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<\/a>An exhausted Karen Salkin, taking a load off on the delightful Luxe Penthouse patio. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Harris Twins outdid themselves on this year’s Wow Creations Oscars Suite, held once again in the Penthouse of the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. They definitely did not mess around\u2014I have never seen so many wonderful sponsors at a gifting suite before! I didn’t even realize how many there were until I started to write about them. Wow Creations featured so<\/em> many items, (some new to me, some of them my old favorites,) that this time I had to put them all in categories. (And I beg of you, if you don’t have time to read it all in one sitting, please come back and finish it later. I love all of these products, and don’t want you to miss out, especially with so many gift occasions coming-up this Spring!)<\/p>\n So, let’s jump right in:<\/p>\n ARTWORK<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n IndiExhibit<\/strong>\u2014I love this group of artists sooo much! I get happy whenever I see them at an event; I just know that each guest will be getting a high-quality work of art. And this was the most mouth-watering display they’ve ever<\/em> put together! I seriously could not choose from among all the gorgeousness. Each gift is one-of-a-kind. Alice’s favorite piece was a three-tiered necklace from Joanna L. Nagle of Parrothead Jewelry. Of this \u201cgorgeous silver and lava stone bib necklace” she said, \u201cIt’s very light to wear, even though it looks heavy in weight. It goes with every wardrobe item you can think of!\u201d I<\/em> had a really hard time deciding among the lovely paintings, colorful purses, and even an American flag flask, (even though I don’t drink!,) but wound-up choosing an outstanding jewelry set from Jennifer Sheehan, of Jennifer’s Custom Designs. She describes her work as \u201can assemblage of vintage and costume jewelry.” The necklace chain is made from an old chain belt, while the actual pendant is fashioned from a cocktail ring! The earrings are re-worked old costume jewelry, too. How can these people be so clever?! Alice remarked, of everything in the display, \u201cYou can tell the artists’ hearts and souls go into making each item.\u201d We especially love the one I just mentioned, but please check-out their new site to learn about all the artists. You’ll always be able to find a gift there, for every<\/em>one, every<\/em> time! www.theindiexhibit.org<\/a><\/p>\n Devine Gallery<\/strong>\u2014Oil artist Susan Devine\u00a0was gifting sets of note cards featuring reproductions of her beautiful paintings. www.devinegallery.com<\/a><\/p>\n JEWELRY<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Gem Mountain Studios<\/strong>\u2014This trio of brothers who work and design together made me jealous from the start! And then when I saw the whole table full of their beautiful creations, I was jealous of them for having that talent. And for getting to wear their own designs daily! These are upscale-yet-hip one-of-a-kind pieces that are available in their Beverly Hills store, so the guests didn’t have far to go after the event to see\u00a0all<\/em>\u00a0this family’s wonderful works.\u00a0www.gmsshop.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Radar Watches<\/strong>\u2014I’m always excited when I see this colorful watch company at an event! Their display just draws me in. Judging from the big crowds that are always at their table, I’m not alone in that. This time, there was also a display case previewing some of their upcoming designs, and let me tell you, I will<\/em> be the first in line for some of those<\/em>! In the meantime, we were all super-happy to mix and match the watchbands and removable faces. I was especially attracted to the \u201cSpecial Agent\u201d watches; the face lights-up at the perfect illumination. I need that to check the time left on the many theatre shows I attend, without bothering the audience members who don’t<\/em> care what time the play is over, like I always do. www.radarwatches.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Inspyred Creations<\/strong>\u2014All this hand-crafted jewelry was beautiful, but we were both especially fans of the ones that look like old time-pieces. Alice talked to the artist a while, and told me that she \u201ctakes the inside mechanisms of watches, and turns them into uniquely-constructed jewelry that’s truly a work of art! It’s all so beautifully done.\u201d\u00a0www.inspyredcreations.