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

Just when you thought Dyson couldn’t improve on their cordless vacuum, they invented the new V6 Absolute. This is definitely an improvement in their line of cordless vacuums that perform above and beyond the expectations of users.

The V6 Absolute is more powerful than their last vacuum and can run up to 20 minutes on a charge of the Li-ion battery. A Max mode allows users a little increase in the power when there is a more challenging task, however it isn’t necessary to use this mode most of the time as the suction is already powerful. When depressing the Max power mode button the battery will use a little more power.

The HEPA filter is important for allergy sufferers because it captures 99.97% of particles and holds them so as not to release them back into the air when air leaves the machine. If you suffer from allergies, sinus problems or asthma or simply want cleaner air, this filter will help. HEPA stands for “High-efficiency particulate air” and is the required by the government to remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. This filtration is a plus for anyone with medical issues, small children, or pets.

With the two different heads that come with the vacuum, the V6 Absolute is the only cordless you will need for both carpets and hard floors. The soft roller cleaning head as well as the direct-drive cleaning head are both included with this model. The actually direct-drive motor forces the brushes deeper into the carpet to capture more debris and dust.

The V6 Absolute includes several tools including a crevice tool to clean in corners and baseboards as well as combination tools for a variety of cleaning. The mini soft dusting brush is the optimum size for getting into keyboards or other areas without scratching the surface.

My favorite part of the Dyson cordless vacuums remains the same on the Absolute. As with the other Dyson cordless vacuums, the Absolute is lightweight and easy to use both when vacuuming the floor or reaching in higher places. Getting those cobwebs on the ceiling is a breeze as well as cleaning the tops of blinds or shutters. Cleaning the dust out of screens is easy with the Dyson because of the way it is weighted. While it won’t wash your windows, at least the screens will be clean and dust free. When was the last time you cleaned your screens? They are year-round dust and pollen collectors.

The convenient docking station also is easy to use. Simply attach it to the wall and plug in the vacuum. And emptying the vacuum is simple with just a push of a button. The vacuum itself is red and gray, giving it a sleek, modern look.

As with the other Dyson cordless vacuums, the Absolute is easy to convert from a floor-to-ceiling cleaner to a short handheld machine to use in cars or on furniture.

The Dyson V6 Absolute comes with a 2-year warranty.

If you are looking for a small, lightweight, cordless vacuum with super power to clean both carpets and hard floors, a HEPA filter for better breathing, plenty of tools to clean the entire house – or apartment – and easily converts from a floor cleaner to a handheld, then the V6 Absolute is worth the investment. With Dyson technology and all the bells and whistles, plus the additional benefit of the HEPA filter, this is the one cordless vacuum that does it all.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and 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 internet websites and has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

The new Dyson Pure Cool is both a fan and an air purifier. This powerful unit delivers purified air with the Dyson technology. The Dyson Pure Cool removes 99.955% of ultrafine particles. For those of us with allergies and sensitivities, this is a must have. If you have one or know about the Dyson fans then you know how amazing they are. They use a technology that channels air through an aperture then pushes or blows it out. Unlike conventional fans that use blades to circulate the air, the Dyson fans do not have any blades, thereby eliminating any potential danger to little fingers. And they look really neat. The designs of the Dyson fans is modern yet fits into any décor.

With the new addition of the purifier, the Dyson Pure Cool adds an additional aspect to the fan. It eliminates particles, fumes and odors, making it a perfect unit in households with animals. And think about the cooking odors you don’t want hanging around long after the dinner has been digested. This purifier takes the odors out of the air.

The Dyson Pure Cool has several settings. Select whether you want it to blow in one direction or oscillate. The small remote control is easy to use and lets you change settings from across the room. And, there is a sleep timer so the unit will turn itself off automatically in up to 9 hours.

The second duty of this handy machine is the cooling aspect. Remember, it is a fan as well as a purifier. The Dyson Pure Cool is especially important when the weather is hot and you need to cool down a room. For those without air conditioning, fans are important. And for those with AC using a fan in a single room instead of running the AC in the entire house will save energy costs.

