“Children can make ceramic pottery like pots, bowls and vases with this light weight, electronic Pottery Wheel Kit. The electric foot pedal makes the wheel spin like a professional potter’s wheel! The kit also includes clay, paint and ceramic sculpturing tools. Extra refills of the clay can also be purchased separately.”
Defend the kingdom from enemy attacks with the Royal Lion Knight’s Castle. With a functioning portcullis, drawbridge, and defensive cannons, this castle is well-equipped to fend off even the fiercest onslaughts. Brave knights can find all the gear they need to protect the king and queen in the upstairs armory. The castle’s breakthrough wall keeps that action alive as attackers aim for the weak spot with their cannons. Any invaders that do find their way into the castle better watch their step or risk falling into the prison through the throne room’s secret trapdoor. Set includes four figures, multi-story castle, one horse, shields, swords, cannon, treasure chest, throne, handcuffs, bow and arrow, royal banners, ladders, and tons of other accessories. The PLAYMOBIL Great Dragon (#6003 – sold separately) can be hidden within the rocky cave. This set is also compatible with the torches from the King’s Treasure Guard (#6160). Recommended for ages four to ten. Dimensions: 34.6 x 22 x 19.3 in (LxWxH). Suggested Retail Price: $159.99
Warning. Choking Hazard. Contains a small ball and small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Painting Lulu is a Paper-to-Digital Coloring Pack that includes a paper coloring book, a digital crayon, and an app. Kids draw on paper with regular crayons, scan the pages using the free app on any mobile device, and continue to decorate, correct, and share their drawing digitally! Kids enjoy the real feel of using crayons, markers, paintbrushes, and erasers whether at home or on the go — and they will never run out of colors and coloring pages again.
Available at Major Retailers or http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9657641020
Defend the kingdom from enemy attacks with the Royal Lion Knight’s Castle. With a functioning portcullis, drawbridge, and defensive cannons, this castle is well-equipped to fend off even the fiercest onslaughts. Brave knights can find all the gear they need to protect the king and queen in the upstairs armory. The castle’s breakthrough wall keeps that action alive as attackers aim for the weak spot with their cannons. Any invaders that do find their way into the castle better watch their step or risk falling into the prison through the throne room’s secret trapdoor. Set includes four figures, multi-story castle, one horse, shields, swords, cannon, treasure chest, throne, handcuffs, bow and arrow, royal banners, ladders, and tons of other accessories. The PLAYMOBIL Great Dragon (#6003 – sold separately) can be hidden within the rocky cave. This set is also compatible with the torches from the King’s Treasure Guard (#6160). Recommended for ages four to ten. Dimensions: 34.6 x 22 x 19.3 in (LxWxH). Suggested Retail Price: $159.99
Warning. Choking Hazard. Contains a small ball and small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
The new interactive Sven will amaze everyone. This nine inch high fellow is cute to look at and sweet to hold. But he is much more than a simple little plush, although those are nice too. This Sven is interactive. Yep, he responds to commands.
There is a tiny button on his left shoulder. When that is pressed Sven grunts his sweet little grunt. Now he is ready to play and interact. Say, “Would you like some carrots?” and he stands on two legs and you can hear him chomping his favorite food – carrots.
Tell him, “Sven, sit” and he sits on his rear end. Tell him, “Sven, lay down” and he stretches out on the ground. Ask him to “come over here” and he moves forward. Ask him if he wants to play and he gets very excited, jumps on his hind legs, wiggles his front legs, and basically plays with you.
After a little while you will hear him sniff. This basically turns him off and if he is lying down or sitting at the time, he will return to standing on his four legs where he awaits another push of his button to start again. This way, if he is left “on” he automatically turns himself off so he can’t get into any trouble. He can always be turned off manually by pushing the button. One push he grunts and is “on” and another push he sniffs and is “off.”
Whether he is being used in his interactive mode or just sitting on a table or bed or being held by a loving child, this little guy is adorable. He is from the Disney Animators’ Collection and represents Sven when he was young. In the beginning of the film Frozen, Sven and Kristoff (and Anna and Elsa) were young and just starting out. This is the young Sven. But young or old-er Sven never fails to deliver an endearing expression.
This Interactive Sven makes a great gift for any youngster. He is so darn cute to look at, plus he is interactive.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products to bring the latest and greatest to her readers. 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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Coffee lovers, take note. If you love all kinds of coffee, the new Ninja Coffee Bar just might be your favorite coffee maker. This is the most versatile little machine for creating all kinds of coffees.
The variety of coffees this unit can create is vast. Yes, it can make a simple cup of coffee. But it does so much more.
