In case you\u2019re not familiar with the concept, (of suites–not my birthday; the latter we\u2019re all familiar with!,) please check-out my Gifting Suites 101 column: www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/2010\/01\/19\/gifting-suites-gifting-suites-101<\/a>.<\/p>\n I need to add that nowadays, many suites spotlight a charity, along with the gifting, which is a wonderful thing to do. It makes us feel less frivolous for having so much fun. (Well, at least that\u2019s how it manifests in my<\/em> psyche.) And now, read on and see what the stars were treated to. [Note: please read about all<\/em> the suites, or else you\u2019ll be missing out on some of the festivities.]<\/p>\n I began my Golden Globes week at The Roger Neal Style Hollywood Ultimate Beauty Suite, which took place at the always lovely L\u2019Ermitage Hotel. As the name says, it was more of a beauty suite than a gifting one. And let me tell you, after a month in the weirdo weather of New York, including a major blizzard and the first lunar eclipse on the winter solstice since 1658, I needed to be pampered!!! [Note: That date may actually be 1634, but who\u2019s going to remember?]<\/p>\n This was the perfect suite to start off with–it made me ready to face the super-busy week ahead. Roger and his wife Lynn are a wonderful couple. No matter how hectic things get at their events, they\u2019re always cool and collected and lovely to their guests. They set the happy tone for us all.<\/p>\n My pamperers!<\/p><\/div>\n I began with a facial so perfect that, in the week and half since, my face has stayed dewy and glowing! Tony Laca of GM Collin Skin Care<\/strong> performed it using their Montreal-based product line and he could not have been kinder or known his business more. He even told me I had a fabulous d\u00e9colletage, which trust me, he\u2019s the first one to say. I loved every minute of it! gmcollin.com <\/a><\/p>\n Without having to get dressed, I moved to the other side of the curtain for a wonderful massage by Lily of the new Bao Foot Spa<\/strong> in Beverly Hills. This is interesting–it\u2019s basically a Chinese Reflexology place, (that I\u2019m planning to visit soon, by the way) but they also incorporate the body when necessary, which, believe me, it was in my case! baofootspa.com <\/a><\/p>\n All I wanted to do after the facial and massage was go to a room and take a nap, but there were more services to be had. And having them, I was! Kaamilya of Unwind Mobile Spa<\/strong> did a manicure for me. I so trusted her that, since I had just broken a nail, I said to just cut them all off! And let me tell you guys, it\u2019s soooo much easier to type like this! unwindmobilespa.com <\/a><\/p>\n By then, I was truly mellow, so when the very famous Daniel Dinh applied my Longmi<\/strong> eyelash extensions, I fell asleep for that hour! The combination of his perfect choice of music and the din of the crowd in the suite made for a perfect nap. I had been waiting for Daniel (or his twin brother Jimmy,) to do my lashes for about four years, and he did not disappoint. People raved about my eyes all week. (They\u2019re due to stay on for about a month, and just shed naturally with my own lashes.) Everyone thought that I either was wearing new expensive mascara or had had my lashes dyed because they were so natural yet fabulous. Daniel makes his own products, and apparently is really a genius at what he does. longmibydaniel.com <\/a><\/p>\n The charity of choice here was OneMama<\/strong>, which helps pregnant women in Africa. To help get the word out at the suite, make-up artist Rachel Bird, with whom I bonded over the hours, applied temporary glitter tattoos with the name of the charity on our upper arms. It turned-out to be a great idea, especially with the warm weather in LA that week which caused us to go sleeveless, because everyone who saw me just had to read the tattoo and ask what it was about. Brilliant publicity move! onemama.org<\/a><\/p>\n Lady Snow Tea. All photos by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n And while all this was going on, we got fed, which is a rarity at suites! Here are the companies who did the honors: meatballs and watermelon soup from komodofood.com<\/a>, barbeque chicken bites courtesy of wardellsbarbqsauce.com<\/a>, cookies by http:\/\/www.arlanasgourmetcookies.com, and a whole tea ceremony performed by ladysnowtea.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n As if all that goodness wasn\u2019t enough, as we left, we received a giant goodie bag chock full of chocolates, vodka, skincare products, and even a shiny purse! No wonder I spent an entire day at this one suite!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As fun as they are, gifting suites can often be a stressful experience, with so many different personalities to deal with in a short span of time. Never so at the Secret Room! These organizers always make it a pleasure to work with them. So much so that, for last year\u2019s Oscars, when I was in a wheelchair, this was the only suite that I chose to go to because I knew they would make it as easy for me as possible. I love cooperative human beings like this, and always thank them for being so.<\/p>\n So, even though the day their Globes suite was being held was my birthday, I decided that this would be a great way to spend it. And I\u2019m so glad I did! It was fabulous, as usual, and back at the trendy SLS Hotel. I was there for several hours, and the hubbub never died down. It was a happening scene all day long, with lots of new and exciting sponsors to tell you about.