Discover Dinosaurs and Airplanes with the new Smithsonian Coloring Books. These wonderful books not only have beautiful illustrations to color, but they also have information about the dinosaur or airplane on the opposite page so not only do people see the models and the animals but they also learn about each one.

These wonderfully illustrated coloring books each list for $16.99 and because they are from Smithsonian, they are great reference guides as well as art projects. The IDW and Smithsonian Institution publishing program currently has these two books available however they will be bringing out more soon. Next to come out is “Birds: A Smithsonian Coloring Book” which will be released in May 2021. This next book is already popular with pre-orders as people are discovering the enjoyment and education in the books.

 

The coloring books provide a nice project for parents and children to do together. While the illustrations are a bit too intricate for tiny hands, they are definitely fun for older kids and adults. And who says you have to stay within the lines? Why not let your little ones explore their creativity with the graphics. Or they can help chose the colors and the older kids or parents can do the coloring. Whatever, they are definitely popular with families.

 

Just grab some colored pencils and soar into the sky with these amazing airplanes or learn about the dinosaurs that roamed the earth long before we got here.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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.

Let’s face it. We are living in stressful times. This is an unprecedented age with the pandemic, the political upheaval, and so much discourse. Everyone needs to unwind and take a deep breath. Some people find solitude in music, others in books. The Buddha Boards are the perfect remedy for the stress we all live with. It isn’t an electronic gadget or anything that has a cord. It lets users unplug from the world while unwinding from their stress.

So, what is a Buddha Board? Simply put, it is a lightweight board that doesn’t require a rocket scientist to set up. Simply adjust the board and you’re almost ready to start letting go of your cares and worries. Included in each of the sets is a brush so all the user needs to supply is good old H2O. There are little wells in the set however my suggestion is to get a small glass, jar, or cup and put water in that. That way if you should tip your board, the water won’t spill out.

Do you remember the old days…way back when, when there was a doodle pad that after you drew your picture you could wipe the slate clean by ripping up the top? Since that time there have been other creative ways to express oneself. But the Buddha Board is by far the most enjoyable. Why? Because it brings out the inner artist in everyone. You do not have to be creative or artistic. All you need to do is to start drawing and see how interesting your creations can be. It is truly relaxing.

When the water dries the board is a clean slate again. For darker strokes use more water and for lighter lines use less water. The more water you use the longer it takes to disappear. By adjusting the thickness of your strokes as well as the darkness, you will soon be creating things you never thought possible. And even if your drawing isn’t up to a museum’s standard, you will feel more relaxed and refreshed simply by drawing. Water drawing on the Buddha Board instills users with a Zen feeling. Trust me on this. Even though I do plenty of painting and drawing, when I use the Buddha Board I feel a different sense of calmness.

There are several different Buddha Boards.

The Original Buddha Board is the largest, measuring 12×9.5 and ¼”deep. It lists for#34.95.

The Enso version measures 10×10 and is 1 inch deep. It lists for $24.95.

And the Mini Buddha Board is perfect for tucking in a purse or backpack. It measures 5×5 and is ¼” deep. This one lists for $15.95.  They all come with their own brushes.

By using only water and no chemicals, parents can feel good about having their children create with the Buddha Board. And adults will enjoy the Zen feeling of water drawing.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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. Follow her on Twitter.

The Universal Belt Clip from Mophie is useful for anyone who has a cell phone. It says “belt” clip however if can also be clipped onto a waistband or pocket, or even a bag or purse. And if you’re going to the beach, when this darn COVID is over, clip it onto your bathing suit and your phone will be handy and easy to grab. With this clip, you can be hands free but still able to easily pick up your phone to take a call, make a call, take a photo, or whatever you want to do.

The sturdy clip is easy to open and it closes securely automatically. Once the clip is secured, simple pull out the expandable holder and place your phone in the device. You’re now ready to be hands-free. If you want to remove your phone, simply pull on the holder to set your phone free while the universal belt clip stays secure where it is attached.

If you’re looking for a last minute gift, a stocking stuffer, or just something that is handy and lasts, check it out. It fulfills a need for many cell phone users, and being hands-free is not only comfortable, but also safer than carrying your phone in your hands.

Walkers can enjoy being hands-free but still know they can take and receive calls if necessary with their phone at the ready.  And for people who put their phones on tables when they’re out to eat (remember those days when we could go out?), they do not run the risk of forgetting their phone if they keep it secured in the clip. It’s right there but not where anyone else can grab it or where you might forget to pick it up when you leave.

