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JK Rowling released Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone back in 1997, and it blew all of our minds with magical creatures, spells and characters which will live on forever. 

The book series and film franchise are showing no signs of losing popularity, with young and old fans alike re-watching the movies, re-reading the books and visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as often as they can.

If this isn't enough magic for you, Aldi have just released their Harry Potter range, and it's truly amazing as well as offering products which won't break the Gringotts bank.

From Harry Potter notebooks and pencil cases with Hogwarts crest designs for €2.99 each, Top Trumps cards at €3.99 each and crochet kits for just €4.99; The range has something for everyone.

Knit your very own Hogwarts house scarf or hat with Aldi's Harry Potter knit kit, including needles and yarn, for just €4.99.

Imagine strutting into school sporting one of these Hogwarts bags? We absolutely adore these designs, and can't believe how low the prices are.

Children's character shorty pyjamas are only €4.99 with four gorgeous designs are also available, as well as drinks assortments, lunch bags at €5.99 and buckle bags for €12.99 each.

Just look at those colourful duvet sets, we're in love with each one and they're only €14.99 for the single sets (including pillowcase) and €16.99 for the double version. 

The light painting wand, collector-quality replicas, are based on the original film props and are the perfect way to cast your Expecto Patronum spells. With an ultra-bright LED tip, we can't believe they're just €14.99. Choose between the Elder Wand, Hermione or Harry Potter.

Aldi's range of Official Harry Potter interiors, accessories, home-wear and games are on sale in all 137 stores nationwide from Sunday, May 19. Grab your broomstick and get down there before it sells out.

Feature image: Nerdist

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As the wind howls and the clouds threaten rain at any moment – this Friday looks like a cosy night-in.

Although the weather might be a bit shocking, it isn't all bad news.

The Late Late Show has some quality guests that are about to grace its couch, including a Harry Potter legend.

All the Potterheads will know Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood, and the actress will be having a chat with Ryan this Friday evening.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The pair will be discussing how as a teenager, she was catapulted into worldwide fame when she was cast as the Hogwarts student.

And they'll also be having a natter about Evanna dancing her way into hearts of million as a finalist on the US version of Dancing With The Stars – that's our gal. 

Joining the HP legend is athletics champion Sonia O’Sullivan, along with her daughter Sophie.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody will be chatting to Ryan about life back on the road, as the band have released a new album after a seven year hiatus.

So now you have the perfect excuse to cancel on those Friday night plans.

Throw on the pjs, grab a hot water bottle and put the feet up with some quality entertainment after a long week.

 

Feature Image credit: Warner Bros/Everett Collection.

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Irish actress Evanna Lynch, known for playing Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter franchise, lost out in the US Dancing With The Stars final despite receiving a perfect score last night.

Despite missing out on the glitterball trophy, the 7-year-old actress received numerous special good luck messages from her former co-stars.

"Evanna, you are in the final! Can we just say this again? You are in the final. I am so proud of you. We love you. We are rooting for you. Kill it tonight, girl," Emma Watson shared in a video wishing her luck.

Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, joked about their differing Hogwarts houses: "Despite all of our differences at Hogwarts, I want to wish you all the very best tonight!"

Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, James Phelps, Katie Leung, and Neville Longbottom himself Matthew Lewis all shared good luck messages to Evanna as she headed into the finals of the popular US dance show.

J.K. Rowling also cheered on the actress: “Best of luck, Evanna. Hope you win!” Rowling had been a huge support to Lynch during her adolescence.

Radio personality Bobby Bones was eventually crowned winner, each of the four contestants were tasked with performing two dances: Firstly their most memorable from the season, and then a freestyle performance.

Judge Bruno Tonioli  gave Evanna's dance with partner Keo Motsepe high praise, saying; "It was bright, it was colourful, it was quirky."

The duo received a 30 out of 30 for the dance, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to get Evanna the crown.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Could she not have just used her wand and chanted "Accio trophy" though? 

Evanna had been the favourite to take the trophy, but either way, she did the Irish (and Gryffindor) proud on the stage.

Mischief managed, we say.

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Magic makeup bags are definitely one of the best inventions to come out of the beauty industry this year. 

It's a fairly nifty little contraption – a makeup bag that uses a drawstring to contain all of your makeup while also giving you the freedom to open the bag up wide and see all your bits. 