<\/p>\n Their charity of choice this time was To Write Love on Her Arms<\/strong> which is a non-profit movement for the purpose of helping people who struggle with depression, addiction, and self-injury. twloha.com <\/a><\/p>\n Secret Room usually sends us on our way with an extra<\/em> bag filled with goodies not featured at the suite, but I guess with so many interesting sponsors for us to meet for ourselves, they did away with that practice this time. No matter–there were so many fabulous gifts for us to receive in person that I better get started on giving you the highlights, of which there were many<\/em>.<\/p>\n My favorite gift from here is one I may not even get to use (because my days of baking in the sun are behind me,) but I will absolutely love<\/em> if ever I do have to lie on a beach. It\u2019s a UV protection mat from CGear Sand Free<\/strong> that not only matches my eyes, but it does not allow sand to touch your body! (I think the latter part\u2019s the point, not the matching my eyes.) A cute Aussie guy demonstrated it for me, and I swear it works, though I still can\u2019t figure out how! cgear-sandfree.com<\/a><\/p>\n I was thrilled to receive two pairs of adorable flats, since I still don\u2019t know when I can return to wearing heels. Melissa Shoes<\/strong> gave me silver slippers that reminded me of a Disney princess, and Holster Shoes<\/strong> gave me rubber-y sandals that I\u2019ll wear everywhere. melissashoes.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0holstershoes.com<\/a><\/p>\n With all the weirdo events that my being has been though in the past year, I was thrilled to receive Fusion Excel\u2019s Quantum Pendant<\/strong>, which helps with a multitude of problems, including to \u201crestore energy that has become weak in the body.\u201d The company suggests that you wear it on a chain or carry it in your pocket, but I may just have it sewn under my skin somewhere! I need all the energy I can get! Especially for all these suites visits. fusionexcel.com<\/a><\/p>\n Some interesting beauty products that I plan to try really soon were provided by Number 4 Hair Care<\/strong> number4hair.com<\/a>, GlyMedPlus<\/strong> skin care glymedplus.com<\/a>, and especially the new skin cream Celle<\/strong>, that\u2019s touted to \u201cpermanently reverse the sings of aging.\u201d I\u2019m going to slather it everywhere!!! biotivia.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I was happy to see some lovely sponsors I\u2019ve worked with in the past, such as Exclusive Sedan<\/strong> (read my review here: www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/2011\/01\/10\/miscellaneous-happy-2011exclusive-sedanwww.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/2011\/01\/10\/miscellaneous-happy-2011exclusive-sedan<\/a>) and Matthew Hunt from A Rose Of Thanks<\/strong>, and meet some fabulous new ones. aroseofthanks.org<\/a><\/p>\n Alas, since my visit was on the last day of suites week, and I think I had partied a little too hard on my birthday the night before, I just could not carry as many fabulous products as usual, so I have fewer to tell you about right now than were actually at the suite. But, since many are being sent, I\u2019ll write a follow-up column in the coming months, so please be sure to look for that because GBK\u2019s sponsors are always special. Here are highlights of the items that were small enough for me to tote that day.<\/p>\n I\u2019m always thrilled to see my favorite eye product, Revitalash<\/strong>, back at the suite. Their personnel are always lovely, and the product line just keeps on growing, as do my lashes! I recently started using their black mascara, and now I can\u2019t live without it! Next up, I\u2019ll try their eyebrow<\/em> conditioner, I\u2019m sure with equal results to all their other great products. revitalash.com<\/a><\/p>\n Of course, I was attracted to the two rhinestone Menbur purses. But I'm thrilled with the shiny silver one that's surrounded by them.<\/p><\/div>\n Being another fave of mine from an earlier awards season, I was delighted to see Menbur<\/strong> purses. Once again, they let me choose my dream clutch. Mine is so the perfect size and shape for red carpets that I might just have to start walking them again! Well, if the paparazzi promise to take pictures of my purse only, and not the rest of me. grupomenbur.com<\/a><\/p>\n I think everyone who ever watched even one episode of my show, Karen\u2019s Restaurant Revue<\/em>, knows that I don\u2019t drink coffee, but the guy from Honolulu\u2019s Kaldi\u2019s Coffee<\/strong> was so friendly that I was happy to accept a bag. The fact that he added in a chocolate bar may have something to do with it, too. kaldiscoffee.com <\/a><\/p>\n Diane Lai<\/strong> developed skin care products for her son\u2019s sensitive skin, and being that I\u2019m the most sensitive person I know, (even though it\u2019s in the empath department,) and not my skin,) I figure I\u2019ll give it a try. dianelai.com <\/a><\/p>\n An interesting area was one that highlighted fun items from several different artists. We got to choose our own category of gift. Very original. theindiexhibit.com<\/a><\/p>\n GBK\u2019s two charities are the St. Bernard