Personally I can see three main rooms in which I will be using my unit. The kitchen is definitely a place for odors. The Dyson Pure Cool keeps the room cool and odor free when cooking. The family room is where the family gathers to watch TV and where guests gravitate. This is a perfect location for the unit, keeping the air clean and refreshing.

Allergy sufferers will most likely want to sleep with the unit in their bedrooms. And nurseries will benefit from cleaner air.

The bottom line is the Dyson Pure Cool is an all-year round fan. At lower settings it acts primarily as an air purifier and at higher settings it doubles as a purifier and a cooling fan. And when it’s cranked up it definitely delivers on the cooling aspect.

The specially designed glass HEPA filter lasts for six months or approximately 4382 hours of continuous use. To keep your air clean, simply replace the filter twice a year to eliminate almost 100% of the bacteria, pollen, allergens, pollutants, and odors in your house.

I have always liked the Dyson fans and the Dyson Pure Cool is a giant leap forward. Purifying the air is beneficial to our health and everyone can breathe a little easier. Combining the technology of a Dyson fan with a purifier is pure genius. I have been using the Dyson Pure Cool in my bedroom and I awake in the morning without any breathing difficulties or allergies and no congestion. I am sold on this product.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about product reviews, 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.

Disney Consumer Products is rolling out some wonderful new items during the remainder of 2015, just in time for fall fun and holiday gift giving. Below is a sneak peek at a few of the items.

 

Halloween is always a fun time for kids who want to transform into their favorite characters, even if it just a witch or a ghost. And with the great films of the past several years, there are plenty of animated characters that have stolen the affections of children everywhere.

 

Needless to say, Anna and Elsa are very popular and many girls will want to show off their inner Frozen princess this Halloween. The new Anna and Elsa costumes are stunning. A new Elsa gown has a detachable cape. Both the cape and the gown light up for a touch of Frozen magic. Of course there are other princess gowns as well. And since Disney has incorporated the Star Wars franchise, there are some pretty cool costumes for young Princess Leahs and Darth Vaders who want to take on “the force” this Halloween.

 

Perhaps the coolest of the new costumes this year is Baymax. This is an inflatable costume that instantly transforms your child – or yourself – into the loveable robot from Big Hero Six.

Miles from Tomorrowland is also a cute costume option for young fans of this popular Disney Channel animated sci-fi preschool series.

 

With all these creative costumes, Halloween has never been this much fun before.

 

For a touch of Disney in everyday life, there is a new a six-pack of socks featuring the different characters from Inside Out. Each pair portrays a different emotion from the film. There are only six in this pack so you’re on your own for the seventh day. But what a fun way to express a little emotion and a lot of cuteness! They go great with the Inside Out talking dolls. Plus, for devotees of the film, a new Inside Out Game of LIFE is fun for the entire family.

 

A new 14-piece Anna and Elsa Deluxe Gift Set includes the two animator dolls and a whole lot of extras. They each have their own small replica doll plus a stuffed Olaf and Troll come in the set. But that’s not all. Each doll has a change of clothes, a hanger and a mannequin on which to display their dresses. Plus, the piece de resistance is…they sing. They sing the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” This set is a must have for any Frozen fan.

Speaking of Frozen, Elsa’s Magical Ice Palace makes a great gift for the holidays. There are several moving parts and plenty of things to play with as parts are flipped to reveal different aspects of the palace. A telescoping feature magically raises the palace up to three feet tall. The Elsa doll is not included in the set, but once she is added to her palace setting, there are hours of fun in store for any little girl who adores playing with Elsa and her palace.

 

The Magic Mike Elsa is bound to be on holiday wish lists this year. The doll comes with a microphone. She sings “Let it Go” along with the music, and when the mic is moved away it becomes a karaoke machine with the music still playing so your child – or you – can continue singing. Sing a duet or back and forth with Elsa. If you stop singing and place the mic near Elsa, she picks up the song where you leave off. That’s the magic.

