If you’re looking for a fun and imaginative item to keep your kids (or yourself) occupied for hours, check out the Magnetic Pyramid Glow from TOSY. Forget the old Rubik’s Cube, this Magnetic Pyramid is more fun and more creative.

The item comes as a cube. Take it apart and see the 12 colorful sections that can be arranged in countless formations. 

This cube comes with a rotating stand to display creative works of art, yes I said art. It also comes with a UV Flashlight that can be shined onto the pieces to make them glow in the dark. 

By adding more products there is no end to the designs that can be arranged with these pieces. And what makes them even more interesting are the colors. They are beautiful. Just looking at the colorful pyramids is mesmerizing.

It’s a tactile and visual toy that encourages creativity and imagination. It is also fun for distressing. 

Animals, letters, and beautiful designs can be created with these pieces.  

The magnets are securely attached so they don’t come off. 

These are a great birthday gift if you’re looking for something for your kids to take to a party. They also make fun after school projects – with or without parents. And if you’re planning on a long car ride, this will keep the kids occupied so you won’t keep hearing, “Are we there yet?” 

For more about this and to order a set – or more – go to the Amazon website. There is currently a limited price decrease so perhaps getting a few now to store away for future presents might be a good idea.

There is a booklet that comes along with the set that provides images of several ways to arrange the pyramids. Besides the glow version, there is a stone version that isn’t as bright but looks just as amazing.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

The latest product from the folks at Alpha Skin Care is their Revitalizing Body Lotion with 12% Glycolic AHA.  Being extremely sensitive to new products I was apprehensive about trying this when they asked me to test it. After learning it is unscented, I agreed to give it a try – with no expectations from the company.

Being unscented to me is a must. Some products say they are unscented but still have a whiff of a scent. This lotion is totally unscented. 

Besides being unscented, I look for products that are free of chemicals that often bother me, like parabens and sulfates. This is free of both.

The lotion is not watery. It’s not overly thick either. 

When I first tried it I felt it might be a bit too sticky but as soon as I rubbed it in a little more it did not feel sticky. In fact, it felt velvety. 

In the winter my main concern is my hands. They get dry and chapped in the cold weather. This is a complaint I hear all the time. With so many products on the market, it’s usually a try one, go onto another, then another to find the right lotion for your skin. 

This lotion feels good right from the start and lasts. For dry feet I recommend applying the lotion to your feet right before you put on socks. This keeps it protecting your feet all day.

With ingredients like 12% Glycolic Alpha Hydroxy Acid and a pH balance of 3.8, if you have sensitive skin this might be a good solution for your dry skin.

It is also a “renewal body lotion” and is touted as being able to reduce dry skin and lift away dead skin leaving healthier looking and feeling skin. That’s what Glycolic Acid is meant to do. Coming from natural sugar cane, Glycolic Acid has been a popular ingredient in skincare products for awhile. It’s not a new fad ingredient. It has been tested for years.

So, the bottom line is, if you have sensitive skin you might want to give this lotion a try. It is cruelty free (very important) as well as being hypoallergenic. And it won’t break the bank like many skin care products. 

We are all particular about what we put on our skin. If you are looking to try a product to help reduce the dryness of winter skin, or if you just want to test a different body lotion for a change, this is a good option.

Do I recommend it? Well, I’ve tried it, it makes my hands softer and I do think my skin looks smoother. So yes, I do like it.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment  -for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

 

The new Manta White Noise Machine has a lot going for it. First of all, it will block out annoying noises you might be hearing – like street noises. It’s easy to set up and with expandable speakers (for an additional price) it can block several directions from which annoying noises might be coming.

Also, for people who like to read, this is a great little item because it creates more enjoyable sounds while blocking out the neighbor’s lawn mower. And for those who have trouble sleeping because of noises around them, this is something that might help. That is why it was created.

The item consists of an AC (or USB-C) powered speaker that can be placed where the annoying sound is emanating from. Or, if you don’t have noises affecting you, you can simply place it near you so you’ll be able to enjoy some sounds that are relaxing.

Then there is the remote control that turns the machine on and off. It also allows the user to adjust the volume as well as change the sounds and set a timer.

There are 15 different sounds from which to select. Five different static (referred to as white noise) sounds provide a variety of steady noise. Five different fan sounds (which I prefer to the static) are more calming. My personal preferences are the rain sounds, of which there are three different options. And finally there are two different ocean sounds.

There is no set-up required other than plugging in the speaker.

The unit was “engineered for sleep optimization” disrupting annoying outside noise. 

While it was designed to block noise it can also be used simply to add some background noise that, for some people, is just the ticket to falling asleep. Often comforting sounds help stop those thoughts that keep rolling around in you head keeping you from falling asleep. 