Project<\/strong>, which is an organization that rebuilds the Katrina-ravished homes and lives of New Orleans residents, (and gifted us with Kate Mesta<\/strong>-designed rhinestone dog tags that remind us to \u201cRebuild\u201d,) stbernardproject.org<\/a> and The Lopez<\/strong> Foundation, which helps underprivileged children and adults, and also helps get the word out about kidney disease and organ donation. thelopezfoundation.org <\/a><\/p>\n GBK always knows how to make their celebrity guests feel special, and perhaps that\u2019s why I usually see the most recognizable faces here. This go-round, I spied several here including Eric Stonestreet<\/strong> of Modern Family<\/em>, Kimberly Locke<\/strong> of American Idol<\/em> fame, and the uber-talented Robert Morse<\/strong>, (who looks exactly like he did when I was a little girl!,) with his upbeat family in tow, making everyone laugh and be comfortable.<\/p>\n But, the best one to me was a ruggedly handsome older man with whose visage I was not familiar, but was kind and gentle to all he met. (We were in several of the areas at the same time, so I got to observe his self-deprecating ways.) I finally got to find-out just who he was, and to my absolute delight, he\u2019s David Seidler<\/strong>, the writer of The King\u2019s Speech<\/em>!\u00a0 At a private screening just the week before, Colin Firth had told us about Mr. Seidler\u2019s three-decade-long journey with his script, so meeting him meant much more to me than it normally would have. When I told him of Colin and Guy Pearce\u2019s nice words about him the previous week, he replied, \u201cOh, they were just being kind.\u201d What a lovely celebrity to have met at GBK\u2019s suite.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This classy suite at the L\u2019Ermitage is a little different from the norm in that DPA showcases mainly top-of-the-line jewelry, handbags, and dresses to help celebs get camera-ready for the awards and parties. Most were beautiful, but without having them here personally to examine, I can\u2019t come up with wonderful details to tell you about each individual company.<\/p>\n No matter–there were still several highlights that I\u2019m excited to let you in on. And the sponsors were a lovely international group of people whose acquaintances I so happy to make.<\/p>\n I rounded a corner and saw a girl who looked like the daughter of Lily Allen and ME! (Mr. X and I always describe people as \u201cthe child of\u2026\u201d) I had just had my hair colored and cut the day before (I\u2019ll be telling you that story in an upcoming column, as well,) and I was so happy to see a really cute girl (the Lily Allen part, not the \u201cme\u201d part,) rocking it so well. She made me stand up just a little taller because of it. Anyway, she was gifting the most important item anyone can possibly use at this busy season of soirees–Ili <\/strong>hand sanitizer! Very clever and appreciated. With pretty packaging, too! iliusa.com <\/a><\/p>\n Just when my energy was beginning to wane, I happened upon the snack-y gifts. And not a moment too soon! First up was a delicious, healthful snack from Austrian company Chokolini<\/strong>. It\u2019s organic dried apple pieces coated in also-organic chocolate. There are actually four different chocolate coatings, but dark is my fave. And the combo of the dark with organic apples makes for a healthful guilt-free snack! Leave it to the always-lovely Austrians to come up with something like this! (I think you all know by now that two of my favorite friends in the world, Alex and Simone, come from there, so I love all things Austrian.) chokolinis.com<\/a><\/p>\n Then I moved on to a company from Paris, where another of my favorite pals, skater Philippe Candeloro, also hails from. So, I love French products, as well! These beautifully packaged Kusmi Teas<\/strong> made my mouth water just looking at their gift bags. We got to sample some on site, but I\u2019m most looking forward to sharing some of their fun wellness teas with my amies<\/em>. us.kusmitea.com <\/a><\/p>\n The tea went great with Millie\u2019s Cheesecake<\/strong>, which has the crust on the outside, rather than on the bottom. She offered the basic ones there, but on-line, you can not only choose your flavor cheesecake<\/em>, but one for the crust<\/em>, as well! Add to that the ease with which you can carry these bite-sized treats in your hands, and you have a winner. milliescheesecake.com <\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin for www.ItsNotAboutMe.TV<\/p><\/div>\n The best part of this whole suite is that I saw my old pal, Adam Lambert<\/strong>! He was just as adorable as ever. I hadn\u2019t run into him since his American Idol success and, let me tell you, he has not changed one iota! He\u2019s still exactly the kind, charming, intelligent, not-at-all-full-of-himself, hugely-talented guy he\u2019s been since I first met him at least five years ago.<\/p>\n As soon as he saw me, he threw open his arms and gave me the biggest hug. I love that boy! My only regret is that I didn\u2019t think to take a picture of us together because that day we were both rocking dark hair, (mine was made dark just the day before,) smoky eyes, black-ish nails, and leather boots, and I would have loved to commemorate our twin looks. Oh well. But, no matter how wonderful all the gifts at all the suites were, running into Adam was truly the highlight of my week. Nay–month. Nay-year.