![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/img_2470.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n
I was happy that GBK’s Lounge to celebrate this year’s Emmys returned to Beverly Hills’ L\u2019Hermitage Hotel.\u00a0 It was fun entering through the new entrance, (due to the hotel’s renovation,) that had a “Joe sent me” feel to it.\u00a0 The event itself was on the roof, which was tented-over for the occasion.\u00a0 That gave us all a beautiful wide space to meet and greet in.<\/p>\n
Speaking of meeting, I was thrilled to see Emmy-winning choreographer Travis Wall<\/strong>, My New Best Friend from just the day before, when we had bonded over our love of dance, at a different Emmys event.\u00a0 But I had been up all night, miserable that I had forgotten to tell him how moved I was by one of his most recent dances. So I’m really grateful to GBK to have afforded me that chance to rectify that situation.\u00a0 (I know Travis was happy about it, as well, because he couldn’t stop hugging me for telling him that! Lucky me!)<\/p>\n Alan Cumming. Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n I was also thrilled to meet Alan Cumming<\/strong>, who’s more than just an actor on The Good Wife<\/em> to me; he’s one of the biggest theatre stars in the world!\u00a0 My musician brother had worked with him on Broadway a few years back, so we had an interesting chat about that.\u00a0 And about the fact that I had just realized that he looks sort-of like Mr. X!\u00a0 (Alice told me, “You have a type!)\u00a0 Alan was even more darling than I expected him to be!\u00a0 So, another big thank you to GBK for that meeting, as well!<\/p>\n Now, I know that you’re all waiting to learn of the gifts these celebs received, so let’s get to them!:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Artisan Group<\/strong>–This collective of talented artists gave all the VIPs big bags of about a dozen different handmade items, each one creative and interesting, and<\/em>, (if the guests are anything like me,) appreciated!\u00a0 I especially appreciated the effort they all<\/em> put into wrapping<\/em>! Each gift was wrapped separately, usually in multiple layers, with boxes, ribbons, and little bags. Among my favorites this go-round were: Gardens of the Sun<\/strong> sweet little earrings, packed in a cleaning cloth, with an added little bag of tiny crystals in the box (www.gardensofthesun.net<\/a>); Love Your Bling<\/strong> elegant blue crystal necklace (www.loveyourbling.com<\/a>); Cinnamon Buns soy candle from HollyBeeez<\/strong>, which smells exactly like you just baked a batch, (not that I<\/em> would really know!,) (www.etsy.com\/shop\/HollyBeeez<\/a>); Rayvenwood Manor<\/strong>‘s Swarovski Crystal \u201cIcon Necklace\u201d (www.rayvenwoodmanor.etsy.com<\/a>); a cool seven-tier bracelet from Hole In Her Stocking<\/strong> (www.holeinherstocking.etsy.com<\/a>); Hair Beach Waves spray from The Gnarly Whale<\/strong> (www.thegnarlywhale.com<\/a>); and four completely different sets of jeweled earrings from: Dragon Glass<\/strong> (www.Dragon-glass.com<\/a>); SMS Jewelry Designs<\/strong> (www.etsy.com\/shop\/smsjewelrydesigns<\/a>); Raziela Designs<\/strong> (www.razieladesigns.etsy.com<\/a>); and Nature’s Splendour<\/strong> (www.naturesplendour.etsy.com<\/a>.) The last thing I removed from the bag was like a treasure hunt, which made it that much more special to me. It was a rich turquoise paper pouch, sewn shut on all four sides, with \u201cThe Humble Penguin<\/strong>\u201d printed on the front. I didn’t know if that<\/em> was the gift itself because I was afraid if I tore the paper, I would ruin it; the stitching was so even and professional. After a while of figuring out what to do, I grabbed a tiny scissors and opened a bit of the thread. I saw something inside and kept going. I discovered a sweet little material business card case that I’ll use immediately! I have all sorts of jeweled and initial ones, but this one is the thinnest, lightest and easiest to carry. (www.thehumblepenguin.com<\/a><\/span>.) You can find all these, and much, much more at www.theartisangroup.org<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n LifeCell Skin Care<\/strong>–I’ve actually used this line’s cooling under-eye treatment for several months now, because it’s so fun! \u00a0I leave the tube in the refrigerator all the time, which makes it feel extra-good when you pat the cream under your eyes directly from what Alice calls “the perfectly-shaped applicator.”\u00a0 www.lifecellskin.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Aesthetica Cosmetics<\/strong>–Since, in addition to working with me, Alice is also a make-up artist, I’m letting her discuss this new facial conturing make-up, while I<\/em> can tell you that the founder, Karen Cohen, (love her first name,) is adorable, and had perfect make-up on herself, so I totally trust her!\u00a0 Alice said, “All the colors you need are there, and it’s so easy to apply, even if you are not<\/em> an expert;\u00a0it even comes with a chart on how to apply it, depending on the\u00a0shape of your face.”\u00a0 www.aesthetica.me<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Plaque HD<\/strong>–Alice said that this plaque-detecting toothpaste is “genius.”\u00a0 When you use it, it will show you where you need a bit more elbow grease.\u00a0 I hope that everyone in Hollywood receives a tube, if you get my dirft! www.plaquehd.com<\/a><\/p>\n Violet Iodine<\/strong>–This pill was created to alleviate breast discomfort and tenderness when premenstrual, which will come as great news to half the females I know!\u00a0 It’s cute that they gifted yoga mats to go along with the health theme.\u00a0www.violetdaily.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Moosh Walks<\/strong>–It was hard to choose just one pair from among this quartet of cute animal-faced slipper-socks.\u00a0 Alice said they’re “very fun” for “little girls, and big girls, too!”\u00a0\u00a0www.mooshwalks.com<\/a><\/p>\n Urban Golf Performance<\/strong>–I was so surprised to find-out that there’s a golfing practice facility right here in West Los Angeles! They were gifting one coaching session to each guest. I know it’s hard to believe about me, but I did<\/em> used to play in many celebrity golfing tournaments when I was doing my TV show. I was by far the worst one, but definitely the cutest-dressed! And I do<\/em> even have my own set of clubs because of all that action. I only hope this place has some patient coaches! www.ugp.la<\/a><\/p>\n Of course, all gift-gatherers need to keep their strength up at all times, so everyone was happy to see Ike’s Place Sandwich Shop<\/strong> on-site, serving two different kinds of sandwiches.\u00a0 They were gifting their cute t-shirts, too.\u00a0 www.ilikeikesplace.com<\/a><\/p>\n GBK’s events always benefit different charities, and this time, they were the following:<\/p>\n Muscular Dystrophy Association<\/strong>–This organization helps to find treatments and cures to deal with this muscle disease. \u00a0www.mda.org<\/a><\/p>\n American Friends of Magen David Adom<\/strong>–This important organization serves as Israel\u2019s national emergency medical response, ambulance, and disaster relief agency. \u00a0www.afmda.org<\/a><\/p>\n Alfalit International<\/strong>–As I’ve written about in the past, this is an organization that provides literacy programs around the world. \u00a0www.alfalit.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK PRE-EMMYS 2015 GIFT LOUNGE\u200f [Note: I’m thrilled that my broken ribs healed enough for me to able to make it out to five gifting suites that celebrated this year’s Emmys.\u00a0 Of course, my contributing writers made it possible, by doing all the heavy lifting, for which I really thank them. \u00a0As usual, each suite<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>