SECRET ROOM EVENTS RED CARPET RETREAT 2019

Secret Room Events held their annual Red Carpet Retreat, in celebration of this past television season, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City. This time, the activities took place in the lovely glass lounge and garden, which was perfect for one of the last days of summer. It was absolutely beautiful there!

My contributing writer on this one is Lucia, who said, “I loved being introduced to this wonderful event! The location was perfect, in a bright space with fabulous light.  It allowed us to take full advantage of the lovely LA weather.” And we both enjoyed all the Secret Room Events personnel, from the check-in people to all the reps to the girl who helped us with the fun coffee and hot chocolate machine. It was all a pure delight!

As usual for Secret Room Events’ Red Carpet Retreats, beauty services were available, but, sadly, we didn’t have time for even one on that very busy pre-awards show afternoon. But I’m sure the rest of the guests loved being pampered like that. (I’ll take a rain check on them, for sure!)

Of course, the many gifts were the main attraction, so here are the highlights:

From The Earth—This SoCal cannabis dispensary took up a big chunk of the garden with not only their table full of goodie bags, but a fun photo booth, (that, for once, we did not have to operate ourselves, and they made full-size prints of every pic for each of us!,) and—a full cannabis bar, which was the first one ever at a gift lounge, so this was quite the coup for Secret Room Events! Those who chose not to indulge at the inviting bar received a generous gift of various THC delivery devices, including gummies, to sample at home. www.fteusa.com

1MORE—Lucia tells us that this headphone/earbud company “was born with a profound mission. They feel that all music lovers, young and old, frugal and affluent, deserve to hear music as it was meant to be heard, as the artist intended for it to be heard.” To that end, they were gifting sleek earbuds in a variety of colors. Lucia said that she’s sure everyone who received a pair will be “super-excited to pop them in and jam out!” www.usa.1more.com

Sleevey Wonders—Three years ago, a crafty pal of mine from the midwest showed me that she had made sleeves to wear under sleeveless dresses, and we were both shocked that no one was ever smart enough to come up with a mass-produced item like it. Well, this cleverly-monikered company finally did just that! And in a variety of colors and fabrics, too. You wear the little top under any sleeveless outfit, and voila—a new look! And you can even wear these new sleeves off-the-shoulder or looking like they’re part of the dress. And now, when I write that I have one word for particular women in the public eye–”sleeves”–they can quickly remedy that situation for themselves with these Sleevey Wonders! www.sleeveywonders.com

Inika Organic—As the world’s biggest make-up lover, I’m always super-happy to discover new brands, like this Aussie-owned one. I just loved all the beauty products, like the mascara and pretty lipsticks, but mom Lucia was more interested in the higher factors of this company. She says, “I’ve never been one to seek-out such criteria, but lately, as a mom to a young son, I have more mindfulness about the environment and toxins, so Inika fits the bill.” That’s due to the one hundred percent natural ingredients, and the fact that it’s all certified organic, vegan, cruelty-free and halal. (That last one I had heard of only in foods before this!) www.inikaorganic.com

Zatik Naturals—I was so happy to introduce Lucia to the many products from this all-natural organic skincare company, whose sunscreen I’ve been using for quite awhile. She noted that the items “score very well on the anti-allergen scale,” which means that allergy-prone peeps such as myself can use them with no worries. She tried the Harmony Moisturizer on her hand, and said it felt “light,” and absorbed right into her skin, leaving a “dewy feeling and a fresh rose scent.” How much more loveliness can one need? www.zatiknatural.com

Mercedes Brunelli—This designer with the fabu moniker was gifting gorgeous handmade mirror compacts, which Lucia says “are to go ga-ga over!” She also noted that their tagline, “Wear art, be art” is “right on!” The creative designs on the front run the gamut from whimsical to stunning.  Years ago, when Mr. X bought me a way too expensive one elsewhere, my assistant at the time pointed-out that it’s great “to have a nice mirror.” If that’s the case for everyone, I highly suggest choosing one from Mercedes—you will not go wrong. www.mercedesbrunelli.com