 

And for those who love all the Disney princesses, a new Deluxe Mini Animator Doll Set is being released. Packaged in a beautiful box for display, the box contains 15 mini animator dolls.

 

If you have been living on another planet, you might not be aware that the new Disney Channel movie Descendants has been shaking up the tween and teen world. If your child cannot stop talking about the movie or the characters, you’re in luck. The new Descendants Signature Doll Assortment is hitting the shelves now. Each doll is dressed in their iconic fashions and ready for some fun at your house.

 

Tsum Tsums is the latest craze when it comes to stuffed animals. They are stackable with their flat bottoms. There is a wide assortment of Tsum Tsum characters in various sizes representing Disney characters. In November the “Tsum Tsum Olaf Bag with Frozen Fever” will be released. A large Olaf Tsum Tsum holds a smaller Elsa, Anna, Sven, and Snowgie (the small snowman from the Disney short film Frozen Fever. If you want a compact set that can travel with you and keep your child entertained when you go to appointments, this fits the bill. And, by the way, there are some vinyl Tsum Tsums now too.

 

Let’s talk sports and games. Marvel and Spiderman fans can now play soccer and tennis with their characters. And for Disney Infinity players, Disney Infinity 3.0 is coming out this fall along with new Star Wars playing pieces.

 

We know that little girls love having tea parties. The new Disney Princess tea sets contain cups and plates that fit perfectly inside the big plastic teapot for easy storing.

 

Disney Junior also has some pretty fun items for fans of Miles from Tomorrowland, Doc McStuffins, and Sofia the First viewers. Doc is now a veterinarian and has her own vet hospital where she can attend to all animals. Miles has some fun items that expand players’ imaginations as well, as does Sofia.

 

And back to Frozen – you didn’t think we were finished with Anna and Elsa yet, did you? A music box features the two princesses along with Olaf. As the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” plays, the sisters build the loveable snowman. This has to be one of my favorite items at the preview. Well, this and the mini dolls, and the tennis racket, and the ice palace, and… You get the idea. Everything they presented was amazing.

 

A radio controlled Lightning McQueen and Miles from Tomorrowland are sure to delight kids. Who doesn’t like controlling their favorite character? And while we’re on the subject of Lightning McQueen, a garage app keeps track of all the cars in a collection and interacts with the user. Vroom vroom.
Also for the little techies in your home, the Mickey Rocket Builder is not only a physical rocket with Mickey Mouse, but along with the app it synchs together to play in the digital world as well. Recommended for ages 3-6, it is also going to be enjoyed by older kids, and ahem, adults. And for Marvel Avengers fans, a Playmation gadget is attached to a wrist and players are guided an adventure. This is truly a “smart toy.” FYI, Frozen and Star Wars Playmation sets will roll out in 2016.

 

No matter how long your gift list is this year, you are sure to find something in the Disney world to help. Remember, the Disney World now includes Star Wars and Marvel. There are too many great items from which to choose. But from what I saw, they are all worth considering. And we haven’t even touched on the adorable Disney Baby collection.

 

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

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There is no shortage of beauty products, gadgets and gizmos on the shelves. Recently I was sent this new TAO- WEI Cool2Hot Sonic Beautifier to test. As usual, I was skeptical that any over the counter item could do anything. So, I put this to the test.

 

The first night I used it I felt my skin was softer. I didn’t see any difference but it felt like silk. I have used this gadget for almost a month and can say that I do think my skin looks more rested and refreshed. The texture is definitely smoother.

 

So, what is this little gadget? Like many electric toothbrushes, it uses sonic technology. Besides sonic technology, it also uses temperatures and changes from hot (up to 107 degrees) to cold (down to 41 degrees) in just seconds.

