Tools For Installing Quartz Countertops In Phoenix

How To Install Quartz Countertops And The Tools Used

new quartz countertops installed in phoenix homeQuartz countertops are created from walnut and resin binders, they are a popular option to solid rock countertops like granite and marble that are frequently utilized in high-end home settings. Quartz countertops are produced from a manufactured substance and are a lot more affordable than the marbles and granite you’ll find out there on the market. The resin on the counters provides additional waterproofing, reducing the requirement to seal the quartz countertops and reducing maintenance requirements. Installation of Quartz is a simple procedure requiring little cutting of the actual counter and some gluing and positioning. We buy the best Quartz countertops Phoenix sells in their local market, and no real special installation tools are needed, general contracting tools typically get the job done. For many DIY homeowners, this can be accomplished in a day or two depending on the size of the counters you are trying to install. Here are some tips of the trade to help you get your quartz countertops installed in a timely manner efficiently.

Four Basic Steps To Installing Quartz Countertops Phoenix

 


• First, like anything else you install, accurately measure the area where you would like to install the countertop using a measuring tape. Buy your quartz slab to match the dimensions as close as possible to prevent the need to cut the quartz countertop to match the space available. Make note of some backsplash ideas if you decide you want to install that also.

• Next, test place the countertop into the measured area by installing the counter as you will be doing permanently. Take into account any additional space for cabinetry. Leave space in the back to allow for the mounting brackets of the countertops. If trimming is necessary to match the space available, then mark cutting lines using a tape measure and carefully make your cuts. Be sure you double check the measurements before you start. Once you cut, you can’t go back. Fortunately, there are scrap yards that stock miscellaneous pieces of quartz countertops phoenix contractors dispose of.

• Spray the quartz with water to cool the saw blade. Wear a pair of work gloves and safety goggles to guard against potential quartz chips. Use a circular saw with a diamond blade attached to decrease the potential damage caused to the quartz countertops. Begin the cut out of the edge of the counter in a clockwise direction, pushing the blade across the line gradually with minimal pressure. Let the blade work it’s magic, just guide it, and let it cut through the quartz for you. Keep the surface of the countertop moist by spraying it with water as you move along till you have completed the cut you want. Examine the new cut against the space you will be installing it in. Make sure that the dimensions are accurate.

installing quartz countertops in az home• Mount the backsplash into the wall with construction adhesive brushed on the rear of the backsplash using a paintbrush. Examine the degree of the backsplash using a carpenter’s level and make any alterations necessary. Apply a coating of the building glue to the tops of the cabinets in which the countertop will lie and across the back of the countertop where it moves against the backsplash. Put the quartz countertop on the cabinets and slip it back from the backsplash. Fill out the seams between the backsplash and the countertop with silicone caulk and then wait immediately for the caulk and glue to dry.

Installing quartz countertops is not difficult if you take the time to do it right. Hiring a professional is always suggested, but you can do this yourself if you take the time to learn the process and have patience when completing the project. New countertops can turn an outdated kitchen or bathroom into a refreshing area in the home.

For more on DIY home, improvements subscribe to our newsletter. For home and garden tips check out this blog on pest control.

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Gardening Tips And Tools For Pest Control

10 Ways to Maintain Pest Control In Your Garden

pest and rodent control for your garden

There are plenty of rodents wondering amongst the shrubs in Arizona, so how do you keep your Garden free of them, and what tools should you use to accomplish proper pest control? Some of them are cute, but it’s not cute when they start munching on your freshly planted vegetables and chow down on your cactus root. Like it or not, these pests are not selective about what is yours and what is theirs. Your lawn and garden are a part of a bigger system, and it’s called the great outdoors. The animals were there first, now you need to eco-friendly ways of protecting your gardens from these Arizona pests.

While it’s not possible to make your garden 100% pest-proof, here are a couple of ways to minimize the nibbling and live peacefully with the wild rodents and pests of the Arizona desert. Here are some tips from our friends at Green Home (https://greenhomepest.com/) that has plenty of experience handling rodent and insect infestations.

#1 Find Out What The Pest/Rodent Is

Picking the right type of pest control will be easier if you know what is destroying your garden, maybe you need a trap and relocation mechanism, or maybe you need a trap that exterminates the rodent completely? Rodents that seem to create the fastest damage are rabbits, deer, and groundhogs. You can look for signs on the shrubs themselves to help better identify what it is that’s eating away at your garden. Deer can leave trails in the dirt and bite clean snips on crops or rip away at woody plants. Rabbits make sharp cuts on plants and might leave pellet droppings. Groundhogs leave big mounds of dirt 10″ to 12″ in diameter at the entry point of their burrows, typically eating greens, not woody shrubs. Birds peck holes in fruit or sneak it before you even know it is ripe.

#2 Fence The Garden In

Fencing is the most successful (and at times only!) way to keep unwanted rodents and pests out of your garden. Put a fence up from day one to keep them from discovering the food source at the first place. A fence that is a couple of feet tall will do the job for many rabbits, even, however, persistent bunnies and groundhogs may dig under. To stop that, bury it about 10″ deep. Chicken wire, hardware cloth, or bunny fencing would be the cheapest alternatives for smaller mammals. A stake post that is at least 4 ft tall will do the job for many deer looking to jump over and grub on your garden. However, if your area is overrun by deer, then you might need one that is 8 feet tall. Vinyl bird netting can be placed over trees with edible berries a few weeks before they ripen, to safeguard the fruit.

#3 Pick Plants The Animals Don’t Like

pest eating plant leafs in gardenEasier said than done. But if you know beforehand that there are roaming deer and rabbits wandering the property than a little research before planting your garden is highly recommended. When they are hungry enough and competition for food is large, animals will consume anything. But there are particular types of plants which are less attractive than others, particularly plants which are highly aromatic, fuzzy, or have prickles. Look around your area to find out what’s fared well, speak to nurseries, and consult some local farmers that have had success or battled the same pests in their gardens.

