Now, I’m excited to tell you about the highlights of the gifts that we discovered there, so let’s get right to them:<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/img_2997-e1455781647646.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n
Fake Bake Tan<\/strong>–I began and ended the day with this sponsor. \u00a0First, they gifted their complete set of tanning products (which Alice pointed-out have \u201cskin care properties.\u201d) And then, on our way out, I went back to get spray-tanned right on-site by Tonya. \u00a0Even though you can technically put your clothing back on after getting sprayed, with few or no consequence to your tan or wardrobe, I never like to risk it. So, I made a little \u201cexit outfit\u201d out of a tank top I received from another sponsor, and a Fake Bake tee that I fashioned into a mini-skirt! I left the sticky \u201ctanning papers\u201d on my feet to allow me to not leave the hotel barefoot. \u00a0I realized that, since the front of the W is on Hollywood Blvd., I probably looked like a streetwalker in that get-up, but the tan made me look like a star for the rest of my Grammys week-end activities. (And\u00a0for my Valentine’s Day dinner party, too! www.fakebake.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Natural Aqua Gel Cure<\/strong>\u2014We were already fans of this company’s famous exfoliating gel, (which I brilliantly thought to use on-site to remove my bronzer right before my spray tan at the suite!,) so we were thrilled to discover their new Water Treatment Skin Cream, which is perfect for the hands. Alice described it thusly: \u201cThe minute you put it on, you feel it immediately turn to water on the skin. That moisture aids in the fight against dryness and fine lines,\u201d which more people should be aware they have! Few women I know take care of their hands. So I’m hoping they read this, and then try this product right away. www.cureaquagel.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Adore Village<\/strong>\u2014We were happy to see one of our favorite sponsors back at this suite. Alice keeps calling this \u201cthe movie star skin care line\u201d because \u201cthey use only organic ingredients, and there’s a certificate in each product box which attests to that.\u201d Each guest received one of their Essence Facial Collagen Masks, which is made with their plant stem cell formula. www.adorecosmetics.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Lavish Lashes Brow Extension Kit<\/strong>\u2014This company has been providing woman with lashes for awhile now, so we were happy to discover their new eyebrow extensions kit. The rep showed us how to use it ourselves at home, but they also have a support system if you’d rather have your make-up artist (and don’t we all have a personal one of those, dah-lings?,) do the honors for you. I can’t wait to try it out on my friends! www.lavishbrows.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Geek Eyewear<\/strong>\u2014As a major eyeglasses aficionado my entire life, (well, since I was twelve, and I had to borrow my boyfriend’s glasses in class,) I already own several pairs of these colorful \u201cstatement\u201d eyeglass frames. But Alice had never seen them before, so she was impressed with the various \u201cshapes and sizes, which are so fun!\u201d As someone who used to be in the fashion industry herself, she deemed them \u201ca must have when you are styling a great look!\u201d www.geekeyewear.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n City Color Cosmetics<\/strong>\u2014Since we already are the proud owners of tons of this company’s fun make-up, we were happy to find-out that they also make paraben-free face and eyeshadow primers, which Alice deem \u201cdefinite must-haves in your arsenal of make-up.\u201d And my mouth watered when I saw their 33-Color gift box, full of shadows, blushers, and lipsticks! www.citycolorcosmetics.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Sunday State<\/strong>–Alice gushed, \u201cThis is the most adorable and sexy Varsity wear I have ever seen! They were featuring great Valentine’s Day celebration colors at the suite–a beautiful true red and vibrant pink.\u201d Each guest could choose either a fun basic tee, a spaghetti strap tee, a great work-out tank, or cute undies. And everyone received a pink gift box filled with a lip balm (to help you pucker-up on the big day,) an appropriate pink hair tie, and lip-shaped chocolates. This group came prepared! www.sundaystate.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Sillin Clothing<\/strong>–This eponymous designer was gifting colorful\u00a0fashion scarves and headbands. Alice said that Tabitha \u201cuses the coolest fabrics.