2019 Star Wars Itty Bittys - Queen Amidala, Darth Maul & More!

Earlier today StarWars.com revealed a first look at some of the new Star Wars products we can expect to see at Hallmark sometime in 2019! Among the list of geeky collectibles were five new Itty Bitty plushies. Previously these were stated to have a 2018 release as seen here on the official Hallmark Itty Bitty 2018 Checklist.

The release of Queen Amidala and Darth Maul may have been pushed back due to The Phantom Menace celebrating 20 years next year. As for Han Solo and Chewbacca (which both are presumed to be in the original action figure card back styled packaging), I can't say for sure why these were pushed back. What I can tell you is that I definitely prefer the fluffy Chewbacca they made over this new one. R2-Q5 is also on the list though I've never been particularly fond of their droid design. On a more positive note, it's safe to say that Star Wars Itty Bittys aren't going anywhere as these addicting plushies are continuing to be made!

If you're going to SDCC this week keep an eye out as these will be on display and more information may be revealed then!

Queen Amidala and Darth Maul are definitely on my "must have" list. I'm always excited to discover new merchandise made after these characters! What about you?

New Limited Edition Star Wars Itty Bittys

Recently Hallmark revealed two new Limited Edition Star Wars Itty Bittys in the same original action figure card back styled packaging we've seen recently. Both the Jawa and R2-D2 are priced at $14.99. The Jawa is currently sold out online but if you have a store nearby you can do a search to see if he's currently in stock for pick-up. R2-D2 however is currently set to release on July 26th and can be pre-ordered now!

I think they're both really cute but I especially like the Jawa! Will you be adding either of these to your collection?

Thanks to Yakface.com and VinylmationWorld.com for the heads up!

A Q&A with Jenmarie

I recently asked my readers on social media if they had any questions they were itching to ask me whether they were Star Wars related or not. You all sent in a lot of fun and even challenging questions! Let's dig in!

Q: "You get a call from Kathleen Kennedy and she wants to know what the next Star Wars movie should be about. Any characters, any setting. Go!"
- @ShannonNutt

A: Since an Obi-Wan film has continued to be rumored but not confirmed that is the movie I would have to go with because I really want to see Ewan McGregor reprise his role as Obi. I want to see what his time was like on Tatooine while keeping watch over Luke. Was there anyone else he crossed paths with besides Darth Maul, Ezra Bridger and Chopper? Darth Vader maybe? I think it's actually possible. Did he have any contact with anyone off the planet? What sort of side adventures did he experience? I obviously have many questions.

Q: "Have you slept overnight at a Theater's box office waiting for Star Wars movie tickets to go on sale?" - @wolfking20ten

A: I actually haven't! However, I have always taken the day off to make sure I'm able to get tickets. For the past few years I've been making a trip to my local theater because technology still can't handle the amount of Star Wars fans ordering them online. Websites/Apps crash and the wait times are so long you could end up not getting the seats you were hoping for.

Q: "What is the job that you are leaving?" - JediKatey

A: I've been a Manager at the company BoxLunch for a year but I am leaving at the end of the month to focus on the things that are important to me and to start a side business!

Q: "What is your favorite Padme Amidala outfit?" - BookishRuth

A: It's always been the Lake Country dress. I love the style, the colors and how light and airy the chiffon and satin fabric is. It moves so gracefully with every step she takes making it quite fitting being the angel that she is. It holds a special meaning because it's what she wore during her first kiss with Anakin and although the moment ended rather awkward there was no going back from that point on.

Q: "Do you have any other fandoms that you like?" - DebbieMelton97

A: Yes! I'm a HUGE Disney fan. My favorites Disney movies are: Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, and The Little Mermaid but I love so many of their films. Plus, one of my favorite things to do is go to Disneyland! I also love Marvel, DC, LOTR, etc. I'm a huge movie buff and am easily entertained if you can't already tell by the fandoms that I like.