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Bedol<\/strong>\u2014I still can’t figure out these water-powered clocks and watches! For reals. All you do is fill them with plain tap water, and they go for at least six months! I hope this company works on doing the same thing for\u00a0cars<\/em>\u00a0really soon!!! How fantastic would\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0be?!\u00a0www.bedol.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Sonya Paz<\/strong>\u2014This artist makes the coolest accessories, (such as watches and business card holders) featuring her colorful pop art. Alice talked to her awhile, (while I was entertained by discovering the cute titles of her works,) and told me that Sonya’s \u201cmost original pieces of art come from her life’s inspirations.\u201d Ali’s favorites were the \u201creally cool\u201d coffee collection, which she said has a \u201cvery colorful, Picasso-esque look!\u201d I wanted everything<\/em> on the table! And a tour of Sonya’s mind!\u00a0 www.sonyapaz.com<\/a><\/p>\n COSMETICS<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n EMK<\/strong>\u2014This Beverly Hills skincare line uses plant placenta in all its products. It appears they have a long list of celeb clients, so if it’s working for Posh Spice, it’s definitely worth a try from me<\/em>! www.emkbh.com<\/a><\/p>\n Shea Moisture<\/strong>\u2014This company was established way back in 1912, (that was over a hundred years ago!,) so they must have perfected their formulas by now!!! They were letting guests choose their own gifts. The table featured everything to nourish your skin (and hair!,) from body lotion (Alice said the olive and green tea with avocado \u201csmells heavenly\u201d) to bubble bath to baby shampoo. They even have some fragrance-free items, (which asthmatic\u00a0moi<\/em>\u00a0appreciates,) and\u2014get this\u2014gluten-free ones, too! (Portions of all their sales do a lot of good around the world, as well, which I applaud.)\u00a0www.sheamoisture.com<\/a><\/p>\n Rx Clinical Cosmeceutical<\/strong>\u2014Alice was already<\/em> a fan of these skin care products. She told me, \u201cThey really do work for me,\u00a0and it’s a really easy regimen. I’ve been using the morning cleanser-exfoliator\u00a0and the nighttime synchronized Cellular Nite Cr\u00e8me. I can’t wait to try the Double Action Serum because I’m sure it will be as\u00a0wonderful as all the others!\u201d www.rxclinical.net<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Non F Monster Gel<\/strong>\u2014This anti-cellulite gel is from Japan, where\u00a0everyone<\/em>\u00a0looks good! The cute girls who were showing it to us said it can be used on the stomach as well as the hips and thighs. To that, we said, \u201cOMG!\u201d (Just don’t use it on your boobs. Who wants those to be smaller, anyway?)\u00a0www.mccoy-beauty.com<\/a><\/p>\n Under the Sun<\/strong>\u2014This line of haircare products was formulated in Florida, where no one’s hair, (least of all mine,) has ever looked good before. So those citizens need<\/em> them! They’re said to fight all those conditions down there. So now maybe I can finally visit Miami again, without looking like Monica in the Bahamas!!!\u00a0www.alwaysunderthesun.com<\/a><\/p>\n Le Karite Products<\/strong>\u2014These dainty body products, that Alice says \u201csmell so nice,\u201d are made with all-natural organic ingredients. www.lekariteproducts.com<\/a><\/p>\n WELL-BEING<\/strong><\/p>\n Koreball<\/strong>\u2014I’ve<\/em> already lauded this wonderful, easy-to-use-and-carry piece of exercising equipment, so now it’s Alice’s turn. After spending some time picking the brain of the creator, Rick Warren, she said, \u201cThis is such a wonderful way to exercise! You can take the Koreball anywhere! It’s collapsible, so it doesn’t take up much room, and you manage the weight of it by\u00a0filling it with water. Or not. It’s great!\u201d Wimpy me<\/em> chooses the \u201cor not\u201d option. Duh. www.koreball.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Grande Maison de Blanc<\/strong>\u2014This upscale linen boutique in Beverly Hills was gifting two-packs of luxuriously soft and elegant wash cloths. Alice said she’ll use hers \u201cto impress the guests.\u201d www.gmblanc.com<\/a><\/p>\n Daily Body Restore<\/strong>\u2014This probiotic supplement is touted to restore your intestinal flora. The owner says, \u201cStress, poor eating habits, and traveling often upset the balance of good bacteria in your digestive tract.