There is a 2-year warranty for this product, should anything malfunction. The dimensions are 2.77 in. x 1.18 in. and it expands to 3.5 inches wide. It rotates 360 degrees so you can adjust the angle of your phone to whatever feels best. Some people like to wear their phones vertical and some horizontal. That’s not a problem with this item. This compact little item only comes in black.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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. Follow her on Twitter.

The Raycop GO is a unique product that, especially in these trying times, is useful and makes life a little less stressful. It is a portable UV+ cordless vacuum that sanitizes and is lightweight so it’s easy to use.

This unit utilizes the RayClean Technology that is similar to what is used in hospitals. With the pulsating brushes it picks up dust mites and all those pesky little germs that cause havoc with people. And allergy sufferers, like myself, will be able to breathe easier because of the HEPA filtration.

Removing bacteria and viruses is something people are thinking about during this time of Covid 19. Making the space around you healthier is what Raycop is all about, and with this small unit, you can make your environment healthier and cleaner wherever you go.

I recently had to take a trip and stayed in two different hotel rooms. While one of them was filled with signs that the bed and the bathroom as well as the TV remote was sanitized, the other just had one sign saying the room was sanitized. I thought about all the areas in the room that might not have been sanitized. For instance, what about the chairs and the couch? If I had had the Raycop GO with me, I would have definitely sanitized those seating areas and even given the bed a once-over, although the hotel was insistent they had sanitized it.

Think about sanitizing cribs, car seats, high chairs and other areas where babies play and eat. And kids rooms are a great place to use the unit, not to mention cars. We all spend a lot of time in our cars, but how often do we sanitize them?

As an allergy sufferer, I am especially concerned about dust and other allergens. I have been using other Raycop products and highly recommend them. I trust the company and the products. And now with this portable unit I will definitely feel more comfortable when I travel. Trust me, I will not be traveling without this product.

The Raycop GO weighs only 1.82 pounds and easily disassembles to fit nicely in a carry-on or suitcase. It takes three hours to charge the battery cell and can run up to 30 minutes on a charge. With the washable filters, there is no need to keep buying more filters for the unit. By simply cleaning the vacuum and filter in water, all the dust is washed away and the vacuum is ready to be used again.

One more way in which this unit is helpful in keeping families safe from germs and bacteria is by using it on toys. We all know stuffed animals are notorious for collecting dust and germs. With the Raycop Go they can easily be disinfected without any harmful chemicals. It’s that simple.

So, the bottom line is with the HEPA filter, washable filter, UV technology, portability, and the reliability of the company, I can honestly recommend the Raycop GO. Viruses, allergens, dust mites, bacteria and dust are easily tackled with this product, and the fact that I can easily pack it in my carryon is the icing on the cake. Now, if they only made cake, I would buy the company!

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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. Follow her on Twitter.

 

The latest product from the folks at Trophy Skin is called BrightenMD. This compact, lightweight little item is supposed to refresh the skin, giving it a brighter look and improving circulation.

I tried this little device and was pleased with the results. The microcurrent stimulation is warm and feels good on the face.  It uses red light therapy to stimulate cell turnover, which makes the skin more refreshed and less dull.

Simply put some of your favorite serum on your face and the unit starts when it comes in contact with skin. The head rotates to make it easy to treat various areas of the face.

I initially wanted to test it on my under-eye area but in this time of COVID and masks, I thought my forehead would be the best place to start. It’s the only area of my face that is seen in public.

Yes, it did make my skin look refreshed and tighter. I noticed it the first time I used it. I applied some of my favorite serum on the areas I wanted to treat, placed the device on my face, and I could feel the serum penetrating deep into my skin. And the warmth was comforting. I also like the size of this unit. It is so small you can put it in your pocket or purse and before going into a meeting or a restaurant (when they are open again) treat your face with the unit. It will give you a “pick-me-up” appearance. And over time the results will get better and better.

For the price it is a good device. I have used several products from Trophy Skin and for the most part I think the company does a good job bringing out products that help our skin. The BrightenMD is something that helps the appearance of eyes, face, and necks and can be used anywhere. Try it while watching TV or talking on the phone. In a few minutes (they recommend one minute per area treated) you have given your face and neck a treatment that feels good and delivers results. Don’t get me wrong. You are not going to see a difference like you would with a facelift. However this is a nice little device that is small, easy to use, and delivers a nice result to refresh the skin. There is a 60-day money back guarantee so you have nothing to lose if you do not like it.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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. Follow her on Twitter.

