The Mandalorian Star Reveals Season 2 Villain

Giancarlo Esposito has revealed some intriguing new information about The Mandalorian's second season. The Better Call Saul actor will be returning to the Star Wars universe for the new season as Moff Gideon, the mysterious military commander tracking Mando and The Child across the galaxy. During an appearance on Good Morning America this week, Giancarlo shed a bit more light on Moff Gideon's connection to remains of the Galactic Empire.

 

"My character, Moff Gideon, is the warden of the galaxy," the actor teased. "He is a remnant of the Imperial Empire and he is still searching for his quarry, which we hope he will find." The "quarry" he referred to is The Child (aka Baby Yoda), whom Esposito predicted will take The Mandalorian viewers on "a journey spiritually" throughout the new episodes. Last season ended with the stunning scene revealing Moff Gideon is in possession of the mythical Darksaber weapon but the villain has had more skill wielding it than Esposito himself. "I have been practising," he previously revealed to IMDb. "I'm decent. I'm getting better. You have to respect the power of it. The energy of it. It's long, dude. I've bopped myself three times with it, already. "Pop yourself in the head. I'm like, 'Oh my god, what do you do?' I start laughing. People look at me and want me to be the expert right off the bat because I am the badass [in the show]. But, you know, it takes practice."

Sony’s new PlayStation Application

With the PS5 launch roughly two weeks away, Sony has unveiled a redesign for its PlayStation App on iOS and Android, and it makes me very excited to try it out when the new console launches. Early adopters of the console will have the ability to remotely launch games, sign in to their PS5 directly from the app, and the app will even allow you to remotely manage storage on your console in case you need to make room for a new game to install.

Previously, the PlayStation App would let you download games on the PS4, but the app now allows me to download and launch games, plus manage the storage on my PS5. Based on Sony’s blog post, it looks like PS5 owners will have a lot more freedom to manage their consoles without directly interacting with it. It was such a pain having to shuffle around between multiple PlayStation apps and my PS4 just to take full advantage of all the features Sony provided. Theoretically, the new PlayStation App could allow me to buy a game (digitally), free up some storage space, download it, launch it, and check to make sure the software is up to date, all before I actually grab my DualSense controller and start playing. Even better? The new update allows me to message friends, voice chat, and create party groups directly from the app. So if I were preparing to play Call of Duty or Dead by Daylight with friends, I could set everything up through my phone. The app also adds a new UI that completely overhauls the home screen, and, as you can tell from the images, it looks a lot cleaner now. I think the update makes the app a lot more organized than before Since Sony is integrating its messaging system, you no longer need the separate PS Messages app. In fact, PS Messages will no longer be available, but any existing messages and threads from the discontinued app will be carried over into the new PS App update.

Sony confirms Disney Plus, Netflix, and Twitch will be on the PS5 at Launch

If you are planning to use your PlayStation 5 for more than just gaming whether that’s to stream movies and TV shows on Netflix or play music on Spotify you’ll be happy to know that Sony’s next-gen console will support some of the more popular entertainment apps at launch. Sony confirmed in a blog post on Thursday that several popular streaming apps, including Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, Netflix, Peacock, Spotify, Twitch, and YouTube would be available when the PS5 launches on November 12th. Notably absent from the list is HBO Max, which is currently in contract disputes with Amazon and Roku over the inclusion of the new streaming app on their platforms, and pay-TV options like Sling.

 

Sony shut down its own pay-TV Sling competitor, PlayStation Vue, last year. Interestingly, the anime streaming service Crunchyroll, owned by the same parent company as HBO, will be available at launch, a spokesperson confirmed to The Verge today. Additionally, Sony confirmed that the four previously unmarked buttons located on the dedicated PS5 Media Remote would serve as dedicated launch buttons for Disney Plus, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, as you can see pictured above. The remote will launch alongside the PS5 on November 12th, but it is not included with the console. It’s currently available as a separate $30 purchase at Target. Other retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop are also selling it, but they’re currently out of stock. With next-gen consoles set to arrive in just a few weeks, Sony is showing that its upcoming console is much more than just a system to play video games. The inclusion of four dedicated launch buttons to some of the more popular streaming apps and the recently unveiled system interface, including a separate home screen for entertainment apps gives us a better glimpse of how PS5 owners will be able to use the hardware come launch day.

Googly Eyes Halloween Wreath

I’m in love with this fun Halloween wreath made with ping pong balls and googly eyes. Googly eyes are one of my all-time favorite crafting supplies, especially for Halloween. Our googly eyes halloween wreath makes everybody smile, especially our kids. Here is how to make one of your own:

Supplies needed:

18 inch straw wreath form

White ribbon or fabric to wrap wreath form

Wire

Practice Ping Pong Balls, Pack of 144 balls – two orders.

I used around 250 ping pong balls and have some left over for future crafts.

Googly Eyes – Two packages of 94 count

Hot glue and hot glue gun

Step One: Tightly wrap straw wreath in ribbon or fabric, hot glueing the ends down. Use wire wrapped around wreath and twisted in the back to create a wreath hanger.