\u201d So, mine must be ultra<\/em>-crooked!!! Where has this product been for my last few stressful years?! Alice noted that they also give back, by donating a percentage of their sales to various non-profits, like feeding the hungry and providing clean water to victims of natural disasters. www.dailybodyrestore.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Auto Magical Bliss<\/strong>\u2014Alice said these natural soy hand-poured candles are \u201cso delicate-looking. Their lovely\u00a0fragrances enhance any room; the name says it all!\u201d\u00a0www.automagicalbliss.com<\/a><\/p>\n XY4PLAY<\/strong>\u2014This herbal-based oral spray is designed to help couples get intimate, if you get my drift.\u00a0 (And I hope that my young readers don’t<\/em>!) Alice asked, \u201cSo what are you waiting for? As Marvin says, Let’s get it on!\u201d (I added the Marvin part, of course.) www.xy4p.com<\/a><\/p>\n ACCESSORIES<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Kathy Fielder<\/strong>\u2014I was so happy to see this designer again! She and her team came in from Texas to share their newest clutch, faux fur vest, and pillow designs. I was describing a colorful clutch purse I had already seen of Kathy’s awhile ago, and out came one I had never<\/em> seen, but it fit my description perfectly! This one was the Chevron Clutch, with thick raised lines in black, eggplant, and green. So stylish and now<\/em>! www.kathyfielder.com<\/a><\/p>\n Jellyboxx<\/strong>\u2014These thick plastic cases for iPhones…bounce when dropped! And they’re colorful, too. I’m sure that butter-fingered teens (and hipsters) will love them! www.jellyboxx.com<\/a><\/p>\n SNACKS<\/strong><\/p>\n Cottage Kitchen Foods<\/strong>\u2014These very interestingly-flavored crackers have been the favorites of Mr. X for awhile now. It’s one of the very few gifts he’s happy to see come into our overcrowded house! (He knows they’ll be gone really soon, because we can’t stop eating them!!!) Alice deemed the\u00a0the flavors to be \u201cdecadent and so delicious, alone or with something on them.\u201d Her favorites were the Parmesan & Rosemary and the Blue Cheese & Cracked Pepper, while my and Mr. X’s were…them all!!! www.cottagekitchenfoods.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Confetti Sweets<\/strong>\u2014Alice said the pink-and-see-through packaging of these delicious cookies from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is so attractive that \u201cyou can’t wait to bite into them!\u201d But bite away we did, and we loved them, especially the chocolate chunk! (And they have the cleverest business cards ever<\/em>! There’s a \u201cbite\u201d out of the bottom!) www.confettisweets.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Burkart Organics<\/strong>\u2014To give us energy for the rest of the day’s hectic schedule, we snacked on these bags of delicious dried mixed fruits. And their Tangerine Vanilla Bean Marmalade is delish on toast! www.facebook.com\/burkartfarms<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n TeaScapes<\/strong>\u2014Alice said, \u201cThe name [of the site] says it all! Just a little time to escape for a cup of tea goes a long way! These are beautifully-packaged loose tea leaves; so\u00a0classic and\u00a0always in style.\u201d www.teaandtimeforyou.com<\/a><\/p>\n ProNutz<\/strong>\u2014These are pistachio nuts that are covered with either yogurt or dark chocolate,\u00a0with some probiotics added for good measure! Alice said, \u201cSo who needs to call it cheating when you eat these as treats?\u201d Only problem for me is that the chocolate ones are so delish, I could eat several bags at one sitting!!! (But they’re really filling, so that won’t be necessary.) www.pronutz.net<\/a><\/p>\n Ponderosa Roasting Coffee Company<\/strong>\u2014I’m sure you all know that I’m far from a fan of coffee, so I let Alice take this one on her own: \u201cThe Hollywood Blend is so flavorful. It’s great for first thing in the morning or as a mid-day pick-me-up.\u201d www.ponderosaroasting.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WOW CREATIONS SUITE FOR THE OSCARS 2015 [Note: I made it to six pre-Oscars Gifting Suites this year. As always, each one gets its own write-up. This is the fifth of them, so please make sure to check back tomorrow, and to look at the previous four columns, to learn about all the fabulous-ness. Alice<\/p>\n
\nAnd every<\/em> product was fabulous! Not a weak one in the bunch. And each sponsor was uber-generous, which I’m sure was much appreciated by all the guests.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>