SECRET ROOM EVENTS STYLE LOUNGE IN HONOR OF THE 2019 GOLDEN GLOBES

Secret Room Events held their recent annual January Gifting Lounge, in honor of this year’s Golden Globes, in Century City’s Intercontinental Hotel’s Ballroom. And that was perf because a ball was definitely had by all!

My co-writer, Nina, (whose comments are the ones in quotes throughout,) had never attended one of their events before, and found it all to be “very festive” and “celebratory.” She was even impressed with the “lovely” hotel itself, and got a kick out of Secret Room Events giving us bags of popcorn on the way in. She said it was “a wonderful, friendly way to invite guests in, while getting them in the movie-and-television-watching Golden Globes mood.”

One of the highlights of the day for me was meeting Dancing With The Stars pro, Anna Trebunskaya. She was even more adorable in person than she is on TV! (And that’s pretty adorable!) We chatted for a long time, where she even broke-out her fake Brooklyn accent in honor of the origins of yours truly. And we bonded over how hot her husband is! (My words, not hers, though she totally agreed.) He was carrying their new baby in a chest pouch, which made him even more attractive.

So, now, in honor of Anna, I’ll begin the highlights of the Secret Room Events gifts with a couple that she highly recommended to me, and then we’ll go from there:

Minute Relief—Anna told me about this pain-relief spray, and trust me, dancers know the best stuff in that category!!! My broken back can’t wait to try it. Nina admitted that she “often ignores” helping-out her sore muscles with the usual creams because she doesn’t like getting them on her hands. So for her, “The spray bottle applicator of this product is very appealing.” www.minuterelief.com

Adonia Organics—This beauty company was gifting two products, which I’m sure everyone appreciated. First up was the Self-Tan Body Foam, which Anna said does not get sticky, (which is such a plus in the world of ballroom dance!) And Nina deemed the Peptide 10 to be a “face lift in a jar,” and added, “In a room full of people who are concerned about showing signs of aging (as one might expect at a show business event,) I’m sure this product was completely gone before the lounge was even over!” I agree.  www.adoniaorganics.com

Buckle Me Coats—This one is brilliant! I don’t even have kids, but I totally recognize the genius of this uber-useful apparel, not to mention how adorable the jackets themselves are. Both of us were drawn right over to their colorful and adorable display. I believe the story is that children are not supposed to wear puffy outerwear in car seats, for safety issues. The seat belts need to fit tighter than normal jackets and coats allow, but these Buckle Me ones are just right. Nina, who’s not a mom, either, but has a baby nephew in Alaska, said, “The design of these jackets is perfect,” and I add for both safety and fashion. I was drooling over the pink one with cupcakes lining.  I wonder if they can make it in a large! Okay, okay—make that an extra-large. www.bucklemecoats.com

Camouflage Cellulite Body Liners—As we learned from the arrivals at the awards show the other night, you don’t need to be in a bathing suit for your cellulite to show. So we were happy to discover this shapewear that covers it for you under clingy clothing. They’re high-waisted, so, as Nina noted, “They cover and smooth everything from the ankles” (or above—you can leave the bottoms at either length) “all the way up to the bra line!”  Now we can’t wait until the Oscars to try to figure-out just which stars are rocking these versatile underwear items! www.camouflagecellulite.com

Silver Stork—As a big believer in subscription boxes, to try out a bunch of interesting items at once, this was a new one for me. I often get the beauty products ones, but this Aussie company is filling a very underserved niche—they make one for moms! Both new ones and moms-to-be. How fun. I got a peek inside a few, and the contents are fabulous. And, best of all, they curate them specially for each recipient! That’s a lot of work, but I’m sure it’s all very appreciated by mothers everywhere. www.silverstork.com.au

Sun Soaker—Boy, were these Flexible Solar Kits the hit of this lounge! The main component is a thin, flexible, very portable, roll-up panel, which you leave out in the sun, and then it charges your phone, tablet, bluetooth speakers, and more! While it’s a handy item for everyone these days, Nina pointed-out that it would be an especially good gift for campers and fishermen! (Wait—fisherman? How did a young girl from Los Angeles come up with that one?!) www.sun-soaker.com

Lelo—Nina explained that these pretty pink vibrators “use sonic waves and pulses to stimulate the entirety of lady parts– not just the external,” which I’m sure all the female guests will be happy about. She made me laugh by adding, “Also, it’s waterproof, so bath-time is not out of the question.” www.lelo.com

Baroque & Rose—This make-up artist from Malta (which means that she and I have a lot to talk about—I lived there for half a year many moons ago, and love that place!,) was gifting her little Instant Beauty & Detox Kits. Since it’s marketed as being “unisex,” Nina said, “I never thought to make face masks a date night activity, but why not? This brand is all about making spa fun a co-ed activity, and I love that.”  www.baroqueandrose.co.uk

