DIY This Doorbell for a (Non) Show-Stopping Halloween Night

Shea Lignitz
Oct 25, 2016

If you’re on front door duty this Halloween but are really struggling with leaving the couch and your fave spooky movies on Netflix and TV (us too!), you’re probably going to wish those darn trick-or-treaters could be a little more self-sufficient. No one likes being caught in the play-and-pause cycle (even though it would be good to stretch)!

You could go the old fashioned way and just put a bowl of candy and a handwritten note on a table outside your door… or you could rock a super cool doorbell that will not only play music from your favorite Netflix show but also point the candygoers in the direction of their treasure with a built-in screen. Check out the video:

If it sounds complicated, don’t worry! The parts are all inexpensive and easy to find. Here’s what you need: an Arduino Pro Trinket 5 or 3v, a battery, an MP3 Player, a button, a headphone jack, a battery charger, a switch, a screen, a microSD, some 3mm White LEDs, a speaker and a sonar. You can also customize your project if you’re more familiar with the Arduino — lighting up the candy bowl after your custom message appears sounds like a pretty good idea!

You can find the full tutorial here. It might be a little tricky in some places, but at the end you’ll be rewarded with an awesome project that people will be talking about afterward, guaranteed.

What other DIY projects do you have planned this Halloween? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Getty)

5 Reasons 'Zero Day' Should Be Your Next Netflix Watch

Netflix is feeding us y'all. In addition to rom-coms like Nobody Wants This is ranch romances like Ransom Canyon, the streamer's latest political thriller Zero Day has everyone on the edge of their seats. And considering when the show premiered on February 20, it debuted at number 2 on Netflix's Top 10 list (and got 19.1 million views), I do mean everyone.

The show follows a former American president (played by Robert De Niro), who's tapped to lead an investigation into recent cyber attacks and disasters around the US. This is one political thriller you won't want to miss.

Here are 5 reasons Robert De Niro's Zero Day should be your next Netflix binge.

1. 'Zero Day' is full of tension and twists.

Netflix

One thing's for sure: Zero Day is anything but boring. One X user calls it "easy, fast paced" and "entertaining," and from the cyber attacks and disasters themselves to the blackmail and conspiracy that follows, you'll be locked in the whole time.

​2. Angela Bassett plays a female president, hello!

Netflix

I love Netflix's commitment to giving us female POTUS's (both in Zero Day and in The Night Agent!), and Angela Bassett absolutely stuns as President Evelyn Mitchell. She brings depth to every scene she's in, and I can't wait until we have a woman lead the country IRL.

​3. Robert De Niro commands the screen.

Netflix

Robert De Niro is the best person to play George Mullen, and he is an absolute powerhouse in every single episode. "He owns every scene he is in," one X user writes. "He makes the show worth watching. If you don't watch the entire series, I would still recommend watching the last episode, it is very powerful."

​4. The rest of the 'Zero Day' cast is phenomenal.

Netflix

In addition to Angela Bassett and Robert De Niro, the Zero Day cast also includes Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, Bill Camp, Dan Stevens, McKinley Belcher III, and Matthew Modine — all of whom give incredible performances. Literally say no more.

5. It's timely.

Netflix

Okay, seeing nationwide disasters on TV might make you feel more anxious than relaxed, but Netflix viewers simply cannot stop talking about how timely Zero Day feels. At its core, entertainment's purpose is to reflect the world around us, and make us think, and Zero Day is no exception...although if you want to turn on your favorite Disney Channel episode when you're done binge watching, I wouldn't blame you.

Tag us on Facebook with your thoughts after you binge watch Zero Day!

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Mikey Madison's Win Over Demi Moore Was The Biggest Surprise At The 2025 Oscars

The 2025 Oscars have come and gone. In addition to some incredible noms, like A Real Pain for Original Screenplay, Wicked for Best Picture, and Anora's Mikey Madison for Best Actress, there were some serious snubs. Because what do you mean Challengers didn't get nominated for ANYTHING?! Considering it won Best Score at the Golden Globes, I'd have thought it had that nomination secured, but the Academy had other plans.

Here's the full list of 2025 Oscar winners.

The Craziest 2025 Oscar nomination snubs.