These days keeping our homes and ourselves safe from the COVID-19 virus is essential. The Omni Air UV+ stick vacuum from Raycop is a stick vacuum that sucks up dust, debris, hair, and invisible to the eye mites that can make us sick and bring on allergies, and also a sanitizer. With two different heads, this one unit cleans and sanitizes.

The Omni Air UV+ is lightweight and easy to operate. Just push the on button and select low, mid, or max, depending on which suction level you need. With the vacuum head attached the vacuum easily glides over floors and carpets. I personally like the small width because now I can vacuum beside and behind the toilets, which is something I couldn’t do with other stick vacuums with wider heads.  This lightweight unit is like a sports car. It effortlessly maneuvers around corners and under furniture. It really does go almost everywhere. And the clear bin lets users know when it is full. Emptying the bin is easy. Granted, it is small but that is not a bad thing. It just takes a second to open the bin and dump out the debris. The dust box is connected to a dust filter and HEPA filter, which really help allergy sufferers like myself. I have always hated vacuuming because the debris would be blown up and around and it was always a test for my allergies. These new units eliminate the discomfort for allergy sufferers.

Attachments include nozzles to get in creases and crevices. Getting rid of dust, mites, pollen, and dirt is essential to allergy sufferers. But this unit not only vacuums up all those nasty things, it is also a sanitizer. The RayClean technology kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria with the UV+ light. By destroying the DNA and RNA of viruses they are unable to live and multiply. Doing this without chemicals is important for families, especially those with babies and very young children. After all, parents do not want their children exposed to dangerous chemicals, or for that matter, they don’t want to be exposed either. With this new technology, no chemicals are necessary. The UV+ light does the job safely and efficiently.

It is easy to change the heads from simply vacuuming to sucking up and disinfecting. Just pop off the one head and pop on the other. The brushes sweep up mites and other things trapped deep in fabric.

The filters are easily washable and prevent dust and odors from building up and staying in the unit. The battery is easily chargeable however this unit does not come with any attachments to stick it onto a wall. At first I thought this was a disadvantage however the unit is small enough to fit into a closet without taking up much space. Still, a wall mount might be a good idea for the future.

This unit can easily accomplish more than cleaning and disinfecting floors. It is a handy unit for cars and furniture. Think about where you have been during the day. When you get home you wash your hands and think you are free from viruses and bacteria. However you have probably been sitting someplace. Cleaning your couch and chairs is just as important as cleaning your floors. With this one unit, you can do it all. And it is also able to clean and disinfect your mattresses. Have you been sleeping with mites living and breeding in your mattress? How creepy is that?

Raycop was eager to send me a unit to test. I have been using it for a week and definitely think it is a worthy product. My only complaint, and it is a very small one, is that is lacks a wall mount. Other than that I really like this Omni Air. I like the weight and ease of use, as well as all it accomplishes. In this time of viruses like COVID and the flu, not to mention allergies (I have so many), I can highly recommend this for families of all ages and sizes.

There is free shipping from the website as well as a 30 day trial. Check out their website for more information and to order your own unit.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, 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, 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. Follow her on Twitter.

“We realize this is a challenging time for families and wearing any type of mask can be daunting,” says Edward Park, senior vice president, Disney store and shopDisney. “Our hope is that Disney’s cloth face masks featuring some of our most beloved characters will provide comfort to the families, fans and communities that are so important to us.”  There are six different sets of four cloth face masks in each pack.

Select your favorites to brighten up you social distancing dilemma.

Select from:

Star Wars – with Yoda, logo, original artworl from the first film, and R2D2

Role Play with bottom half of Pooh, Stitch, Mickey Mouse, and Bunny

Princess – with a variety of colors and Disney princess images

Pixar – With Forky, Mike Wazaski, and images of iconic Pixar  characters

Mickey and Minnie – with the two Disney mice

Marvel – with images and logos from the world of Marvel

Each set of four lists for $19.99.

Disney is donating one million cloth facemasks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the U.S. that will be distributed by MedShare (http://www.medshare.org). Disney will also donate all profits from the sales in the U.S. of Disney’s cloth face masks to Medshare, up to $1 million, now through September 30, 2020.