Shore Bags—I noticed a guest carrying a really attractive tote bag, so I was very pleased to discover that the company was one of the sponsors that day! As reusable-bag-women, (which everyone must be in this busy world,) we both went nuts over these “tough and durable,” yet still attractive bags, which come in all shapes and sizes. Nina said, “They’re like the heavy canvas work bags that sailors and fisherman use. And I love the leather handles!” She added, “Apparently, they can be custom-made, with whatever you like printed on them, which is pretty cool.” How about one that states “It’s Not About Me, But It Really Is,” like my business cards say?!  www.shorebags.com

Relaxium Sleep—As someone who never sleeps anymore, but is wary of sleeping pills, I was happy to learn about this non-prescription supplement that should help in that category. A neurologist from Florida developed them along with a different formula for calmness. I’m sure all the guests in this—how shall I put it–high-energy town were happy to receive both! www.tryrelaxium.com

Heather Chapplain–This garment designer was gifting little denim purses, which she makes out of recycled clothing. Nina was especially taken with the concept, saying, “I love that Heather takes pieces of your own languishing apparel to create a one-of-a-kind item that is meaningful and exciting to wear.” She could outfit an entire army if she used all the clothing I have sitting around being wasted! www.heatherchapplain.com

Pure Trim—Nina pointed-out that these “quick and easy-to-make Mediterranean wellness shakes offer twenty-one grams of protein, while still being vegan.” All I care about is that they’re touted to help you lose weight. What better way to start-off the year?!  www.puretrim.com

Wet—Nina, who is so much more adventurous than moi, tasted several of these flavored lubricants, and said they’re all “really good!” She especially admired that they’re paraben-free, which she deemed “cool.” She said, “I’ve always thought it strange that so many chemicals are in typical lubricants.” I had no idea that people even read those packages! But now you don’t have to because Nina did it for you. www.stayswetlonger.com

Anne Neilson Home—This artist and author was gifting something artistic, of course! Each bag contained a little journal with an angel on it, which Nina said is “good to write down little prayers you have,” along with a small candle which “smells quite lovely.” But both of our favorite touch in the gift bag is that they included a box of matches for the candle, with the same angel painted in it! Now that’s a matchbox! Nina said that one tiny artistic box “adds a sweet bit to home décor.” www.anneneilsonhome.com

Charming Cheaters—Dr. Nicole Kelly surprised us by, immediately upon meeting us, asking if we had ever met a charming sociopath. It turned-out that she has, and wrote this book about the awful experience. Nina lauded her, saying that “rather than focusing on revenge in action, writing is certainly a healthier option.” www.nicolekellymd.com

Secret Celebrity—This housewares company (which is not to be confused with moi, whose social media platforms are all Major Celebrity!,) was gifting interesting black candles, and also displaying their other beautiful wares, which were some of the very first items that caught our eyes on the way into the event. www.secretcelebrity.net

Dandy Blend—Since, as many of you already know, I detest the taste of coffee, I’ll let Nina take this one on her own. She tells us, “This is an a herbal coffee substitute that boasts some similarities to coffee. It’s so delicious with a splash of coconut milk. I love the nutty, rich flavor. I really want to try sprinkling this powder over some vanilla ice cream,” as I’m sure everyone in New England will want to do—they love all things coffee flavor over there! www.dandyblend.com

Bare Nature—We enjoyed tasting these beverages, with Nina commenting, “These juices and iced teas are yummy, and I love that they’re filled with vitamins. There are sweet, delicious options made with sugar, and also stevia-sweetened versions of the same flavors.” www.vinkandberi.com

On the way out, the VIPs received one of Secret Room Events’ signature gigantic goodie bags, bursting at the seams with multiple fun items. This one was perhaps their biggest one ever!

Here are my highlights of those: Adorable Livie and Luca baby shoes; Nancy Ganz “Tighten Your Tummy” sexy shapewear, which I’m sure was very appreciated by everyone who received one (and their mates!); Thorlo cushioned exercise socks, (is that a hint?); Punch Gunk pain-relief balm; healthful Jane Bakes cookies, which look yummy!; a cute little bottle of Bae Vegan perfume, in a gift box; a pouch of all different-sized hand sanitizers from Elyptol; Nail Snail baby nail trimmer (but I have a feeling it would come in very handy in those tiny purses that are mandatory with awards show attire!); Fiber Eyelash Extensions (a two-step mascara system) from Cherry Blooms Cosmetics (a company whose brow fibers I’ve loved for years); and Dr. Ginger’s Coconut Oil Whitening Pen, a product which, sadly, way too many people I know could use!

Now I can’t wait until Secret Room Events’ upcoming Lounge for the Oscars! I’m sure so many more exciting discoveries await us!