The new Disney movie Moana doesn’t open until November 23, 2016 but merchandise is already flooding the shelves. Being the daughter of Chief Tui, Moana is the newest Disney princess and is this going to be the big animated movie for the season.

Plenty of Moana merchandise is already available with more coming almost daily. And Moana costumes will most likely be filling the streets this Halloween.

Moana is a film for boys and girls. With the character of Maui, boys will certainly find his storyline interesting. Maui is voiced by Dwayne Johnson. He is a demi-god of the South Pacific. His fishhook has magic powers with elaborate engraving on it.

The Maui Light-Up Fishhook is a fun toy that will be enjoyed by boys and girls, and goes great with the Maui Halloween costume. This sculptured fishhook is easy for little hands to hold although it is a little heavy and a bit wide for very tiny kids. The entire hook measures 18 ½ inches long.

There are sculpted designs on the actual hook and when the button on the handle is pressed the blade lights up and a sound is emitted. The sound and light can also be active by motion via the switch on the back of the handle.
Maui’s Light-Up Fishhook requires 2 AA batteries, which are included in the unit. It is for ages 3+. This item lists for $24.99.

The Moana Classic Doll measures 11 inches high. She is clothed in her traditional outfit and holds her paddle, which itself is engraved with tropical designs. Her long flowing black hair and poseable body make her a fun doll for kids to play with. She wears her special necklace and presents all the tropical beauty of Polynesia.

In the film, Moana is voiced by Auli’i Cravalho. She sets out on the sea to prove herself and fulfill a quest. The box for the Moana Classic Doll has a pop-out outrigger boat. With this boat and the doll, kids can create all kinds of adventures for this new princess. The boat is not waterproof so keep it on land.

With her detailed outfit, paddle, and boat, Moana is set for fun adventures in your home. The Moana Classic Doll lists for $19.95 and is intended for ages 3+.

The Moana Figure Play Set is definitely something that will inspire hours of fun and imaginative play. The 10-piece set includes Moana, toddler Moana, Maui with his fishhook, Maui as Hawk (he shape shifts in the film), Pua the pig with Heihei the rooster, Kakamora the pirate, Tamatoa the giant crab, Gramma Tala, Chief Tui, and Te Ka the lava monster.

The figures are all different sizes up to 4 inches high. They come in a decorative box however once they are removed from their plastic insets the figures cannot go back without a little help from mom or dad. This is a colorful set that can easily be transported to grandma’s house for plenty of fun there, or taken in the car to occupy kids and spark their imaginations.
The Moana Figure Play Set lists for $24.95.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Moana products. There are other toys and clothing that are bound to be on a lot of holiday gift lists this year.
FRANCINE BROKAW

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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With all the makeup and sunscreen that we put on our faces, not to mention the daily dirt and environmental particles that we’re exposed to, our faces need a little extra care. Whether you’re acne prone or have sensitive skin, there is a Yes To mask for you.

The grapefruit is for pore perfection, the cucumber is for calming, the coconut is for hydrating, the tomatoes is for detoxifying (with charcoal), another tomatoes mask is for fighting acne, and the man’s charcoal is made especially for men.

These single use masks are easy to use. They come already cut out with holes for your mouth, nose, and eyes. Simply place the paper mask on your face and relax for about ten minutes. Then peel the mask off and discard it.

This is a quick and easy way to pamper yourself and give your face a little pick-me-up.

With the many different masks, you might be wondering which one is right for you. The company has taken that decision out of your hands. Simply follow the guide below to select the mask that is best for your face.

With the single use paper masks, there is no gooey cream or anything to get messy in your bathroom. The mask stays where you place it on your face so you can go sit down or rest on your bed and nothing will ooze out. It’s clean and simple.

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

You’ve most likely heard that catchy song from the TV commercial – “For the best night’s sleep in the whole wide world visit My Pillow.com.” Who ever came up with that definitely earned his/her salary. I can’t get that song out of my head. So I decided to try the pillow.

Pillows have always been difficult for me to buy. I am too sensitive to down, even though they say they are hypoallergenic. And I don’t like solid foam pillows. The MyPillow is filled with pieces of interlocking foam. They are all different sizes and shapes and when they are stuffed in the pillow, they make the pillow adjustable to your neck and head. How simple but yet no one has done this before.

The My Pillow comes in five different “fill” levels, each color coated on the tag: Yellow, White/Black, Green, Blue, and Red. The red is for very heavy and large people. I tried the yellow and the white, which are the two levels with the least amount of fill, even though they both contain quite a lot of fill. What I found was the yellow tag, or the least filled pillow, was a little too flimsy for my personal comfort and the white tag was more comfortable. It’s kind of like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I discovered the moment my head met the pillow (white tag) I was instantly comfy resting on the pillow. And the pillow retained its shape throughout the night.

