GIFTING LOUNGE: SECRET ROOM EVENTS PRE-RED CARPET STYLE LOUNGE IN HONOR OF THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2018

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SECRET ROOM EVENTS PRE-RED CARPET STYLE LOUNGE IN HONOR OF THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2018

I love when Secret Room events does their gifting lounges at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.  I usually hate crowds, but there’s just something about this particular hubbub that I love being a part of.  I can’t quite put my finger on it—I guess it’s just that Secret Room magic!

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

My new fabulous contributing writer, Patty Onagan, was as overwhelmed as I was by the sheer number of quality gifts at this one!  She said, “Secret Room Events introduced me to so many hot new products! I was thrilled to be in the know!” She has two children—eight-year-old Benjie and five-year-old Alexa—so she was especially thrilled to learn about the many children’s gifts on offer.

Some of the "entrance" goodies, with the giant "exit" bags in the background. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Some of the “entrance” goodies, with the giant “exit” bags in the background. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Secret Room Events always goes the extra distance for their guests in two very special ways.  The first is that as we walk in, there’s always a selection of some special gifts for them right away.  But the even better aspect is the humongous goodie bags that many lucky VIPs receive on the way out.  The highlights of those contents are at the end of this article.

But there were many highlights between that entrance and exit!!!  We could have spent the entire day there!  (And just about did!) With Patty’s comments being the ones in quotes, here’s what we discovered along the way:

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Clayton Shagal—This skin care line from Canada had a beautiful, colorful-yet-classy display, which attracted us right over to them.  Their lovely rep gave us the skinny on their many collagen-infused products.  They’re all made from 99% pure extracted marine collagen, and the entire regimen is very easy to use.  Patty tested their Oat Bran Scrub, and said that it’s “both refreshing and gentle,” and left her skin feeling “soft and smooth.”  And I’m adding that their aroma reminds me of being in a high-end spa!  www.katra.ca

Shareen Adair applying individual lashes to a guest who's wearing their lip mask. Photo by Patty Onanagn.

Shareen Adair applying individual lashes to a guest who’s wearing their lip mask. Photo by Patty Onagan.

I Candy Eye Salon—Owner Shareen Adair was on-site doing individual lashes on a few lucky guests.  They looked gorgeous on all the lucky recipients, and this girl worked faster than other lash specialists I’ve encountered through the years.  Now Patty and I will have to visit one of her several salons around town to get glammed, as well.  Patty mentioned that she was “intrigued by the little packets that some guests were picking-up at their table.” It turns-out that they were “newly-created, reusable lip plumpers that you place over your lips like an eye mask!” Fun. www.icandysalon.com

The discreet spout is under that little tag on the front! Photo by Patty Onagan.

The discreet spout is under that little tag on the front! Photo by Patty Onagan.