There's nothing worse than scrabbling around the bottom of  your makeup bag looking for your eyelash glue or pot of concealer, and these magic bags rectify that issue. 

As always, Penneys is ahead of the curve and has hopped on the trend. 

As pointed out by a particular former blogger gossip page, the bags can be purchased from wholesalers, but that process involves ordering the bags in from far-flung countries which take months to arrive, or, you can get them from overprices beauty boutiques.

To be frank, the Penneys version is much higher quality and equally as affordable. 

The bags come in at a steal, for just €4.00. 

Ideal for travelling or gals with a lot of makeup who like to see it all clearly and in the one place, the bags are dead handy.  

They're the perfect stocking filler for the beauty junkie in your life, and we know it's ages until Christmas, but we advise snapping one up soon before they fly off the shelves.

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“I really love that I grew up in such a nature based way. My mother has such a great imagination, we would go for a walk in the woods and she’d be like ‘let’s go look for fairies.’”

Julia Harley Francisco-Simoes, a stop motion animator from Boston, has some rather unique artistic influences.

“I like my art to be weird-fantasy. I’m definitely influenced by Wicca.”

As well as being a full-time art and design student, she is also a practising witch. No, I don't mean the Harry Potter kind. She's a Wiccan, a modern form of spirituality rooted in pagan beliefs. 

Julia, who was born in Portugal and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, grew up surrounded by magic with a Wiccan mother. 

 

XD rawr

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“It was quite cool and secretive; she would go with her girlfriends to take part in rituals. She would always be burning sage around the house," Julia recalled. 

“We would go to celebrations like May Day, and dance around the Maypole. I was never made read the Bible or anything like that. We always had spell books around the house.  I suppose that’s something that I’ve carried forward with myself into my own life.”

Founded in the 1940’s the practise of Wicca centres around traditional Pagan beliefs and the worship of a variety of deities. The Wiccan Rede constitutes as a guide for practising Wiccans, with the mantra “harm none and do what will.”

“Many of the books I’d go to about Wicca are by authors with  names like Wolfstein, Silver Wolf, or other funny and gothic names. It’s sometimes like living in a Twilight novel,” she laughs.

Most Wiccans believe in the Horned god and the Moon Goddess, who can encompass hundreds of deities across a range of cultural backgrounds, from Greek and Roman, to Hindu and Egyptian, to African and Celtic.

“Which tradition you follow largely depends on where you’re from,” Julia explains. “Since we’re from Portugal I would follow the European traditions. Like warding off the evil eye.”

Many Wiccans pick a deity to follow in their everyday life, however this is not always the case.

“I don’t follow any particular deity, but when you do you try to emulate their values and what they stand for in your own life.”

When one says that they are practising witch, it can be all too easy to picture broomsticks and cauldrons. However this is not the only misconceptions Wiccan’s like Julia face.

“Most people associate Wicca with Satanism, when really they’re completely different.  It’s because of the pentangle. The inverted pentangle is a symbol of Satanism but in Wicca the regular pentangle represents the five elements- air, earth, fire, water, and ether [spirit].”

 

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Spells are less “bubble, double, toil and trouble” and more along the lines of positive thinking and picturing, or manifesting, things you want to happen.

“Spells are a form of self-divination. You picture something you really want in your head and drive all your motivation into that. It’s trying to manipulate your auras and the universe to help your purpose.”

“Each time it’s worked I’ve been a bit shook, to be honest. There are spells for ill-will and blessing spells. Most of them do come back. That’s why I only do positive ones.”

“I must sound crazy,” she laughs again. “Some of them are really bizarre. Like there was one love potion that asked you to lick a spoon and sleep with it under your pillow.”

Many Wiccans employ the help of herbs or crystals, Julia herself recommends placing clear quartz stone on the forehead to help with migraines. 

Fancy a little bit of magic in your life? Julia has shared two of her favourite potions that can be made at home, black cat not needed. 

"Love Tea: Drink this tea from a pink cup before a date, or if you are just casting a love spell- You can also use this to soothe a broken heart.

Steep 2 tsp of the blend in 8Fl. oz. (250 ml) of hot water for 5 minutes. Use 2 tbsp crushed rose petals, 2 tbsp dried lavender buds, seeds of Vanilla pod or 1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract.

