GBK GIFT LOUNGE FOR THE 2016 MTV MOVIE AWARDS

I love that GBK always surprises us with different venues, which keeps it exciting for the guests. This one was held at the Mandt Bros. Productions studio in West Hollywood, which was perfect for their gifting lounge to honor the MTV Movie Awards.

My co-writer, Alice, (whose comments are the ones in quotes,) said that the venue “felt hip and happening,” and “the minute you walked in, you felt the energy through the music by DJ Goodboy. Great vibe!” The music choices were excellent, and even the volume was perfect.

As perennially hungry girls, we were thrilled to see Jalisco’s Mobile Taco Grill right on site. (Thanks, Gavin, for always feeding us!) Alice said, “These tacos were so good! I never have more than two, but I just couldn’t resist. They were so fresh, and the sauces were delish.” I concur. And the men who were doling them out could not have been nicer. www.jaliscosmobiletacogrill.com

Once our hunger was sated, were were happy to move on to discovering what the sponsors were gifting the congenial guests. Here are those highlights:

Haute Brush—My mouth has been watering for one of these brushes for a while now, even before they became available to the public. The official description of it is that it’s a “hair straightener that combines your traditional flat iron and brush into one convenient ultimate beauty tool.” And that it is! I’ve seen it work. Nothing could be easier to get the flat hair that so many of us, me included, love. And at the suite, I was told that the “Tiffany Blue” it comes in, (in addition to black and hot pink,) matches my eyes! Talk about a win-win! www.hautebrush.com

Bullets4Peace.com—We loved these wonderful pieces of jewelry, and the designer, Rafi, with whom we chatted for quite awhile. His bracelets are exquisite, especially my fave—two hands that clasp when its closed. What a beautiful expression! And Alice said of his signature bullet pendants, (that are made from real repurposed bullet casings!,) “These are the coolest, most interesting pieces of jewelry I’ve seen. I loved them from the moment I saw them! The symbolism [of peace and compassion] is so right, and they’re designed with artistically gorgeous detail.” www.bullets4peace.com

The Artisan Group—The very first thing that caught our eyes when we entered this interesting space was the exhibit from The Artisan Group, which is always a welcoming sight. They gifted all the VIPs bags containing at least a dozen items each, courtesy of their talented artisans, who create all kinds of art, including jewelry, accessories, soaps, stationary, and even nail polishes. Here are some of our faves this time, beginning with Alice’s: a classy white druzy gemstone necklace from Starletta Designs (www.starletta.ca); Alyce N Maille‘s blue Swarovski crystal drop necklace, that adds the perfect pop of color to any outfit (www.alycenmaille.com); The Lost Arts‘ poppy seed and sea clay scrub, which incorporates those elements with other interesting extracts (www.the-lost-arts.com); and delicate-but-strong bead drop earrings from Helen’s Adornments, which are made from blown glass and metal (www.helensadornments.com.) My favorites are: Sassy Belle Wares’ uber-colorful bracelets, surrounding a guitar pick with a cute saying (www.sassybellewares.com); a unisex braided leather bracelet containing a charm with an inspirational word on it, (I got “inspire,” which I hope I do for all of you!,) from Rock & Hardware (www.rockandhardware.com); a colorful “crystal ball” pendant from Kathryn Designs Jewelry, (which I guess she does very well!,) (www.kathryndesignsjewelry.com); and the gift I wanted most from the display table—a box from Mixify Polish containing a make-your-own-nail-polish kit! Could a girly-girl be any happier! Now Alice and I will have to have a pajama party, to share with our friends, (which I think is the intent of the company, anyway.) (www.mixifypolish.com.) Whew! www.theartisangroup.org

Jlew Bags—This purse designer, Jaime Lewis, was here from New York, gifting her little leather clutches, that come with an interesting bonus. She’s a boxer, as well, so all of her purses have a little boxing gloves charm on them. I bet no one in the Big Apple tries to grab her beautiful bags off her powerful arms, no matter how attractive they are! (The bags, not her arms, tough I’m assuming they are, as well.) www.jlewbags.com

Wag Labs Inc.–This new entry into the service app world enables dog owners to book a dog walker basically at their fingertips. It’s available in big cities, like LA and New York, the latter of which I’m sure it will come in most handy at, where poor pups are often cooped-up in small apartments all day. www.wagwalking.com

Wylie Wilson—This company was displaying their beautiful, sexy underwear. But instead of gifting on-site, they were inviting the guests into their Venice Beach store to be personally fitted by the owner, Australian actress, Peta Wilson. (I told the rep that if an Aussie movie star is going to be touching my naked breasts, I’d prefer it to be Hugh Jackman!) When Alice chatted-up the rep, she discovered that their name, Wylie, really means “Why Lie”…about your bra. www.wyliewilson.com

Voo Vodka–This made-in-Detroit Vodka was the featured beverage at the bar, and because their rep was so cool, Alice tried some as we were leaving. And—she loved it! She said it’s “so smooth,” perhaps because it’s “eight times distilled.” www.drinkvoo.com

Express Smile Atlanta—They were gifting at-home teeth whitening kits. Each one comes complete with an LED Activation Light. This being Hollywood, I have a feeling that this was a sought-after item at the suite! www.expresssmile.myshopify.com

MyIntent—I loved seeing these sponsors here, so I could tell them how much I love the wonderful gift I received from them previously. I’ve never taken mine off since then! Each guest chose one word of something important they would like in his or her life, (I chose “health,”) and the guy engraved it onto a small medallion that’s on a string bracelet. Alice said, “These are so creative and powerful. And truly original and meaningful.” www.myintent.org

Benzac Acne Solutions—I’m sure that many of the young show business guests at the suite were happy to discover this three-step system of acne products. I can’t wait to tell my twenty-something New York assistant about them! Alice noted that they help with it all, “from break-out issues to prevention.” www.benzac.com

GBK’s charity this time was Face Forward, which we were both very impressed with. Alice made note that this non-profit organization in Beverly Hills “helps victims of all types of cruel acts of crime, from domestic violence to human trafficking, with not only support, but also reconstructive surgery that can assist them in gaining back their lives.” After speaking with the rep, Alice added, “This is truly a giving cause to open up your hearts to!” www.faceforwardla.org