Step Two: Hot glue ping pong balls onto wreath. I added mine randomly until I felt it looked full and even. I just kept filling and stepping back to check my progress.

Step Three: Hot glue googly eyes to ping pong balls. Use a hair dryer to melt any hot glue strings left behind.

Williams-Sonoma Knock-Off Halloween Wreath

 

It's the 1st of October and that means it's time to start decking the halls with all things wicked and spooky! A few weeks ago I was browsing through the Williams-Sonoma website and saw a gorgeous grapevine wreath with a crow on it. I fell in love with it, but when I saw the price, I was stunned - $70! Since it's such a simple wreath made with readily available materials, I decided to take a trip to the dollar store and make one of my own.

Here's a quick tutorial to show how it came together:

The WS wreath is round, but when I spotted this oval shape at Michaels, I fell in love with it! To create the base, I lightly misted it with grey and black spray paint.

 

When the paint was dry, I adhered Spanish moss from the dollar store.

 

Finally, I hot glued a dollar store crow to the moss. That's it! Almost silly to even write a tutorial for this!

The Williams-Sonoma version has a fancier crow, but for a savings of over $60, I think this one is just fine!

You can find products similar to what I used on Amazon via the links below. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

DIY: How To Make Your Own Decorative Halloween Candles

It’s almost time to break out the Halloween goodies! If you like DIYing your way throughout the holidays, this is the craft for you.

I’m pretty into candles. They make great decorations, they add pretty light to a room, and sometimes they smell pretty good. Have you seen some of the prices on decorative candles though? Oof. Just get crafty and make your own.

You need the following things:

Candles
Wax Paper
Tissue Paper
Rubber Stamps or InkJet Printer
Colored Pencils and Pens
Heat/Embossing Tool or (very hot) Blowdryer

First, you start with tissue paper. Place your image on the shiny, smooth side of the paper. You can use a rubber stamp, draw your own image, or use a printer to create your images. Then cut them out as close to the edge as possible.

If you’re not a rubber stamp collector or a particularly great drawer and prefer to print your images like I did, just tape a piece of tissue paper to a piece of standard printer paper and feed it through. You can find images and clipart to download all over the internet. Resize them in a photo editing program to fit your candle size.

Color them in with pencils and add additional details with a ballpoint pen if you want.

 

 

Once you’re done with that it’s time to adhere the images to the candle. Use a little bit of glue stick to stick your tissue paper to the candle.

Then wrap a piece of wax paper around the candle and over your tissue paper cut-out. Use your heat tool to melt the wax paper. You’ll know when it’s melted because the image will get clearer and you won’t be able to see the edges of the tissue paper cut-out anymore. I used a heat gun but a very hot blowdryer will work as well. Using your blowdryer’s concentrator nozzle attachment is a good idea. Don’t over do it! You don’t want to warp the candle.

Once you peel off the wax paper you’ll see that the tissue paper cut-outs are embedded and sealed in a new later of wax. Make sure you use a fresh piece of wax paper for each candle to get a clean, smooth finish.

Done! Simple custom DIY printed decorative Halloween candles.

DIY Floral Skull Centerpiece

The first sight of pumpkins in October always gets me giddy with delight. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays – second to Thanksgiving, of course. I love getting into the dark and ghoulish spirit, always looking to outdo the previous year when it comes to decor. I’m super excited to share this Halloween themed floral centerpiece with you – I mean, who knew a human skull makes for such a wonderfully creepy vessel?!

    You’ll need:

        a life size mode skull with removable calvarium
        a wet floral foam block
        pruning shears
        a knife
        a large Ziploc bag
        a variety of fresh flowers (large and small blooms, twigs, an assortment of full leaf, slender and floppy greenery)

Start by removing the top of the skull. Cut a square block out of the floral foam.

 Fit it inside the skull and slice away corners and edges so that it fits. You can press down on the foam to make sure it gets as deep as it can. Use a knife to slice off any excess foam but be sure to leave at least 1/2 an inch of floral foam peeking out from the top of the skull. You want the foam deep enough to hold your flower stems!

Remove the foam and submerge it in a bowl of water. Leave it for at least a few minutes to absorb as much water as possible. Take a large Ziploc bag and fit it over the skull. This will prevent water from leaking through the skull and allow you to water your centerpiece once it’s finished.

Set the wet floral foam back into the skull. Trim the plastic lining.

 

Now it’s time to arrange your centerpiece! When arranging flowers in wet foam, you must always trim the stems at an angle so they can absorb plenty of water. Once you insert a stem you cannot remove it as the wet foam has no memory. Insert the stems upright and about 3/4 of the way down. Start with the largest, leafiest flowers. This will help set the framework for your centerpiece.

 

Since you’ll want your skull upright when working, set a small foam block under the back of the skull to help prop it up. Add more flowers – I added the fluffy dahlias and calla lillies next. Be sure to add foliage around the edge of the skull to help hide the foam.