#4 Protect Your Plants

Those new nursery plants, that are pampered and fertilized until you purchased them, provide yummy, tender new growth. Whether a plant is yummy or a deterrent to creatures has to do with all the nutritional supplement and compounds a plant generates. Plants recently bought from a nursery are superior in quality and are a preference for roaming animals. The animals can sense those micronutrients, and they are naturally attracted to them. New plants can’t take as much grazing harm as established plants, so fence off your new plants to protect them from the rodents and insects that may sense the new crops. Having proper pest control in place will be important for the survival of your young plant life.

#5 Elevate Your Plants With Risers

At times you may be able to eliminate the nibbling from rodents by elevating containers or planting in raised garden beds. A raised bed two feet or taller will restrict rabbit damage, and stop most smaller rodents from jumping up into the raised containers. While this is not necessarily pest control, it does act as a deterrent.

#6 Do Clear Out The Surrounding Foliage

If you can, allow the grasses and shrubs around the borders of your lawn/yard to go a little crazy. When there are other varieties of plant life available, your garden won’t be as appealing. Animals will not be as inclined to come out to your garden and expose themselves to predators when they can find food to eat in the outer perimeter. They would rather eat sheltered than in the open, so give them the option.

#7 Keep Your Mulch Contained

Open mulch piles attract all sorts of animals that then find the other delicacies growing in your garden. Use an enclosed compost bin with a lid to keep rodents and pests away. And should you feed your pets outside, make certain to bring their bowls indoors after they eat so that you won’t attract unwanted rodents and pests to your property.

#8 Scare Them

Metallic streamers, or bird tape, or an old-fashioned scarecrow can keep birds out of your garden, even though you may need to relocate and adjust daily as the birds wisen up. You can not let it just sit there. Otherwise, as soon as they get used to it, this technique loses its effectiveness. Also, try motion-activated sprinklers or lighting to detour rodents from your yard.

pest control - rodent repellent#9 Repellants Work

Odor repellents are an option and can be sprayed on crops to keep animals away. Taste repellents can be sprayed on plants as well. When ingested these repellants create a foul experience and detour rodents from nibbling on your plants.

#10 Take It All In And Relax

The weather patterns change year to year, temperatures change, and life happens. Take a look around, make note of the changing earth that surrounds your property and understand it for what it is. Relax, don’t let pest control consume you, make an effort, move things around if needed, but don’t stress about it. After all, isn’t gardening supposed to be a stress reliever?

Want to move your existing Garden to your new home? Check out these tips on moving.

Plastic Surgery Procedures Performed On Celebrities

In today’s world, where social media rules and celebrities are emulated and worshiped, it is no surprise that many of us regular folk strive to look like our favorite celebs, even to the point of having plastic surgery to do so. Have you ever dreamed of having a more voluminous bust line or a perfect pout, on par with your favorite stars? Simulated perfection is as close as the nearest plastic surgeon.

So which famous people have the most coveted body parts, according to plastic surgeons? Well, much depends on who you ask, but the following celebrities are named most often when people decide they want to change a feature—or features—to improve their looks:

Jennifer Aniston’s name is often mentioned when women visit the plastic surgeon. Known for her youthful, girl-next-door look, many women ask for the “Aniston nose” as well as Natalie Portman’s nose and Nicole Kidman’s nose. A skilled surgeon can determine if the nose shape you request fits with the rest of your face, otherwise, no matter whose nose you have, you won’t be happy!

Men also request rhinoplasty, the technical term for a nose job. Men often request the noses of famoplastic surgeryus gents like Ben Affleck, and Ryan Reynolds but truth be known—a nose like theirs doesn’t suddenly transform you into a superhero!

So what’s it take to achieve a sniffer like your favorite actor or actress? Undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure can include removal or addition of bone or cartilage, skin grafting, and essentially ‘molding’ the nose to a new shape. Performed by a surgeon, the procedure can be complete either in an outpatient setting or in a hospital for more complicated procedures. Expect a nose job to set you back anywhere from $3000 to $6000.

With a steady rise in popularity, butt lifts and butt implants are all the rage. Which famous ladies have the best backsides, according to the inquiries received by plastic surgeons? It looks as if Kim Kardashian derriere has eclipsed that of beauties Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé—but just by a shadow. And how can you have your very own Kardashian? Either a Brazilian butt lift, where fat is transferred from another part of your body to your rear or with the insertion of butt implants. Both will enhance the roundness and fullness of your backside, but it comes at a cost: the procedures start at around $4000 not including additional fees.

Another very popular plastic surgery procedure is breast augmentation. Many women seek breast augmentation surgery to fill out their form or to even out their proportions. As far as celebrities with envied assets, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Simpson are oftentimes mentioned as having the perfect balance of fullness and firmness while not appearing too fake. The newest twist on breast augmentation is much like the Brazilian butt lift, where fat from another part of the body is siphoned off and injected into the new site. Expect to pay anywhere from $3000 to approximately $10000, depending upon the doctor’s experience, the type of materials used for the implant, and assorted costs, including anesthesia.

Want to have pillow-y lips like Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie or Kiley Jenner? Prepare to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for lip augmentation fillers to several thousand dollars for synthetic lip inserts or fat grafting. Lip augmentation can be achieved by using any one of several dermal fillers such as the popular Restylane and Juvederm. These fillers can plump up your pout but not permanently. To achieve an everlasting look, you’ll need to go the lip implant route, like the silicone lip implant PermaLip, or to have fat grafted from another part of your body and injected into your lips. It is recommended that you try the fillers first to ensure you love the plumped up look before you decide to permanently change your appearance.

If you are looking for perfect cheekbones, look no further than superstars Jennifer Garner, Beyoncé, Ashton Kutcher or Will Smith—they are the celebrities with the most sought after cheekbones. Accentuating your cheekbones will give you a younger, more contoured appearance to your face. But be prepared: silicone cheek implants will cost you a few thousand dollars.

