SECRET ROOM EVENTS GOLDEN GLOBES LOUNGE 2014

 

[Note: Because the Golden Globes were just a few days before my birthday, which I needed strength for, I made time for only three suites honoring them. But they were the most worthwhile ones. My Contributing Writer on this one is Flo. Her comments are the ones attributed to her by name, and also the ones in quotes, and are even better than mine!]

I seriously don’t know if I’ve ever seen more gifts in one lounge! And all good ones! Secret Room Events just keeps upping their game to new heights with each event. I’m so glad to be included.

It was held at what I think must be Secret Room’s favorite venue, the tony SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. The suite was supposed to be on the terrace, but it was so gigantic an event that they had to move it inside to the ballroom, which is always better for me. Outside is often too hot or too cold.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA,) the largest animal rights organization in the world, was their charity of choice, and to celebrate that, there were lots of dog gifts, which I’ll tell you about along the way. www.peta.org

I’ve rarely seen such a hubbub at a suite; this was a true happening. I was happy to see some familiar sponsors I like, as well as tons of new ones.

This is a long write-up for two reasons. One, this suite had more goodies than any other one ever. And two, Flo is my best contributing writer ever, and I just had to include almost all of her remarks. Hers gave mine a run for my money, let me tell you, and I don’t want you to miss any. If she ever starts her own e-zine, I may just be in trouble.

Please read it all because everything was so fabulous, in both of our opinions, I really don’t want you to miss out on even one item.

Here are the very many highlights:

Iso Beauty Tools–People always think I have naturally straight hair, but it’s only because it’s always flat-ironed. So you can just imagine how in love I am with this beautiful green peacock-patterned tool from Iso Beauty. Flo took one look at it, and said it was so easy to use that if she can use it to do her own hair, she “will finally be a happy camper.” www.isobeauty.com

Vivon–This foam mattress company teamed up with PETA at the suite to gift pet beds made from the same memory foam as the one for each humans. Flo took one look at them and exclaimed, “Fido and Fifi never had it so good!” I was so impressed with them that now Mr. X and I are going to take a look at their mattresses for us! And you know that if Clarence was still in this level of life, he wouldn’t need his own dog bed, because he’d be sharing ours. www.vivon.com

Swiss Diamond–This company makes skillets and such that made both our mouths water, even though at least one of us doesn’t have a cook! (I’ll give you one guess which one of us that is, and here’s a clue: I once told Johnny Carson that my mother taught me how not to cook so guys would have to take me out to eat, to which he asked me where to go to dinner later that night.) Flo was so impressed with it that this is what she emailed me the next day: “Just call me Emeril.  I made scrambled e-words this morning with no oil and no pan spray.  Came out great. The pan was easy to clean. I’m sure these products are used in the finest kitchens worldwide: The easy-care instructions are written in sixteen languages! Nice display, great product.” I told you she was good! And so is this cookware. www.swissdiamond.com

Maggie Moose Tracks–This is a children’s book series about a puppy who was born with moose antlers. The stories are wonderful for all children, but will resonate especially with anyone who’s a little “different.” Guests were happy to receive gift packs with some of the books and an adorable perfect-for-a-little-one-to-hug stuffed doll version of Maggie, the English springer spaniel puppy. www.maggiemoosetracks.com

Glop & Glam Hair Products—This is the prettiest collection of beauty products I’ve ever seen! Just looking at them made my hair look better! And the clever names of each one, like Blueberry Blast Shampoo and Glitter Bubble Gum Gel, make them attractive to all ages. (The company calls them “hair products for the next generation.” I call them ones for all generations!) If we come out looking like the girl whose brainchild this line is, the already-affordable line will be even more of a bargain! www.glopandglam.com

Niagara’s Honeymoon Sweets–I let Flo take this one because she was effusive about these Niagara Falls-made chocolates, which come in all configurations, including picture frames! She said, “You can have a honeymoon every night with these yummy, clever treats. You don’t even need a honey! They’re great ideas for special occasions like wedding showers and, of course, Valentine’s Day.” She admired that they feature “highly imaginative flavors, such as orange with cranberries and walnuts, dark chocolate cherry almond biscotti, and white chocolate strawberry shortcake.” She added, “Help!  I can’t stop eating them!” www.niagarashoneymoonsweets.com

Joey New York—What a great line of skin care products!!! There’s something for every problem imaginable. And they were presented at the suite in the most adorable, cleverly-designed bags! All Flo cared about was the actual bags! Skin is one thing I still have that’s still good, but even so, the products are so attractive that I can’t wait to try them! And share with my less fortunate pals in that category. The ingredients include coconut water which is interesting to me; I detest the taste, but that probably means it will be great on skin, since I’ll be so relieved to not drink it! www.joeynewyork.com