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For all the awards shows I\u2019ve attended over the years, Mr. X always got me a limo to go shopping in with my friends, and handed us his credit card. Having someone go to this suite and pull things would have been preferable–to both of us! (I\u2019m <\/em>lazy, and it would have saved him<\/em> many thousands of dollars.)<\/p>\n I was lucky that my appointment over-lapped with that of a former New Best Friend of mine, who\u2019s a stylist, because that added to the fun of my visit.<\/p>\n I did receive one item that I was admiring. It\u2019s a cute little watch, courtesy of Rumba Time<\/strong>, which is the very opposite of the big exotic one that I wore into the suite. With the little light on it, it\u2019s perfect to wear to all the screenings I still have ahead of me before we actors have to vote on the SAG awards. Some of these flicks have me wondering when the end will finally come, (like True Grit<\/em> did last night ) and this watch is just the ticket for that task! rumbatime.com<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking of the SAG Awards, those suites will arrive before I know it, then the ones for the Grammys and the NBA All-Star week-end, both in February, so, if I have any energy left by then, I\u2019ll let you know about all of those. (Don\u2019t worry–I\u2019ll try to rest up a bit before then.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GOLDEN GLOBES SUITES 2011 \u00a0 I returned to LA from a month in New York just in time for the first gifting suites of the new year. Whew! (No matter that some of them were being held on my January 14th birthday–what better way to celebrate???) With the same week including my aforementioned bday, the<\/p>\nROGER NEAL STYLE HOLLYWOOD SUITE<\/h1>\n
\u00a0<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2299-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2299\\"")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2301-150x150.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2301\\"")
<\/a>SECRET ROOM<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2393-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2393\\"")
<\/a>The best visual aid ever <\/em>was found at the Xen-Tan<\/strong> booth, as soon as we entered the room. It was a cute young guy, naked from the waist up, to show-off his tan, of course! At least, I think so because I was too blinded by his abs to notice his tan. xen-tan.com <\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2400-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2400\\"")
<\/a>I ended the day with a gel manicure courtesy of Nubar<\/strong>. Keiko, who has the patience of Job, explained everything about gels as she did my nails. When I went over to the owner afterwards, to tell him how fun the gels are, he told me to go to his site and pick out some polishes that I like for him to send to me. Pick-out some<\/em>??? I\u2019ve never seen so many glorious colors! It\u2019s like a dream come true! I love so many of them. But now that I\u2019ve discovered their gel products, which never chip, how many more times in my life do I have to change my polish? What\u2019s a glamour girl to do? At least, I can line them up in my make-up room, and drool every time I walk in there. bynubar.com <\/a><\/p>\nGBK<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2424-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2424\\"")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2437-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2437\\"")
<\/a>Fun new Nano Dots<\/strong> were front and center here. It\u2019s a great product that you can mold into almost anything you want! As a matter of fact, they set the world record for Largest Magnetic Structure while at the suite. They constructed a giant replica of the Golden Globe made entirely out of the dots. The Dexter\u2019s Laboratory-decked-out guys who manned this section showed me how to make jewelry with them, too. I\u2019m planning to design a diamond ring. Or maybe even a Superbowl one! (As long as the Jets win, that is.) thenanodots.com<\/a><\/p>\nDPA SUITE<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2329-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2329\\"")
<\/a>The item that appeared to be the most popular was the glamorous Star Candy<\/strong> lingerie. I stood at the door of this more private area just drooling over their display, which is like my dream come true–pinks, blues, and purples, sparkles, and even boas. All the panties have clever savings, like \u201cStop Staring\u201d written in sparkly yet comfortable studs on the butt. Mr. X went wild for them! (At home, on me, of course.) I\u2019ll feature some in my Valentine\u2019s Gift Ideas column, too, so I\u2019ll have more deets for you then. starcandyboutique.com <\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2343-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2343\\"")
<\/a>TARA INK. STYLE SUITE<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2348-300x225.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2348\\"")
<\/a>This was not a gifting suite but rather one for stylists to choose gowns, shoes, and jewelry for their clients to wear to the various parties surrounding the Globes. It was at a private location and was very neat and precise and enlightening.<\/p>\n