PARTY/GIFTING SUITE: GIRLFRIENDS & CHAMPAGNE SPA PARTY

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GIRLFRIENDS & CHAMPAGNE SPA PARTY

Karen Salkin with former pro basketball player Raymond Sykes. Photo by Alice Farinas.

Karen Salkin with former pro basketball player Raymond Sykes. Photo by Alice Farinas.

I’ve always loved the BET Awards, but I’m usually too busy to enjoy any of the activities that precede the show for a few days. So, this year, I was thrilled to be able to make the time for this wonderful spa party a couple of days before the show.

The title said it all—there were plenty of gal pals, sipping on the bubbly, while enjoying many spa services, and part-ay-ing! It was really fabulous.

The event went down at the iconic Castaways restaurant in Burbank. Any chance to go there should be taken; you’ll feel like you’re out of town!

The Girlfriends & Champagne Spa Party is my absolute favorite kind of award show event—it featured several beauty services, all-day food, and even a few gifts! There was nothing more we guests, (which included my usual contributing writer, Alice,) could have asked for.

DJ Cold187um.  Photo by Alice Farinas.

DJ Cold187um. Photo by Alice Farinas.

And DJ Cold187um (but what does his moniker mean?,) kept the happening vibe going throughout. He played everything from the hip-hop classics that brought me back to my club promoting years to all the dance songs of right now, and at the perfect volume for us to hear each other, but be moving and grooving during those chats.

Here’s what we experienced there, in chronological order:

Karen Salkin's fabulous new gel nails.  Photo by Alice Farinas.

Karen Salkin’s fabulous new gel nails. Photo by Alice Farinas.

The Pin Twins manis—The second we saw the word “gel,” we rushed right over for long-lasting manis from fraternal twins, Robin and Taylor. I always wanted a twin, so I loved talking to them about their relationship. And about their mobile nail services, too, of course! They also make the cutest pins that feature stiletto nails in different ways. Taylor did Alice’s mani, of which Ali said, “ It looks amazing; so natural.” Alice chose a light pink, which is perfect for her professional grown-up job, but they added some zest with a sparkly silver accent nail on each hand. I, on the other hand, went full-on glam with my uber-sparkly sea green mermaid-looking choice. It’s perfect for new my swimming obsession! www.thepintwins.com

Manly Handz—To the name of this mobile spa company, Alice added “…and then some!” As we were getting our nails done, I looked out the door to my left, and noticed a big guy giving someone a chair massage. I said right away, “I want him!” And, when my turn in the chair came, I was lucky enough to get him! Dijon Kennedy may have looked laid-back, but OMG—can that guy work out your back knots! And all the while rocking shorts and very cool shades. When I saw the name of this company, I laughed so hard, because that’s exactly what it is—big, manly men doing the massage honors. Alice, who chose to have her feet worked on instead of her back, told me, “I received the most amazing foot massage ever from Eddie Harris. He knew exactly all the right pressure points.” I knew she was in heaven when I saw her sitting there, smiling, and sipping the refreshing lemon drink they offered everyone who visited them. www.manlyhandz.com

Now that we were relaxed, we visited a few of the gift sponsors. Here are the highlights of those:

 Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Afrowear—As soon as I saw these hot-looking cap designs, I knew the krump-dancing Mr. X had to have one! It was hard to choose among all the great designs, but, for perhaps the first time ever, he loved my pick. He put it on the second I got home that night, and I have a feeling it will be his #1 for a long time. I just hope that I am, too!  www.afrowearapparel.com

My Celebrity Smile teeth whitener—This mobile service gave us little gift bags containing things to help our smiles.  Duh!  In there was a toothbrush, whitening pen, and another, more involved, whitening system.  I wish they could give a kit to every person in show business!!!  www.mycelebritysmile.org

Photo by Alice Farinas.

Photo by Alice Farinas.

Hot Thang Candles—I love the name of this company! So clever. There were so many delicious fragrances to choose from, but, after taking a whiff of them all, Alice and I both choose the coconut-ty “Sweetheart.” (Isn’t that cute of us?) She said, “It smells so sweet and yummy, and will make any room feel beautiful.” I second all that, (of course,) and add that I love that the melted wax can be used as a moisturizer!  www.hotthangcandles.etsy.com

Coco Covalle Spa—These couldn’t-be-easier-to-use at-home masks, (from yet another pair of fabulous sisters, of whom I’m deeply envious,) make getting your skin refreshed so much easier than going out to a spa. But these collagen-infused beauties (the masks, not the sisters,) will make you feel as if you had!

And then, it was back to services for us:

 Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Caricatures by George—We both had our caricatures done by artist George Huante. Alice said, “It was such a unique treat to have your likeness as a cartoon character.” I’m just grateful that he gave me a small nose! He must be a mind-reader, as well as an artist!  www.georgetoons.com

Royal Treatment Pampering Service—As Alice noted, it’s just that! We’re so glad that we ended the day with these wonderful table massages.  Owner Antone Murray had worked on my back in the past, so I knew I was in good hands, (pun intended.) But something funny happened this time. As I was lying there, enjoying the energy work that healer Megan Blackwell was doing on my back and shoulders, I felt someone all of a sudden working on my left leg!  I wondered how she could be doing that. And then I realized it was someone else massaging my leg, which was wonderful. But then, a third person began working on my right leg! How amazing was that?! I remember thinking, “This is the greatest experience of my life!”  (Thanks, Curtis Clarke and Mario Salinas!)  Alice said of Curtis, who also worked on her, “I told him I have bad sciatica, going down my leg, and he knew exactly what to do to relieve it.” www.getroyaltreatmentps.com

And we ate, too! Here’s what we had:

 Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

As we entered the party, the very first thing we saw was a huge chocolate fountain. And to my delight, it was surrounded by lots of chopped fruit, which is just about the only think I can eat at parties nowadays. Later on, there was a lunch buffet. Because we spent so much time luxuriating, we missed out on most of those items, but we really enjoyed the mini chicken quesadillas, and Alice said the turkey sandwiches on artisan bread were “really yummy.” She was also a fan of the mango iced tea that was served “all day long!”

 Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Sugar & Spyked desserts—We saved the best for last. Even though I don’t drink, (which means I can’t try Tamara Anderson’s wonderful, creative, and popular desserts,) I always love seeing her anywhere! I honestly think that she may just be the happiest, most pleasant, upbeat person I’ve ever met! She instantly puts smiles on everyone’s faces. But the rest of crowd was clamoring for her treats, including Alice. She’s sampled some before, and said, “They never disappoint. Sugar & Spyked being at an event always guarantees the most delicious and decadent liquor-laced sweets.” There were all kinds of mini treats, including cake pops, cheesecake, and even a run sundae, all with a bit of alcohol in them. And I was thrilled to see some brownies and cookies without it. It was very kind of Tamara to think of us teetotalers! www.sugarandspyked.com

Before I end, I have to give a shout-out to someone I enjoyed meeting there, even though she wasn’t doling-out gifts or services. She was at the event to let people know that she teaches “charm,” a very under-appreciated art, if you ask me. I can’t find any info on her on the web, so I don’t know the specifics of just where she does this, or anything else to tell you about her campaign, but with kids being so rude nowadays, because that’s what they see in the media, and in their own families, I feel that every child in America should take charm school courses at some point in their lives. So, big props to that lady for reminding us of it.

And there you have it!  I loved finally being a small part of the BET Awards week-end, and can’t wait to be back next year!

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