Add all the tall green stalks and slender stems last. Peel away any leaves or flowers to help insert the stems without crushing the other flowers.

 

Add interesting elements like grapes on a vine or long twigs with berries. And have fun with shaping the centerpiece – it shouldn’t be too perfect. Outliers make it fun and interesting!

 

Your centerpiece should last at least a week. Be sure to water it each day and keep it out of direct sunlight.

How to: Make a Super Easy DIY Terrarium Ready for Fall!

I'm trying to find ways to decorate my home seasonally without having to store more decor away for the year or reorganize an entire room for one holiday! As a busy mom, I'm finding less time to devote myself to redecorating the entire house. As much as I love it, it's nice to have a few pieces that can stay out year round and maybe save me a bit more time. A terrarium is the perfect solution to this problem!

Materials

    Fish Tank (we thrifted ours for $5)
    Moss in different variaties
    Decor items
    Plants (optional)

 Instructions

1. Give your fish tank a good cleaning. I used dish soap, as well as window cleaner.

2. For an everyday look, you can choose to go with a plant terrarium . Begin by placing plants in your terrarium - some may peek out above the top, but that's ok.  

3. Build up your layers of moss. You can choose to do one variety at a time or mix them together throughout. I built up the moss layers to hide the plastic plant pots to make it look like the plants were growing up and out of the moss itself.

 I love the pop of green it adds to the space - it's fresh and modern.

4. For a fall look, you may choose to add brass and rustic wood finishes, like driftwood.

5. For a seasonal look, such as Halloween, keep it simple by adding 2-3 traditional or eclectic pieces. Oddly enough this skull with a crow and ceramic hand can be placed on a shelving unit individually year round. But placed together, you instantly have a spooky vibe.

This is such an easy DIY and it's a lot of fun to play around with month to month and season to season. I can't wait to experiment with it for Christmas. I'm thinking battery operated string lights will look so pretty hidden throughout the moss with some white and bright accents!

BLACKPINK hits No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100

BLACKPINK has topped the Billboard Artist 100 that ranks pop stars in terms of their influence, becoming the third K-pop group to lead the chart following BTS and SuperM. BTS ranks at No. 2 on the same chart. BLACKPINK surged from No. 65 to No.1 on the Billboard Artist 100 thanks to the group’s debut full-length “The Album,” according to Billboard on Sunday.

 

The chart, which dates back to 2014, combines performance across single and album charts and social media. This is the first time an all-female group to become the top musical act. Billboard said, “K-pop acts have monopolized the chart’s top two positions” with BLACKPINK and BTS claiming the top two. BTS ruled the chart for 10 weeks since September 29. BLACKPINK landed a couple of songs on the Billboard Hot 100 on Monday with its title song “Lovesick Girls” ranking at No. 59 and “Ice Cream” with Selena Gomez at No. 64.

New iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini With 5G Capabilities

After a year of rumors, Apple has finally announced its new line of iPhone 12 smartphones, beginning with the standard device alongside its mini counterpart. Both phones feature a smooth flat design reminiscent of the iPhone 4 to take advantage of its 5G capabilities. As such, the iPhone’s antenna has been moved and typical parts found in the device have been manufactured to be smaller. The standard iPhone 12 has a 6.1 display with minimized bezels over the iPhone 11, and is now 11 percent thinner, 15 percent smaller, and 16 percent lighter than its predecessor. It features an all-new Super Retina XDR display, which possesses 460 pixels per inch. For durability, the iPhone 12 is equipped with a Corning-produced Ceramic Shield.

Manufactured with temperature crystallization, the product now has improved glass toughness, which enables a better drop performance over the iPhone 11 by four times. The new device also introduces the A14 Bionic chip found in the recently introduced Apple Watch Series 6. Apple boasts it as the fastest CPU of any smartphone, utilizing 4 core next-gen architecture to provide 50 percent faster graphics. Machine learning has seen a great leap as a result, utilizing the iPhone 12’a 16-core neural engine to churn out 11-trillion operations per second. The device’s dual camera set-up of a 12 MP ultra-wide and a 12 Wide cam with 1.6 aperture utilizes machine learning for its computational photography as well. Smart HDR3 uses machine learning to determines what it should detail in an image, while its 7-element lens assists in producing sharper photography. Night Mode captures more light in photos and TrueDepth mode can be used to produce portrait images with no flash. Lastly, the new iPhone 12 will utilize wound wire coil MagSafe for improved Qi charging, similar to the charging system for Apple Watches. The iPhone 12 mini features many of the same specs and hardware as its vanilla counterpart, but comes in with a 5.4-inch display. Apple also bills the device as the “smallest, thinnest, and lightest 5G smartphone in the world.” iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will be available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB models in blue, green, black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED starting at $799 USD and $699 USD, respectively. Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 begin at 5 a.m. PDT on Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23. iPhone 12 mini will be available for pre-order beginning at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, November 6, with availability beginning Friday, November 13. In other tech news, check out our thoughts on the Apple Watch Series 6.