![\"Oscar](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/IMG_8378-e1488761918526.jpg\")
<\/a>Oscar winner Justin Hurwitz, on the left, speaking with the rep from Jiusko Watches. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
The day I went to GBK, the event was held outside<\/em>, but I was told by friends who attended the day before that on that<\/em> day, it was actually in<\/em> the house. I have a feeling that both locations on the property were equally special.<\/p>\n Actually, as I arrived, I spied two people who won Oscars the next day, actress Viola Davis <\/strong>and composer Justin Hurwitz<\/strong>, so that made the second<\/em> day pretty special, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n When I could finally turn my attention to the gifts, I was happy with those, too. Here are the highlights of what my contributing writer, Alice, and I found there:<\/p>\n Karen Salkin modeling a pair of Jiusko watches, which match her nails! Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Jiusko USA Watches<\/strong>\u2014Speaking of Viola Davis, I was happy to see her walking around rocking one of these super-stylish watches, too. (I<\/em> have been doing it for several months now!) She and I both graduated from the same college, (Rhode Island College,) in the same Theatre Department, with the same advisor and mentor, Dr. P. William Hutchinson, so it was fun to see that our simpatico-ness continues with our timepiece choices. I\u2019m sure that their very pleasant rep, Michael Clouse, helped her make the perfect choice among all the super-attractive styles. www.jiuskousa.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Il Palato Italiano<\/strong>\u2014This Italian food company brought us Michelin Star Chef Fillipo Sinisgalli, who whipped-up several taste treats for the assemblage, including mini meatballs and pasta with lobster. Even better was that they were gifting sumptuous pasta-making kits, so the guests can try to emulate the chef at home. Yeah–good luck with that<\/em> endeavor! (But I\u2019m sure it will be fun to try.) www.ilpalatoitaliano.it<\/a><\/p>\n Aly Daly<\/strong>\u2014This interior designer was on-site, gifting beautiful marble cheeseboards, as well as discussing home d\u00e9cor with each guest. www.alydaly.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Luseta Beauty<\/strong>\u2014As girls with a lot of locks, we were both already familiar with this line of hair care products that are infused with natural ingredients. They were gifting a big box of items from their Argan Oil Ultimate Gold line, which Alice says is good, \u201cespecially if you\u2019re using heat tools often.\u201d www.lusetabeauty.com<\/a><\/p>\n Sports 1 Marketing<\/strong>\u2014I think that many of you know that I\u2019m more obsessed with sports than with anything else, (yes\u2014even\u00a0food<\/em>!,) so when I discovered this company that was co-founded by NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon, and has former Yankee catcher Jim Leyritz as one of its principals, you know I paid attention! To make people at the suite aware of the good work they do, each guest was sent an email with promo codes for several gifts. Fun! (But they already had\u00a0me<\/em>\u00a0at \u201csports.\u201d And at these words on their site: \u201cA prerequisite for projects we work on\u00a0is that there is a benefit to a philanthropic organization or cause.\u201d I say a big \u201camen\u201d to\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0philosophy!)\u00a0www.sports1marketing.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Snarky Tea<\/strong>\u2014I feel that this new-ish tea brand must be following me on Twitter because they gave snarky names to each of their half dozen tea blends! I\u2019m<\/em> always apologizing for my<\/em> snark, but these guys are proud<\/em> of theirs! Actually, their titles aren\u2019t really snark<\/em>, per se; they\u2019re more just how so many of us talk in real life. It might be interesting to start your day with \u201cWake the F**k Up,\u201d and end it with \u201cGet Your A** In Bed.\u201d Couldn\u2019t hurt! www.snarkytea.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Maria Shireen<\/strong>\u2014This jewelry designer came up with something interesting. It\u2019s a beautiful silver bracelet that features a groove on top, which is designed to encase a hair tie! That way you\u2019ll always have one at the ready, without just putting it on your wrist, with no style to speak of. www.mariashireen.com<\/a><\/p>\n Pure Seduction<\/strong>\u2014I was happy to discover this underwear line for men. I really never knew before that men\u2019s underwear comes in so many different styles and patterns! But that makes sense, actually\u2014why should us femmes have all the variety in that category?! But for me, just looking at the pix on their site, to choose a pair for Mr. X, was more than half the fun! www.puresdn.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Hallmark Signature Greeting Cards<\/strong>\u2014Who hasn\u2019t been a fan of Hallmark cards forever?! So, it was icing on the cake to get to choose a couple of items from their special line, entitled Signature, which are embellished with colorful touches. I was already familiar with them, though, and whenever I buy these cards to send to someone, I always also buy the same card for myself because they\u2019re so gorgeous, I just have to keep them around for myself! www.hallmark.com\/signature<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Jeanne Verger Jewelry<\/strong>–This designer creates beautiful natural gemstone bracelets, which have stones meant to manifest something good in your life. For example, she told us the\u00a0deep purple one is symbolic of peace and stability. www.jeannevergerjewelry.com<\/a><\/p>\n Meza Dental<\/strong>–Dr. Alberto Meza, a handsome and pleasant dentist from Costa Rica, was gifting at-home teeth whitening kits, which are touted to give you whiter, brighter teeth in only three days.\u00a0 You know all the Hollywood types in attendance appreciated that<\/em> gift! www.mezadentalcare.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Bopulent Jewelry<\/strong>\u2014This jeweler always brings a smile to my face. He’s never seeking publicity; rather, he just gifts people he likes, and asks for nothing in return! I already wear one of his pretty bracelets every day, a fact he was happy to see. www.bopulent.com<\/a><\/p>\n Karma Beverly Hills<\/strong>\u2014This is a different kind of salon. They have what Alice deems \u201creally cool services,\u201d including permanent make-up and the \u201cLash Lift,\u201d which makes it so daily lash-curling won\u2019t be necessary. Wouldn\u2019t that<\/em> be a pleasure?! www.karmabeverlyhills.com<\/a><\/p>\n Get Naked Fast<\/em><\/strong>\u2014This raw food cookbook, (even though that\u2019s an oxymoron,) written by Diana Stobo, introduces you to what Alice calls \u201ca new way of nutrition and living.\u201d I just thought the title referred to what I always do the second I walk in the door! www.theretreatcostarica.com<\/a><\/p>\n Viola Davis and her daughter, enjoying the day. Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n Burke Williams Spa<\/strong>\u2014We finished the day with chair massages from personnel of this popular LA Spa. I had Ibrahim Dhalla while Susie Navarro worked on Alice. Not only were they wonderful, but to have our kinks worked-out in such a beautiful setting brought home to us how lucky we are to be included in this special week-end for show biz folks. I may never wind-up nominated for an Oscar, but at least events such as these make me feel<\/em> like I am! www.burkewilliamsspa.com<\/a><\/p>\n This year, GBK\u2019s charities were:<\/p>\n Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation<\/strong>\u2014They work on Childhood Diabetes. www.sugarrayleonardfdn.org<\/a><\/p>\n Reach Up Reach Out<\/strong>–This non-profit helps Ugandan orphans and widows. www.reachupreachout.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK OSCARS SUITE 2017 GBK surprised us once again with their venue for their Oscars Gifting Suite. This time it was on the grounds of a beautiful home high up in the actual hills of Beverly Hills. I even loved the drive up there because it went right past Sammy Davis, Jr.\u2019s home, where I<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>