether it’s to help Ron out with late homework or to assist Harry in working out the latest trail of puzzles left behind by the Dark Arts seeking to harm him; she’s always there for them and always tries to keep them safe (like when she saved Harry from the tampered-with broomstick during his first Quidditch game in first year). Even when Harry decided to give himself up to Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Hermione offered to go with him and be with him right until the end.

5. She is brave

Being caught in the middle in situations that would make anyone else crumble and cry like a baby (e.g. getting trapped in Devil’s Snare, facing Death Eaters, being tortured by Bellatrix and fighting against the Dark Lord himself), Hermione is shows courage. She shows that it isn’t just the boys who can get down and dirty in fights with the strange and dangerous demons from the Dark Arts, but that girls can put up a fight too. Hermione might not have super powers or a costume with a cape but she is a great example of a female superhero.

6. She’s funny, even without trying to be

“Emotional range of a teaspoon” is one of my favourites of Hermione’s often unintentional one liners. Hermione might be clever and serious most of the time but she also has a sense of humour and knows how to be silly and have fun.

7. She’s got sass

“…Or worse, expelled.” This iconic Hermione quote may show that she “needs to sort out her priorities” but it also shows how sassy Hermione is and that she doesn’t care what anyone else thinks about her or her geekiness.

Hermione is definitely someone worth looking up to and sticking a picture of up on your wall with the caption “role model”. She’s a bit of a feminist icon for children’s literature and she’s the brightest witch of her age. What’s not to love?

Who is your favourite Harry Potter character and why? Let us know in the comments section below.

Featured image image courtesy of Jim Kay via Scholastic.

Top 5 ‘Harry Potter’ Gifts for Your Favourite Muggle

Published by CultNoise Magazine.

With everything from Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans to Remembralls and books on Advanced Potion Making, the various sweets, treats, knickknacks and accessories from the Harry Potter series have captured the imagination of an entire generation of youngsters and adults alike.

We may never be able to truly experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (but I remain hopeful that it is real), so having some prized props, toys and accessories from the series is about as close as we will get. Here is our list of the top five best Harry Potter gifts perfect for your favourite muggle:

1. Albus Dumbledore Pop! Vinyl Figure, £10.99 from Zavvi

Pop! Vinyl figurines have taken over as the cool new thing to have in association with your favourite fandom whether it’s Game of Thrones, Disney or Marvel so it’s only fair that our favourite Harry Potter characters are immorilised in adorable, tiny form too. Look how cute Dumbledore is!

2. Set of Three A5 Harry Potter Notebooks, £10 from Literary Emporoium

With this handmade Harry Potter stationary from Literary Emporium on etsy.com, you can now pretend you’re Hermione studying Advanced Spells and hope that her magical presence will inspire you in your two-hour-long, soul-destroying Maths class on a drizzly Muggle Monday morning. Having these notebooks will definitely brighten your day!

3. Personalised Harry Potter Hogwarts Acceptance Letter Gift Set, £8.99 from wizardingwaresuk

This has got to be the perfect gift for any die hard Harry Potter fan, right?  With this gift set, you will receive a personalised acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (dream come true!) with a wax stamp on your customised envelope, your very own Marauders Map, a Hogwarts equipment list, a letter from the Ministry of Magic explaining that owl post is currently down due to several muggle sightings of them (adds an extra little touch of magic, don’t you think?), a Hogwarts Express train ticket for Platform 9¾ and a Knight Bus ticket.

Everything you need to start a new school year at Hogwarts. What more could you want?

4. Hermione’s Time Turner Necklace, £54.95 from Harrods

This particular Harry Potter gift might be a bit pricey but, come on, you could have your very own Time Turner! Wouldn’t this come in handy for all those times you forgot to do your Potions class homework and needed to travel through time back to two days before to get it done or that time you slipped in the middle of the Great Hall during a huge feast and longed to be able to time travel back to five minutes before so you could dodge that spill on the floor? It’s practical as well as pretty!

If only it really worked. *Sigh*

5. The Harry Potter Book Handbag, £44.99 from BagsyMeFirst

Handmade, customised gifts are always the best and this ingenious Harry Potter book purse from etsy.com is no exception! And if you’re feeling a bit do-it-yourself, why not have a stab at making your own? What a great way to recycle your old books!

The hole that the Harry Potter series has left behind since the release of the final film installment Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 may never truly be filled. But at least we can still revel in the magical world with these inventive and adorable muggle gifts.

Which Harry Potter gift is your favourite? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Featured image courtesy of lozikiki via Flickr.

Header image courtesy of Sophie McNaughton.

Sophie’s Scran: Blogger Event at Jamie’s Italian, Glasgow

Eatery: Jamie’s Italian, Glasgow

Date: 26/8/2015

Free food, cocktails and a goodie bag? I’m there!

Last Thursday, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to pop along to Jamie’s Italian (Jamie Oliver’s restaurant) at George Square in Glasgow for a Blogger Event with lots of tasters, samples and assorted goodies!

