New Product Reviews

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shopDisney launches Disney Eats

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Guess what! There’s a new line of products from shopDisney, and they all have to do with one room – the kitchen. April 3, 2018 shopDisney launched Disney Eats, which is a fun way for families to reconnect. After all, isn’t the kitchen the room where we spend a lot of time together?

There are items for kids and adults. And every item makes cooking and baking a little more fun. Move over Julia Child. Mickey and Minnie are the new stars of the kitchen.


Kids can have their own chef’s outfit. There is a Mickey and a Minnie Chef’s Hat and Apron Set designed specifically for kids. Once a kid puts on the chef’s hat, look out. He/she is going to be cooking up a real treat (with the help of mom or dad). ($19.95)

Mickey has a Measuring Cup Set with four cups – ¼ cup, 1/3 cup, ½ cup, and a 1 cup collapsible silicone measuring cups. They expand by gently pushing on the inside bottom of the cup and collapse when not in use for easy storage. They can easily fit into any drawer and each cup has a different Mickey face on the bottom of the cup. ($9.95)


Just like the collapsible silicone measuring cups, the new Mickey Mouse Food Storage Container can expand to fit a variety of food. And there is a spork (spoon on one side and fork on the other) that tucks into the lid of the container. The entire lid snaps off and inside is the collapsible container. This makes a great item to take on car trips. It’s leak-proof so you can fill it with canned or fresh fruit, salad, crackers and dip, or whatever you want. It’s a handy item that can easily double as an adult container to take your lunch or snack to the office. ($12.95) There is a pink Minnie version as well.


And the Mickey Mouse Food Mold Set includes two food molds and four cutouts to make food fun and enticing. You can now make dinner more fun and even vegetables will taste better when they’re in the shape of Mickey Mouse. It’s easy to make a Mickey mashed potato side dish or even fill a mold with rice. Oatmeal is another idea to stuff into the Mickey mold. The cutouts allow you to create special Mickey designs on the food. Be creative. ($12.95)

Besides these four fun items, Disney Eats has plenty more products – mixing bowels, whisks, spatulas, measuring spoons, towels, oven mitts, sandwich stamps, and more. They all have that Disney fun infused into every product. Most items are dishwasher safe and several are also microwave safe. For more inspiration to add some special flair to your cooking experience, check out the new Disney Eats collection at Shop Disney. Who knows – maybe your child will be inspired to be the next big chef.


While you’re on the Disney Eats website, check out Mickey’s recipe for Mickey Mouse Blueberry Pancakes!

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

The Wonder Crew – Buddies for Boys

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Doll of the Year at this year’s TOTY awards is the Wonder Crew. This line of boy dolls was created especially for boys, of course girls will love them too.

The dolls were created to give boys a “buddy” they could take with them and play with. These superhero little guys come dressed in their Wonder Crew outfits and have capes and masks. Plus, there is a cape and mask included in the box for their human friends. These little guys are available in a variety of ethnicities so there is a little Wonder Crew Hero for everyone.

The company says, “Our buddies combine the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of the favorite stuffed animal.” Boys can take their hero buddies along wherever they go, and will undoubtedly be connected emotionally to their soft-body buddy for life. These are the kinds of dolls that get passed down from one generation to another, with plenty of stories to go with them!

Besides the red hero outfits, there are other buddies and outfits out now and on the horizon: an astronaut, a construction worker, and more.

Social and emotional intelligence, imagination, and confidence were a priority when designing this line of dolls.

Where action figures are hard plastic, these buddies have soft bodies, with soft plastic heads, arms, and legs. They are meant to be a friend to little boys and are more endearing than stuffed animals. Boys will have plenty of adventures with these little guys. And, as stated earlier, although they were designed for boys, girls will also find them loveable.

The Wonder Crew Superhero’s each list for $29.99. There is Superhero Will (Caucasian), Superhero James (Black), Superhero Marco (Hispanic), and Superhero Erik (Asian). Parents will undoubtedly be purchasing additional outfits ($19.99) for the dolls so their child can experience several adventures with his buddy – especially the pajamas for a great nighttime pal. The Wonder Crew inspires kids to be strong, adventurous, and helpful.

Their motto is “Go anywhere. Be anything.” These dolls fill a void in the toy market for boys. And, they’re completely adorable!


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

ECOlunchbox – ecofriendly and convenient

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The line of stainless steel food containers from ECOLunchboxes are handy, well made, and attractive. And, they are plastic-free. Lately it has been discovered that we have been ingesting plastic when we drink water from plastic bottles. Well, that may be true for other plastic items as well. With these ECOlunchboxes, Bento boxes, containers and other items, you can rest assured there is no plastic to ingest.