Want amazing abs but don’t want the hassle of working out? A few options can possibly give you a six pack like Janet Jackson, Fergie, or Channing Tatum, the most requested sets of abs on the planet. To achieve the envied abs, you can undergo an abdominal etching, a form of liposuction that gives you a flat, tight stomach with greater muscle definition. The surgeon removes excess fat, and then creates grooves in remaining fat layers to simulate the appearance of toned abs. The other option is abdominal implants that are designed to replicate the look of the six-pack, and they can provide an even more defined appearance than abdominal etching. Hopefully, you’ve been saving your pennies; the average cost for abdominal etching runs about $6500 while abdominal implants cost upwards to ten grand.

Obviously, many famous people have appealing physical features, ones that regular people pay good money to try to duplicate. Plastic surgeons everywhere caution their patients trying to mirror their favorite star’s look: these procedures will not change your life; just your appearance. Don’t expect to be starring in movies after receiving a nose like Jennifer Aniston’s or landing a promotion just because your breasts are as ample as Scarlett Johansson’s—it just doesn’t work that way. And recognize that while your doctor—while skilled and aptly trained, no doubt—is not a magician. Keep your expectations realistic. Take, for instance, people who were born with beauty, and decided to forge ahead with plastic surgery anyway. Heidi Montag, for one, was a gorgeous girl who opted to have ten plastic surgery operations in one day—and morphed into a Franken-babe. She regrets all her surgeries and says she will always feel like Edward Scissorhands from the movie of the same name. Kenny Rogers, of “The Gambler” fame, gambled on a facelift to look younger for his kittenish wife and wound up discontent with his outcome. Just goes to show you, you can have fame and money, but it doesn’t guarantee the outcome of your plastic surgery. Be careful; do your research and keep your expectations in line.

 

Questions To Ask a Moving Company

Just like trying to find a new job or a loved one’s passing, moving can be a really stressful period in an individual’s life. Many professional moving companies understand this and thus attempt to create their clients moving expertise stress-free and exciting. They eliminate each negative emotion by managing every intricate feature of the move. Moving mid-month, instead of the start or end of this month, can save you a significant quantity of money. The majority of the movers are incredibly active towards the start and end of this month. But prior to employing a plumber execute a background check to ascertain their reliability. A few of the questions to ask a plumber before hiring their support include:

Do they have testimonials?

It is very important to seek the services of movers from Lawton, OK which have over a dozen references. Additionally, the mover ought to be eager to provide you contacts of those references. When you get in contact with several of these, you may discover their expertise in the palms of the agency. You need to avoid as far as possible to employ services of unidentified businesses. Small businesses can be well worth the time in case you check them out. The ideal supplier ought to have offices in your region. Additionally, they need to have been operating for at least 5 year.

Can they tackle an in-house quote?

You shouldn’t select an organization which purports to provide cost estimates over the telephone or through email. In-house estimates permit the service provider to find out the quantity and weight of your products before making up a trusted price. Moreover, learn in the firm whether the cost quotes are binding or non-binding. Low prices don’t necessarily imply low closing bills with a flat-rate quote. Moreover, learn what the prices include to assist you consider alternative courses of actions to decrease the bill. You have to understand that a great standing equals to great rates because nobody gets excellent reviews and wins awards by overcharging.

Will the firm be tackling the movement or will it employ a subcontractor?

It is extremely important to understand who will be managing your merchandise to be able to take on a careful history check to the service supplier. When the movers use a subcontractor, request their name, contacts and location. The standing of this subcontractor is something which you might have to learn as you can’t afford to entrust your precious items to somebody that has a suspicious character. By studying the neighborhood small business agency and client testimonials, you may find out more about the support supplier.

Will the relocation need particular arrangements?

To browse the city roads, movers from Lawton are time to time needed to transport things from a bigger truck to the house. This often impacts the expenses of moving and raises the odds of precious items being ruined. For that reason, it’s very important to discover if any special arrangements are needed.

Advancement In Digital Hearing Aids Helping Seniors

Today everyone uses credit/debit card to make purchases online or in store. Same thing applies when someone is choosing to buy electronic hearing aids, be it middle aged people or seniors. People of this generation have the capability as well as the wish to use the internet easily, which enables them to study hearing-aid technologies on their own.

Back in the days, when patients required changes for their digital hearing aid, or discuss any problems concerning the hearing-aid efficiency, they had to travel to an audiologist’s or representative’s office. The audiologist would makes adjustments along with the patient would abandon the office, trying out the new options in the world out. Each time a change is needed, an individual would need to revisit the audiologist’s office and perhaps spend cash in an event the vendor limits the number of changes that are free, or could require a substantial amount of time.

However, hearing-aid technologies has transformed, and programming computer software is accessible that may be used by both the buyer or the audiologist. Patients can decide to plan the system themselves within their own properties utilizing customer-pleasant computer software, where the hearing aid could be altered for the individual, or else they can have the programming PC software deliver the results of queries through the internet to the audiologist’s office. This newest hearing-aid technologies, enables the software to be much more user pleasant and more intuitive than plans before.

earThis latest alternative in hearing-aid technologies is of excellent gain to several of today’s tech savvy middle-aged people. It allows them to be more earnestly a part of their electronic hearing aids – especially these fascinated in being capable to function with programming computer software that runs on their computers. Additionally, they will not have to take faraway from time function to visit an office for changes. Should they do have queries about changes or hearing-aid engineering, they are able to simply select up the telephone and contact the seller for mo-Re info.

Another big change in hearing-aid technologies is the support versions don’t require the same method that is fitting from the past. Older digital hearing aids at the same time as some that are nonetheless obtainable today require to be fit together with the development of a silicon mold. Today, seniors with gentle to average hearing reduction can make the most of new electronic hearing-aid engineering and and buy open-match and speaker-in-the-ear hearing aids. These gadgets may be placed on anybody’s ear with no need to get a custom ear mold. With really minor tweaks to the bodily human anatomy of the hearing-aid, an open match could be customized for the person. By enabling sound to to feed to the ear-canal unprocessed by the help, and after that combining it with indicators that are amplified, fit aids that are open block or don’t occlude the ear canal.

Unlike generations before them, middle-aged people are much more comfortable obtaining details about digital hearing aids on the web or on the telephone, other than face-to-face. Consequently, they might never go to the office of an audiologist at any given point in the getting method. Instead, they’re able to begin by studying articles that are educational and found on the internet talking about hearing support technologies. They’re also able to call different audiologists to request queries – equally particular and basic – before building a purchase.