PortoVino Wine Purses—These “brilliant and stylish” handbags and canvas tote bags are the most unique gift I’ve seen in quite some time. They’re real purses, but come with a reusable pouch that you fill with wine (or, in my case, water) inside and a discrete spout on the exterior! So you can easily pour your beverage of choice at any time, with no one knowing! (Of course, I would show it off because it’s so special and different.) Patty was attracted to the red and white-striped canvas bag with rope straps, deeming it “the perfect accessory to carry your favorite vintage when visiting the Hollywood Bowl or the beach,” while traditionalist moi had eyes for only the sturdy leather handbags. www.porto-vino.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Maddy & Maize Gourmet Popcorn—It took Mr. X just a few bites of one of these creative flavors to declare, “This is the best specialty popcorn ever!”  I agree, and so do Patty and her fam, all of whom now join us in being fans.  Their fave is the Birthday Cake version.  She told me that they could not stop saying, “Mmmm!,” and added, “It was a race to put your hand in the bag to get another handful of the delicious buttery, white chocolate, and sprinkles birthday cake popcorn.”  I’m saving my bag of that one for my upcoming-this-weekend January 14th birthday, although I think my wish that day will be to eat more of their Cookies and Cream flavor!  www.maddyandmaize.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Acera Liven—We both noticed how beautifully designed these portable ceramic mugs from Taiwan are.  Patty noted that they “make lovely gifts for the person-on-the–go.” I add—or for anybody who is thirsty and has class and great taste! www.aceraliven.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Mag Lite—Mr. X is a major flashlight fan, so we already have many of this company’s wares in our house. I repeat—many! So I was happy for the Secret Room guests to each receive a mini-flashlight from them. Even better, I’m sure it’s a collector’s item because it has a “patriotic” design on it! www.maglite.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Boyer Clothing—Since little girls’s dresses are more in Patty’s purview than mine, here are her thoughts on this line: “I love Kami Boyér’s classically-designed dresses.  Her black, sleeveless A-frame linen dress, with a white Peter Pan collar, will make every little girl look like a Audrey Hepburn mini-me from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  And, for every designer dress you purchase, you also receive a paper doll with a matching dress.  If you’re looking for something elegant for your little girl to wear for any special occasion, she will absolutely shine in one of these dresses.” www.boyerclothing.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Hadron Epoch—I don’t know if you guys know how much I love paper, colors, and planners, but I do.  So, when I saw this stationary and journal company’s lovely, classy display of items right as we walked-in, we ran right over to their table. And what we found did not disappoint.  I loved the classy, muted tones of the items, while Patty was taken with their “clean and smart designs.”  She said they’d all make “excellent gifts for your hard-to-shop-for friends,” but I would just keep them all for myself! www.hadronepoch.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Townley Girl—Patty brought this gift bag that’s chockfull of fun children’s gifts to her little daughter, who went nuts over the contents.  She told me, “Alexa loves the many fun Disney, Emoji, and My Little Pony lip balms, which come in pretty shades of pink, blue, and purple, some with “special sparkle. And, the Play Doh bath soaps are the perfect way to get kids to initiate bath time all on their own.”  Those of you who know me by now realize that I’m not kidding about this—I wanted the entire contents of the bag for myself!  I didn’t have children on purpose so that I wouldn’t have to share my fun items like Townley Girl everythingwww.townleygirl.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Studio 67 Mats—We both loved these colorful floor mats! They’re so beautiful that I wouldn’t even want to put them on the floor! I’d rather frame them and hang them on a wall. Patty said, “They’re a fun and personalized way to welcome your guests.” And this company has about a zillion patterns to choose from, so they go with all decors, even my post-modern mess!  www.studio67mats.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Sophistication Is Overrated—I’m jealous of these sisters who wrote this entertaining (in both meanings of the word) book, not just because they know how to throw fabulous fetes, (which is what this book is about,) but because they’re sisters who…actually love and appreciate each other!!! I can’t imagine what that would be like.  Patty pointed-out that they call themselves “fauxialites,” and the book “shows us how to create unforgettable parties that are ridiculously fun.” I may have to use it for my upcoming January 14th birthday. (But I’ll postpone it a week to have time to read the whole book…and also to see which pals of mine wish me a good day to deserve to come to this soiree that should be wonderful if I follow this book’s suggestions! www.sophisticationisoverrated.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Passion Planner—I don’t know if you guys know this about me, but I’m obsessed with appointment books and planning calendars!  There’s just something about writing it down, (especially in colored ink,) that is so much more satisfying than having your schedule on a computer.  Or even worse—your phone!  So I was thrilled to discover this brand of them, whose pages have so much more than just dates!  Patty deemed them “a clever and tangible way to plan your business and personal schedule, plus keep your weekly to-do lists and track your goals all in one book.”  I agree!  www.passionplanner.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