Q: "Who is your favorite Star Wars ship?" - AbigailFaith2019

A: It will always be Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. One of the reasons that they are my favorite Star Wars couple is because they accept each other for who they are. I also am completely obsessed with these pairings:

Kylo Ren & Rey, Kanan Jarrus & Hera Syndulla, Han & Leia, Han and Qi'ra.

Q: "If you could live in any period of Star Wars, what would it be?" - @MasterXel

A: I honestly would probably want to live during the time of The Force Awakens. I'd help Kylo Ren understand the way his Grandfather's story ended. Maybe I'd be a Knight of Ren gone rogue? I don't know. What I do know is, Kylo wouldn't have killed Han Solo but instead gone with him to reunite with his family. I haven't quite figured our how his and Rey's story would look but they'd definitely end up being together. And yes I know I'm always about the Dark Side BUT CAN WE JUST STOP AND THINK OF THE HAPPINESS THAT WOULD BE THE SOLO FAMILY!? *Ugly cries*

Q: "What is your advice for someone who is planning to go to Star Wars Celebration for the first time?" - JediKatey

A: I've only been to Star Wars Celebration once but here are 3 tips that I personally did myself:

1) Check the itinerary for the day/days you're going and make a list of what you want to do most. It's too big of a convention and there's way to many people to just "wing it". I would also leave some time to walk the show floors. There are so many amazing booths to see, photo opportunities and friends to make!

2) Pack essentials: Snacks and water bottles (if allowed, I was able to bring them at the one I went to in Anaheim), cash, a sweatshirt or jacket, hand sanitizer, a camera (unless you're using your phone), and your business cards.

3) If a panel is on your list of "things to do" or there's going to be exclusive merchandise releasing that you have to have, get in line EARLY!

Q: "Who do you relate to the most in Star Wars?" - @Razakyren

A: I've been asked this question only a couple of times before and my answer was and still is Ahsoka, Rey, and Chopper. Like Ahsoka, I'm a firm believer in staying true to who I am, being unafraid to say what I think and stand up for what I believe in. I find the anxieties that Rey deals with similar to my own, especially when it comes to trying new things. However, when she finally makes a stand no one gets in her way! She's feisty and that's what my family has always referred to me as. As for Chopper, he's a little grump but he's super loyal and is always there when someone needs him. I like to think I treat others the same way as I genuinely love people. I can recall a home video of my dad recording me saying my prayers as a very young child telling God that I loved everyone and that I didn't want anyone to be hurt or sick. Aww, baby Jenmarie.

Q: "When did you first become a Star Wars fan?" - DebbieMelton97

A: I remember walking into the living room where my parents had A New Hope playing on the TV. It was the scene where Obi-Wan hands Luke his father's lightsaber. I was completely mesmerized because I had never seen anything like that before (I had really grown up only watching Disney movies and classic TV shows like I Love Lucy.) My parents took me to see the film in 1997 for it's re-release and I was instantly hooked!

Q: "Where did you get that Porg Hat?" - QuiGonJ

A: I recently picked it up at Hot Topic. It's available online and in stores for $14.90. It's super comfortable!

Q: "If someone new is getting into Star Wars, would you recommend they watch the movies in chronological order by release date or in the order they take place Which do you think is better for a new fan?" - MarcGoldie

A: I recently talked about this with my Host Travis on our podcast, Force Cult. If I had to choose from the two options you listed, I would say in the order they came out. But I actually have my own viewing list for someone new to Star Wars:

A New Hope
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
The Force Awakens
The Last Jedi
The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith
Solo
Rogue One
I hope you enjoyed reading through my answers! Thanks for participating and MTFBWY!

The Anakin & Padmé Merchandise You Need

The Prequels will always hold a special place in my heart as will the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. But I guess the name of my blog gives that away already, huh? I've recently spotted some Star Wars merchandise of this star-crossed couple which includes everything from fashion pieces to home decor and thought I would put together a compilation of everything in case you've also needed a good A/P fix. The items listed below will feature them as a couple and as their amazing individual selves. I'm sure you'll find something you like!