That also might be done on the internet when it takes time to acquire electronic hearing aids. They finally make the purchase on the web or within the phone after which can get several costs before creating a decision. As formerly mentioned, today, buyers get tech support team on the phone, or can alter their electronic hearing aids online.

If you’re located in the Oklahoma City market- here’s direction for one of the best places to get your ears checked.

Foundation Repair Tools

Tools Needed For DIY Foundation Repair

foundation repair - injecting solutionsFoundation repair can consist of multiple processes and multiple tools. Depending on the severity of the damage done to the foundation, a simple fix could be required, or a more sophisticated approach may be needed. Having the proper to knowledge to repair cracked or damaged foundation is only part of the remedy, the other part is having the right tools. Below I will list 5 tools we recommend using when repairing your foundation. If you are not a DIY individual and do not intent on repairing the foundation yourself then consider hiring a foundation repair contractor.

• Low Pressure Crack Injector System

If there is a crack in the foundation, you will need to inject to properly fill the crack. It’s possible that while injecting you will notice that the injection solution is leaking out the other side of the wall. If this is the case you will need to seal that side up before proceeding with any more injections. Sealing the other side will also prevent water, insects, rodents, and any other exterior element from penetrating the wall barrier into the interior of the structure.

• Injecting The Proper Solution

Identifying what solution you want to inject into your foundation will be extremely important. Various solutions provide various results and depending on how you want the foundation treated this will be important to determine. Do you want a flex in the crack or are you looking for a more solid result that doesn’t allow that foundation to move? There are injection solutions on the market for everything. Some solutions will react with water, while some expand in water. Some will stop water, while some react and bond with it. Contact your local hardware store and ask an expert for assistance when purchasing your injection solution.

• Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiver is commonly used in foundation work, both for new structures and for the repair of existing structures. There is carbon fiber mesh material and carbon fiber sheets on the market for whole wall repair, and carbon fiber staples for crack repair. Carbon fiber is a great tool to have and works best in conjunction with other foundation stabilization products and systems.

• Wall Bowing Toolsfoundation repair - bowing walls in the basement

If you conduct business or live in a region with concrete block foundations, you will need to have a solution for bowing walls. There are several systems on the market that accomplish the same thing, however personal preference comes into play for most of it. Typically to repair bowing walls you will want to choose an interior steel beam system or an exterior wall anchor system you should have a solution to fix bowed walls.

• Underpinning

Underpinning is an important skill to have when repairing foundations. Make sure that if you are offering underpinning to your list of services that you have the proper training and certifications in place for you and your employees. Every manufacture offers proprietary installation instructions and training for their products.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 18

A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for March 18’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: The next part

  • Green: A group of stars

  • Blue: Spirals

  • Purple: The One

Here are today’s Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Segment of a Process

  • Green: Constellations

  • Blue: Spirals in Nature

  • Purple: Associated with “One”

Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #281 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Segment of a Process: CYCLE, PHASE, ROUND, STAGE

  • Constellations: CYGNUS, GEMINI, ORION, PEGASUS

  • Spirals in Nature: CYCLONE, GALAXY, SNAIL, SUNFLOWER

  • Associated with “One”: CYCLOPS, MONOLOGUE, SOLITARE, UNICYCLE

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday’s Connections.

The FTC is looking into how Reddit licenses data before its IPO

Reddit logo

Reddit is planning on going public. But first, the Federal Trade Commission has to check on some stuff.

The social media company revealed that on March 14, the FTC sent them a letter declaring that the commission would conduct a “non-public inquiry” regarding Reddit’s licensing of user-generated data for training third-party AI models, per CNBC. Data licensing is a young business for Reddit, which relies mostly on advertising revenue at this point.

SEE ALSO:

Reddit finally files IPO, gives Redditors first dibs on buying stock

Reddit’s plan at the moment is to go public on March 21. It is unclear what kind of effect, if any, this FTC investigation will have on those efforts.

As you may or may not be aware, many generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Sora, and Midjourney require a great deal of data to train on. The easiest, and most accessible source for huge data sets like the ones these tools require is the internet. Some companies like Tumblr owner Automattic have been willing to strike deals with AI companies to license data for training. That’s what Reddit is trying to do here.

Arguably the most prominent third-party AI model that Reddit has partnered with for training is Google’s, which was announced last month. We’ll see if it winds up haunting Reddit at some point down the road.

NYT’s The Mini crossword answers for March 17

Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times‘ revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player’s flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO:

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 17

SEE ALSO:

Wordle today: Here’s the answer and hints for March 17

Here are the clues and answers to NYT’s The Mini for Sunday, March 17, 2024:

Across

Word meaning “beverage” that scores 20 points in Scrabble

  • The answer is Quaff.

Value of B or C, in Scrabble

  • The answer is Three.

The “R” of the state abbreviation R.I.

  • The answer is Rhode.

Wear and tear

  • The answer is Use.

Evil Spell

  • The answer is Hex.

Down

15 minutes of an N.F.L. game: Abbr.

  • The answer is QTR.

“Sure, sure …”

  • The answer is Uh huh.

Came up

  • The answer is Arose.

Company with planes that ship

  • The answer is FedEx.

Penalty for using another bank’s A.T.M.

How to watch Chelsea vs. Leicester City online for free

Cole Palmer of Chelsea in action

TL;DR: Stream Chelsea vs. Leicester City in the FA Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


The remaining eight teams in the FA Cup will be starting to dream of a famous victory. The problem with those dreams is that everyone wants to win just as much as each other, and only one team can lift the trophy.

Chelsea will be favourites in their clash with Leicester City, but this is the FA Cup. This competition is all about the underdog story.

If you want to watch Chelsea vs. Leicester City in the FA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Chelsea vs. Leicester City?

Chelsea vs. Leicester City kicks off at 12:45 p.m. GMT on March 17. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.