There are a variety of containers and container collections. To date they have sold more than 485,000 containers that are environmentally friendly, and most importantly, plastic-free. Check out their 3 in 1 Splash Box set, each with a leak-proof silicone lid and stainless steel containers. They nest together making them handy and convenient to store when not in use. Plus, they are dishwasher-safe.

After using these containers, you will most likely want to replace all your plastic containers with the ECOlunchboxes. There are shapes and sizes to fit almost anything you want.

With the variety of sizes, it is easier than ever to pack a nutritious lunch for your child. Since they are leak proof, you can easily put some hummus in one and some celery or carrot sticks in another for a healthy snack. Or put some tuna salad in one and some crackers in another. And when you’re off to the office and want a healthy lunch for yourself, simply put a salad in the large container and dressing in another. Whatever you put inside you can be assured it won’t leak. The snap-on silicone lids are sturdy and secure.

With these eco-friendly containers, the oceans are cleaner and you are safe from plastics, which is a big concern these days. They are easy to nest/stack/store, clean, and leak proof. The next time you need a housewarming gift or are invited to a party, think about a set of ECO-lunchboxes. They are a thoughtful gift.

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

Disney’s Babies – Brought by the Stork

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The stork delivers the latest group of Disney’s Babies plush animals. These adorable little guys are wrapped in a soft blanket pouch, which Mr. Stork carries in his beak.

These cuddly animals are about 10” high and posed for delivery in their colorful and soft sacks. Their blanket pouches have images that correspond to their stories.

Baby Dumbo is adorable. In the movie he was delivered to his mom by the stork. Now he is delivered to your home by the stork, via Shop Disney. His oversized ears are soft and floppy and can wrap over his sweet and innocent little face. He is dressed in his circus hat and collar and his facial features are embroidered with great detail. blanket pouch is designed with circus animals and even little Timothy is represented. The blanket pouch is fastened with Velcro so it’s easy to unhook and remove the cuddly little elephant. And once he’s out of his pouch he’s an adorable, soft little fellow that makes a great sleeping pal. Actually, he’s just as cuddly when he’s wrapped in his pouch.

Other animals in the current collection include baby Sven, baby Bambi, baby Thumper, baby Flower, baby Simba, baby Marie, baby Scamp, and baby Pegasus. Hopefully there will be others in the future as they are sweet little guys and a welcome addition to the Disney’s Babies line of plush. The past line of Disney’s Babies had the animals wrapped in their own blankets that closed via Velcro. This new line has the soft blanket pouches that make them easy for toting by a child or by Mr. Stork. They are all posed to fit inside their pouches but are each free to get hugs once out of their swaddling delivery pouches.

Each of their expressions are endearing. It’s hard to choose just one. They are all sweet and loveable.

The Disney’s Babies cuddly animals in their blanket pouches are only available at the Disney Parks and on the Shop Disney website. They are delightful baby representations of some of the most beloved Disney animated animal characters.

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

PhoneSoap XL

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

According to the PhoneSoap Company, a cell phone has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom. PhoneSoap has produced several disinfecting/sanitizing units designed for cell phones, tablets, and other items that carry germs and bacteria. The PhoneSoap XL is their big unit that can safely sanitize several items at one time, in 15 minutes. By using UV-C light, all the bugs are safely destroyed. The PhoneSoap products kill 99.99% of bacteria.

Besides disinfecting cell phones and tablets, you can also disinfect your TV remote. And if you have babies, put in their rattles and pacifiers. And toothbrushes can be sanitized much faster and easier than putting them in the dishwasher, which many of us often do. Plus, small stuffed animals can be cleaned. If they can fit into the machine, they can be disinfected.

You can place multiple items into the unit at one time. In 15 minutes they will be cleaned and sanitized. The dimensions of the unit are 3” wide, 9.75” high, and 12.4” deep. Plus, there is a USB port to charge your device at the same time for your convenience. Simply place the item(s) into the unit and close the door. It will turn itself off when the sanitizing process is complete. That’s all there is to it.

Families with kids are especially vulnerable because of all the germs the little ones bring home. But they’re not the only ones prone to bacteria and germs. When we fill up our cars at the gas station we touch the nozzles and the keypad. When we touch a cart or sign for our groceries at the store and when we punch in our PIN on any keypad, we are inviting germs into our homes. Think about that before you pick up your cell phone when you’re out of the house. But by using the PhoneSoap once you get home, you will be killing whatever you touched and making your phone safe for more calls or texting.