 

The hot setting, along with the sonic vibrations, liquefies lotions on your face. If you put on moisturizer then use this on the hot/sonic settings, to maximize the absorption of whatever serum or cream you use. Plus the heat feels great. Then after about a minute change the setting to cold (and I do mean cold) and pores are closed to lock in the cream or serum. We’ve all been told as we grow up to wash with hot or warm water then rinse with cold. This is for a specific reason. Heat opens pores and cold closes them.

 

If you have puffy eyes, instead of putting a cucumber slice over them, simply put this device on the cold/sonic setting and your eyes will instantly feel better. The cold is refreshing. I can also see this being used in the hot summer to cool anyone’s face or neck when the temperature is on the rise.

 

This is not a gadget that takes the place of a facelift, but it does tone and refresh skin. At least it has done so for me. And I have tried many different products. This is something that took me off guard by really coming through and refreshing my skin. It doesn’t change discolorations. It does makes skin smoother.

 

TAO-WEI Cool2Hot Sonic Beautifier is available on weibeauty.com for $198.

 

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

It’s summer and that means warm weather, and in many cases, very hot weather. If you’re spending most of your time in one room, why are you cooling the entire house with an air conditioner? With energy costs rising, it makes sense to use this great fan for times when you only need to cool one room. The Dyson AM08 Pedestal Fan is powerful, attractive, and it really works.

 

Instead of being a table fan, this pedestal fan sits on the floor so it is a great fan to cool the warm summer nights when you’re sleeping. Simply place it in the bedroom or next to the bed and adjust the aperture (the big round circle) to the precise angle that will keep you cool during the night.

 

Why would you want this as opposed to a conventional fan with blades? First of all, Dyson has been producing reliable and sturdy products for years. They incorporate design with functionality. Second, the Dyson fans do not use blades, making them safe to have around children. Third, they are easy to clean. You don’t have to get between slots or grills to clean the unit. There are none. Just wipe it with a cloth. Fourth, they look amazing. Fifth, they really do work.

 

How do they work if they don’t have blades pushing the air around? That’s where their ingenuity comes into play. All round the aperture there are air channels that use the Dyson Air Multiplier technology. Not being an engineer I won’t attempt to describe how it works, all I can say is that the technology creates a smooth stream of cool air.

 

The pedestal has a telescopic tube that when fully extended is 55.4 inches high. The entire unit weighs 8.5 pounds and has a 6.6-foot cord. The AM08 also comes with a remote control. This is a great benefit, especially when you’re using it in your bedroom. There is a programmable sleep timer with preset intervals so you can set it to stay on from 15 minutes up to 9 hours. And the remote lets the user adjust the airflow as well as the oscillation. If you don’t want it to oscillate, you can turn it off from the remote. Plus, with ten settings, the remote allows for adjusting the amount of airflow. Simply look at the bottom of the fan to see which setting it is currently set at. The setting is lit up by LED numbers. Adjust accordingly. If you want more air, raise the setting. If you’re cool and comfortable and want a little less air, decrease the setting. All without getting up from your chair or bed.

 

It’s no secret I have been a Dyson fan, no pun intended, for a long time. Why? Because I love the way they look and because I honestly think they do what they are intended to do. Without grills to open or squeeze my fingers through to clean dusty blades, these fans are a blessing. And for families with kids, there are no blades that can cause injuries to little fingers.

 

I have never had a fan that is 100 percent quiet. I don’t think it’s possible to make a fan that really cools the air and doesn’t make a sound. The Dyson Pedestal fan does make some noise, I will admit, however it is much quieter than any of the other big fans I have ever heard. And, if it is possible to make a completely silent full force fan, I’m sure the engineers at Dyson will find a way. In the meantime, we have this unit that is definitely not loud.

 

To find out if this is the best fan for your needs, go to Dyson.com.

 

The Dyson AM08 lists for $449.99 and is available in white with silver. It looks like it was taken from the Jetson’s home. How cool is that? Again, no pun intended.