\u201d www.sillininc.com<\/a><\/p>\n Psychic Match Maker Deborah Graham<\/strong>\u2014This author of the book Get Your Head Out of Your App was on-site giving psychic readings. She told me that I’m \u201ccharismatic,\u201d and that this e-zine, ItsNotAbout Me.TV, will blow-up even more in the next year! She said that I’ll be the \u201cnext big thing\u201d (shades of my Karen’s Restaurant Revue days, I hope) beginning in June. So, let’s make her vision happen, people! We don’t want to make a liar out of this nice clairvoyant woman now, do we?! www.thepsychicmatchmaker.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Nuwati Herbals<\/strong>\u2014We’ve both been fans of this wellness company’s Healer Tea for a long time now. Alice told me, \u201cI\u2019ve used it to get over a few really bad colds last year,\u201d and Mr. X and I just did the same in January. So, at the suite, we were happy to discover their Howling Wolf Tea, which helps deal with sore throat issues. I’m sure all these Grammys singers were happy to receive that one! \u00a0www.nuwatiherbals.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Tick Key<\/strong>\u2014Alice said, \u201cHave children? Have animals? Then you must have a few Tick Keys in the household. This is the easiest device ever, and they’re colorful, which makes them fun.\u201d I suggest stocking-up on them before the summer, (which it already seems like it is here in Los Angeles. Sorry, East Coast!)\u00a0www.tickkey.com<\/a><\/p>\n Lifeway Kefir<\/strong>\u2014This healthful beverage company kept the guests’ strength up all day with their new limited-edition Hibiscus Rhubarb Pie flavor of the yoghurt-esque drink. Alice said it’s \u201csmooth and delicious,\u201d while I had eyes for only the beautiful Cynthia Rowley-designed bottle!\u00a0www.lifewaykefir.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Twisted Cherries<\/strong>\u2014Alice suggests that \u201cyou need to add this line of alcohol-infused cherries to your own personal bar.\u201d She said that they \u201cgive a great kick\u201d to your beverages. (I’m thinking maybe atop a grown-up ice cream concoction, as well.) She added, \u201cOr just sneak one as a snack.\u201d www.twisted-cherries.com<\/a><\/p>\n Infra-Slim Body Contouring<\/strong>\u2014We got to try this body-slimming suit that, as Alice put it, \u201clooks like it’s from outer space.\u201d You lie in it for about a half hour, and it’s purported to make you lose inches. I think you need several treatments to see real results, but experiencing it was fun. Alice said, \u201cThe moment I got in it, I was warm and cozy, and just relaxed so well.\u201d There’s a lot to be said for that alone! Especially at a crazy busy event! www.infraslimbody.com<\/a><\/p>\n The scones that were left after the guests gobbled them all! Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Artful Bites<\/strong>\u2014In the middle of all the gift-gathering, the Grammys peeps were treated to this company’s \u201cscrumptiously delicious\u201d treats. We both loved the chocolate chip scones topped with raspberry coulis. Alice said they were \u201cso moist, and the perfect size.\u201d I heard that we missed the bite-sized chocolate biscotti and thin cookies, so we’ll just have to check them out again real soon. www.artfulbites.com<\/a><\/p>\n A Sister Village<\/strong>–Artful Bites was at the suite supporting this charity, which literally saves the lives of albinos in Tanzania, who are, heartbreakingly, at risk of being hurt or killed just for being an albino. Sadly, there is so much evil in the world, so it’s always uplifting to see that there are also wonderful people who are making a great difference in the world. www.iamf.org<\/a><\/p>\n As the VIP guests left, they received yet another gift bag filled to the brim with additional goodies! Some of those were: day cr\u00e8me from Belv\u00e8s<\/strong> Luxury Skincare; TheraCane<\/strong>‘s wonderful, easy-to-use-on-yourself back and neck massager; musical dog toys from Celebrity Pet Toy Company<\/strong>; Veeda<\/strong>‘s organic tampons; Coco Libre<\/strong>‘s canned coconut water; and, from Rok<\/strong>, a hat and a wallet that are made out of cork! (Yes\u2014cork!)<\/p>\n I guess you can see why we had such a great time at this Red Carpet Events LA soir\u00e9e!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RED CARPET EVENTS LA GRAMMYS SUITE 2016 This Grammys gifting suite, put on by Red Carpet Events LA, was one of the most happening suites I’ve ever been to! It was buzzing the whole time. My co-writer, Alice, (whose comments are the ones in quotes throughout this column,) and I could barely tear ourselves away!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>