On arrival at Jamie’s Italian, my friend Heather (my designated driver and my “I’m here for the freebies” pal) and I received a warm welcome as we were greeted by the restaurant staff and offered a choice of some complimentary fruit infused water or Prosecco. Being more of a whisky and bourbon kinda gal, I opted for the water.

We were then shown to a table while the other bloggers and G-town socialites trickled in one after another; ready to get stuck into a night of nibbles and cocktails.

As soon as everyone arrived, it was time for food! As we sat – tummy’s rumbling and mouths watering – the waiting staff brought out our first selection of nibbles and canapes in the form of Jamie’s famous planks filled with an array of meats including bacon and spicy chorizo, olives, cheese and crackers, coldslaw and goats cheese.

Our first ‘plank’ of treats!

Bacon, spicy chorizo and more!

I think serving food on planks in this way is an excellent idea because everyone was able to dabble and try a variety of different things without having to fight over plates being passed around like a game of pass the parcel.

The meats in particular were excellent; providing a cool, light and spiced balance in between the powerful flavours of the goats cheese and the strong cheddar on the crackers.

After our first taste of Jamie Oliver’s delectable dishes came a short demo where we learned some new things about Jamie’s Italian including: the restaurant’s close relationships with local farmers and suppliers where they source quality local produce, how every piece of pasta is made fresh everyday in the restaurant’s kitchen by executive chefs, and a new “sugar tax” being introduced in the restaurant chain where 10p extra is charged for every drink containing added sugar; the money raised from which will be used to fund and promote healthy eating education.

Learning all about Jamie’s Italian during the demo. “Welcome Jamie’s Italian Bloggers!”

After the short talk, it was time to get back to the good stuff – food! This time round, we were given the choice of a wider variety of some of Jamie’s Italian’s most popular dishes including: truffle risotto, chicken liver pate, burger sliders, and much more.

Chicken liver patte and truffle risotto.

The burger sliders (or baby burgers, as I liked to call them) were served with lettuce, tomato, caralemised onion, pickled chillies, gherkins, rashers of smoked streaky bacon and a beef patty with ketchup inside a teeny tiny toasted bun. Isn’t it amazing how many yummy goodness they can fit into one toaty burger? Delish!

But by far my favourite dish from Jamie’s Italian (which I was sadly unable to get a picture of since they were being passed around from table and table and nabbed quicker than anything else) was the courgettes in a light, crispy batter; served alongside chilly jam.

As anyone who knows me well will know, I’m a little bit of a fussy eater, shall we say, so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this dish. But, somehow, Jamie Oliver has managed to turn those dreaded greens that nobody wants to eat into tasty little bites that become more and more addictive with every mouthful.

Eating the battered courgettes, it was hard to believe I was actually eating vegetables as they had a fragrant, spiced and almost fish-like flavour that together with the jam created the perfect starter. I could have sat and ate the whole plate but, sadly, I had to learn to share and pass the dish along.

After I managed to tear myself away from the courgette plate, it was time for dessert! Introducing: *drumroll* the Epic Brownies served with strawberries, chocolate sauce, caramelised popcorn, crème fraîche and meringue.

I love brownies but, like most people, I often find that they’re so heavy and indulgent that you’re waving a little white flag of surrender after only a few (giant) mouthfuls. But Jamie Oliver’s Epic Brownies were little squares of heaven. While the flavour was still rich with chocolaty depth, the texture was light and airy and the contrast between the brownie itself and the fresh, lemon-zested crème fraîche and the creamy, cool chocolate sauce balanced the flavours to create a pretty much perfect miniature dessert.

After our yummy pudding, it was cocktail time! Over at the bar, two cheeky chappy bartenders showed us the ropes and demonstrated how to create Jamie’s Italian’s most popular cocktails and mocktails.

Long Island ice tea and a fruity mocktail.

A Sicilian daiquiri.

One of my favourites of the cocktails we tried was: the Solero. Yes, that’s right – just like the ice cream. This cocktail basically is a melted Solero in a glass with some alcohol mixed it and it is just as yummy as the ice lolly. I’d highly recommend this drink!

The Solero with passion fruit garnish.

After seeing how the pros do it, we had the chance to jump behind the bar and try it for ourselves. So when it was my turn to play barmaid, I created my very own cocktail. I give you: The Sophie (very original title, I know). Ingredients: Jack Daniels, Amaretto, lychee juice, lemon and lime. It’s not too shabby if I do say so myself.

The Sophie!

After a lovely night at Jamie’s Italian, we left with smiling faces and full tummies as well as a goodie bag including a copy of Jamie Oliver’s new cookbook: Jamie’s Great Britain.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the food and drinks serviced at #JamiesGlasgow Blogger Event and I can’t wait to go back to the restaurant so sample some more of Jamie’s delightful delicacies.

My rating: 5/5

You can also view my review of Jamie’s Italian on the Scotcampus website. A big thank you to Scotcampus for choosing me to rep for the magazine at this event.

Would you like me to review your eatery? Contact me at sophiemcnaughton.xo@outlook.com

Images by Sophie McNaughton. Taken with iPhone 5c.