![\"Jillian](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/2699610846164b435f3c1e8d6e2c.jpg\")
<\/a>Jillian Estell. Photo by Tommaso Boddi.<\/p><\/div>\n
It was held at the ultra-hip Redbury Hotel, in the heart of Hollywood, which I think is a first for a gifting suite.\u00a0 I’ve been to other events in that indoor\/outdoor second floor space that’s called The Library, but I had never seen it during the day. It’s even more attractive than at night!<\/p>\n
Since this was to celebrate the Kids’ Choice Awards, there were a lot of younger working actors and actresses there this time. I was happy to give some personal props to Jillian Estell<\/strong>, from a movie I really loved this year, Black or White<\/em>. She played Kevin Costner’s granddaughter in the film. (What? How is he old enough for that?) And to also laud dancer Mollie Gray<\/strong>, who was a stand-out on Season Six of So You Think You Can Dance<\/em>. Mr. X and I have always noticed her on other shows ever since.<\/p>\n I don’t know how they did it again, but GBK featured some of the most interesting gifts I’ve seen at a suite in a while. \u00a0(We’ll get to those in a sec.)<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n And the food was perhaps the best ever!\u00a0 There was a buffet of all Greek delicacies, including stuffed grape leaves, hummus, and tahini with beautiful seasoned flat breads and giant homemade chips. And the fruit platter was stunning! My contributing writer, Alice, said it was \u201cas chic as the rest of the atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a good choice for the young guests (who were, after all, the main ones!) I’m sure their parents were happy that they were eating something healthful that’s still fun.<\/p>\n Helpful server, Annie, offering the delicious sliders. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The food was catered by the hotel, and they also had adorable and accommodating server, Annie, going around all day offering trays of hot hors d’oeuvres. The beef “cigars”\u00a0were beyond delicious, but the sliders were hands-down the best I’ve ever had! (Sadly for me, I had just one<\/em>. I’m still dreaming about it, though.)<\/p>\n But the dessert bar was perhaps the pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance. Presented on top of books, to pay tribute to the name of the venue, it consisted of perfect-sized treats, including chocolate-dipped crisped rice treats, mini chocolate mousse cups, bite-sized chocolate cupcakes (which were my faves,) and\u00a0mango mousse cups that were topped with raspberries and blackberries. Alice loved those!<\/p>\n An excellent DJ helped us on our way, as we discovered these fun products. Sadly for me, I was super-time-constrained that day, so I didn’t get to every table. (I’m pretty bummed that I missed-out on the people making Flip Books! I love those!) But here are the highlights of the ones we did get to speak with:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Audiopark<\/strong>–Sound engineer Sandy Lam created these genius headphones, so you know the sound quality on them is great! But they’re so much more than that. Alice said, \u201cWhen I saw that Sandy was wearing a wrap bracelet that was very similar to one I had on that day, I did a\u00a0double take,\u00a0because hers was…a set of earpieces! So cool!\u201d Let me explain: This is a set of ear buds that you\u00a0wrap around your wrist when not in use, and they look like hip jewelry! I’ve lost my last few earphones, so these are music to my ears!!! In every sense. Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Couch Potato<\/strong>\u2014This on-line shopping site was offering gift certificates so that the guests can choose their own DVDs of their favorite films and TV shows. If they feature ones of my<\/em> all-time favorite show, Karen’s Restaurant Revue<\/em>, I’m in! (Of course I’m only kidding about that one. But they most likely have every other<\/em> show I’ve ever been in, even though I’ve been trying to forget most of them!) www.couchpotato.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n M The Movement<\/strong>–I loved just about everything that casual-wear designer Michael Herrera was showcasing.\u00a0 They were gifting v-neck tee-shirts featuring his face, in gold.\u00a0 So, if you see\u00a0 a young person wearing one around town, you know he or she is a kid actor, who visited the GBK suite! www.theworldofm.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Lalo Fuente<\/strong>s–This time, they were gifting certificates for a nutritional consultation, physical evaluation, and an hour work-out with a professional trainer. Alice commented, \u201cNow that is a true full body gift!\u201d I only hope they know how to work with my broken back! www.lalofitness.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n GBK’s charity this time was the Share Your Heart Foundation<\/strong>. Besides giving us info on what they’re about, they also gifted guests with two really fun products! They are:<\/p>\n Selfie Stick<\/strong>\u2014Who doesn’t want a selfie stick these days?! (Well, maybe not basketball players, who can reach their cameras out far enough themselves!) I’m sure the kids went nuts over these sticks that enable you to take better selfies more easily.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>
\nwww.audioparkco.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>