Kidizoom Smartwatch

Kidizoom SmartwatchThe interactive Kidizoom Smartwatch lets kids capture photos, add photo effects, record videos and play built-in games for learning fun on the go. Complete with an easy-to-use 1.4’’ color touch screen, as well as more than 50 digital and analog clock displays, the multi-functional Kidizoom Smartwatch is perfect for kids learning to tell time. Boasts a rechargeable battery, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, voice recorder with five voice changing effects and parental game controls.  Made just for kids, the Kidizoom Smartwatch features a durable design to withstand drops and bumps and is splash and sweat proof.  Kidizoom Smartwatch is PC and MAC compatible for uploading photos, videos and recorded voice files and offers access to VTech’s Learning Lodge™ app store, where parents can download even more games and watch displays to extend the learning fun. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

 

 

Stella and Bow Jewelry

FlorenceWelchNecklaceWhat’s new, trendy, classic, funky, wearable, pretty, and being talked about all around town and being worn by celebs? Stella and Bow jewelry! This up and coming company is getting rave reviews for their unique creations. And they have pieces for all ages.

 

For those of us who might need a little help reading the menu when we go to dimly lit restaurants, there is a great lorgnette. Actually, most people know them as magnifying glasses on chains, but they are fashionable and useful pieces of jewelry. When I wear mine I can read the menu without squinting. No reading glasses are required when you’re wearing these necklaces with their 5X magnifier. They sell for $63.25 at the company’s website.

 

bow earringsBFFStella and Bow has some fun necklaces as well as bracelets, earrings, and rings. And many of the items are available in yellow, white, and rose gold colors.

 

There are many classic styles as well as some great trendy pieces. For instance, the personalized bracelets are perfect for tweens, teens and twenty-somethings. This “Debbie Harry Bracelet” line is fun and whimsical. There is a “BFF” bracelet, an “I(heart)U” and several others. However, if you want to create your own, there is that option as well. This is the way to go for a creative and personal gift for your daughter, your granddaughter, your best friend, or your girlfriend.

 

LA JOLLA EARRINGS- GOLD TOP VIEWstellaWe all know that a little finishing touch makes all the difference when it comes to how we look. And jewelry always adds that extra little sparkle to anyone’s outfit, whether you’re wearing jeans, shorts, a suit, a sundress, or a fancy gown. Women who are “pulled together” are those who take just an extra minute to accessorize.

 

Check out their website for great gifts this holiday season. If you have a girl on your shopping list, this is definitely a site you want to see. www.stellaandbow.com. Their sale items are amazing and their regular priced pieces are comparable to other designers. For a company that is only 3 years old, they are getting a lot of attention and surging onto the scene.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. 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

Newest Edition of Disney’s Animators’ Collection Dolls

Animators-Collection-1The Animators’ Collection is a popular and adored line of dolls from Disney. The folks there have taken classic Disney characters and reimagined them as young kids. In this third incarnation of the series, the dolls once again come with a little “side kick” that holds special interest for the character. When they premiered the original series, the dolls had their pals with them, but the second edition did not. The second edition changed the dresses completely. Now the clothing is reminiscent of the original edition and of course, the little pals are back!

 

Anna and Elsa each come with their own Olaf, and of course little Kristoff holds his best friend Sven. Ariel comes with little Flounder, Aurora comes with The Owl, Belle includes a little Chip, Cinderella holds Jaq, Jasmine has Raja, Merida holds a little Angus, Pocahontas comes with Meeko the raccoon, Rapunzel has Pascal, Mulan has her dog Little Brother, Snow White has a little bluebird, Tiana has of course a frog, and Tinker Bell comes with a little baby crocodile.

Animators-Collection-2

Besides now including a little friend for each doll, most of their costumes have been redone. They are updated versions of the original edition of Animators’ Collection Dolls. With most of the same coloring and somewhat the same styles as the original edition, there are some minor changes.

Snow White is minus her cape yet Aurora does have her satin shawl back. Perhaps the two biggest wardrobe changes are with Aurora and Merida. Aurora is back to wearing her Briar Rose costume, and Merida’s costume returns to her blue and gold.

