Cars lovers – young and old – will enjoy the new Junior Kits from Revell. The Junior Kits are designed for ages five and up and are easy to put together. Well, pretty easy, anyway.

The pieces snap and screw on making the 45 pieces fit together perfectly. The kits even come with a screw and nut connector that fits into the chassis at the end of the assembly process and becomes part of the car. The cars are sturdy, well built, and easy to create. Whether you want Lightning McQueen (and who doesn’t love this red racing champion with a heart of gold?), the new hotshot Jackson Storm, or the female technician Cruz Ramirez, there’s a Cars car for your family.

The instructions are all in pictures, so even young enthusiasts can see what they are supposed to do and what goes where. The only problem I can see with this kit is that an adult will most likely be necessary to firmly fit the wheels inside the tires. Otherwise they don’t require any strength, just enthusiasm and the ability to turn the screw/nut connector. And they are just as easy to take apart.

Why would someone want to take apart their perfectly built car? That’s easy. The cars come with two different mouth and eye expressions. So you can make Lightning smile broadly or kind of smirk, and there are eyes to match each mouth.

After the car is assembled, kids will enjoy decorating their brightly colored vehicle with the decals that are included in the kit. This is a step that parents might want to oversee with their kids just to make sure they are put in the right location.

And when the car is complete, it actually rolls. The headlights light up and the car emits sounds when the hood is pressed down. This is the real deal. The kit is like two toys in one. First it’s a fun model that is fairly easy to assemble. Second it is a fully functional toy car with lights and sounds.

I put together plenty of models in my youth, and I can honestly say I enjoyed putting this new Lightning McQueen kit together because I saw how well made it is and when I finished I had a great car that didn’t fall apart. It’s sturdy and will be able to withstand plenty of play from your kids. And with the lights and sound the car is more than just a plain plastic automobile.

There are instructions how to change the battery when it runs down, however this is a task for adults to undertake.

These make great gifts for birthday parties and will be treasured at the holiday time. The size of the car is 1:20 scale. Each of the three cars from Cars 3 retails for $24.99.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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If you haven’t heard of RuMe then you don’t know about their convenient products. They make traveling and everyday life a little easier.

Sat Pack

The Sat Pack is a space saving bag that has a variety of uses. It can be used as a convenient backpack or a storage pack for items that you want to put away. Because it compacts, it saves space and when it’s compressed down, it will fit under most beds and in other tight locations. Besides using it around your home, the Sat Pack is perfect for traveling.

So, how does this product work? When you first open it you’ll see zippers and straps and wonder how this bulky pack can do what it is supposed to do. When you pack it full of clothes – I should say stuff it full of clothes or whatever – close the zipper and you have a bulky bag. But then simply sit (or kneel) on the pack and it compresses. Then tighten the straps to keep it in its compressed size.

The Sat Pack will then fit inside your luggage or your carry-on, under your bed, on shelves in your closet, or other tight places. The product itself is lightweight and made of durable material. It lists for $24.95.

Garment Travel Organizer

If you’re like me you don’t like to pack and unpack when you get to your hotel room. And you wonder what has been in the drawers before you got there. The Garment Travel Organizer is perfect for travelers because it serves two purposes.

First, the GTO has one side with four mesh cubes that zipper shut. These are designed for your folded items. Second, the other side holds your hanging items. Simply place them inside the bag on their hangers. There’s no need to take them off of their hangers and then place them on hotel hangers once you arrive in your room. The GTO then folds over. Place this bag inside your luggage and head to the airport.

The best part about the GTO is once you get to your hotel room, simply remove the bag and hang it directly on the closet rod in your room. It comes with straps that attach onto a rod.

The GTO takes garment bags one step farther, with all the bells and whistles. It’s lightweight and machine washable. It lists for $24.95.

Expandable Organizer

Whether you want –or need- an organizer in your car or your home, the Expandable Organizer is the solution. It compacts to less than one inch thick with a built in handle for easy carrying. Straps hold it shut. Then it opens into an easy and convenient organizer that can expand from two compartments to three, depending on your needs.

This is a great product for the trunk of your car, keeping your groceries upright. No more rolling soda bottles in the back of your car.

And for play, this product holds unruly balls and other toys to keep everything organized and in one place. When not in use, it folds up and slips into a drawer or shelf. The Expandable Organizer lists for $24.95.

Check out their website for other products. RuMe produces accessories to make life easier. They offer single items and also bundled sets. And you aren’t limited to a single color. There are plenty of fun colors and designs to personalize your products.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

With the newest film in the Star Wars franchise about to hit the big screens later this year, the folks at Disney Store have a jump on the situation, with several new kitchen items. Star Wars fans can now have their food galactic style.

Whether you are old school Star Wars or new age Star Wars, there is a kitchen timer for you. Let’s face it, the droids are adorable characters, and chefs can now accent their kitchens with either a BB-8 kitchen timer ($24.95) or an R2-D2 ($19.95) kitchen timer. BB-8 (from Star Wars: The Force Awakens) lights up and emits sounds.

For more BB-8 fun, why not make your next cake in the shape of this adorable little droid? The BB-8 cake mold ($9.95) is made in a bright orange color with plenty of droid details. It’s a fun way to celebrate any occasion for a fan of the films and this little fellow.

