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<\/a>Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Grammys suites are often raucous events, because they pertain to the music biz, but this one, from Red Carpet Events LA, had an air of class to it, which I totally appreciated. And the setting couldn’t be beat. t was sort-of indoor\/outdoor, but the patio was tented, so everyone stayed comfortable for the duration of the event.<\/p>\n
Let’s get right to the highlights of the gifts:<\/p>\n
Geek Eyewear<\/strong>–You’re really the furthest thing from being a geek when you wear these totally hip and happening eyeglass frames! I myself actually rock them quite often. These new designs by cute young boxer (and former\u00a0Dancing With The Stars<\/em>\u00a0celebrity contestant) Victor Ortiz, were quite the rage at this suite. The lovely reps started to tell me who Victor is; it was amusing to me that they would think I don’t already know. Clearly they don’t know what a sports maniac I am!!! Or a\u00a0DWTS<\/em>\u00a0one, either!\u00a0www.geekeyewear.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Joy and Mario Canvas Shoes<\/strong>–Most of you know by now that I haven’t been able to wear heels since I broke my back a few years ago. That means I always have problems trying to find attractive flats, especially ones that I can wear with dresses to nice events. So when I saw these gorgeous flat, comfortable canvas shoes, my heart sang. The only problem was deciding amongst all the fabulous designs! www.joyandmario.com<\/a><\/p>\n Nredom Snoitome Modern Emotions Apparel<\/strong>–Don’t worry; I don’t understand the moniker of this women’s clothing company, either. But what I\u00a0do<\/em>\u00a0understand is that they have fabulous designs! The guests at this suite were practically knocking each other over to get first pick of the many different items to choose from. There was everything from casual dresses to evening wear to attractive outerwear. My first personal fave was a cream-colored lace hoodie! That one can even be worn to the Grammys because it combines dressiness with attitude!\u00a0www.snoitome.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ronaldo Jewelry<\/strong>\u2014I met the designer himself, and I can’t tell you how lovely he was! He’s so not full of himself; I love a talented person like that! They were gifting each guest a beautiful, delicate multi-precious-metal and pearl bracelet, which the rep told me is called \u201cThe Guardian Angel Bracelet.\u201d But when I looked it up on-line to get a closer view, I noticed that the full name is actually \u201cThe Guardian Angel Mina<\/em> Bracelet.\u201d I couldn’t believe it; I can definitely use a guardian angel, but more mind-boggling to me was that, guess what my name was when I was in that traveling circus when I was younger? You guessed it\u2014Mina! I asked them to bill me as \u201cLittle Mina from Copenhagen,\u201d because that was the name of a friend’s mother, who I thought was so exotic. And now here was a bracelet, all these years later, with the same name. And both \u201cMina\u201ds are beautiful! (As I’m sure the actual one Ronaldo named it after was, too.) www.designerjewelrybyronaldo.com<\/a><\/p>\n Nuwati Herbals<\/strong>–I’ve used this company’s Healer Tea before, to ward-off colds, with great results. I wish I had had some this past month to share with Mr. X, who had the worst, longest cold I’ve ever seen him have. And on my birthday, no less! Hmmm. This natural remedy would have made him get better quicker\u2026 and not have any excuses to bail on my b-day! I better order some now before\u00a0next<\/em>\u00a0January 14.\u00a0www.nuwatiherbals.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Rafia\/Vidakush Jewelry<\/strong>\u2014This was a unique situation: it’s mother\/daughter jewelry designers, with different styles, and each guest could choose an item, regardless of from whose collection it came! One would think that there would be a slight competition going on, but these two were so proud of each, and so upbeat and pleasant in general, that there was none of that! And their beautiful pieces, including very hip upper<\/em> finger rings, (which, of course, were from the younger<\/em> lady,) were among the most popular gifts at the suite. I hope those two never lose their good natures…or talent! www.vidakush.com<\/a> www.rafiajewelry.com<\/a><\/p>\n Felio Siby<\/strong>–This line of clothing and bags is designed by a Florida-based man from Gabon in Africa, who has so lovingly named it in honor of his late father. And it’s all made exclusively in America, which is always a bonus. I especially enjoyed seeing the T-shirts featuring a classy picture of Nelson Mandela; it was great to be reminded of his heavenly face because having seen the recent movie about him, I keep forgetting that Mandela did not look at all like Idris Elba!\u00a0www.feliosiby.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n WhiteyBoard<\/strong>\u2014You all know that I headed right for this table featuring portable, reusable, stick-on white boards! Mr. X got me a giant one a few years ago, on which I immediately drew \u201cportraits\u201d of him, Clarence, and me. They are so adorable, (if I do say so myself,) that I’ve never been able to bring myself to erase them! So that’s a major waste of space. Had I had one of these portable<\/em> boards, I could have just framed my picture, and gotten another normal-size one to bring around with me to make diagrams of everything I say to everybody. And make them sign whitey board affidavits about how funny I am! www.whiteyboard.com<\/a><\/p>\n Ruby Roxanne Designs<\/strong>\u2014This designer of leather cuffs has come a long way since I first met her a year and a half ago. She has so many versions of them now that this time she made it easy for the guests by having a shiny silver one ready for everyone, rather than giving us our choice; that was wise because, with so many new designs, we would still be there deciding! This shiny one matches my phone case, so it worked out perfectly for\u00a0me<\/em>.\u00a0www.rubyroxannedesigns.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n BioTerra Herbs<\/strong>\u2014These supplements have the most attractive packaging ever! (Even if the people on them are supposed to be funny-looking; sadly, I look just like one of them!) Even if I didn’t use products like this, I would try them because they look so inviting. (I’m serious about that.) But the non<\/em>-superficial stats about them are that they’re vegan, all natural, and come in vegetarian capsules. The even better news is what they help you do, like stop snoring!!! I may just buy a lifetime supply of these, and not just for Mr. X; you should hear some of my female friends I occasionally have to share a room with! These herbs may finally allow them to have sleep-overs with boys<\/em>! www.bioterraherbs.com<\/a><\/p>\n Appethyl<\/strong>–This new appetite suppressant powder from Sweden, where everybody<\/em> looks good, is \u201cbased on an extract from spinach components.\u201d We all know what spinach did for Popeye, so I’m more than willing to give it a shot. If I don’t get skinny, maybe I’ll at least get strong! www.gl-medical.com<\/a><\/p>\n Tikkun Holistic Spa<\/strong>\u2014This sponsor saved the day at the end of my suite visit! I was treated to a very mini massage by Ari, who does it longer at the actual spa, of course. They had to be very brief here because others were waiting, but any little bit helps my injured…everything! www.tikkunspa.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RED CARPETS EVENTS LA GRAMMYS STYLE LOUNGE I was thrilled that this Grammys suite was at the W Hotel Westwood this time, which I always describe as “down the block from me.” It’s one of those places that I forget to go to most of the time, just because it’s so available to me.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>