 

The outfits are only part of the charm of these dolls. The actual faces are what really impact consumers. They are each adorable and kids – as well as adults – will have a difficult time choosing which one – or which ones – to buy. Disney animators did an incredible job reimagining the characters as young children, however in the case of Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff they were each portrayed as little kids in the movie Frozen, so it wasn’t that much of a stretch to create them in doll form.

 

Animators-Collection-3Every face depicts innocence and sweetness. These wide-eyed little faces will melt anyone’s heart. And we have artists like Becky Brese, Bill Schwab, Jin Kim, Tony Smeed, Steve Thompson, Glen Keane, Matt Nolte, and Mark Henn to thank for these cherubic dolls.

 

There is no doubt the newest edition of Disney’s Animators’ Collection Dolls will be the most wished for presents this holiday season. One look at them and you’ll know why. With their updated costumes and their little pals, this edition of Disney’s Animators’ Collection is adorable.

 

So, whether you select baby Snow White, the fairest one of all, the young adventurous Ariel, sweet little Belle, sensitive Pocahontas, the young Jasmine, bright-eyed Rapunzel, “Bayou Baby” Tiana, mischievous Merida, classic Cinderella, precious Aurora, Baby Tinker Bell, or the Frozen kids (Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff), you can’t make a wrong decision. They are all wonderful and will be loved by kids and adults.
Each box includes the 16 inch doll, their little pal, and character sketches by the animators. They are recommended for ages 3 and up.

 

Note: If you intend on displaying your dolls, Kaiser Doll Stands are made in America. There are a couple models that will probably be best for this line of dolls. The #3001 and #2601 should work with a little tweaking on the clips to stretch them just a bit so they won’t squeeze the doll’s abdomen too hard.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. 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

Like her on Facebook

Dyson Allergy Kit – Product Review

If you have an asthma and/or allergy sufferer in your house, take note. The Dyson Allergy Kit is a great addition to your Dyson upright or canister vacuum. With three little tools it addresses some problems that can be helped by this one kit.
I have said to my friends and family that “I can smell dust.” When I walk into a room, I can smell dust if it’s there. I am extremely sensitive to this and like other allergy sufferers it is difficult for me to dust the house because of this sensitivity. The Dyson Allergy Kit greatly improves the ability of allergy sufferers to clean their homes, and once they’re clean, allergies are greatly improved.

 

First, the Soft Dusting Brush is a good way to gently clean surfaces. Blinds and shutters are especially notorious for collecting dust and we often don’t think about cleaning them as much as we should. And, this little tool helps clean keyboards (how often do you dust your keyboard?) as well as other surfaces. It has soft bristles so it won’t scratch surfaces.

 

The Flexi Crevice Tool includes an extender so it can reach behind couches, tables, desks, and other furniture where dust collects and because it is hidden, we often forget about dusting these spaces. Floorboards and floors, whether they are hard or carpet, collect dust even when they are out of sight.
And the tool I especially find interesting is the Mattress Tool. Have you ever thought about dusting your mattress? Probably not. This tool removes dust and allergens – including those pesky mites – on your mattress, as well as upholstered furniture. Sure, we vacuum our furniture from time to time, but mattresses are usually forgotten. And since we spend a large portion of our lives in bed, it’s a good idea for allergy sufferers to pay attention to bedding and beds. The Mattress Tool also gets loose fibers and pet hair.

 

If you already have a Dyson upright or canister vacuum, consider this Allergy Kit to add additional relief for the asthma and allergy sufferer in your home.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. 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

Like her on Facebook

Disney’s Frozen Products

Disney’s Frozen has captured the attention and imagination of people all around the world. In this day and age when special effects, blood and guts and sex are the big draws in the theaters, one animated movie has captured the heart of the world. The Imagineers at Disney reimagined Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen.” And this sweet little animated film is now the highest grossing animated film of all time. It is the second highest grossing Disney film (behind Marvel’s The Avengers), and it ranks as the fifth highest grossing film ever. Those numbers are still rising.plush-elsa

 

The characters are all beloved, whether it is Elsa, the princess who becomes Queen and freezes the country of Arendelle, Anna, the princess who is filled with hope and love, Kristoff, the ice man who manages to get involved in the family crisis and becomes Anna’s love interest, Olaf, the snowman who dreams of summer, or Sven, the reindeer with wonderful expressions and a tender heart.