Anima Eterna | $17.66

This artwork of Anakin & Padmé which was inspired after magazine shots of Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman has always been one of my favorites. In fact, you might recognize it as part of my header banner that I've been using for years now. It also happens to be available as a 7.9"x11.8" print and a bookmark which you can find here.

BoxLunch | $28.90

Talk about a rare find! This is the kind of merchandise you would find back in the Attack of the Clones marketing days. You'll want to snatch up this newly released shirt fast! It's a unisex fit, made of 100% cotton and it's available in sizes XS-XXL.

Squadron Goals | $12.00

This 1.25 inch enamel pin is one of the best Queen Amidala pins you'll find out there! I own this myself and absolutely love the design and intricate detail. This pin is also part of a series of pins featuring various leading ladies from the films. Find more here!

Mei Flower Art | $22.00+ (depending on size)

This vintage-inspired water color print is hauntingly beautiful. It's available in sizes 8x10 through 17x22 allowing you to find the perfect spot on your wall to hang it! If you like this one you'll probably enjoy this piece from Revenge of the Sith.

Melty Artz | $3.99

Stickers anyone? This one of Padmé is too cute plus there's one of little Anakin which you'll obviously need. They're available in four different sizes and you can choose between white or transparent backgrounds! Plus, stay tuned for an A/P Meadow Picnic sticker coming soon!

Urban Outfitters | $34.90

If a Tie-Dye printed t-shirt with an Episode I graphic isn't a throwback than I don't know what is! It's a steep price to pay for a shirt but I wouldn't wait for a sale if I were you as only Small and Medium sizes are left. That's not to say there won't be re-stocks though so be sure to bookmark this link if you're interested.

Lantern Pins | $10.00

This is one of the cutest lightsaber pin designs I've ever seen! I actually own the Darth Vader version of this one (because Dark Side). If you're a more of a Light Side fan this will be the perfect option for you. It's also available as necklace which you can find here!

Biterswit | $24.08

Imagine all the creative possibilities you'll have with this custom stamp set which includes Anakin & Padmé! If you like these than you'll absolutely love the rest of the stamps like The Force Awakens character set!

BoxLunch | $38.90

This lovely Queen Amidala cardigan by Her Universe has been around for a while but it's too incredible not to sure! There are only a few sizes left on the BoxLunch website but I've also seen this piece in stores so it's possible to call around and locate your size. I think it'd be quite impossible to not feel like royalty wearing this number.

Retrothentic | $11.92

This is for fans who truly hold Anakin and Padmé's relationship close to their heart. The Japor Snippet necklace is made of ivory colored polyurethane resin and a brown leather cord. It looks so much like the one from the films and will compliment almost any outfit! Jewelry not your thing? How about a keychain?

Tell me, which item from this list is your favorite? Let me know in a comment below or send me a Tweet!

Queen Amidala Pin by Black Series Rebels

"There are things I cannot do. I cannot watch while people suffer, I cannot sit when something must be done, I cannot judge those who are different. There are things I cannot do. Run, hide, ignore. There are things I cannot do. But there are certainly things I WILL do." - Queen Amidala, TPM Tone Poem

It's no secret that fangirls (and even fanboys) in the Star Wars community are always screaming for more Padmé/Queen Amidala merchandise. Why isn't she a character that's recognized more often? It beats me. She has always been one of my favorite characters because I greatly admire her strong will and compassion towards others. Not to mention the fact that she has the greatest wardrobe out of all of the characters in Star Wars. Yep, I said it.

My buddies, Alex and Steve, over at Black Series Rebels are releasing this Queen Amidala action pin entitled "The Monarch" this Saturday, June 30th at 9am PT. In case you haven't heard of them, each month they release two Star Wars pins which help them keep their amazing Star Wars show on YouTube alive. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to their channel today! You can start off by watching the episode I was a guest on, because why not?