Users can brew a single cup, a travel cup, a carafe, or a half carafe. Each time the brew is tailored to the select size. There is also a selection to brew over ice. This is a unique button because with the IQ technology, the machine brews the coffee a little stronger so as the ice melts, it won’t dilute the flavor of your java. Patented Auto-iQ technology selects the right amount of water to use for each selection of coffee saturation. That is what makes this unit different from others so you can brew a single cup or a carafe, hot or cold, with the touch of a button.
If you want something more creative than a simple cup of coffee, the “Specialty Brew” button, using the IQ technology, creates more concentrated coffee for a latte, cappuccino, or macchiato.
The Ninja Coffee Bar comes with a milk frother. To utilize this little gadget, simply microwave some milk in the glass tube then insert the frothing mechanism and pump to get the milk frothy for specialty coffees.
The recipe book that comes with the machine has plenty of ideas to create specialty coffees to match your every mood. All you need to do is to follow the recipes and in a few minutes you can have a bigger menu of specialty drinks than the local coffee house.
Because you use your own coffee in the unit, you can control what kind of grounds you prefer. Many people love strong, bitter coffee, while others enjoy a light roast or even flavored grounds. It’s your decision.
If you have seen the infomercial you know the Ninja Coffee Bar also makes ice-blended drinks. For an ice-blended drink you need an additional unit to blend the ingredients. Some offers online and on TV include the additional blender, however it is not included in the actual Ninja Coffee Bar box. This is something you need to know when you buy your machine.
When I received my review unit, I was anxious to try different coffees. I am not a barista, so it took me a few tries to get exactly what I wanted. I also found the coffee was a bit stronger than I wanted, so I do admit there is a little learning curve with this, but not too much.
If you are looking for a gift for a coffee lover, this fits the bill. Or, if you are simply in need of a new coffee maker, why not get this and in time you will probably be creating more than a pot of coffee. The possibilities are limited by your imagination. Whether you want to add caramel, chocolate, Amaretto, etc. you can have almost any kind of coffee drink you can imagine.
There is a choice between the glass carafe and a thermal carafe. Included in the Ninja Coffee Bar box is: the machine, carafe, Ninja Easy Frother, scooper, coffee filter, insulated tumbler and recipe book. The Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer lists for $159.80 for the glass carafe.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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
Disney’s The Good Dinosaur pairs a sweet little Apatosaurus dinosaur named Arlo with a little cave boy named Spot. There’s no doubt these characters will be beloved by both boys and girls.
The Medium Size Arlo Plush stands approximately 19 ½ inches high. His neck and front legs have wires inside to make this little fellow poseable and also keep his long neck up and his body straight when he is standing so he won’t fall over. 
With all his features embroidered on the soft plush, there is nothing to break – or pull – off. He’s made of polyester and is very soft to the touch. The sculpturing on his “skin” looks like there are scales on his body however it’s just the pattern on the material so he is completely smooth, soft and huggable.
This fellow has a wide smile and somewhat crossed brown eyes. He definitely looks like a little kid’s best friend. This guy will cheer up anyone who is having a bad day.
The medium size is perfect for cuddling and as a bedtime partner, however if the medium size isn’t big enough there is also a large 23-inch Arlo (retailing for $39.95). Besides the plush toys, there are plenty other Arlo and Spot toys and action figures as well as a tree ornament, clothing and other items.
Check out the other products from The Good Dinosaur at the Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. 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
When you see the Dyson V6 Mattress handheld vacuum you might wonder what makes this different from the other Dyson handheld vacuum. The difference is the additional motorized brush designed especially for mattresses. When was the last time you vacuumed your mattress? Have you ever thought about it? We often hear of bedbug outbreaks in hotels but we don’t hear about dust mites.
No matter how often you change your sheets, your mattress still collects dust mites and skin cells. That’s not going to stop unless you have a special covering over your mattress; more than simply a regular mattress pad. The average bed is filled with dust mites, their feces, and skin cells. Doesn’t it make your stomach turn when you think about that?
The Dyson V6 Mattress will alleviate your concerns and put your mind to rest, along with your body. The motorized mattress tool has stiff bristles that agitate the fibers in your mattress and sucks up the mites, feces, and skin cells. The HEPA filter captures particles so they are not released back into the air.
If you have allergy sufferers in your house, remember that dust mites can trigger attacks and even asthma. Inhaling the mites or their feces or contact with skin are the ways our bodies come in contact with these disgusting little guys. Have you ever seen a mite through a microscope? They are creepy bugs that are just as menacing as they are ugly.
Besides the specially designed motorized mattress brush, the Dyson V6 Mattress includes a soft brush for cleaning gentle surfaces like keyboards, a combination tool for cleaning shelves and other areas, and a crevice tool. And emptying the bin is as simple as a push of a button. You don’t have to touch anything that has been captured by the vacuum.