 

The merchandising of the film went into high gear too. The Disney Animators’ Collection includes Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff in their young years. The newest edition of these dolls also has the kids with fun little “friends.” Elsa and Anna each come with a version of Olaf, and Kristoff comes with a little Sven.

 

minidollsFor lovers of plush dolls, the Anna and Elsa are a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e. These soft little dolls will be cuddled through the night by youngsters, and most likely carried with them all day long. They are recommended for ages 3 and above and stand about 12 inches high. Just looking at these adorable little faces will bring out a smile on any kid.

 

 

There are more adult dolls, including a four-piece set with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Hans (of the Southern Isles). These mini dolls are geared for ages 4 and up. Each plastic doll stands about 5 ½ inches high and this set is for sparking little imaginations.

 

arendell-castle-open2And speaking of imaginations, forget Barbie’s dream house. There is now a Frozen Castle of Arendelle Play Set. This is absolutely amazing and will provide years of fun for kids. It is recommended for ages 3 an up, and comes with Anna, Elsa, Hans, Kristoff, and Olaf figures. Sorry, no Sven is included with this set. The castle has hinged doors and three levels. Think of all the hours of fun that can be had in this play castle. Furniture is also included. This is sure to be a big hit this holiday season. I would want it if I were a kid. Oops. I’m not a kid but hey, I would still like it!

 

These are just a few products available from disneystore.com. There are plenty more items featuring the beloved characters from Frozen. No matter what your budget allows, you can find something Frozen for your children or grandchildren, or even yourself.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. 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

Like her on Facebook

Sparkup Magical Book Reader

Sparkup Magical Book Reader is an innovative gadget that clips onto ANY picture book and lets you record the story in your own voice. Sparkup recognizes the front cover of any recorded book and reads aloud as the child flips the pages, at whatever pace and in any order. You can also purchase professional recordings from the company website and download them directly onto Sparkup.

Through the use of cutting-edge visual recognition technology, Sparkup, enhances children’s reading experiences by adding two dimensions – an audio component and the familiarity of a loved-one’s voice – all without a screen.

Sparkup is a fun and exciting way to encourage the development of early literacy skills and foster a love for books that will last a lifetime

SuitPack

uitPack is a suit carrying system that allows travellers to arrive at their destination totally confident that their suit will present “ready to wear”. Having been developed in conjunction with both the Fabric and Textiles Division of a leading International Science Agency, and a renowned Product Development Consulting Company, we used their test facilities to replicate temperature, humidity and pressure conditions that are typically experienced during travel, and their combined expertise to provide us with insight into the characteristics and components that an effective suit carrier should have.

Every curve, fold, attachment and surface of our award winning design has been analysed and refined to remove crease and wrinkle forming conditions.
With SuitPack, you and your suit will always arrive unruffled.

WHOOSH! Screen Shine

Keeping our devices and screens clean in a safe, non-toxic way is a requirement of living in a mobile society. More people touch more devices than ever before and this reality requires all of us to extend personal hygiene to tech hygiene. In the same way that we are encouraged to regularly wash our hands to fight the spread of germs, we must now regularly clean our devices and screens as well. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the only cleaning solution that has been proven to do this in a safe, non-toxic way.

Leveraging the latest advancements in formula development, WHOOSH! Screen Shine was specifically developed to be a safe yet powerful cleaning solution that eliminates fingerprints, smudges, dirt, grime and makeup from any electronic device screen — leaving a clear, streak-free finish that makes the screen shine like new.

WHOOSH! Screen Shine is made with biodegradable surfactants and its proprietary formula provides a nano-thin invisible coating that also provides resistance to fingerprints and dirt buildup. Plus, WHOOSH! Screen Shine is safe and non-toxic. There’s no harmful residue left behind or transferred on to your fingers to worry about.

WHOOSH! products do not contain alcohol, acids, ammonia, chlorine, solvents, petroleum distillates, phosphates, or VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). WHOOSH! Screen Shine is odorless, streak free, haze-free & anti-static.