Amazon MGM Studios

I really can't believe Zendaya didn't get nominated for her performance in Challengers. Her viral "crazy eyes" scene generated enough conversation to give her a nom in my opinion. I remember sitting in the theater and thinking, Wow, I've never seen her make that face before, can we replay that? And, of course, I'm mourning the fact the movie didn't get nominated for Best Score. "Match Point" playing during the ending of the movie will always be an Oscar-winning moment to me!

But in addition to Z, Selena Gomez also didn't get nominated for her role as Jessi Del Monte in Emilia Pérez, despite the fact the movie got a total of 13 nominations.

My group chat immediately blew up when we realized Sing Sing wasn't nominated for Best Picture.

The full list of 2025 Oscar winners.

Universal Pictures

Best Picture

Winner: Anora

  • Anora
  • The Brutalist
  • A Complete Unknown
  • Conclave
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Emilia Pérez
  • I’m Still Here
  • Nickel Boys
  • The Substance
  • Wicked

Best Lead Actress

Winner: Mikey Madison for Anora

  • Cynthia Erivo for Wicked
  • Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez
  • Mikey Madison for Anora
  • Demi Moore for The Substance
  • Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here

Best Lead Actor

Winner: Adrien Brody for The Brutalist

  • Adrien Brody for The Brutalist
  • Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown
  • Colman Domingo for Sing Sing
  • Ralph Fiennes for Conclave
  • Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice

Searchlight Pictures

Best Supporting Actress

Winner: Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez

  • Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown
  • Ariana Grande for Wicked
  • Felicity Jones for The Brutalist
  • Isabella Rossellini for Conclave
  • Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez

Best Supporting Actor

Winner: Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain

  • Yura Borisov for Anora
  • Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain
  • Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown
  • Guy Pearce for The Brutalist
  • Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice

Best Director

Winner: Sean Baker for Anora

  • Sean Baker for Anora
  • Brady Corbet for The Brutalist
  • James Mangold for A Complete Unknown
  • Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez
  • Coralie Fargeat for The Substance

Best Original Screenplay

Winner: Anora

  • Anora
  • The Brutalist
  • A Real Pain
  • September 5
  • The Substance

Best Adapted Screenplay

Winner: Conclave

  • A Complete Unknown
  • Conclave
  • Emilia Pérez
  • Nickel Boys
  • Sing Sing

Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures

Best Cinematography

Winner: The Brutalist

  • The Brutalist
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Emilia Pérez
  • Maria
  • Nosferatu

Best Original Score

Winner: The Brutalist

  • The Brutalist
  • Conclave
  • Emilia Pérez
  • Wicked
  • The Wild Robot

Best Original Song

Winner: “El Mal” for Emilia Pérez

  • “El Mal” for Emilia Pérez
  • “The Journey” for The Six Triple Eight
  • “Like a Bird” for Sing Sing
  • “Mi Camino” for Emilia Pérez
  • “Never Too Late” for Elton John: Never Too Late

Best Editing

Winner: Anora

  • Anora
  • The Brutalist
  • Conclave
  • Emilia Pérez
  • Wicked

Best Production Design

Winner: Wicked

  • The Brutalist
  • Conclave
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Nosferatu
  • Wicked

Netflix

Best Costume Design

Winner: Wicked

  • A Complete Unknown
  • Conclave
  • Gladiator II
  • Nosferatu
  • Wicked

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Winner: The Substance

  • A Different Man
  • Emilia Pérez
  • Nosferatu
  • The Substance
  • Wicked

Best Sound

Winner: Dune: Part Two

  • A Complete Unknown
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Emilia Pérez
  • Wicked
  • The Wild Robot

Best Visual Effects

Winner: Dune: Part Two

  • Alien: Romulus
  • Better Man
  • Dune: Part Two
  • Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
  • Wicked

Best International Feature

Winner: I'm Still Here

  • Brazil's I’m Still Here
  • Denmark's The Girl with the Needle
  • France's Emilia Pérez
  • Germany's The Seed of the Sacred Fig
  • Latvia's Flow

Universal Pictures

Best Animated Feature

Winner: Latvia's Flow

  • Flow
  • Inside Out 2
  • Memoir of a Snail
  • Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
  • The Wild Robot

Best Animated Short

Winner: In the Shadow of the Cypress

  • Beautiful Men
  • In the Shadow of the Cypress
  • Magic Candies
  • Wander to Wonder
  • Yuck!