The Dyson V6 Mattress is compact and lightweight. It is quieter than the Dyson V6 Trigger, their other handheld vacuum. The main difference, however, is the motorized mattress tool.
After receiving this vacuum to test, my first thought was that I wish I could take it with me whenever I go to a hotel. I hope hotels and motels know about this vacuum!
Because we spend at least a third of our lives in bed, it makes sense that the mattress should be as clean as possible. According to Environment, Health and Safety Online, “A typical used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. (Ten percent of the weight of a two year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings.”
There are many ways to help control mites in your environment. Read more at the ehso website.
In the meantime, remember that the Dyson V6 Mattress is one important tool in keeping your family a little healthier. Even with special mattress covers, it is a good idea to vacuum your mattresses. After all, every little bit helps.
If you are considering a handheld vacuum, the Dyson V6 Mattress adds a little extra to the package. It does everything the other handhelds do, plus a little more. And you will be happier when you get into bed.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about products 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 many 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
WOW. The new Disney Animators’ Collection Box Set is an amazing product. Anyone who loves the Disney princesses (and Tinker Bell and Kristoff) and the animators’ collection dolls will love this set of 15 mini dolls.
The presentation alone is enough to put any little girl into Disney doll heaven. The front of the box as well as the inside panels are covered with drawings of the young Disney characters and closes with a magnet to keep everyone safe and secure. There is a handle on top to make it easy to transport for a play date, to grandma’s house, or simply from one room to another.
Open the box and all you will hear from girls young and old is “OMG” or “Oh My Gosh!” Fifteen mini dolls each have their own little cubbyhole: Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Aurora, Pocahontas, Ariel, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Rapunzel, Tiana, Snow White, Tinker Bell, Merida, and Mulan. These 5” dolls can either be taken out to play with or remain untouched in this beautiful display box. If you are a “collector,” then you will most likely keep them as is. However the majority of us and parents of little girls will gladly disentangle the dolls for play. They can still return the their cubbyholes without the confinements of their attachments. The clear plastic covering maintains the dolls in their compartments.
The size of these individual dolls is perfect for little hands. Young imaginations will run wild with this set. Perhaps Kristoff will play with Belle or Pocahontas will become best friends with Mulan. There’s no end to the creativity young minds will have with the set.
The Animators’ Collection dolls have been beloved by Disney fans for years. The 16” dolls reflect the animators’ vision of the iconic characters as children. After the initial success of this doll line, Disney Consumer Products began releasing the dolls in mini-sets. Each mini play set comes with the 5” doll and tiny toys to accompany the character. The good part about this is that a child could play with one character with all of their accessories. The down side (although not a big downside) is that there is only one main doll in the play set. This brand new deluxe set includes all 15 dolls sans their little additions. This set is the most amazing doll set available.
This season the Disney Deluxe Mini Animators’ Collection Box is pretty much guaranteed to be the hit of the holiday, whether it is Chanukah or Christmas, or even a birthday. It is truly an item that will take your breath away, whether you are young or old.
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
Traveling can be stressful these days. It’s often a nightmare getting through an airport. And then when you are finally at your destination and it seems everyone in the world has the same luggage as you – black with no personality or else everyone has attached a ribbon to the handle and they still all look alike – and you’re patiently (or impatiently) waiting for the luggage carousel to deposit your bags, the night mare is almost over.
Why not make traveling a little more fun, at least for the kids? How, you might wonder, can that be achieved? The answer might be their own luggage that adds a bit of whimsy and enjoyment to traveling, whether it is across the country or just for a weekend at grandma’s house. There are a lot of fun luggage out there that might take the edge off for little travelers. These have something special, besides cuteness. Some either light up or make noise. Or both.
This is the year Star Wars makes a comeback and the new R2-D2 rolling luggage is a fun way to bring the little droid into your household. For ages 3 and up, this rolling luggage has flashing lights and if you listen carefully you will hear the little guy making his familiar little beeps. Hands down this is the most unusual piece of luggage I have ever seen.
Young Cars fans will enjoy the Lightning McQueen rolling luggage. Besides resembling the red sports car, this bag comes with its own sound effects. Vrooooooom.
If your child is into the Disney Junior series Miles from Tomorrowland, the Miles rolling luggage looks like his spaceship and even lights up.
The rolling series of bags from Ecozoo lets your child bring a favorite animal along. The choices are a frog, monkey, puppy, panda, and pig.
TrendyKid makes Travel Buddies, fun animal shaped cases that any kid will enjoy rolling around. How about Popo Parrot or Percy Penguin?
These are just a few of the fun bags for kids. There are always cute bags with images of your child’s favorite characters. Whatever you choose, at least you’ll be able to find it in a stack of boring black bags. And, just think how much more fun it is for everyone when kids are enjoying the trip.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about products and 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