Rafia Jewelry—The guests were clamoring for this Lucia-dubbed “charming hand-done jewelry,” whose many designs featured something for everyone. She added that they’re all “perfect to wear everyday.”  I noticed that most of the women were choosing the delicate initial necklaces. I was attracted to one right away, not even realizing it was an initial—I just loved the design. But it turned-out to be an “R,” rather than a “K.” So I’m changing my name! www.rafiajewelry.com

Neva Nude—These two besties were rocking their own products, which drew us right over to them. Lucia explains, “Do you love jewels so much that you would want to dress yourself in them? Well now you can! Neva Nude offers gemstone appliqués in many different patterns for all parts of your body, (including one’s nips!) The necklace gemstones are gorgeous.” They seemed to have something blingey for every taste, whether you want to go small with just a heart for the back of your phone, or big with jewels all over your face and chest! I just wanted to bathe in them! (And I just might! Esther Williams will have nothing on me!) www.nevanude.com

Desert Daisy Jewelry—This “bohemian” jewelry company from Las Vegas was encouraging each guest to choose her own gift from among many unique items, including “hair sticks,” which girls with tresses as long as mine love! But the most popular one, for sure, was a pair of very colorful tassel earrings. So the only decision to be made was which of the many hues would make each person’s beauty pop the most! www.desertdaisyjewelry.com

Ooh La Lemon—After meeting the young ladies who started this fun company, Lucia raved, “Adorable teen entrepreneurs Hailey and Katie literally turned lemons and a lemonade stand into an entrepreneurial empire!” They were all dressed in yellow, of course, and gifted “the cutest doggie bowtie collars and leashes.” They were thoughtful enough to bring lemon-themed socks for the non-dog-owners. Their parents raised their daughters right! www.oohlalemonstore.com

Gelmor Lace—We so admired the beautiful lace handkerchiefs from this oldest and largest importer of true French lace in this country.  The rep was rocking hers as a pocket square in her jean jacket, a look we definitely plan on copying. Lucia told me that she learned that “there are many imitation laces imported from elsewhere,” so we should be aware of getting only the best if we “want quality that will last a lifetime.” www.gelmor.com

ChildLife Essentials—Lucia is a mom of a young boy, so she was especially happy to learn about these easily-absorbed supplements. She noted that they were “created to replace what’s missing in children’s diets.  And best of all, they are liquid, as opposed to being gummies, which are bad for teeth!” I never would have even thought of that! (I guess my children are lucky I never had them!) www.childlifenutrition.com

Primo Water—We enjoyed meeting the upbeat rep from what Lucia deemed is a “hip and delicious” water company. She points-out that they have “an emphasis on environmental consciousness by reducing plastic waste and providing safe, clean water for all.” To remind us of all that, they were gifting “great” stainless steel water bottles (the only kind that Mr. X will drink out of,) and “charming” colorful caps. www.primowater.com

Secret Room Events’ charity this time was Best Friends Animal Society. This organization is the leader in no-kill pet rescue, and had reps on-hand to answer our questions. Lucia and I appreciated getting educated about the homeless pet situation in LA.  I didn’t even notice this, but Lucia told me that there was “a charming chihuahua there to grab our attention and make us smile.”  www.bestfriends.org

I obviously loved it all, but still, my favorite aspect of Secret Room Events is their generosity in gifting the VIPS a giant bag of additional items as they exit the event! Just looking at them all piled-up there makes my mouth water. This time the actual bags were gorgeous black-and white numbers from French Connection, which are perfect for travel. (Or for gathering more Secret Room Events gifts next time!) Here are some of the highlights of the contents:

A clever holder for hot hair tools from Polder; Honolulu Cookie Company’s shortbread cookies in the cutest pineapple-shaped tin; fashionable sunglasses by Solo Eyewear; a trio of Neutrogena products; Smoothease Fantasie panties that are said to fit all sizes, (which is great news for many of us curvy gals); Dermaglove charcoal face mask; Laneige lip sleeping mask; a Molo baby cap; John Paul Pet wipes; a cute kids’ book and accompanying toy from Brown Books Publishing Group; a “yart” kit from Kahootz Toys; a bag of Einstein Pets treats; a sweet little pink votive candle from Lynne Hunt London; and a My Brest Friend inflatable travel pillow (which is for moms, but my major breasts need a rest, too! I think I’ll go lie down on it right now after checking-out all these Secret Room Events gifts!!!)