Best Live-Action Short

Winner: cine

  • A Lien
  • Anuja
  • I’m Not a Robot
  • The Last Ranger
  • The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent

Best Documentary Feature

Winner: No Other Land

  • Black Box Diaries
  • No Other Land
  • Porcelain War
  • Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
  • Sugarcane

Best Documentary Short

Winner: The Only Girl in the Orchestra

  • Death By Numbers
  • I Am Ready, Warden
  • Incident
  • Instruments of a Beating Heart
  • The Only Girl in the Orchestra

Did your favorite movie of 2024 get the Oscar nominations you think it deserved, or was it totally snubbed? Let us know on Instagram! And you can still make 13 Award-Winning Cocktails after Oscar Sunday ;).

This post has been updated.

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Netflix's New Romance TV Show Will Fill The 'Yellowstone' Void In Your Life

We're in serious pursuit of something to fill the Yellowstone-sized hole in our hearts (aside from 1923 season 2, of course). And thankfully, Netflix's new showRansom Canyon is shaping up to be the perfect addition to our watchlist. Consider it My Life With The Walter Boys with a little more edge and less "I'm stuck in a love triangle with two brothers."

Here's everything you need to know about Ransom Canyon, coming to Netflix this April.

'Ransom Canyon' promises "it's not too late."

Netflix

Based on Jodi Thomas' book of the same name, Ransom Canyon is about to be your new romance obsession. The 10-episode drama examines three ranching families in Texas, and how their lives intersect.

We have Staten, a rancher dealing with secrets and trouble — just like the beautiful Quinn, who's harboring secrets of her own. Lucas wants a different life than that of a rancher, until a single decision changes everything. And Yancy just wants to use everyone in Ransom Canyon for his own gain. But even this criminal isn't ready for what's coming.

It's giving Yellowstone obviously, but it's also totally reminding me of Friday Night Lights thanks to the football and all the juicy drama. According to the trailer, the canyon "gives us all something to be happy about," and the show will tackle legacy, land, and love. Yeah...I'm tuning in and you can too when the episodes premiere April 17, 2025 on Netflix.

The 'Ransom Canyon' cast also includes some fan favorite actors.

Anna Kooris/Netflix

Yeah, the Ransom Canyon cast is absolutely stacked. We'll see Josh Duhamel as Staten, Minka Kelly as Quinn, James Brolin as Cap, Eoin Macken as Davis, Lizzy Greene as Lauren, Marianly Tejada as Ellie, Jack Schumacher as Yancy, Garrett Wareing as Lucas, and Andrew Liner as Reid. Jennifer Ens, Niko Guardado, Casey W. Johnson, Philip Winchester, Kate Burton, Brett Cullen, Tatanka Means, Jaren Robledo, Justin Johnson Cortez, and Kenneth Miller also star.

Here's when you can watch Ransom Canyon.

Netflix

Ransom Canyon premieres on Netflix April 17, and will have 10 episodes total. I can't wait to tune in! For now, watch the trailer here!

Here are 8 TV Shows & Movies Leaving Netflix This Week you don't want to miss!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Alexis Bledel Actually Debunked This 12-Year Old 'Gilmore Girls' Rumor

Gilmore Girls fans know the show like the back of their hand, but considering the show lasted 7 seasons, it makes sense that there's tons of trivia. Like the fact season 7 wasn't supposed to be the finale, or creator Amy Sherman-Palladino placed the series in a small town because she didn't know any of her neighbors growing upand wanted different for Rory.

But there's one foundational detail about Gilmore Girls you might not have known, and it could change the way you watch the show forever: apparently actress Alexis Bledel didn't like coffee! Yep, that's right. Here's how they supposedly got away with Rory drinking a cup o' Joe in every single episode.

Here's what Alexis Bledel reportedly had in her mug when Rory Gilmore drank coffee — and a surprising comment Alexis made about the drink.

Rory Gilmore loves coffee...but Alexis Bledel allegedly didn't.