How to watch Chelsea vs. Leicester City for free

The match between Chelsea and Leicester City will be broadcast live on BBC One, with coverage starting from 12:20 p.m. GMT on March 17. You can also live stream this FA Cup fixture for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer to stream the FA Cup by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Chelsea vs. Leicester City for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

£82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the FA Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Chelsea vs. Leicester City for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona online for free

Players of FC Barcelona celebrating their team's first goal

TL;DR: Stream Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona in La Liga for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


Watching La Liga for free is not easy, but it’s not impossible. Every now and then an opportunity presents itself, and we make some noise about it.

In this case you can watch Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona in La Liga without spending anything. You just need to know how to bypass geo-restrictions. And we can help with that.

If you want to watch Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona?

Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on March 17. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

How to watch Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona for free

The match between Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona will be broadcast live on ITV4. You can also live stream this fixture for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access ITVX to stream Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Stream Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

£82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ITVX without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool online for free

Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United

TL;DR: Stream Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


The FA Cup quarter-finals have thrown together some really intriguing matchups, but nothing comes close to Manchester United vs. Liverpool. It’s arguably the biggest game in domestic football, and there’s a place in the FA Cup semi-finals up for grabs. It’s going to be electric.

If you want to watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Manchester United vs. Liverpool?

Manchester United vs. Liverpool kicks off at 3:30 p.m. GMT on March 17. This fixture takes place at Old Trafford.

How to watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool for free

The match between Manchester United and Liverpool will be broadcast live on ITV1, with coverage starting from 2:45 p.m. GMT on March 17. You can also live stream this fixture for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access ITVX to stream Manchester United vs. Liverpool by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Stream Manchester United vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

£82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ITVX without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the FA Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks online for free

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks goes to the basket

TL;DR: Stream Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


We’re inching closer to the NBA playoffs, which could mean that teams are starting to build momentum before it really matters. It could also mean that teams are resting to save up energy for the latter stages. We’re hoping that there are plenty of entertaining games still to come, given that a lot of teams have not yet confirmed their place in the playoffs.

The Dallas Mavericks are a team with a lot left to prove, but a big win against the NBA champions might convince some fans that they could go all the way this year. Any team with Luka Dončić has a chance, after all.

If you want to watch the Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks?

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on March 17 (7:30 p.m. GMT). This game takes place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

How to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks for free

Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks will be broadcast live on BBC Three. You can also live stream this game for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer to stream the NBA by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free)

$106.14 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $106.14 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas Mavericks for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

First impressions of Humane’s Ai Pin: A very out-of-hand proof of concept

 This image features a close-up of a modern, minimalist design earbud case placed on a textured wooden surface. The case is white with a rounded shape and a metallic accent, likely indicating where it opens. The case is partially open, revealing a glimpse of the black interior where the earbuds would be housed. There is a small knot in the wood directly next to the case, adding a rustic element to the sleek technology.

People long for the days when our smartphones weren’t a crucial aspect of our lives. Our phones are how we connect to our friends and loved ones, how we get our news, schedule our appointments, buy our groceries, and where we listen to our music. But we also use our smartphones way too much.

That’s what Humane says it wants to change with its Ai Pin. Founded by former Apple executives Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri and backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the Ai Pin is designed to bring us a smartphone-less world through the use of AI and wearable computing.

SEE ALSO:

Google is training an AI to play video games — why this could be problematic

Starting at a cool $699, the Ai Pin ships out in April. Before then though, Bongiorno, who also serves as Humane’s CEO, let me watch as she demoed her personal Ai Pin at SXSW to remove any skepticism about the pin and Humane’s goals.

First Impressions of Humane’s Ai Pin

stylish computer device rests on a demnim jacket


Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

For the price tag of the Ai Pin, I expected to have my mind blown, and while truthfully, the demo given by Bongiorno didn’t do that, I was impressed with how well it worked.

The gist of the Ai Pin is that it’s an AI assistant that attaches to your clothes where a boutonnière would go. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, you can ask it questions, play music, call/text people, or even take photos or videos. The more you use it and tell it about yourself, the more it’ll learn about you and perform tasks suited to your specific needs, its makers say. It’s similar in some ways to the Rabbit R1, which uses a Large Action Model (LAM) to learn and interact with different apps. But with the Ai Pin, there is no screen to interact with. If you need to mess with some settings, there’s a very cool laser projector that turns your palm into a flesh-and-blood “screen.”

SEE ALSO:

Humane Ai pin gave 2 wrong answers in demo. Is this a bad sign?

Here’s what Humane made clear that the Ai Pin is not: it’s not a companion to your smartphone, and it’s not just ChatGPT pinned on your chest. The pin comes with an SIM card, connecting it to mobile phone networks. While the pin itself is powered by GPT-4, Bongiorno made clear that the pin doesn’t just take your queries, send them to OpenAI and then back to you. Instead, the device processes inputs locally, utilizing its own AI framework to provide immediate, context-aware responses.

You can activate the device through voice, touch, or gesture commands. Pressing and holding activates the device to take voice commands. Waving your hand in front of it will turn on the laser projector where you can enter your passcode. You can change the volume by swiping on the pin — it’ll then make mechanical scrolling noises like a mouse wheel.

The laser projection is sharp on the palm, but it’s meant for really quickly and quietly reading small bits of text and information. It will overheat if used for an extended period. It’s supposed to be a screen-free experience.

It cannot be stressed how much Humane wants you off your phone.

laser projection against the palm of a hand


Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

Most interaction with the pin will be done through voice commands. The Ai Pin has some well-designed speakers that in quiet environments can be heard loud and clear. Bongiorno also told us that she had no problem having full conversations with a colleague as she walked through a crowded airport. This does not mean we all have to be held hostage by the annoying guy with the Bluetooth earpiece — you can connect the Ai Pin to your AirPods or Bluetooth headphones.

Because most of the AI action is done off-device, it does take some time for questions to be answered. When Bongiorno asked it the name of “Austin’s pink coffee place,” the Ai pin took 10 or 15 seconds to answer “Revival Coffee.” Would googling that be faster? Perhaps, but the whole point is to be off your phone.