The Festive Frolics of Panda and Owl–Author Frank Lewis wrote this children’s book as a gift for his wife, which is a lovely enough gesture. But then she went beyond that, and got it published for him! How wonderful! What a dynamic duo! (They now have puzzles of the tale, as well.) www.franklewisbooks.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Tick Key—I’ve been a fan of these handy-dandy Tick Removers for awhile, so I was happy to introduce them to Patty.  She said, “I hope to never need to use my hot pink Tick Key, but it’s good to know that it’s on my key chain should I encounter” one of those nasty bloodsuckers!  www.tickkey.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Better Than Average Jellies—This jelly company from New Hampshire had the prettiest display I’ve ever seen at a gifting suite!  Their table looked like a Hallmark holiday movie!  They were gifting jellies in either Rosé or Sangria flavors, which Patty deemed “a lovely alternative to fig spread on a classy cheese plate.” www.betterthanaveragellc.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Morgan Taylor—This nail polish company was gifting a cute little cosmetics bag containing two of their top colors this season. There was also a luggage tag in the shape of a big pink polish bottle, so all of us glamour gals can identify each other on our travels! You know that I’ll be using mine on my next trip to the Big Apple! www.morgantaylorlacquer.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Kocostar—This Korean company has at-home beauty masks for every condition.  Patty wanted to try the one for hair, while the Foot Therapy one was calling my name after spending so much time on my feet perusing this successful lounge!  www.kocostarusa.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Mama Taylor’s Treats—They were gifting pretty pink boxes of a four-piece assortment box of “decadent” fudge.  Patty said it’s the “perfect hostess gift, which is sure to get you an invite to your host’s next party.”  Being an optics lover, I’m always happy to see that they make the outside of their boxes different each time I meet them.  www.mamataylorstreats.com

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Photo by Patty Onagan.

Go Go Squeeze—Mom Patty told me, “These convenient applesauce-on-the-go pouches are popular snacks in my home.  And I learned a Secret Room tip—put them in the freezer the night before and place in your kid’s lunchbox the next day to keep nice and cold.”  www.gogosqueeze.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Nudestix—I’ve written about this beauty pencil company for a few years now—I’m even the one who first suggested to them that they be in a gifting suite to begin with!  So I was thrilled to see that they heeded my advice, as I’m sure all the recipients of their two latest pencils were!  Patty was new to this brand in person, even though she had been intrigued by all I’ve written about them in the past.  She was afraid that the lip pencils would be “drying,” as she’s found most matte lipsticks to be.  So when she tried one of these, she was happy to discover that it’s “non-drying” and even “make your lips feel soft.” www.nudestix.com

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

So Fruitty—We each got to sample one of the fruit bars from this new line of ice treats.  Patty went nuts over the surprising avocado one, saying that it’s “creamy and delicious.” www.sofruitty.com

When the VIPs finally left this wonderful event, they received yet more gifts conveniently packed in a humongous canvas bag from LL Bean. Does the generosity of Secret Room never end??? And the bags this time had a cute little “Love” tag hanging from them; they must have known that’s how we’d feel about the contents!

Just a few of the highlights of the giant "exit" goodie bags. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Just a few of the highlights of the giant “exit” goodie bags. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Here are some of the highlights of those items: Amorepacific Vintage Single Extract Essence, which is said to prevent further skin aging, (which is something we all need!,); a beautiful, classy pashmina from SuNehera; Nancy Rose Performance work-out leggings; Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask from Korean skin care company Sulwhasoo; a Pink Zebra simmer pot (which I’m not even sure what that is, but it looks pretty!); Tick Tock Naturals organic insect repellent; Livad Vitamin A&D cream for your face; Dr. Mercola lavender organic essential oil (so that the guests can finally get some sleep after all the Golden Globes festivities!); Botanical Signature face oil serum; the hilarious Pony Up Daddy saddles, for dads with strong backs; a trio of skin care products from Prana Spa Ceuticals; 686 Technical Apparel hip beanies; Gelish art bead pens (to put some real sparkle on your nails); and though it’s perhaps the smallest of all, GiftAGreen is my favorite one because it’s grow-your-own microgreens…in a Happy Birthday card! And it’s just in time for my January 14 birthday this Sunday! So, thanks for that bit of pre-birthday fun, Secret Room Events!!! Actually, thank you for it all!

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