Keep in mind their pin drops sell out extremely fast! So clear your schedules and set those alarms because if you're a fan of this little lady or the Star Wars Prequels in general, you don't want to miss out. Their new pins (Yoda is also part of this weekend's release) will be available to purchase here.

This is honestly one of my favorites of their pin releases so far! As always, their pins are of such high quality and have two posts on the backside for extra security. I love the simplistic design based off of Queen Amidala's intricate Thrown Room Gown seen in The Phantom Menace and I'm so happy to have this in my Star Wars collection!

Disclaimer: This pin was sent to me by Alex and Steve of Black Series Rebels. All opinions are 100% my own.

Star Wars OOTD: Solo Summer

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What I Wore:

Anyday Tank: Target
Solo Wrap Skirt: Her Universe
Franco Sarto Sandals: eBay
Clutch: Old Navy
Chewbacca Pin: Black Series Rebels
Stainless Steel Falcon Necklace: Wal-Mart

It's officially Summer and although it's actually my least favorite season of the year I do find joy in certain things that come with the heat and one of those things is definitely the fashion. I'm kicking things off with a Solo Summer outfit! When I finally found the new Solo Wrap Skirt ($26.90) by Her Universe at Hot Topic I tried it on in an X-Small and instantly fell in love with it! I'm not wrong when I say the stripes on Han Solo's pants are THE BEST stripes, right? The skirt is super comfortable and most definitely light enough to wear during these warmer months in So Cal. I also really like that the skirt has snap buttons to help secure it. I much prefer that over tying a wrap skirt just for the peace of mind that it won't come undone. Her Universe always comes up with such brilliant designs! I found the perfect white tank ($8) that wasn't see through so I could channel my inner Solo in a noticeable but casual way. The size Small fit perfectly so I ended up purchasing the tank in other colors and patterns because of the fit and quality of the material. Target is the best!

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As for accessories, I knew that I wanted to incorporate the Millennium Falcon and Chewbacca in some way because those are the first two things that come to mind when I think of Han Solo. A couple of years ago I found this Stainless Steel Millennium Falcon necklace for only $10 at Kohl's. It's beautifully made! I did some searching and found a few on eBay for about the same price and included a link to a Wal-Mart listing above in case you're interested. Just the other day I went to check out Old Navy's sale and found this Laser-Cut Clutch for $5.99. It's super cute and roomy (also availabled in black) and I thought the laser-cut was a perfect opportunity to add a pin for a little extra character. That's where my Chewbacca pin by Black Series Rebels came in. These guys make some of my Favorite Star Wars pins and have surprise releases every month to help support the cost of their studio where they record their Star Wars show! In fact, they have a pin drop this Saturday, June 30th at 9:00am PT so be sure to check them out!

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I hope you enjoyed this new Star Wars OOTD! As always, I will share "Outfit Outtakes" from time to time on my social media pages and exclusive photos on my Patreon page. Be on the look out!

*For reference, I'm wearing an X-Small in the skirt and a Small in the tank

Comic-Con Exclusive: Itty Bitty Boba Fett

Yesterday the Unofficial SDCC Blog revealed several Comic Convention Exclusives which included this Popminded by Hallmark Itty Bitty of the infamous Bounty Hunter, Boba Fett. Like previous Itty Bitty Comic-Con Exclusives it has an original action figure card back styled packaging making this a true collector's item. There are only 2,500 of these made and with Boba Fett being a favorite of many fans, not to mention the killer design, I'm sure he'll sell out quickly.

This Boba Fett plush will be available at the Pop Minded Booth at both San Diego Comic-Con (July 19-22) and New York Comic-Con (October 4-7).

Do you have a weakness for plushies and/or Boba? If so, is he on your "must have" list?

Star Wars ComLINKS: Favorite Solo Scene

Welcome to the thirtieth Star Wars ComLINKS! This is the first and only monthly link up. The purpose of this link up is to inspire fans to write/talk about various topics (which are assigned each month) pertaining to our favorite fandom. Each link up will take place on the second Wednesday of every month. You will be given the opportunity to share a link to your Website, Blog, YouTube, Podcast, etc. on a special linkup widget here on AAHA and also view other posts from fans! Your contribution will also be shared on social media!

