EMMYS GIFTING SUITES 2010–PART II

 

Yesterday, I told you about the first three gifting suites I attended to celebrate the 2010 Emmys. If you missed that column, please go back and read it, as well, or you’ll lose out on learning about some really great new products.

To be fair to all, I’m using the same opening as I did for the other column, so if you’ve read it before, just skip right down to the fabulous GBK Suite. Otherwise, here it is:

Another awards show, another round of gifting suites. YAY!!! Exhausting as they are, there’s no place I’d rather be. Still nursing this seemingly-never-ending disk problem, I could make it to only five. Did I just say “ONLY???” How many more can one bon vivette do? In just three days, to boot.

And let me tell you, this was one of the best rounds of suites EVER!!! I just don’t know how the organizers continue to raise their game. It was all very impressive, even to this jaded suites-goer.

Also impressive is the fact that most of them have a charity component this year. The organizers donate a percentage of the profits to a specific charity, with some of the sponsors and celebs donating even more. If you go to the sites I’ve listed, you can see how you can get in on the giving, as well. I always feel that by doing something for others, the donors wind-up with the biggest benefits, in spirit, soul and good feelings.

Here are the last two I attended, (because I was too exhausted to continue after them!,) in order of my visits.

GBK TIC TAC MINTS LUXURY GIFT LOUNGE

 

Loyal readers know how much I love this company’s suites, without exception. They continuously surprise us, but always with the same high quality. I was happy to see it back at the SLS Hotel, where it truly lives up to the original concept of “suites.” Each suite here seemed to have a different theme, and they were all fabulous!

Luckily for my back, most of the sponsors here show us their wares and then send them, so we don’t get laden down with goodies, which should be called “greaties” at GBK! (Presenters and nominees do receive them on-site in humongous duffel bags that a helper carries.) But it also means that I have fewer to tell you about right now, because I like to at least look over all items, if not actually use them right away, before I write them up. But I will post follow-up columns down the line, as all the gifts come in and I have some time with them, so please continue to check this site daily. (Hint: my two absolutely favorite new products are from this suite and should be en route as I write. One is clothing and the other freshens clothing, so the cleaning-obsessed Mr. X and I will both be happy.) [Update: Fresh Cloz just arrived! I’m so excited! I’ll write more about it in the follow-up column, after we’ve used it. But Mr. X already loves it just by looking at the box! www.freshcloz.com.]

GBK was supporting three charities this year. They are:

The Ann & George Lopez Foundation–among other things, they help to increase community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation. For those of who don’t know, the comedian’s wife donated a kidney to him. And I thought Mr. X was great for flat-ironing my hair! www.thelopezfoundation.org

CancerCare–this is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services for anyone affected by cancer, which includes families and caregivers, and I’m sure is much-needed and even more appreciated. www.cancercare.org

Hollywood Arts– this educational facility “uses art and music-based learning to help high-risk young people over the age of 18 improve self-esteem, develop thinking skills, master educational concepts and receive job-readiness training.” Very admirable. www.hollywood-arts.org

There are still wonderful items to tell you about right now, including some of my faves, like the first one on the list:

Pinup Couture–I love these fabulous Old-Hollywood-style train cases! They’re so gorgeous. I chose basic black, with a leopard satin interior. I plan to channel Marilyn Monroe when I carry it, as did the two cute girls who represented the company. One was even pregnant, but she rocked her red satin skintight dress nonetheless! www.pinupgirlclothing.com

TC Fine Intimates–having gained weight from not walking for a few months this year, due to my back injury, I’ve never needed these slimming undergarments more! And, seriously, their new line of intimates is attractive enough to wear as clothing. From now on, Mr. X will never see me naked angain–only in my TC Fine Intimates. Trust me, he’ll be happier this way. www.tcfineintimates.com

Revitalash–what fabulous female doesn’t know about Revitalash lash-enhancer? Well, now they’ve added two products to the line, that already included one to revitalize hair. I’m excited to try-out the new brow conditioner, and even more so for the mascara. Now I’ll have no excuse to not look my best. www.revitalash.com