 

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

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Named after the Boga fish, one of Costa’s newest sunglasses for women is both practical and pretty. The company claims they are designed for women who spend a lot of time on the water, however they are attractive and comfortable to wear all the time.

 

The Boga, like the other Costa sunglasses, is made for eye protection. With 100% UV light blockage as well as polarization that eliminates reflective glare and thereby reduces eye strain, these lenses are built for practicality. But that’s not to say the glasses don’t look spectacular.

 

The Boga style is round with the frame not entirely surrounding the lens, giving it a more modern flare to the Jackie-O style. Although when I first put on my glasses, my husband said, “You look like Jackie.” I took that as a compliment.

 

Besides the look of these very wearable glasses, they are meant to be durable and comfortable. Costa uses special hypoallergenic rubberized no-slip nose pads and temple tips, which for those of us who are sensitive, is a great advantage over other brands. And their springs are comfortable so wearing the glasses all day long won’t cause any problems.

 

What also makes Costa sunglasses perfect for everyone is that the frames and lenses are available in a variety of mix and match combinations. I prefer grey lenses on all my sunglasses, so I selected the gray lenses with the Pomegranate Fade frame. What, you might ask, is a Pomegranate Fade frame? The top is a darker shade of maroon and fades to a beautiful cranberry pink at the bottom. It’s gorgeous. And the other colors in this collection are just as beautiful. They have Morena, which reminds me of a beautiful piece of wood, White, Orchid, which is a stunning soft pinky-purple, Tortoise, and Squall, which is a dark gray. The lens choices are gray, green, copper, blue, amber, and silver mirror. When you go to the Costa website, you are able to customize your sunglasses with the color lenses and frames of your choice.

The second new women’s style for spring 2015 season is called La Mar, which is another round frame with a little more edgy styling. The outside edges come to a corner on the top instead of being completely curved. The frame colors for the La Mar are different than those for the Boga. La Mar seems to me to be a little sportier and the Boga is more voguish because of the way the lens is not completely surrounded by the frame.

 

“These styles are for women who love to be on the water, and want a great pair of sunglasses to complete the scene,” said Chas MacDonald, president of Costa. “These big-eye styles are a perfect fit for any escape.”

 

Both styles offer complete eye coverage and both of the new styles have the same construction and durability as well as the lenses that ease eyestrain (which is why we should buy sunglasses to begin with). Many people select sunglasses on style alone and forget that they are meant to serve a purpose. Sure, Jackie O looked great in her sunglasses, but back in her day they didn’t make lenses like they do today, and Costa makes sure to create lenses that are functional while at the same time combining them with stylish frames. Think of why you buy sunglasses. Is it solely to look good? If so, you are doing your eyes a disservice. Finding a sunglass that looks good while at the same time preserving your eyes and reducing strain while making what you see look clear and sharp is what you should be doing when you look for sunglasses.

As you can tell, I am already a fan of Costa sunglasses simply because I have sensitive eyes and suffer from headaches. With the Costa glasses I don’t suffer from the eyestrain of dime-store sunglasses, and I get the option of selecting my lens color and my frame color.

 

Costa has been in business since 1983 so they know how to create the best glasses. They are designed for sportsmen and sportswomen who spend a lot of time outside. But they are also great for people who don’t surf, fish, boat, or aren’t on the water all day long. These are simply well built sunglasses with the added benefit of being functional and stylish.

 

Costa not only creates sunglasses, but also strives for conservation. They recently took on the problem of plastic waste in the oceans with their Kick Plastics Campaign. “Our hope is that we can spark real conversations within our own fishing and outdoor communities about the grave dangers facing our oceans,” said Perkinson. “This isn’t some distant problem, this is an issue that directly impacts all of us in the sport fishing industry. Simple changes such as … drinking out of a permanent water bottle and recycling the plastic we do use can significantly reduce the amount of trash making its way into our oceans.” For more information about this campaign and Costa, as well as to order your own sunglasses, go to costadelmar.com.