The MyPillow is touted as “the only Official Pillow of the National Sleep Foundation.” It also comes with a 10-year Warranty and is made in the U.S.A. What I also like about this pillow is that it is machine washable and dryable. After washing/drying, you’re ready for another night.

The website also has other products, like the sheets and pillowcases. According to the company’s founder Mike Lindell, the man who is in the TV commercials, he discovered Egyptian cotton from the Giza region was “the best of the best.” Yes, they are very soft, so if you need a new set of sheets or want a new pillowcase for your new MyPillow, give the Giza Dreams a try.

Besides being available in different fills, the MyPillow is also available in Full/Queen and King. Just select your size and the amount of fill you want and get ready for a comfortable night. If you have questions about the fill amount you need, the website has more information. Plus there is a 60-day money back guarantee.

The MyPillow won’t cure insomnia however it will make you much more comfortable when you are in bed. It’s breathable and fits the contours of your neck and head whether you are on your side, back, or stomach. It is definitely my pillow of choice and the most comfortable pillow I have ever used. We are now a MyPillow family.

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

Boo is now part of the popular Disney Animators’ Collection of dolls depicting Disney characters as children. Of course, Boo is already a child so she has been crafted to look like herself.

If you look at the picture of this doll on the Disney Store website, you might think she is not one of their best products in this line. I thought so myself. But the pictures do not do her justice. This is one doll that needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. Unlike most of the others in this beloved line of dolls, Boo has a wide smile with her teeth showing. Her face does not photograph very well. But once she is taken out of the box, you’ll see the love and personality coming from this adorable little girl. She stole the hearts of Sully and Mike in Monsters Inc., and she will steal your heart too.

Boo is dressed in her pink shirt with purple leggings and her white socks. Her dark hair is tied in pigtails wrapped with her trademark hair ties with plastic pink balls. She carries “Little Mike” the stuffed toy she loved in the film. You know the one – Mike wouldn’t let her have it until she screamed. Now she is the caretaker of this stuffed Little Mike and her smile shows she is as happy as can be.

Her profile will put a smile on anyone’s face. She exudes happiness. It’s hard not to smile when you see this doll out of the box. And speaking of the box, like the others in this series, it is covered with the animators’ sketches of Boo in various positions.

Just looking at her you can almost hear her calling “Kitty,” as she did often in the film. And she looks like she’s about to start her loud and boisterous chuckling.

Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, the pictures of Boo on the website do not do her justice. She has plenty of personality and charm once she is released from the box and all the shackles. She needs to get out of those restraints and be free to be enjoyed. And yes, she is one that will be enjoyed by all ages, and especially little girls. She’s a great companion for carrying to the park, in the car, and cuddling with in bed.

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

Keurig has come out with a new compact brewer. It’s perfect for dorm rooms, so if you are sending your child off to college, this would be a good item to take. The K15 comes in a variety of colors including the new Jade, True Blue, and Chili Red.

Measuring 10.8″H x 6.9″W x 10.7″D, the K15, the footprint of this new brewer is their smallest. But that doesn’t mean it has to brew a small cup of coffee or tea. This machine has the capability to brew 6, 8, and 10 ounce cups, unlike their compact brewer of the past, which limited users to just the smallest capacity.

In about 2 minutes you have a freshly brewed cup of your favorite Joe! But coffee is not the only thing this brewer makes. There are varieties of teas, hot chocolates, and even Campbell’s has soups that can be made in the Keurig. With caffeinated, decaffeinated, half-caff, organic, etc., there are all kinds of hot beverages you can make with this unit. And if you want an iced tea or iced coffee, simply brew it over ice. That’s easy. It takes about 2 minutes for the K15 to brew your beverage (or soup).

For a look at all the varieties of coffees, teas, cocoas, and soups, check out the Keurig.com website. They offer seasonal flavors throughout the year, and if you join their club you will get periodic discounts on your orders.

The Keurig K15 is their latest compact machine. This little unit fits into dorm rooms, offices, small apartments, and RVs. It might be their smallest, but it is just as functional as their larger machines. The only difference is the amount of options it can do.

So, to make sure your college student has the latest and greatest way to make a good cup of java, tea, or a hot cup of soup, send the K15 to school with them. And for care packages, you can always order some K-cup pods to be sent to the dorm. That way you know they won’t be making a midnight run to the latest coffee place for a pick-me-up during long nights of studying!

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