Backseat Driver Baby–finally, a company that’s named after ME! It’s really a line of cotton baby clothing and accessories that feature pictures of cars and other automotives. www.backseatdriverbaby.com

Beyond The Rack–this is a shopping site, so I don’t know how it works yet because I have no time for shopping right now, on-line or otherwise. But we received gift certificates for it, so I’ll ask Mr. X, who has shopping mania, to go on there real soon and get me something wonderful. With their always-sale prices, that should be pretty easy. And I think the site owner is a genius to have come up with this one! www.beyondtherack.com

My Happy Feet–actually, my feet are happy now that I have these colorful socks that align your feet. Could there be a more perfect gift to use after a week of gifting suites? I think not. www.my-happyfeet.com

City Life Spa–on the lovely SLS Hotel patio on my way out of the suite, I got a mini-massage from Christine Fieseler of this spa. I was in luck because she really knew how to work with herniated disks. I’ll be visiting this close-by facility for a full working-over as soon is the US Open wraps. Don’t mock me–it’s almost as tough work to watch every second of it as it looks like it is to play in it! www.lacitylife.net

You know I rarely care about working actors, famous or not, (except for Mr. X and me, of course,) but for those of you who do, during my visit to GBK, I spied the most famous faces of any suite. I saw cast members from Lost, The Good Wife, (including the girl who won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama the next night, Archie Punjabi) and 24,which are among the few shows I watch.

So, on every level, GBK had it all once again. Don’t forget to check back regularly for more updates on other fabulous items from there.

ALIVE EXPO GREEN PAVILION AND MIXMEDIA LUXURY LOUNGE

 

This is one I hadn’t been to in several awards shows. (So many suites, so little time.) But they have an adorable new PR team, (Star Press, with Misty and Lonnie taking care of us,) so I put it back on my list, and ended Emmys Week with it. It was at the London Hotel, one of my new favorite venues.

As I had remembered, this suite featured mainly snacks and some health-related items, rather than big gifts. I was hungry at that point, and hurting from carrying the big bags at all the rest of the suites, so this situation was just fine with me by then.

To begin, we had delightful tidbits from Ingrid’s Café in Beverly Hills. She’s been popping-up everywhere this season! I can’t wait till her Grand Re-opening this Fall. www.ingridscafe.com

Creameez was a popular booth at this one, too, (another snack I’ve seen all over recently,) with their mini-cupcakes. I brought a few home to enjoy with milk, but Mr. X scarfed them all when I wasn’t looking! So glad he enjoyed them. www.creameez.com

A new one to me was Arlana’s Gourmet Cookies. Again, Mr. X got to them before I did, and loved the Maple Walnut and Oatmeal Raisin ones. Unfortunately for me, the rest they gave me were sugar cookies, which neither of us eats, so I can’t give you any of my own opinions at this time. At least Mr. X’s habits are helping me diet! www.agcookies.com

There were a couple of foodie gifts, as well. My absolute favorite was bottles of specialty olive oils, courtesy of Olive Oil and Beyond. I got basic flavors, but they have a whole bunch of interesting ones, too. And guess who uses this product in my house? You’re right if you guessed it was yet another food item for Mr. X! www.oliveoilandbeyond.com

There was also Hawaiian Sea Salt, which is touted to have high mineral count and low sodium. Health-conscious pals always tell me to stop using table salt, so I can’t wait to try this one and see the difference. www.celticseasalt.com

In the jewelry category, I picked-out really fun dangling earrings courtesy of High Drama. www.highdrama.etsy.com

Bug It Off insect repellent will sure come in handy in my backyard. And the clubs!  www.greenerways.com

Since I love services much more than material gifts, (note to my birthday party guests: do you hear that?,) so I’m really looking forward to using my hair treatment certificate at Icon Salon. They gave us a product to whet out appetites. And our hair! www.iconsalon.us

I left there wearing funny fake pink eyelashes, applied by the lovely and adorable Christina Baldemian of Pop Cosmetics. After such a wild week-end of suites, Mr. X actually thought I looked normal!

Speaking of wild week-ends, I wish you all a very happy, and safe, Labor Day week-end. Meet you back here on Tuesday!