GBK BRAND BAR GIFT LOUNGE IN HONOR OF THE 2021 EMMYS
GBK’s famous Gift Lounge was held once again at the LaPeer Hotel in West Hollywood, where the GBK Brand Bar also helms the Gift Shop. I’m always so comfortable there.
The wonderful painting that greeted us as we entered. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one above.
I was especially comfortable there this time because…GBK was the only Emmys-honoring event that required proof of vaccination or an on-site Covid test, (which was administered by the lovely girls of Medek Health Systems.) And we each had spaced-out time slots, so none of the guests had to be crunched-up against other guests at one time. We each even received a personal hand sanitizer as we checked in! I can’t tell you how much we all appreciated that thoughtfulness. I felt safe there the entire time. (I wish all other events for the rest of the year would learn from GBK.)
Martin Short. Photo by Karen Salkin.
No wonder celebs like Martin Short were drawn to the rooftop happenings! Since I had just watched an episode or two of his new TV series, Only Murders in the Building, it seemed sort-of normal to see Martin standing right next to me! (Mr. X and I also often reference some of his classic SNL characters, like Ed Grimley and Jackie Rogers, Jr. When I got home that day, we even watched a bunch of Martin’s hilarious interviews as Jiminy Glick, a character many of us have always thought was partly based on my old fan, Skip E. Lowe, so I’ve always had an extra affinity for him.) For once, I’m such an admirer of someone I witnessed at an event!
My associate, Marc, who accompanied me to this GBK Gift Lounge, told me that he loved that “the guests were greeted with a champagne toast, which set-off the day just right.” He added, “The roof top was transformed into a summer oasis with simulated grass under foot, umbrellas, and vodka cocktails.” He was very impressed that “the celebrity gift bags were so big they needed assistance carrying them out!”
So, here are the highlights of the gifts the guests received:
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Blazing Bull Grills—This company served steak bites along with vegan pizza, (to accommodate carnivores and vegetarians alike,) which they grilled-up fresh on site, right on their handy grills which they were featuring at the lounge. And then they gifted natural cherry wood cutting boards, so the guests could emulate the chef at their own homes! www.blazingbullgrills.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Hemphera—I had never heard of this skincare company before, so I was especially impressed with their beautiful display at the lounge. Each guest received a gift bag containing a couple of their top products, including their Polar Ice pain relief cream, which most likely came in handy after a fun day of gathering gifts! www.hemphera.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Session Goods—Two cute girls were modeling their fun design for this paraphernalia company. It’s a petite marijuana pipe that’s disguised under a colorful rubbery triangular cover that you…wear on your belt! How hip and happening. And clever. www.sessiongoods.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Kamaria Jewelry—This jewelry line was founded by two female cousins who are both survivors of sexual assaults. Therefore, they’ve designated a percentage of their proceeds to giving “financial assistance to survivors of power-inequality violence during their pursuit of higher education.” What perfect wording that is! On top of that philanthropy, their jewelry is very pretty. I’m sure that all the GBK guests enjoyed receiving either a sweet butterfly pendant on an adjustable slider chain or a lovely little bracelet featuring a carved buddha head. www. kamaria.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Price.com—The fun reps of this comparison shopping site, which helps you save money, were bestowing gift certificates on the lucky attendees, along with something that everyone in Hollywood needs—a light for their phones to take better selfies! OMG! (Do I really need to give the website here? I think even a blonde can figure this one out!!!)
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Pump Pal—I loved finding-out about this handy dandy device! It’s a reusable rubber “glove” that you keep on the door of your car’s fuel tank to use when you pump gas. It’s sort-of a potholder for the fuel handle. That makes one fewer time in your day where you have to use hand sanitizer, which your poor put-upon phalanges will appreciate. www.topgripgear.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Magnetic Hair Design—Marc and I had a bunch of laughs with the reps of this magnetic hair extensions company. They started to tell me about them until I turned around and they noticed my bottom-of-my-butt-length hair, and realized it’s real! But I was floored when the girl showed me that her long hair is their extensions! They looked great. And the best part is that, because they’re on magnets, you can just put them in, (and out,) by your lonesome. I now want to cut my hair, which takes hours to get camera-ready, and just use these extensions from now on! What a pleasure that would be for me. www.magnetichairdesign.com
It was exciting to see the rooftop all decked-out as we approached from the street! The tableau was fun coming and going. Photo by Karen Salkin.
Motev—This luxury transportation service was giving away gift cards good for one ride to the airport. So, just my luck, of course, this was right after I cancelled my upcoming trip to New York! Maybe I’ll ride out to LAX, anyway, just to be in one of their limos! www.motev.com
