ECOLUXE 2016 PRE-EMMYS CELEBRITY LUXURY LOUNGE
[Note: I made it out to five gifting suites, or lounges, that celebrated this year’s Emmys. As usual, each gets its own write-up because I don’t want you to miss even one tidbit. This is the second of five, so please make sure to read the previous one and the next three, as well, to learn about all the fabulous-ness.]
Photo by Karen Salkin.
This is the event I chose to finish-out the week at, and let me tell you—it was the most relaxed I’d been in a while. Everything there was smooth and easy and chill.
Debbie Durkin brought her Ecoluxe Lounge back to the Beverly Hilton Hotel this year, much to my delight, (since it’s right in my ‘hood.) And once again, the theme was Christmas in September. I love Christmas at any time, so I was thrilled to be amongst all the gorgeous holiday decorations and appointments.
It was like real Christmas! Debbie outdid herself this time! This was her most incredible production yet. I absolutely loved everything about it!
The gifts for the Shriners’ children. I’m proud to say that the one I brought is the big one at the top! Photo by Karen Salkin.
It was also a benefit for Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles, which does wonderful work. One of the highlights for me was meeting Marius Woodward, a teen-ager from Utah who is the Shriners Patient Ambassador this year. He and his dad will be back to ride on the Shriners float in the Rose Bowl Parade. I got to spend a long time chatting with him, and haven’t stopped thinking of him since. What a great kid! He made me realize even more than ever how wonderful this organization is. When I told Mr. X about it, he was very impressed himself. He just said, “Wow—the Shriners—what extraordinary philanthropy.” www.shcla.org
You know how much kindness means to me, so, in addition to helping the Shriners help Children in any sort of need, Debbie also made this event a toy drive. We were asked to bring a gift for a child this holiday season, which you know I was more than happy to do. I just hope that all the guests felt the same way! And, selfishly, giving back is the best feeling.
Karen Salkin and the Claus’. (Look, Ma–no cellulite!) Photo by Bristol Farms’ staff.
As we entered the suite, we deposited the gifts we brought, and then we got to hang-out for a bit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, too. That area was beautiful, and I appreciated that we sat on a couch for our pictures with the ho-ho-ho man, rather than having to sit on his lap. Even though he’s Santa, I’m still a bit averse to getting that up-close and personal with a strange man.
Then we moved on to the absolutely gorgeous brunch, which was served on the beautiful rooftop patio. I sat right near the snow globe bounce-house, which looked like a ton of fun. I meant to go in it later on, but got so busy that I totally forgot. Darn.
The snow-globe bounce-house. Photo by Karen Salkin.
Debbie always feeds us, but this was her best fare yet. It was the most sumptuous, generous repast I’ve ever seen at one of these events! There was bacon, sausage, scrambled e-words, bagels, lox, (with all the trimmings,) all kinds of meats, salad, fruits, cheeses, yogurt with granola, muffins, three kinds of juices, and much, much more. There were a couple of dishes I’d never even heard of before!
Just part of the buffet! Photo courtesy of Debbie Durkin.
As if all that yumminess wasn’t enough, there was a Bristol Farms cookie bar as soon as we walked in! And Bulletproof Coffee was not only part of the brunch, but they gave-out little samples of their health bars, too.
And when that was all over, the amiable staff passed hors d’oeuvres for the next several hours. The fun food was non-stop! I was so glad I saved this until the end of Emmys Week because I stayed all day.
Karen Salkin’s fabulous nails. Photo by Serena Late.
You know that I love services more than gifts, (and even more than food,) so I was happy to discover a couple of them that I was sorely in need of at that point, after carrying heavy bags all week. First, I received a hand massage from Shekinah of Aqua Star Barbor, the beauty spa right there at the Hilton. Then the uber-pleasant Selena Late did my nails, which she embellished with a few rhinestones. How happy was I?! They looked gorgeous, and lasted all week.
All sated and refreshed, I was finally able to meet the sponsors, (although, with my new mani, I wasn’t able to properly shake hands with them.) Here are the highlights of those gifts:
Photo courtesy of Debbie Durkin.
Chariot Travelware—My favorite gift, ever, anywhere, is any one of these gorgeous suitcases! I don’t know how they continue to think of these fabulous, and often whimsical, designs years after year. The really fun and multi-talented CEO of the company, Moon Woo, always amazes us. I wish I had someplace to travel to now, just to show them off!!! www.chariottravelware.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Connect Charlie–What a great invention—in one compact triangle, you get nine USP ports and a trio of three-prong power ports, with a built-in surge protector! And it all lights-up beautifully. The size and shape are perfect for travel, so it can double as a soothing nightlight. What’s not to love? And it’s affordable, as well. (I especially appreciated that this company gave their products out in Xmas bags and wrap, to go along with the theme of the event. Lovely touch.) www.connectcharlie.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
JB Clothiers—I loved this guy! Besides that his designs are beautiful, he spent a lot of time singing the praises of his mentor in the men’s clothier biz! I so admire a person who gives credit where its due. He provided each male guest with a generous gift of a stunning silk tie, a white silk pocket square, and the classiest cuff links I’ve seen since my great-uncles rocked them back in the day. www.jbclothiers.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Middle School Moguls—These dolls are the new hippest teen-agers around. I love their trendy attire, and they each come with a story. My favorite was McKinley, but then I found-out that she considers “organizing her dorm room” to be fun, so that let her out. Unless she also organizes mine! Okay, wait—I just remembered –they’re not real girls. Or are they? www.ibesties.com
Straw Free—These are re-usable drinking straws made from bamboo. We all know what a problem for the world plastic bags are, but who ever realized that straws are the same? Not even I, a major re-cycler. And proceeds from the sale of these better-for-the-environment ones support education about all that. They save you money, too! And who doesn’t love to do that?! www.strawfree.org
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Pure Interior Design—This home wares designer came all the way from Canada to share her vision with us. She was gifting each guest his or her choice of colorful couch pillow covers, (that would have taken me a year to create!) www.purebyamimckay.com
Rejoy Interiors—This very pleasant interior designer gifted little travel candles to remember her by, and also gift certificates for an in-home consultation. She just might need a consultation herself, with a shrink, if she ever saw my jam-packed abode! If she could fix my storage mess, she’d be awarded the top designer prize of the century! www.rejoyinteriors.com
Photo by Karen Salkin.
Burnetie Shoes—I already own a few pairs of these designer sneakers, and I still can’t have enough. Rather than having to tote the boxes with us all day, the guest received gift certificates to order them at our leisure. That’s a good thing because, trust me, with their many designs, some of us would still be in the suite, trying to choose just one! www.burnetieshoes.com
I left the Ecoluxe Lounge happy, full…and exhausted! I only hope my real holidays are as wonderful as this simulated one!