Besides washing hands and using hand-sanitizers, we all need a little more help in preventing illness. While nothing will keep us 100% free from germs, doing what we can by using the tools available will definitely add to our health. Keeping your family safe from germs is a little easier and more convenient with the PhoneSoap XL.

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

Nu Skin LumiSpa – Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Nu Skin ageLOC LumiSpa is a new device designed to cleanse and improve the skin on your face. It is like a spa for your face and feels marvelous.

The set includes the ageLOC LumiSpa deep cleansing device with a nonabrasive head, a charging base, and the Treatment Cleanser. The scent is light and refreshing, with a hint of cucumber.

As soon as the unit starts, you can immediately see the difference between the LumiSpa and other facial cleaning machines. The two concentric circles softly oscillate in different directions. And they feel soft on your skin. The heads have been embedded with antimicrobial silver so they stay cleaner than other devices.

The LumiSpa is designed for men and women. After all, we all want to look our best and put our best face out there, literally. This device helps the appearance of your skin and cleans it from toxins, dirt, pollution, and makeup.

The seven benefits of this device touted by the company are: Skin renewal, purified skin, minimized appearance of pores, smoothness, radiance, more refreshed look, and increased appearance of volume and density.

“When it comes to skin care, today’s busy consumer is looking for multi-functional products that are 
simple to use, yet produce results they can see and feel,” said Dr. Joseph Chang, chief scientific officer. “AgeLOC LumiSpa combines patent-pending technology with scientifically researched treatment cleansers to cleanse, exfoliate and renew the skin in a single treatment. As a result, customers can instantly experience softer, smoother skin that becomes more radiant.”
There are kits for normal/combo skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, dry skin, and acne skin. Plus, there are additional head that can be purchased so everyone in your family can get the benefits of this spa treatment for your face.

It doesn’t need a lot of pressure. Simply glide it over your skin. And when the time is up, it will turn itself off. I have been testing this device and can attest to the fact that it does make my skin softer and smoother and my pores look smaller and tighter. My complexion looks refreshed and even a little younger.

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

Alex and Ani bangles for your Disney Valentine

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Alex and Ani Company has exploded over the past several years. Anyone who knows anything about current trends knows Alex and Ani. The bangles adorn some of the most famous women and everyday women who have a message they want to carry with them in a beautiful way.

Alex and Ani has a new set of bangles for Disney lovers this Valentine’s Day. Why not give your special Valentine a Disney bangle that expresses your love through the characters she holds dear?

Founder, CEO, CCO Carolyn Rafaelian explains, “we are connected with each other through signs, symbols and things that resonate to our core.” So, whether your Valentine adores Mickey and Minnie, Rapunzel and Flynn, Snow White and the Prince, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Ariel and Prince Eric, Aurora and Prince Phillip, Belle and Beast, there is a special bangle for her.

Not only are there heart charms displaying the loving couples in colorful enamel cloisonné, but there are also smaller charms with empowering messages. Some bangles are rose colored, some white metal and some gold metal. And they are all made in the United States.

These are great Valentine’s gifts to the woman – or girl – in your life. They’re perfect for all ages.

Each bangle lists for $44.95.

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

CozyPhones for the whole family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s time to say goodbye to uncomfortable ear buds and headphones. CozyPhones are comfortable headbands that pug into your devices and provide quality listening while not hurting your ears.

Paw Patrol CozyPhones are their latest models, making listening to portable devices fun for kids. The Paw Patrol TV series on Nickelodeon is a favorite among youngsters, especially those who love dogs. So whether your child likes the German Shepherd Chase, the Dalmatian Marshall, or the little pooch Skye, they can add a sense of whimsy to listening to movies or games. The removable speakers are set to 90 decibels max so you can be sure little ears are not going to be blasted with a high volume. Because the thin speakers are removable, the headbands are washable. The Paw Patrol CozyPhones list for $21.97 and are for ages 3+.