 

Yes, I am biased because I have been wearing Costa sunglasses for years and completely believe in them. And I feel that once you try them, you will feel the same.

 

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

The Academy Awards are history as well as all the after-parties, hangovers, and borrowed gowns and jewels. Hollywood is getting back to normal. No more street closures and hype. For people who are not residents of Southern California, this might seem strange, but Southern Californians go through this every year, and awards seasons are filled with a lot of fun, hard work, and guilty pleasures for the media.

 

Sometimes I attend a gifting suite, which, for outsiders, is an opportunity for talent and media to find out about products. This year I attended only one gifting suite, and what I noticed this time was an abundance of organic, natural, and health products.
Fiber Choice was represented (we’ve all seen those TV commercials for their fiber gummy chews) and yes, I did get some bottles of the delicious fiber chews. This is a product I can definitely use. Fiber is important for all of us, and trust me when I say, these little gummies taste delicious. They have two different formulas: Immunity Support and Metabolism Energy. They all taste fruity and two fruit gummies are only 10 calories.

 

Gutsy Chewy is a chewy product for queasiness and reflux and comes in two flavors: wild berry and citrus. They are gluten free and lactose free and only 5 calories each. According to the bottle, a gastroenterologist developed them.

Just one sniff of the Nuwati Herbal Tea can open your sinuses, although it is supposed to be steeped in hot water first! The Healer Tea was created for immune support and to relieve sinus, allergies, headaches, and colds. I haven’t tried it yet, however I did take a whiff and it definitely gets right to the nasal passages to reduce swelling.

 

Do you remember the product Ally? It was a disaster. Calorease is a new product for reducing the body’s absorption of fats in much the same way Ally did, however it does not create the loose, oily byproduct. It is designed to attach to the fat and reduce calorie absorption. According to the representative, it can reduce up to 500 calories a day and is stimulant free.
TrueToniq was also on hand giving samples of the Trim Toniq and Brain Toniq. Trim Toniq is designed to enhance your metabolism, and Brain Toniq is designed to fuel your brain with mostly organic substances. The Trim Toniq has zero calories, and the Brain Toniq has 80 calories to get your brain unstuck, so to speak.

 

True You Mist is an interesting little product I was introduced to at this event. Just a few sprays and it clears the space around you filling it with positive energy. Just mist the space around you and your mind and body will be refreshed and clear. There is a mild scent, so if you are sensitive to that, you might want to think about that before trying this, however I found just one small spritz isn’t overpowering and rather refreshing.

 

RevitaLash products for fixing up lashes and eyebrows were on hand to display their products and give away samples. If you have thinning eyebrows, this is a good product because it makes them look fuller. I did ask them if it will do anything for people without eyebrows and they said no. You do need some hair on your eyebrows for this to bind to to create the look of more brows.

 

We were treated to the new ice cream inspired yogurt flavors from Muller yogurt, and a variety of delicious wines courtesy of Testa Wines of the World and given our own bottle of Undurraga Brut, which, I have to admit, makes a wonderful mimosa. This is a delightful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

 

 

No Mo O isa product to remove odors and stains, especially pet odors –and it really works! And Ancestry handed out DNA tests to complete and send in. They are able to trace your DNA back many generations to see where on this globe your relatives lived. Interesting? I’m about to find out as soon as I put my test into the mail.

 

Perhaps one of the most unique items of the day was from Belli Vita. This is a way to capture your pregnancy in a way that will live on for years. What they do is take a plaster cast of your belly when you are pregnant. They then create a one-of-a-kind glass bowl from that casting. These bowls come in a variety of colors. They are really beautiful. You can use your bowl for fruit, candy, a display, or a true conversation piece. And, think about handing it down to your child once he/she is old enough to appreciate this unique item. The bowls are not flimsy. They are sturdy and substantial. If you’re pregnant, definitely check out bellivita.com. When I attend a gifting suite I usually find one very special item and this is it from this event.
Whether it’s for the Golden Globes, the Emmys, the Academy Awards, or whatever, Hollywood goes gaga over gifting suites. And the talent goes home with plenty of goodies. The rest of us are spared the luxury vacations, spa treatments, expensive jewelry, cosmetic treatments like liposuction, and other items, but we do get to experience and learn about some pretty interesting products.