The Ai Pin can also take photos and short videos — always a touchy topic when it comes to wearables. Humane says it takes privacy very seriously, and to that end there are indicator lights brightly telling everyone around you that you activated the device or if you’re taking a video. “Any attempt to cover the LED indicator, the Ai Pin will stop recording immediately,” Bongiorno told me.

What’s genuinely impressive is the camera’s ability to scan things in front of you and describe them in detail. On top of that, when you’re sending messages you can tell the pin what tone you want the message to have. For example, Bongiorno texted her sick daughter and told the pin “Send a message to Oliver and ask her to call me, and make it sound Gen Z.” (Its Gen Z translation: “Hey Oliver, can you call me later, I wanna chat. Thanks.”)

The Ai Pin also has a real-time translation feature, with over 50 languages. Bongiorno demoed some Mandarin and Spanish, which allowed me to flex my 300-day Duolingo streak chops. The pin does have a hard time picking up my voice and it’s unclear if that’s because I have a very low speaking voice or if the mics are directionally focused upwards to pick up the voice of the wearer. Regardless, the pin will speak back to you after translating and will then translate back your response in whatever language you’re conversing in. Or if it’s loud, the laser can project the translations on your palm.

While I wish I could do more hands-on testing myself, from the demo there’s some practical use for the Ai Pin. From the live demo Bongiono gave, it feels as if the device is a very late-stage proof of concept for what the future of mobile computing can look like. However, the Ai Pin as it exists now is far from being the world-changer that Humane wants it to be.

There’s nothing the Ai Pin can do for me that a smartphone can’t already do, other than not be a smartphone. I can already call, text, listen to music, and have a basic Q&A AI on my iPhone that doesn’t cost an additional $700.

Why the internet stans Ireland

Barry Keoghan, Saoirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy, Colin Farrell, and Ayo Edebiri.

It’s official, Ireland is the first country to get the stan treatment. 

The small island country with a population of only 5 million — roughly the same as Alabama — is adored online. Film Twitter roots for Irish actors like they’re a sports team, and in recent years, an entire language of memes has emerged in devotion to Ireland.

There’s “Sometimes tha side chick ain’t even a chick, it’s the gorgeous and proud nation of Ireland” — used when an Irish person embraces their Irishness or does something the poster agrees with. For example, “cillian said fecking!!” There’s “The Irish people do not deserve this,” a screenshot of Azealia Banks’ 2021 anti-Irish Instagram story — used when something bad happens to an Irish person (for example, when Colin Farrell lost Best Actor at the Oscars last year). Users edit it to “The Irish people do deserve this” when something good happens to an Irish person (for example, Cillian Murphy’s Best Actor win at the Oscars this year). The latest addition to the canon is a video of PinkPantheress posing with an Irish flag on stage, also used in celebration of Murphy’s achievement. 

Ireland aficionados also refashioned the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s “London Boy” from “But God, I love the English” to “But God, I love the Irish” to caption images of their favorite Irish “It” boy … and there are plenty to choose from: Murphy, Farrell, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Andrew Scott. That’s not to forget the Irish “It” girls: Saoirse Ronan, Ruth Negga, Nicola Coughlan, and Alison Oliver.

There’s been a huge outpouring of talent from Ireland in recent years, whether it be performances from the aforementioned actors to the work of Irish writers like Sally Rooney, Claire Keegan, and Paul Lynch to music from Hozier, Kneecap, and One Direction’s Niall Horan, all ushering in the biggest wave of global interest in Ireland since the 1990s (thanks to the success of “Riverdance” and bands like U2, The Cranberries, and the boy band Boyzone reaching their peak).

Why do Americans identify with Ireland?

“There has always been a warmth towards Irish culture in the United States, which initially came from the Irish-American population, but more widely, Irish are known as entertainers and storytellers,” Ruth Barton, a professor of film studies at Trinity College Dublin and the author of Acting Irish in Hollywood, told Mashable. 

Ireland has longstanding ties to the U.S. due to Irish emigration at different points in history. There were significant waves of immigration to the U.S. in the mid 1800s, the early 20th century, the 1950s, 1980s, and again in the 2000s. There are 14 million people in the United States that claim Irish heritage, 600 times the population of Ireland.

Eleanor O’Leary, a lecturer in media and communications at South East Technological University in Ireland, pointed to the large diaspora of Irish people as a reason why Irishness is so mobile. The latest iteration of Irish celebrities and popular media builds upon that initial connection Americans have to Ireland. “Ireland’s online virality allows the Irish-American diaspora to reconnect to Ireland in different ways,” she told Mashable. “Irish people have to negotiate what Irishness means inside and outside of Ireland, which is not always as linear as you would assume.”

The fanfare for the country doesn’t end with the large population claiming Irish heritage. 

The honorary Irishwoman Ayo Edebiri

Even if you don’t exist in Hibernophile spaces online, you’ve likely caught wind of the obsession with Ireland. Ayo Edebiri, the star of three of 2023’s screen obsessions — The Bear, Bottoms, and Theater Camp — brought this newfangled fondness to the mainstream. At South by Southwest last year, the actress, who is not Irish, joked that she went method to portray Jenny the donkey in Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin. She’s since kept the joke alive, tweeting when Bottoms came out in Ireland, thanking Ireland in her Critics Choice Awards acceptance speech, and wearing a T-shirt with a shamrock on it on Saturday Night Live

Banshees of Inisherin plays with and against Irish stereotypes. The marketing of the film using Jenny the donkey was a masterstroke, because it tied the film to a notion of cute Irishness,” Anthony McIntyre, a lecturer in film and media studies at University College Dublin and author of Contemporary Irish Popular Culture: Transnationalism, Regionality, and Diaspora, told Mashable. “It was brilliant of Ayo Edebiri to piggyback on that. She managed to get in on something that was already becoming a meme, attach herself to it, and reinvigorate it in subsequent moments.” 

Edebiri has been accepted by Ireland — Film in Dublin tweeted, “Congratulations to Ireland’s own Ayo Edebiri for her nomination for the 2024 BAFTA Rising Star Award” and the Irish Independent wrote, “the Irish couldn’t be happier to welcome Edebiri into the fold” — and by Ireland aficionados online. All the aforementioned memes now apply to the actress as well. 