"Relaxation Oil: Can be burnt in an aromatherapy lamp, or applied to the forehead or in a bath:  

"1 fl oz. (30 ml) almond or jojoba oil, 3 drops of lemon balm, 3 drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of passionflower oil and one drop of rose or rosewood oil." 

However, Julia won't be making any big batches of spells any time soon. She's far too busy working on fantastic album covers, sculpture, commissioned illustrations and music video- which you can check out here.  

Fancy trying out a bit of witchery for yourself? Julia recommends stocking up on reading material such as The Witch's Journal

While you may never have gotten that Hogwarts letter, that doesn't mean that you can't embrace a bit of magic.  

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If there is one universal truth we can all agree on, it’s that Christmas is all about children.

Simply put, December is nothing short of purely magical for the little’uns in your life.

While you may love the festive season with every fibre of your being, there’s no denying that the magic dulls somewhat the older you get.

If you’re in the business of fighting this hard fact tooth and nail, why not treat yourself and the smallies in your family to some stunning Christmas events?

While recapturing the magic for yourself, you’ll be providing the little people in your life with a whole host of memories.

Take a look at these…

Santa’s Journey

Take a journey by train through the foothills of the Wicklow mountains, and be sure to stop off at Santa’s Runway, The Talking Trees, Candy Cane Land, and Elves Village.

Warm up with hot drinks and festive treats at the Winter Lodge Café before getting your letters stamped personally by the Big Mans’s team of adorable elves.

Santa’s House Express

Taking place at the 5 Star Palmerstown House Estate, you and the little ones will receive a boarding pass which will allow you to board an enchanting Christmas train and embark on a stunning festive journey.

You will depart from the grounds of Palmerstown Estate and take in the sights and sounds until you reach Santa Claus in his magical manor.

Christmas at Castlecomber Discovery Park

From visiting Mrs Claus in her igloo home to taking part in the elves’ Art Workshop, this is one Christmas event which really captures the magic of the season.

This Christmas wonderland, which is located in the heart of the woodlands, is an absolute must-see.

 

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If girls love anything it's flowers and makeup, so naturally a lipstick which contains tiny floating flowers is pretty much a dream come true.

Not only does this magical-looking product contain real flowers, it also changes colour throughout the day making it the stuff of actual dreams.

The clear lipstick – which was created by Chinese beauty brand Kailijumei – comes in three colours and dries matte when first applied.

But throughout the day the colour changes as it reacts to the temperature – getting lighter as things get cooler.

And as if that isn't awesome enough, this mesmerising lip product is made entirely of natural ingredients, including cocoa butter, olive oil and lavender oil which help keep lips hydrated.

Unfortunately due to being seriously Insta-famous, the lippy is all sold out but fingers-crossed it will be back soon.

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What do you do when you've already become a viral sensation with your wedding speech? Aim to top that with an even more epic video from your first dance, of course.

Justin Willman and Jillian Sipkins tied the knot in Malibu, California this month, and made headlines with their *unique* pre-recorded wedding speech, showing them drunkenly discussing how they'd met.

But a week on they've released footage from their first dance, and it's already beaten their speech video by over a million YouTube hits.

Win.

As a comedian and magician by trade, Justin didn't hold back for his first dance with Jillian, which goes from 'aaaaw' to 'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON' in a matter of seconds.

Rather than sticking to traditional dance moves, Justin actually manages to 'levitate' on the dance floor in front of guests.

How? We have no idea. But we'll watch it on repeat until we figure it out…

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We’ll admit it, we sort of think magicians are a bit cheesy. Every so often however, one comes along and blows us away. Meet Smoothini, the self-proclaimed “Ghetto Houdini” who stunned America’s Got Talent judges recently with his array of mind-boggling tricks, performed up close and personal. This guy is definitely smooth!

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Magician Rob Anderson uses his powers to feed the homeless.

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So you’ve been hanging out with this guy for a while now, but you just can’t seem to shake that ‘buddy’ label.

Have no fear – we have the solution.

Banish the notion of actually telling him how you feel or even making your move during a messy night out in Doyles and instead invest €26.64 of your hard-earned money in this – the Friendzone Eliminator Spell Kit!

“This kit comes with a full instruction spell booklet that has a list of runic symbols and their meanings to make the spell personalized for you and your intended.”

Perfect!

Just remember that with all great power comes great responsibility: “Please do NOT use this as a way to force someone to love you or to break up existing relationships.”

FriendZone

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