The timer can be set if the user does not want the sound to play continuously throughout the night. Selections range from 30 minutes to 8 hours. It’s easy to program with just a couple presses on the remote. And if you decide to turn it off manually, just press the on/off button.

Many people are turning to white noise machines these days as we find getting to sleep is more and more difficult.

For more information or to order your own Manta Sleep White Noise Machine, check out their website.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

The Elf on the Shelf is a family tradition. It began in 2005 with a sweet story and a Scout Elf to accompany the book. The Scout Elf is available as a boy with blue or brown eyes and a girl with blue or brown eyes. These little guys have been watching over households for years and reporting back to Santa, filling him in on who has been naughty or nice.

Now the family of Elves is growing. The Frost Pips are adorable. They’re baby elves and are available as a boy with blue eyes (in a green flower), dark skin boy with brown eyes (in a blue flower), girl with blue eyes (in a purple flower), and a dark skin girl with brown eyes (in a light blue flower). They can sit in their flower, be held by a scout elf, or just sit alone. These babies are whimsical and add some new cuteness to the elf family. ($7.95 each)

And speaking of new cuteness, Elf Pets bring more love to the family. Each plush pet comes with its own book telling the story of how they interact with Santa and the elves. There is a reindeer, a Saint Bernard, and an Arctic Fox. They each have their own story filled with inspiration and love.

 

Now, you definitely want to make sure your scout elf is dressed for whatever you have in mind so check out all the outfits. Football lovers will want to dress their elf in the Touchdown Tidings Set, and kids who want to sleep with their elf should dress it in the Snowflake Snuggles PJ. There are outfits for fancy occasions or just playing around. The Doodles and Dreams Sleeping Bag is just the ticket for an elf who needs his or her own bed. It comes with markers to color in the design and personalize the sleeping bag. 

There is no doubt the popularity of The Elf on the Shelf is growing and the family of elves as well as all their accessories are growing along with the fun of the elves.

These little guys are not only for Christmas time. With all their outfits, furry friends, and accessories, they are year round enjoyment. Who would have thought in 2005 when the book was published that it would lead to a whole new world of fun? This is a phenomenon that has no end as the family keeps growing, adding babies, more clothing, additional accessories, furry pets, and even plush elves. 

Just looking at the faces of the elves will put a smile on your face. They are filled with sweetness, caring, and love. 

While The Elf on the Shelf was created for the holiday season, and indeed they do add some additional fun and whimsy to the holiday, they have become family additions for the entire year. From one little story with a little elf, a whole new world has emerged, and that world keeps growing every year.  And there are DVDs with stories about the elves and their pets. 

No one can have too many elves. They make great gifts for young and old. If you have not brought an elf into your home yet, why not? This is a great time to get your elf, baby, pet, outfit, accessories, and more. 

 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Harry Hamlin is well known for his acting and his AMC cooking series In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin. At this stage in his life he is focusing more on his cooking than his acting and has partnered with his niece Renee Guibault in their company called The Open Food Company. 

“Uncle Harry’s sauce has been a decades-long centerpiece for his dearest friends and family,” says Guilbault. “We’re not keeping anything a secret – it’s long past time for the first open-source food company, so we are building it in real-time. Customers will be able to scan a QR code to learn about the recipe and cooking method. 

“We believe that access to nutritious and delicious food is a human right, that people should know exactly what’s in their food. Harry and I agree that food should be made with simple ingredients found in your own kitchen, and never synthetic flavoring, preservatives, stabilizers, or chemicals.”

 

The company sent me some samples of Harry’s Famous Sauce – Rosemary Red Wine Sauce. It smells delicious.

We tried the sauce on rigatoni. It retained its thickness while heating, which is something not all sauces do. It did not get watery at all.

So, how did it taste? Actually, I really did like it. It has a rich, somewhat sweet taste. I tried it with and without parmesan cheese. The verdict? It is something I would make again, which is how I judge products. I am considering adding mushrooms to it next time for a little change, but it is good on its own.

Fans of Hamlin will enjoy getting this as a gift this holiday season. And if you are going to a party, this makes a great host/hostess gift, as my mother always told me never to go empty handed.

“We want to become the proof point for transparency in food and demonstrate that you can absolutely operate a ‘for-profit’ business while also meaningfully giving back to your communities by selling totally delicious and unique food products,” Guilbault says about their company.

As part of their mission to make real food more transparent and accessible for all, they support charity partner-organizations committed to hunger-relief efforts and have already donated $10K to 4 different charities.

Hamlin is not giving up acting even though he is concentrating on cooking. Among some of his credits are Mayfair Witches, 80 for Brady, Shooter, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Veronica Mars, Movie Stars, L.A. Law, and many more movies and TV shows. 

Harry’s Famous Sauce is now available for everyone.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and all aspects of entertainment – for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Parents have the ultimate decision as to when their children are allowed to wear makeup. Sometimes it starts with some nail polish. Other times with lip gloss. But there does come a time when a child really wants to start wearing makeup. Kids want to grow up early and adults want to keep them from growing up to quickly. It’s quite a dilemma.