 

Anyway, for my one outing at a gifting suite this year, I know I will be a little healthier with all the healthy and organic items I received. And, don’t forget that delicious bottle of wine, my ancestry history, and plenty of other fun stuff.

 

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.

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One in five Americans suffer from allergies, and I am one of them. While most vacuums only work on floors, the DC65 also works on the air we breathe. You might notice some dust flying around when you vacuum. With the newest Dyson technology and their DC 65, the dust is all trapped in the bin.

 

According to Mike Tringale, Senior VP of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, “To earn the asthma and allergy friendly certification, Dyson vacuums had to pass rigorous tests for removing allergens from carpets, measuring levels of airborne allergens during vacuuming, filtration, integrity, cleaning performance when the bin is almost full, and easy, hygienic bin emptying. Dyson machines meet or exceed the strict criteria for all of these tests.”

 

For allergy sufferers, this statement sounds like it’s too good to be true. So I tested the newest Dyson upright, the DC65, and found it to be exactly what the company claims it is. It is a powerful upright that is easy to handle and cleans my carpet while not scattering dust in the air as I vacuum.

 

There are three versions of the latest Dyson upright: the DC65 Multifloor, the DC65 Animal, and the DC65 Animal Complete. They all have the newest ball technology and a self-adjusting cleaner head. The Complete comes with four additional cleaning tools in a case. Otherwise, whichever one you choose, you’ll have the most powerful Dyson upright on the market.

 

To create this machine, the engineers took three years and went through many prototypes. The final product is one I highly recommend for any household with allergy sufferers, and that is most of us.

 

Okay, enough of the stats, here’s what I found while testing this new vacuum. The ball technology makes it easy to turn the machine when vacuuming around corners and furniture. The cord is long enough to reach a couple rooms without unplugging it from the wall. The hose expands to reach high places, and the additional tools are easy to attach. All of these things are pretty common on vacuums. My main reaction when I used this vacuum for the first time is that it is powerful! It has a lot of suction. And, second, I didn’t sneeze once when I vacuumed. There were no allergens being spread around when the vacuum was on. That’s a big bonus for any allergy sufferer. And emptying the bin is as easy as pushing a button.

 

I vacuumed one room, which had recently been vacuumed by another machine. The Dyson DC65 got out even more dust, dirt, and junk. So yes, it really does have a lot of suctioning power.

 

The downside to this vacuum is the noise, although I have yet to find a perfectly quiet vacuum that cleans deep and is easy to handle. I haven’t found a quiet drill in a dentist’s office either! Once you turn on the vacuum, however, you know it is a formidable machine.

 

One vacuum is pretty much like the other, right? Wrong. They are all different. This one has a lot of guts to it. And, I am sold on the Dyson ball, which makes maneuvering the vacuum so much easier than a plain vacuum. The tools make it easy to clean mattresses where dust mites live, upholstery where mites live and where pet hair collects, and dust where mold spores can congregate.

 

In order to ease allergy sufferers, dusting and vacuuming floors is not enough. Check out the Dyson website to learn where allergens lurk in your home and how to keep them at bay.

 

The bottom line is that the DC65 is the most powerful vacuum I have ever used. The root cyclone technology does its job suctioning out dust and dirt. The ball technology makes it easy to maneuver. Yes it is a bit loud, but not as much as some other vacuums on the market. It’s not my favorite color combination (purple and red), but who decorates with a vacuum? With the reputation of Dyson and the 5-year warranty, if you are in the market for a new vacuum, you should definitely check out the DC65. It is full of p-o-w-e-r.

 

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.

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