For fun mornings, how about a waffle in the shape of the newest droid? There is a new BB-8 waffle maker ($39.95) to start anyone’s day off with a smile. Or, maybe you prefer a waffle in the shape of a Stormtrooper? There is also one of those as well ($39.95).

Gather the family together for movie night and make some popcorn in the Death Star Popcorn Maker ($49.95). Or for a quiet afternoon, perhaps the Death Star Teapot and Mug Set ($24.95) fits the bill. This is one of those handy little gadgets that has a teapot on the cup so it all fits together nicely. And it makes a great item for nightstands when you’re tucked in bed reading a great book and want a comforting cup of tea.

R2-D2 was the first droid to capture everyone’s heart when he appeared in the very first film released in theaters. Having the R2-D2 Cookie Jar ($34.95) on your kitchen counter will be a conversation piece. And think of how much your kids will enjoy bringing their friends over and offering them a treat from this little fellow.

There are plenty more creative ways to show your enthusiasm for the stories and characters from a galaxy far, far away. These are only a few items to help combine your love of the franchise with your kitchen. May the force be with you.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Poketti Plushies with Pocket Powers are adorable soft plush animals with pockets. They are cuddly as well as functional.

What sets this product off from others is the backstory of the company. Two teenage girls, Syndey and Toni, began the company in 2013. Their seventh grade entrepreneurial class inspired them to start their own company. Today the company has eight different designs, each conveying a message of empowerment while at the same time being a functional – and cuddly soft – toy, although toy isn’t quite the right word.

The animals are gender neutral so they are just as appropriate for boys as they are for girls, although girls are the main targets for these items.

Sydney the Penguin comes with a message of confidence, Toni the bunny inspires kindness, Flynn the pig inspires curiosity, Harley the koala comes with the message of creativity, Frankie the panda inspires generosity, Shawn the unicorn inspires innovation, Parker the owl reminds kids to be honest, and Scout the chick inspires strength.

Besides being cute little animals, each of these fellows has a pocket on their back. The pockets are useful for holding phones, glasses, a small notebook, a little toy, and even a tooth for the tooth fairy. Imagine being able to put a tooth in a Poketti at night and finding a gift from the tooth fairy in the pocket in the morning. It makes it that much more memorable and this is something that can be a childhood friend that is passed down through generations.

And when going on a vacation this summer, kids can store their sunglasses or a tube of sunscreen in the pocket. These are definitely useful little plashes.

Each Poketti sells for $12.95. The entire series can be purchased for $80.00. Teens can stay in touch with Syndey and Toni through their Twitter (pokettiplushies) and Facebook (poketti) and other social media accounts.

For more information about Syndey and Toni, as well as their company and the Pokettis, visit their website.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Summer is the time of picnics, parties, bar-be-ques, sporting events, and all kinds of get-togethers. With the Hot Logic cooking boxes, it’s easier than ever to cook, reheat, and transport food to wherever you are going, even if it’s just to the office.

With the Hot Logic Electric Lunchbox, you and your family will eat healthier. Forget about fast foods, just put in healthy, delicious food, plug in the box, and it heats it up so when you’re ready to eat, everything will be hot and delicious.

This is a 3-in-1 item. It cooks, heats, and warms your food – even frozen foods. All you need is an electric outlet and you’re ready to cook. And for traveling to your location, check to see if your new autos and SUVs are equipped with them outlets, as many new ones are. If you don’t have an outlet in your car, don’t worry. Simply get the Hot Logic Mini Deluxe models, which come with car inverters.

The Hot Logic Mini also comes with its own Pyrex dish. Simply put your food into the dish, put the dish into the Hot Logic, plug it in, and in a few hours your food is ready to eat. Or, if you are reheating, it won’t take as long. Imagine putting hot dogs and chicken into the Hot Logic, plugging it in, and then taking off for a picnic.

The full size Hot Logic is the right size for a family-sized 9 x 13 casserole dish –(not included). Use your own casserole dish filled with whatever you like – lasagna, chicken, fish, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. – and even put some frozen veggies in with your meat. In a few hours you’ll have a hot meal. Or, if you prefer to use a frozen meal, just place that into the Hot Logic and you’ll have your comfort food ready to eat without the use of a microwave. If you have it in your office, all you need to do is to plug it in when you get to work and at lunchtime your coworkers will be fighting over the microwave while you are already dining on your favorite meal.

The Hot Logic boxes are insulated and have built-in pockets for the electric cords. The large Hot Logic also includes a cooking shelf (Patented Smart Shelf), which utilizes slow conduction. Both the Hot Logic and the Hot Logic Mini have sturdy handles for easy transportation.

The Hot Logic doesn’t give you instant gratification like a microwave. But there are times when you don’t have a microwave, especially when you’re at a picnic or even a tailgate party. Plug the cord in your automobile and reheat or even cook your food right there, on the spot. These boxes hold the heat so hours later the food is still hot.

These are perfect for dorm rooms too. Imagine your student going to the local farmer’s market, selecting fresh veggies, taking them back to their dorm, and eating a healthy meal without preservatives or other ingredients.

The only thing to remember with these Hot Logics is that you do need to have an electric outlet. They are like portable ovens, only much more convenient.

For tailgating, picnics, dorms, offices, or even holiday parties, the Hot Logics could be just what you need. Put in your favorite food, whether already cooked or not, and you’re set. While everyone else is scrambling to heat up their food, yours is already ready.

https://hotlogicmini.com