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<\/a>Just a tiny bit of the atmosphere at the suite. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
This wonderful Secret Room event was held once again in the Contessa Ballroom of the very upscale Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. There were three main components to the suite: the gifting area, the truly spectacular VIP gift bags as we exited, and the Omics Live Beauty Retreat<\/strong>, where we relaxed, snacked, and got pampered.<\/p>\n We, of course, stopped-by the beauty area first, so that we would look great for the rest of the event. The Toni & Guy Academy<\/strong>, where all the girls themselves looked great, were doing the honors.\u00a0 Alice had her make-up done by Octavio Solis, while Ariana Castiglia flat-ironed my hair, and Megan Lemmons gave me quick polish change.<\/p>\n And all the while, we snacked on an exciting variety of chips and beverages.\u00a0 And then we were ready to meet and greet.<\/p>\n There were tons of gifts, so let’s hurry and get to our highlights:<\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Guylian Belgian Chocolates<\/strong>\u2014This brand has long been a favorite of mine, so I was thrilled to see them at a suite. They gifted beautifully-wrapped boxes of their famous Belgian chocolates in three collections: Opus, La Trufflina, and a flat tin of their classic creamy seashell-shaped truffles. A classy move was offering champagne at their table, to complement their delectable confections. I’m surprised anyone was able to tear themselves from this table! www.guylianbelgianchocolate.com<\/a><\/p>\n Schmoozies<\/strong>\u2014We had so much fun with these ladies.\u00a0 They were showcasing their fancy yet lightweight neckwear for dogs, but, as Alice noted, \u201cFrom across the room, since they were so stylish, I really thought they were for people!\u201d Ever the rebels, we both immediately wore them ourselves, and everyone loved them. They’re collars in different materials, like velvet, with a brooch or buckle in the center.\u00a0 And they have a tiny, concealed pouch for aromatherapy drops!\u00a0 We’re sure they’re \u201ccute for your pups, too.\u201d I know some people share their jewelry with their daughters or sisters, but who ever thought you’d be sharing with your dog?! Loving it. www.myschmoozies.com<\/a><\/p>\n Gloria Layne Bieber doing an aura reading on a guest. Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Our Angels<\/strong>–This sponsor was featuring aura readings by Canadian psychic, Gloria Layne Bieber.\u00a0 (Any relation?\u00a0 I can’t belieb I didn’t think to ask her!\u00a0 They are both Canadian, after all.) \u00a0 She takes a photo of your aura, and then interprets it for you.\u00a0 She actually gasped when she saw mine because it has a special group of white layers on and around my head!\u00a0 She said it means that I’m communicating with special spirits, and I agree–I always think I’m chatting with my late mother.\u00a0 I mean it.\u00a0 Gloria also told me that I’m very empathic, (hey–tell me something I don’t know,) and that I need to actually stop being so good to everyone!\u00a0 Duh.\u00a0 But she never met me before and still knew that, so\u00a0I was impressed.\u00a0 Alice deemed her to be “very caring and hopeful; she gave me strength and peace of mind.\u00a0 I found her to be very insightful.”\u00a0 She had me at \u201cEmpathic!\u201d www.ourangelscenter.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n To Be A Woman<\/strong>–This spiritual company’s raison d’\u00eatre is to “raise your energy with tools for your soul.”\u00a0 They were gifting several items to that end.\u00a0 Included in their gift bag was an energy cleanser, purifying herbs that are “bundled by women in a sacred ceremony,” and a “protect your heart” pin, which is designed to “raise your heart energy and protect you from others\u2019 negative energy.”\u00a0 I wish I had had it for the past two and half years!!!\u00a0 I’m going to wear it every day until the horror show that I’m dealing with now is over, which should be really soon, knock on wood.\u00a0 We met Vanda, the beautiful woman whose company this is, and she, too, told me that I’m an Empath, and also suggested that I cut-back a bit on being so good to everyone, and think more about myself.\u00a0 Yeah, like that’s going to ever happen! www.tobeawoman.co<\/a><\/p>\n Skineez Skincarewear<\/strong>–This shapewear is infused with ingredients that are good for your skin! Alice tried them out and said, “OMG, they smell amazing! They contain shea butter, apricot kernel oil, and rose-hip oil, to mention a few ingredients. I think they’re on to something here, with their micro-moisturizing fabric!” But neither of us can do justice to this concept in this space, so you really must check-out their website to understand this unique fabric technology. www.myskineez.com<\/a><\/p>\n Hape Toys<\/strong>–This top wooden toy manufacturer was gifting one of their toys to paint.\u00a0 I love that children can feel like they’re involved in creating their own toys! www.hapetoys.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Rago Shapewear<\/strong>–This shapewear is a fun dichotomy–it’s designed to be seen, which it the opposite of the usual hold-your-body-in-check undergarments, making it all very modern.\u00a0 But it has the look of Marilyn Monroe’s sexy girdles and bras, so it’s also very retro. \u00a0 And who ever knew there were so many different kinds of these items?\u00a0 Their website features over a half dozen categories!\u00a0 www.rago-shapewear.com<\/a><\/p>\n Wiki Wags<\/strong>–Here’s a pet product that I never would have even known of the need for!\u00a0 It’s disposable wraps for male dogs, to, as the company puts it, “end potty accidents.”\u00a0 I assume they’re for puppies, and very old dogs, and I have a feeling they can come in handy.\u00a0 www.wikiwags.com<\/a><\/p>\n Faucet Face<\/strong>–I’ve always heard that it’s healthier to drink from glass bottles than from plastic ones, and we got a kick out of the ones this brand was offering; Alice said they “look like old-school milk bottles, only smaller and more convenient.”\u00a0 www.faucetface.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop<\/strong>–They were featuring their adorable little creatures from this mouth-watering collection. I’ve always loved miniatures, so I guess you don’t need to be a chronological kid to enjoy playing with these \u201cpets.\u201d \u00a0www.hasbro.com\/littlestpetshop<\/a><\/p>\n Toro Rid<\/strong>e–This new entry into L.A.’s car service game was handing-out gift cards for your first ride from them.\u00a0 We’ll have to give them a try and let you know how they compare to the others.\u00a0 But if their other workers are as pleasant as the ones at this suite, we’ll be satisfied customers.\u00a0 www.tororide.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Pet Head<\/strong>–I used many of these pet products on Clarence in his day, so I’m glad that other dogs will get this opportunity, as well. They were gifting shampoo and dental wipes, which I wish every dog (and their owners, too!,) would use. www.pethead.com<\/a><\/p>\n As animal lovers themselves, the Secret Room organizers chose two worthy charities in that vein:<\/p>\n The Humane Society of the United States<\/strong>\u2014This is the nation\u2019s largest animal protection organization. www.humanesociety.org<\/a><\/p>\n The Shelter Pet Project<\/strong>\u2014This group is the leading producer of PSAs, about our four-legged friends. Their goal is to make shelters the first place potential adopters turn when looking to get a new pet, ensuring that all healthy and treatable pets find loving homes. www.theshelterpetproject.org<\/a><\/p>\n But the best part of the Secret Room suites, or any suite, for that matter, is the truly amazing extra gift bags, curated by Amy Boatwright, that VIP guests receive on their way out.\u00a0 No other events anywhere do bags like this!\u00a0 I just call them \u201cChristmas in a bag!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are just some of the highlights of that bag’s contents, with my comments about several of them, of course!:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>