"Favorite Solo Scene" begins today through June 27th!

Now that you've seen Solo one, two, maybe even three times it's time to round up your thoughts and determine which scene in the film was your favorite. What made it stand out from the rest of the film? Did the scene include one of your favorite characters? How did the action or drama resonate with you? These are just a few prompts to help you get started.

GUIDELINES

1) Your Website, Blog, YouTube, Podcast, etc. does NOT have to be SW related.
2) Your entry must be family-friendly.
3) Please include a link to (or mention) "Star Wars ComLINKS" in your entry and don't forget to use the hashtag #starwarscomlinks when applicable!

An InLinkz Link-up

There are several scenes in Solo that I consider favorites. I thought that after seeing the movie four times that I'd be able to narrow it down to just one but alas, I found it too difficult. So I decided to pick the first moment in the film that was my favorite which would be when Han and Chewbacca met in the most unexpected way on the planet Mimban.

As soon as Mimban Stormtroopers mentioned feeding Han Solo to the "beast" after he continued to pester Beckett about joining his crew I just knew that they were referring to Chewbacca. If you saw my Solo themed Smuggler's Bounty unboxing video than you know there was a Han and Chewbacca Funko Pop two pack where they are both clearly muddy and chained together. The only thing that surprised me was that according to the Troopers, Han was apparently on the menu...

I squealed upon hearing a familiar growl after Han was tossed into the cell where Chewbacca was being held as a prisoner of the Empire. But that excitement suddenly turned into concern when I wondered if Chewie really ate and digested humans. Thanks to The Official Guide I learned that he typically eats food scraps though they were often used to taunt him. Indeed, this book made Chewbacca's circumstances all the more saddening. Wookiee hugs are necessary!

Whether Chewbacca was planning to eat Han out of starvation or kill him for whatever reason, things started off rather rocky between them. Of course Han was going to put up a fight! I loved that their relationship begun with them fighting each other much like two young boys on a school yard. It often happens that they end up becoming buddies which is obviously what transpired with this unique duo. Neither Chewie or Han held back which was both amusing and concerning especially when things started getting ugly. Han takes a bite out of Chewie's shoulder (ouch!) and Chewie almost suffocates Han as he uses his giant paws to press him downward into the thick mud that covers the entire perimeter of the cell. Han comes up with the clever idea of speaking Shyriiwook to get his attention. What a hysterical moment! Chewbacca is caught off guard and listens to Han's clever escape plan. Han had noticed that there was a loose support which props up the roof to the cell they're trapped in. Han knows the Troopers are watching the show so he convinces Chewie to act like he's hurting him when really Chewie is hitting the support to cause more damage that would eventually collapse it allowing them to escape. It works but only after Chewbacca tackles Han into the pillar to finally snap it in half. Talk about roughhousing!

Some fans questioned the fact that Han knew a bit of Skyriiwook considering we never hear him speak it in the other films. I, however, don't have a problem with it. Chewbacca can already understand Han so there's no reason for him to use the language. I believe he did it because he was in a desperate moment and needed to catch Chewbacca off guard by speaking his native language. It definitely surprised him enough to let up from killing Han!

I love this scene because of the shock value. I never would have imagined these two going up against each other in the way that they did. The more I watch it the more I appreciate what it brings to their relationship. They can get through anything together no matter how different they are and even if they don't see eye to eye on everything. We see this play out as the film progresses with moments of trust, compromise, understanding and sacrifice. Needless to say, they have a relationship built on a solid foundation. I can't wait until the movie is on Blu-Ray so we can get some proper screen caps of this scene!

Tell me, what was your favorite scene from Solo? Write a post or discuss it on your podcast and if you don't have time for that, leave a comment below and tell me about it!