“Within Ireland, we fondly accept these tenuous links to Irishness,” said McIntyre. “There’s a history of playfully accepting African Americans [as our own].” For example, when Barack Obama was elected president, Ireland embraced his Irish ancestry with the Irish band Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys, later known as the Corrigan Brothers, writing the folk song “There’s No One as Irish as Barack O’Bama.”

This identification with Ireland is also happening at a time when other English-speaking countries, like the United States and England, are going through crises of increased polarization. Onscreen Ireland is often presented as “a safe harbor away from the difficulties of American contemporary life,” said McIntyre, who pointed to films like The Matchmaker and The Quiet Man as examples.

Ireland’s reality appeals to Americans. “[Irishness] is a positive identity. It’s OK to be Irish, because we were colonized. It used to be a repressed Catholic country, but we are a liberal country now. You can get an abortion, you can express your opinion, you can get a divorce, you can do all these things and nobody’s going to put you in prison,” said Barton.

“There’s an openness to Irish identity in the United States that there isn’t to English identity. English people, without generalizing too much, stand for old colonialism, and there’s a sense that the English are very upright and repressed. They do stand for something politically different to the Irish in the United States,” said O’Leary.

Irish internet boyfriends

On an internet that traffics in white boys of the month, it’s unsurprising that Irishness is so widely embraced. But Irish actors weren’t always soft boy sex symbols. In the ’90s, Irish men onscreen were often portrayed as hard-drinking, cursing tough guys. The Troubles in Northern Ireland perpetuated the stereotype of the Irish gunman, but with over 20 years passing since then, conceptions of Irish masculinity onscreen have evolved. “[Irish] actors [today] present with a very particular type of masculinity that’s not so toxic, which stands out in the manosphere with the quite brash forms of masculinity that are circulating.They seem to be very gentlemanly, approachable, and unassuming,” said O’Leary.

She pointed to Mescal’s character in Normal People, the runaway COVID hit adaptation of Rooney’s novel of the same name, as an example of this new masculinity that fits with the ideals of Gen Z and millennial posters.

Rooney’s stories are rooted in Irishness, but rather than following the lead of traditional Irish storytellers and exploring disadvantage, she focuses on generational issues, inviting global identification. “She’s interested in exploring relationships, and the relationship of the young person to an older, patriarchal, consumer-driven society, and in that she’s really touching on a very universal set of anxieties around identity that any young person from any country could relate to,” said Barton.

The country’s history of oppression is another reason the internet is so endeared to Ireland. Until the 1990s, Ireland was very poor and economically disadvantaged. While it’s not so anymore, it retains the identity of an underdog.

Irish actors like Cillian Murphy often assert their Irish identity in interviews. One popular fancam that features eight Irish actors — including Ayo Edebiri — begins with Keoghan correcting his Saltburn co-star Jacob Elordi for referring to him as a Brit. Keoghan says, “I’m Irish, just saying.” The internet rallies around these moments of Irish confidence. 

“We’re used to Irish actors being appropriated by the UK. [British people] kind of assert that you’re British really, and [Irish actors] often have to stand up and say no,” explained McIntyre. “It’s something in our history where there is a tendency for UK media to forget that Ireland is a different country.”

Irish celebrities’ strong attachment to Ireland makes them stand out in a sea of famous people. “[Irish] actors who operate outside the conventions of celebrity are more attractive to people in this moment. The fact that they really strongly identify as Irish helps [people] see them as a group,” said Barton. For instance, while many actors relocate to London or Los Angeles, Murphy insists on raising his children in Ireland. Any sort of authenticity goes a long way online.

In many ways, the internet simply mimics the Irish pride seen from Irish celebrities and their supporters in their homeland. “The success of anyone from here on a world stage, we get a lot of national pride from. People who identify with Ireland in America also get a certain type of nationalistic pride when an Irish person succeeds on the global stage,” said O’Leary. 

Ireland’s history of being colonized and staunch stance against colonization makes it appeal not just to cinephiles looking to feel a part of something, but to another vocal group online, those advocating for ceasefire in Gaza. “Ireland is known for having a very strong pro-Palestinian stance,” said O’Leary. “A lot of new people are aligning themselves with Ireland around that stance, particularly groups that weren’t previously interested in Irish culture. Ireland’s pro-Palestine stance forges new allegiances around Ireland globally.”

Sometimes tha side chick isn’t even a chick, it’s the gorgeous and proud nation of Ireland.

‘Shōgun’ is a master class in period costuming

A composite of characters from FX's

It didn’t just take a village to costume FX’s Shōgun — it took an army.

SEE ALSO:

‘Shōgun’ review: 2024’s first great TV epic is here

The Shōgun costume department spanned several countries, including the show’s main shooting location in Vancouver. There, a team of around 125 people, headed by costume designer Carlos Rosario, worked with their international collaborators — a team Rosario estimates falls between 250 and 300 people — to produce the over 2,300 costumes needed to bring Shōgun to life.

The goal? To create a range of costumes that would read as authentic to 1600 Japan, when Shōgun is set, and that would also express character in subtle, meaningful ways. In an interview with Mashable, Rosario delved into the collaborative research process behind Shōgun‘s costumes, the ways in which clothing on the show reveals status, and how costumes showcase the evolution of characters like Japanese translator and noblewoman Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) and English pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis).

Shōgun‘s costumes strive for period authenticity through collaboration.

Yoshii Toranaga sits in a castle hall in an elaborate gold outfit.

Hiroyuki Sanada in “Shōgun.”
Credit: Katie Yu / FX

Right from pre-production, one of the most important aspects for every design element of Shōgun was ensuring authenticity. To achieve that in the series’ costuming, Rosario collaborated with historian Frederik Cryns, professor of Japanese history at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies in Kyoto. Cryns provided a historical foundation for Rosario and his team, and also directed him to paintings from the Sengoku period for inspiration directly rooted in history.