Bluetooth Contour Series Sleep Headphones are perfect to wear at night. They must first be charged, then they can synch with any Bluetooth device like an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or another audio device. The mesh lining is comfortable and the thin speakers can be removed when washing the headband. And, for those who cannot sleep when it’s light in the room, simply pull down the headband and it doubles as a sleep mask that blocks out light. If you know anyone who has a hard time falling asleep, perhaps listening to soothing sounds will help them drift off. And it’s also a nice device to use while exercising or meditating. When this is on, all the noisy distractions of the outside world are blocked out and replaced music of your own choosing. The controls are easy to reach and operate. ($29.99)

Going out for a run? Try the Active Headband Headphones. The headband is made from Lycra mesh to stay on and keep your head cool at the same time. This model is made specifically for active people who want to listen to their portable music devices while on the go. Imagine jogging or exercising without worrying about your ear buds popping out or your bulky headphones wobbling around on your head. ($19.97)

By combining easy-to-wear headbands with removable speakers, CozyPhones are the answer for many people who want comfortable headphones that stay on and provide good quality sound. They’re also handy to take on airplanes and to college dorms. The durable cords, and the wash-ability of the products make the CozyPhones long lasting too.

Check their website for colors and pricing plus several other models for adults and styles for kids. They offer discounts on multiple units.


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

The Disney Animators’ Collection Littles: Mystery Figures

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Whether you’re looking for some cute stocking stuffers or additional gifts for Chanukah, this new assortment from the Disney Animators’ Collection is perfect. The Disney Animators’ Collection Littles: Mystery Figures sell for $4.95 each from The Disney Store and ShopDisney.com. Besides gifts for the holiday season, they’re also handy for keeping around for little bonus incentive gifts in the future.

When I was a child and faced a difficult situation or challenge, I was rewarded with a small toy. It wasn’t a bribe to do something. It was a token of accomplishment. These little figures would have been exactly what I would receive for overcoming something or facing an illness.

The miniature figures each come in a pencil-shaped case. The cases are designed to fit together and stack to make a unique display. With their special connectors, they can be set in a variety of ways and can be added to as new figures are brought into the group. These are blind boxed so no one knows what is inside until the package is opened.

Currently Wave One is available, with items from Lilo and Stitch, Tangled, and Frozen. There are eight different figures in this first wave: Rapunzel, Pascal with a chase variant, Elsa, Olaf, Elsa’s Bed, Lilo & Scrump, Stitch, and Lilo’s Record Player with Scrump. New waves will be coming with different characters.


When opened, the pencil-shaped box contains a Micro Collectible figure, display case connectors and clips, a collector’s guide, and a surprise drawing. Due to their small size, these are for ages 3 and up.

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

Disney Dollhouses are awesome

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


When I was little I thought my dollhouse was really great. It had two levels and several rooms. But it was a simple house. There was nothing special about it. Little kids have some great dollhouse options this year from the folks at shopDisney.com.


The Frozen Arendelle Palace Dollhouse is nothing short of amazing. This three-level palace is filled with the amenities any doll would love. There are beds for Anna and Elsa, a dining room, a fireplace, chandelier, fabric curtains, and a grand staircase. The five rooms inspire plenty of creativity in the spirit of Frozen. With the furniture and the architecture of the land, this dollhouse is a piece of Arendelle. It measures 54 ¼” high, 3 ¾” wide, and 15 ¾” deep. The dolls are not included but the 12” Anna and Elsa dolls will be comfortable in this Palace. (Ages 3+ $149.99)


The Frozen Ice Crystal Palace Dollhouse is spectacular. For a change from their Arendelle Palace Dollhouse, Anna and Elsa (dolls not included) will enjoy this stunning palace decked out in blues, greens, and purples. With two staircases, three levels, and four rooms, and furniture, the detail in this palace is a remarkable homage to the palace in the movie. This dollhouse measures 53 ¾” high, 37” wide, and 16 ½” deep. (Ages 3+ $259.95)


Ariel’s Land to Sea Castle Dollhouse includes the best of both worlds. First, the lower level is her home “under the sea.” With her father’s throne room and Ariel’s grotto, life in the sea is represented to its full extent. There’s even a place for all her “thingamajigs.” The two upper floors represent Eric’s castle. Furniture, a balcony, a staircase, and the details on the walls inside and out bring the magic of Ariel’s life right into your own home. This dollhouse measures 58 ¾” high, 37” wide, and 12 ½” deep. The 12” Ariel doll is not included. (Ages 3+ $169.99)


Belle’s Enchanted Dollhouse brings the magic of the Beast’s castle to your home. Three levels, a staircase, balconies, furniture, and many of the enchanted characters from the film spur young imaginations. With the artwork on the walls and the included furniture and accessories, everyone who loves Belle and the Beast will cherish this dollhouse. It measures 46 ½” high, 30 ¾” wide, and 20” deep. (Ages 3+ $149.99)

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.

Follow her on Twitter