Warner Bros. TV

One of the most recognizable details in Gilmore Girls is Lorelai and Rory's love for coffee. They drink it like water, and a clip from the show went viral for Rory sobbing about having to give it up. Well, Alexis Bledel probably wasn't that heartbroken because according to HuffPost, the actress didn't actually like coffee while filming the show (although according to Lauren Graham, “There is always coffee in my cup.”)

Considering one of the most viral and recognizable clips from the whole show is Rory sobbing about having to give up coffee — "And I love coffee!" — that is a shocking detail!

Netflix

However, Alexis Bledel might have actually set the record straight on the longstanding claim she always had soda in her mug instead (which seems to originally come from YourTango in 2013). Ahead of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life in 2016, the actress told Marie Claire that she loves any "winter beverage."

"Give me a hot drink and I’m happy," she says. "Hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee… I like all winter beverages!" You and me both sister.

There's a good chance Alexis' tastes changed from filming in 2000 and filming in 2016. There's also a good chance she did actually like coffee the whole time. But don't worry — we reached out to her reps for comment.

Check out How To Make Coffee Like Your Fave Barista for all things coffee, coffee, coffee!

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The 13 Starbucks Drinks Disappearing From The Menu This Week – And What To Order Instead

ICYMI, Starbucks is cutting 13 staple drinks from their menu. Even if your go-to order is no longer, there’s no need to fret – the chain still has plenty of similar options to choose from! As a former barista, I can guarantee you’ll find an alternative Starbucks order you love – one you just might love more than your previous drink!

Scroll on to see the 13 Starbucks drinks disappearing from menus starting March 4, plus what to order instead to satisfy your cravings.

Starbucks

Iced Matcha Lemonade

Alternative order: Green Tea Lemonade

Though Starbucks’ Green Tea Lemonade doesn’t have any matcha in it, you’ll still get a kick from the caffeinated green tea included in the sip. Plus, it’s still crafted with lemonade, so the citrus notes you like in the OG won’t be missed.

Starbucks

Espresso Frappuccino

Alternative order: Coffee Frappuccino

The Starbucks Espresso Frappuccino will be taken off menus on March 4, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your frozen espresso fix. Their Coffee Frappuccino is a great alternative order because it still boasts sweet coffee and can be easily customized with an additional shot of espresso.

Starbucks

Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino

Alternative order: Coffee Frappuccino

The Coffee Frappuccino is another reliable alternative for Starbucks’ Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino since you still get a taste of coffee. If vanilla is what you're craving, you can easily request a few pumps of vanilla syrup as a customization.

Starbucks

Java Chip Frappuccino

Alternative order: Mocha Frappuccino

I’m honestly sad to see the Java Chip Frappuccino go. It’s been my go-to order since I was a kid, and I still order it on occasion when I want a little ‘treat myself’ moment. Luckily the Mocha Frappuccino will stay on Starbucks menus and gives a similar chocolate-coffee flavor.

Starbucks

White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino

Alternative order: Mocha Frappuccino

I fear there’s not a totally similar alternative order to the bygone White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, but it’s very possible that you could order the Mocha Frappuccino with white chocolate sauce instead of the regular mocha to situate your white chocolate cravings.

Starbucks

Crème Frappuccinos (Chai, Caramel Ribbon Crunch, Double Chocolaty Chip, Chocolate Cookie Crumble, White Chocolate)

Alternative order: Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

Starbucks’ beloved non-caffeinated Crème Frappuccinos will no longer be offered starting March 4. Instead, I recommend trying out the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and customizing it with your desired flavor – Starbucks still has so many syrups.

Starbucks

White Hot Chocolate

Alternative order: Hot Chocolate

Though the “official” White Hot Chocolate will no longer be available, Starbucks says you can still customize a regular Hot Chocolate with either mocha or white chocolate mocha sauce.

Starbucks

Royal English Breakfast Latte

Alternative order: London Fog Latte

Where the discontinued Royal English Breakfast Latte includes, well, Royal English Breakfast tea, you can still get the same sweet floral notes from a London Fog Latte.

Starbucks

Honey Almondmilk Flat White

Alternative order: Flat White

The Honey Almondmilk Flat White is sadly going away, but you can actually still order it, as long as you request some customizations that make it the exact same drink. Starting March 4, order the Flat White with almond milk and honey – or any milk and flavor of your choice!

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