Astara Skincare—This organic skincare line was gifting a beautiful pack of seven of their best-sellers. It would be the perfect line for a sorority house because it addresses every single problem skin can have! And the presentation is so classy that it will dress up any area on which it’s displayed. www.astaraskincare.com

Cate McNabb Cosmetics—No joking here; I’m a real expert in two areas of life: afternoon tea and make-up. And I can tell you that everything in the Cate McNabb make-up collection, that’s a new one to me, is fabulous!!! Ab fab! I was dying for one of their mini train cases that were on display, but when I saw all the perfect-for-everyone cosmetics in the gift bag they were giving us, my mind went blank to everything else! I have a feeling I’ll be featuring them in my next beauty column in more detail, but for now, please trust me on this. Even Flo, who’s not a make-up addict like I am, declared this gift “a winner!” www.catemcnabbcosmetics.com

Pet Play Wobble Ball–This is a clever toy for even the smartest of dogs., who think they can’t be tricked. You hide treats in the big ball, which gets them interested, and as they roll it along, they get rewarded when the treats fall out! Since Clarence is no longer with us, I may have to try this one on Mr. X! But I’ll have to put in candy as the treats. Actually, I may not even be joking here; I once saw an old Sandra Dee movie where a French woman trained her husband using a dog training manual. You never know! www.petplay.com

Kashimir Keratin Hair System–A few of my friends have tried this hair care system already, (whose clever slogan is “every day is a good hair day,”) and the assessment seems to be the same as Flo’s, who said, “It left my hair manageable and shiny!” The family who runs the company consists of some of the most pleasant sponsors I’ve ever met at the suite. And, of course, their hair always looks great! www.kashmirkeratin.com

If Only I Could Sleep—I met the author of this book at a previous Secret Room event, and she told me her story, and that she would be writing it soon. And now here Stephanie Henry was, about a year later, and this time, she was signing the books! Good for her! We should all be so productive, only from not such a painful place. I hope her story helps at least one other person. The rape whistles they were giving out should be of aid to us females, as well. Flo already read it, and told me that the author’s “passion comes through on every page.” www.stephanieannhenry.com

Offenbacher Gourmet Fudge–I gave a box of these gluten-free delights to my chocolate expert, Mrs. Hazel of Providence, Rhode Island, for Mother’s Day, and she loved it!  Flo concurred with Mrs.H’s opinion, and stated, “Simply Best. Fudge. Ever.  Took me back to my mother’s kitchen. I can see her stirring butter and sugar in a cast iron skillet.  Only after I fell in love with these Offenbacher pieces did I read the label and discover that it’s not only low in fat and sugar, but gluten-free besides. Elegant packaging, as well; too pretty to throw out. No, I’m not sharing, so stop asking!” www.offenbacherfudge.com

DNK Skin Care—They were gifting samples from their skin care line, but I couldn’t find any info on them on the web. But what I did discover is that it’s a facial salon right here in Beverly Hills. That explains why there were two techs doing eyelash extensions and eye treatments at the suite! I’ll try to review them for you down the line, but feel free to let me know the skinny if you’re a current client, so I can share with everyone else. www.dnkskincare.com

Organic Oscar–This sponsor had the cutest display! In a petite collapsible basket, there were bottles of pet shampoo and conditioners in the shape of dog bones, and pet wipes in a mini yellow bath tab. But the touch that really got to me was a thoughtful one; in a little burlap bag were samples of some of their products, with a note on it to, “spread the love,” and “share with your friends!” I swear, seeing all that made me actually consider getting another dog to use their products on! www.organicoscar.com

LeJolie.com—This always-sale-priced shopping site was gifting tees and caps with their logo, along with different necklace pendants that they chose for each guest. I’m so glad mine was the “key to happiness!” I really need that after a trying 2013. www.lejolie.com

Pet Head—Since this line of pet shampoos, etc., was created by the same people responsible for Bed Head, (which is for you humans, if you’re not hip enough to know that,) I’m just assuming they’re excellent. And the colorful packaging will make you happy to display your pet’s beauty products right next to your own! www.pethead.com

Zen Society Skincare—Flo said, “The biggest surprise of the day was this company’s Tea Tree Cleanser. No fancy bags, etc., just a really good product.”  I’m glad she’s one of my Royal Testers, (I have Royal Tasters, as well,) because now I’ll have to try it for myself! www.zensocietyskincare.com

Fairiche—This hand cream, that Flo said has “a very light, lovely scent,” is perfect for my recently-surgeried hands because the “texture is a bit heavier” than the usuals, and that’s what my usually-soft-but-not-right-now hands need. www.fairiche.com