Rosario also worked with Shōgun star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada, who advocated for cultural faithfulness and specificity across the board. (At a Television Critics Association panel, Sanada declared the show a “dream East-meets-West” collaboration.) Sanada brought his longtime dresser to Vancouver to teach the costuming team how to properly dress actors in Japanese period clothing. Experts in kimono dressing also provided consultation on how to perfect the looks of Shōgun‘s women.

SEE ALSO:

How to watch the historical epic ‘Shōgun’ with or without cable

“By the second episode, everybody was a professional [at dressing the Shōgun actors] because they had to do that so many times every day, for so many people,” Rosario told Mashable. “It was a group effort.”

For the actual costume creation, the Shōgun team rented about 1,300 pieces and bought modern-day kimonos that they altered to give the shape of a kosode. “The kosode is the ancestor to the kimono,” Rosario explained.

By the end of filming, Shōgun‘s costume pieces filled a massive warehouse in Vancouver — something Rosario could never have dreamed of at the start of the process. “When I saw the warehouse in the beginning, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is way too big. There’s no way we’re going to be able to fill this space,'” Rosario said. “Then, I think by the second episode, it was all filled. We had to create racks on top of each other.”

Every detail of Shōgun‘s costumes means something — especially when it comes to status.

John Blackthorne and Toda Mariko speak during an army training exercise.

Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai in “Shōgun.”
Credit: Katie Yu / FX

Rosario worked to incorporate every tidbit of his research into Shōgun. For example, he learned that only lords and ladies could wear tabi — split-toe socks — indoors. As a result, you’ll notice that less influential characters are barefoot in the scenes taking place in Osaka Castle.

There’s even a hierarchy of status when it comes to the material of the tabi socks. Members of the Council of Regents wear deerskin tabi. (“Hiroyuki Sanada said he’d never seen tabi as beautiful,” Rosario said.) But the highest-ranking characters, such as Lady Ochiba (Fumi Nikaido), mother of the heir, wear tabi made of cotton. Why? “Cotton was very rare at the moment, and very expensive,” said Rosario.

Fabric as a status symbol factored into another key element of Shōgun‘s costuming: layering. “The more layers you have, obviously the more fabric you need to use, and the more expensive it gets,” Rosario said. This is why villagers in Ajiro wear one layer of clothing, while higher-ranking characters wear several.

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Layering is especially important when it comes to the women of Shōgun. Rosario explained that Lady Ochiba, being the highest-ranking woman, would usually wear five or six layers, while Mariko would usually wear two or three. Even though the lowest layers of clothing weren’t always visible, Shōgun‘s costuming team worked to keep them periodically accurate. The weight of the layers proved influential to the actors’ performances, impacting their physicality and speech.

Meanwhile, Rosario relished working with so many different layers, even if some would never be seen in their entirety. “It’s how architectural it is, and how you could play with all these different tones that could work together,” he said. “It’s a beautiful moment of styling, when you have to just work with the colors.”

On the less flashy side, pay attention to the men’s hakama — wide-legged, almost skirt-like pants — for more indicators of status. More pleats means more fabric, so Ajiro’s villagers pants tend to only have one pleat, while people like Toranaga have far more.

“We created our own language with the clothing,” Rosario said of these revealing choices.

Shōgun‘s costumes also reveal character.

Toda Mariko sits in the middle of a crowded castle hall, dressed in white.

Anna Sawai in “Shōgun.”
Credit: Katie Yu / Fx

In addition to emphasizing status, Shōgun‘s costumes are also hints at a character’s mental state or their place in Shōgun‘s broader narrative. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Rosario spoke to how Mariko’s costumes at first depict lifeless scenes covered in snow as a reflection of her cold outlook on life. As the season continues and she embraces her role as translator for Blackthorne, her internal world comes alive. To reflect that change, Rosario incorporated flowers, brighter colors, and bolder patterns into Mariko’s looks.

Blackthorne’s costumes undergo an evolution of their own, Rosario told Mashable. We first meet him in his British clothing, including britches and a blouse. But once he’s taken in by Toranaga, he’s given a kosode. “To me, symbolically, it means he’s letting go of his identity,” said Rosario.

The more time Blackthorne spends with Toranaga, the more Japanese pieces Rosario added to his overall costume, such as hakama pants or sodenashi (sleeveless work jackets or vests). “All that was a way for the audience to see that slowly, he’s been immersing himself into Japanese culture,” Rosario said. “Or it’s almost like they are imposing on him the fact that, if you’re going to be here, you need to look Japanese.”

Still, Blackthorne’s color palette remains fairly neutral and plain — a contrast from his more “flamboyant” looks in the 1980 miniseries. “He’s one of the lead male characters, but in that world, he’s a foreigner. He’s powerless,” said Rosario. “I wanted to keep him very basic, so it would contrast with the opulence and the luxurious fabric of all the other characters around him.”

One of the most luxurious characters of all? Toranaga himself. Toranaga’s looks don’t go through a season-long evolution in the same way that Mariko or Blackthorne’s do. Instead, the goal for his costumes was adapting to Toranaga’s changing needs in a variety of circumstances, whether he’s politicking in Osaka, going hunting, or traveling to Ajiro.

“This wasn’t like a show where you create a wardrobe for each character and go back to the closet for every episode and pull something,” Rosario said of working on Toranaga’s looks. “We continuously needed to actually design everything until the last episode, so there was no relaxation.”

Toranaga’s power asserts itself through his clothes — not just the copious amount he has, but also their use of more luxurious fabrics and colors that denote prosperity, like golds and coppers. “I wanted to [show] mostly his wealth, his abundance, and his authority over everybody else,” said Rosario. “If you notice, he’s the only character who actually changes costumes in pretty much every scene in the first episode. Every single scene, he’s wearing a different outfit. He’s the only one. That was my way of saying he’s above everybody else.”

Between the grand scope of Shōgun and the intense amount of research, manpower, and physical endurance that went into its costuming, Rosario considers his work on the show to be his best yet. “I just feel like this is my legacy,” he said. “This is as good as it gets. Who gets to design something like this in a lifetime?”

Shōgun is now streaming on Hulu.