Klee has some non-toxic makeup kits MADE IN THE U.S.A. They do not contain paragons and are gentle to the skin. No talc, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemicals go into these products. Adults might even enjoy them as well. The kits, however, are designed for ages 6+. (Again, parents get the final say as to what age they allow their children to wear makeup.)

There are two new kits in their Sugar Pop Collection.

Sweet Lil Nothings

This set contains pink shades. There is a soft mineral eye shadow, mineral pink blush, alcohol free roll-on fragrance, gingerbread house and pink lemonade flavored lip shimmers, a Water-based reelable litterbug glitter, and a pink nail polish.

Stick with Me

This set leans more toward the purple shades, with purple polish, Peppermint cocoa and Strawberry Kiss lip glosses, purple glitter, soft shades of eye shadow and blush, and holiday cookies roll on fragrance.

Each of the kits comes in a bright pink box with a plastic window to display the contents. Included in each set are two double-sided eye shadow applicators and a soft blush brush. 

All of the products are cruelty and gluten free.  A portion of the sales are donated to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, so it’s a win-win when you purchase these products.

To be honest, while the sets are designed for young girls, many moms will be reaching for some of these products as well. Hey, an extra nail polish or lip shimmer is always welcomed.

There are several other options from the company. This is a good way to start a healthy makeup routine with your young girls. While some might be too young to wear makeup on a daily basis, every once in awhile it’s fun to put on a little color or shimmer. And as most of us adults know, some days are just not makeup days, but a little lip shimmer fits the bill.

With the holidays just around the corner, perhaps a klee kit is on the wishlist. And for birthdays and birthday parties, these make wonderful gifts.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Move over Popsockets. The Ring Snap 360 from ZAGG is easier to use, can click on and off with just a little tug, and can twist around to any direction is most efficient and comfortable for the user. It comes in three colors: black, nickel, and rose gold. And the bottom line is – it’s sturdy!

Holding onto your phone while filming or taking photos can be a bit daunting. With the Ring Snap 360 you can loop a finger through the ring and easily maneuver your phone while knowing it is secure and highly unlikely to fall out of your hands, if your finger is positioned correctly. 

Whether you are more comfortable moving the phone itself or the Ring Snap, you will be able to get the perfect angle for your photos or videos. And this little device is also handy as a kickstand so you can set your phone on a surface without worrying it will fall over. The ring has a rubbery end so even if you set your phone on a delicate surface, it won’t scratch that surface.  With the kickstand users can set up chats, do other things while still using the phone, or use it to show slideshows without having to hold the phone.

Simply put, this little gadget is a useful tool and the magnet is extremely strong so you can feel confident it won’t accidentally pop off your phone. 

On a personal note, I really like using this when I take any videos. It is easier than holding my phone with both hands while maneuvering around a room

Also, the holidays are just around the corner. These make great stocking stuffers!

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and all aspects of entertainment for over 30 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites.

Note: This is a product for adults only

The Crown Royal Black Cherry Whisky Sour ready-to-serve cocktail is the latest offering from Diageo’s “The Cocktail Collection”.

According to the company, the libation is crafted with blended Canadian whisky, lemon juice, and natural black cherry flavors. So, what does it taste like? Well, for someone who has never had a whisky sour, I did not know what to expect. So, after being offered a complimentary bottle, I decided to check it out.


I definitely taste the black cherry (which I like), and the alcoholic taste is minimal. I thought it might be strong, but it isn’t. It is not too overpowering so I can see this being a nice addition to a party perhaps along with some of the other ready-to-pour cocktails.
The bottles are to be chilled then poured over ice. Everything is already mixed in the bottle so there’s no need to purchase any other ingredients. 

For those who like fruity cocktails, this fits the bill.

The other ready-to-pour cocktails they offer are: Ketel One Espresso Martini, Ketel One Cosmopolitan (perfect for those who enjoyed Sex and the City), Astral Margarita (great for taco nights), Tanqueray Negroni, Bulleit Old Fashioned, and a Bulleit Manhattan.

Not having sampled the other flavors, I cannot comment on their taste, however they seem to be representative of the cocktails mixed by professional bartenders.

If you want to be sneaky, hide the bottles and then offer a variety of options to your guests. They will be impressed when you come out of the kitchen with glasses of their desired cocktails. Or, you can simply have them ready to serve on a table with glasses so your guests can pour their own drink.

The bottles are available in 350 mL (SRP: $13.99) and 750 mL (SRP: $25.99) sizes, each bottle serves four or eight cocktails, respectively, with an average ABV of 20%. The product is on shelves now at liquor stores and on ReserveBar.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and all aspects of 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, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.