THE STUDIO AT HAVEN 360 LIFESTYLE LOUNGE
[Note: each Oscars Suite is getting its own column this season because I don’t want any of you to miss even one item I’m telling you about. So, please make sure to check back several times (and look at the past few posts) to learn about all the fabulous-ness.]
This was a new entry into the suites game, and it was quite successful. Held on the tony mezzanine level of the Andaz Hotel on the Sunset Strip, it featured a whole beauty studio, presented by Fred Segal Salon of Santa Monica.
The services were so attractive that I began the day with them. First up for me was a spray tan courtesy of Sun FX. Lisa Pantastico, the lovely girl who sprayed me, turned-out to be the same one who did my very first tan ever, back when I began being invited to gifting suites. Even with my weight gain, she recognized me–and that’s when I was still dressed! This turned-out to be the perfect tan, but, due to the rainy and super-cold weather for the next week, Mr. X was the only one who saw the body part of it! (At least the Oscars party-goers saw my tanned face and hands.) It doesn’t hurt to have your own boyfriend think you look good, though! But they sent us home with several gifts, so I can keep my own tan going for awhile longer. www.sunfxamerica.com
I had advance info about the hair services, so I braved my entrance and went with it damp and wavy. Thank goodness the affable Aussie, Sean James, of Fred Segal Salon was on-site to come to my rescue! He and his assistant Laura double-teamed it for flat-ironing, and I looked great within minutes. As he worked, he gently suggested that I come in for color, and he was so right! I’m long overdue because sometimes the suites do that for us, and I didn’t want to insult anyone by having it freshly colored elsewhere. You know that I’m always looking for new colorists to tell you about, so stay tuned–I just may be heading over to Fred Segal Salon soon to see what wonders they can work. www.fredsegalbeauty.com/salon
Speaking of wonders, I was treated to an interesting new mental innovation called Brain Fit. It’s a tad hard to explain, but I’ll try. I went into a private lounge and donned headphones and special dark glasses. (I actually chose to have only darkness rather than the lights that usual accompany a treatment, but the man in charge told me it wouldn’t really matter.) As I relaxed, I listened to an introduction to these “Strategic Mind Messages.” When you sign-up to receive them on a monthly basis, (they can be accessed with any web-capable device, such as a computer or iPhone,) you choose which ones to listen to–i.e. mediation, creativity, smoking cessation, etc. I’m going to make Mr. X listen to the one that makes him not mind all the gifts I bring home! www.mybrainfit.com
I had a day chock full of Oscars events ahead of me, so I had to forego a nail treatment and a yoga sesh, and instead concentrated on gifts from new companies. In addition to wonderful beauty products from the tan, hair, and yoga people, these are the standouts, and among my favorite gifts from any suite ever!:
RODIAL WEIGHT LOSS SYSTEM–the absolutely most fashionably-attired girl, Jessica, walked me through this company’s brand new weight-loss products, Crash Diet and Snake Serum. It all looks easy-to-use and fun and I can’t wait to get started! If I wind-up looking like Jessica, I’ll be happy. (And I’ll report my results to you, down-the-line.) www.rodial.co.uk
WOWEE ONE PORTABLE SPEAKER–I was so happy to receive this gift for the krump dancing Mr. X. It’s a portable speaker that’s about the size of an old school cell phone and amplifies any MP3 portable music device, such as an iPod or shuffle. Mr. X said that what separates the Wowee from other portable speaker gadgets is the gel underside which, when placed on a solid surface, significantly enhances the overall sound, but in particular the bass. His fellow dancers are going to be sooo jealous! This is one krump battle he’ll definitely win! www.woweeone.com
American Idol's Constantine Maroulis talking to the Bid Here girls.
BID HERE–this is a fun “penny auction” site. I had never even known of this genre of shopping before, so I checked it out for you guys and they have everything from coffee to computers! In addition to gift cards to get us started, the girls at the table gave us the latest iPod shuffle because they wanted to give us something tangible. A) That was so thoughtful of them to do, and B) what a great choice of gift!!! Mr. X was so happy to see not only a teeny gift arrive, rather than my usual giant items, but one that he used right away. He paired it with the Wowee from the same suite and is krumping away as I write! What a hip suite this was! www.bidhere.com
I visited the suite on a really rainy day, so while I waited for it to pass (in order to not get even a drop of water on my newly-tanned face and hands,) I got to sit and relax with the classy snacks this suite offered, which made it even more of a pleasure. They were serving caviar, which I’m sure was quite the treat for most, but as I don’t eat it, I was thrilled with my tasty cheese platter and accompanying provisions.
This was a very sociable event, so many attendees took a few minutes to be cozy and eat and drink while we watched the rain from the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was really a blast, and I hope that the Studio at Haven 360 stays in the suites game for many years to come.
