![\"Photo](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Photo-Jan-05-11-41-49-AM_preview.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n
My new fabulous contributing writer, Patty Onagan, was as overwhelmed as I was by the sheer number of quality gifts at this one!\u00a0 She said, \u201cSecret Room Events introduced me to so many hot new products! I was thrilled to be in the know!\u201d She has two children\u2014eight-year-old Benjie and five-year-old Alexa\u2014so she was especially thrilled to learn about the many children\u2019s gifts on offer.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Some of the “entrance” goodies, with the giant “exit” bags in the background. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Secret Room Events always goes the extra distance for their guests in two very special ways.\u00a0 The first is that as we walk in, there\u2019s always a selection of some special gifts for them right away.\u00a0 But the even better aspect is the humongous goodie bags that many lucky VIPs receive on the way out.\u00a0 The highlights of those contents are at the end of this article.<\/p>\n
But there were many<\/em> highlights between that entrance and exit!!!\u00a0 We could have spent the entire day there!\u00a0 (And just about did<\/em>!) With Patty\u2019s comments being the ones in quotes, here\u2019s what we discovered along the way:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Clayton Shagal<\/strong>\u2014This skin care line from Canada had a beautiful, colorful-yet-classy display, which attracted us right over to them.\u00a0 Their lovely rep gave us the skinny on their\u00a0many collagen-infused products.\u00a0 They\u2019re all made from 99% pure extracted marine collagen, and the entire regimen is very easy to use.\u00a0 Patty tested their Oat Bran Scrub, and said that it\u2019s \u201cboth refreshing and gentle,\u201d and left her skin feeling \u201csoft and smooth.\u201d\u00a0 And I\u2019m adding that their aroma reminds me of being in a high-end spa!\u00a0 www.katra.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Shareen Adair applying individual lashes to a guest who’s wearing their lip mask. Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n I\u00a0Candy Eye Salon<\/strong>\u2014Owner Shareen Adair was on-site doing individual lashes on a few lucky guests.\u00a0 They looked gorgeous on all the lucky recipients, and this girl worked faster than other lash specialists I\u2019ve encountered through the years.\u00a0 Now Patty and I will have to visit one of her several salons around town to get glammed, as well. \u00a0Patty mentioned that she was \u201cintrigued by the little packets that some guests were picking-up at their table.\u201d It turns-out that they were \u201cnewly-created, reusable lip plumpers that you place over your lips like an eye mask!\u201d Fun. www.icandysalon.com<\/a><\/p>\n The discreet spout is under that little tag on the front! Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n PortoVino Wine Purses<\/strong>\u2014These \u201cbrilliant and stylish\u201d handbags and canvas tote bags are the most unique gift I\u2019ve seen in quite some time. They\u2019re real purses, but come with a reusable pouch that you fill with wine (or, in my<\/em> case, water) inside<\/em> and a discrete spout on the exterior<\/em>! So you can easily pour your beverage of choice at any time, with no one knowing! (Of course, I<\/em> would show it off because it\u2019s so special and different.) Patty was attracted to the red and white-striped canvas bag with rope straps, deeming it \u201cthe perfect accessory to carry your favorite vintage when visiting the Hollywood Bowl or the beach,\u201d while traditionalist moi had eyes for only the sturdy leather handbags. www.porto-vino.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Maddy & Maize Gourmet Popcorn<\/strong>\u2014It took\u00a0Mr. X just a few bites of one of these creative flavors to declare, \u201cThis is the best specialty popcorn ever!\u201d\u00a0 I agree, and so do Patty and her fam, all of whom now join us in being fans.\u00a0\u00a0Their fave is the Birthday Cake version.\u00a0 She told me that they could not stop saying, \u201cMmmm!,\u201d\u00a0and added, \u201cIt was a race to put your hand in the bag to get another handful of the delicious buttery, white chocolate, and sprinkles birthday cake popcorn.\u201d\u00a0 I\u2019m saving my<\/em> bag of that one for my upcoming-this-weekend January 14th birthday, although I think my wish that day will be to eat more of their Cookies and Cream flavor!\u00a0 www.maddyandmaize.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Acera Liven<\/strong>\u2014We both noticed how\u00a0beautifully designed\u00a0these\u00a0portable ceramic mugs from Taiwan are.\u00a0 Patty noted that they \u201cmake lovely gifts for the person-on-the\u2013go.\u201d I add\u2014or for anybody who is thirsty and has class and great taste! www.aceraliven.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Mag Lite<\/strong>\u2014Mr. X is a major flashlight fan, so we already have many of this company\u2019s wares in our house. I repeat\u2014many<\/em>! So I was happy for the Secret Room guests to each receive a mini-flashlight from them. Even better, I\u2019m sure it\u2019s a collector\u2019s item because it has a \u201cpatriotic\u201d design on it! www.maglite.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Boyer Clothing<\/strong>\u2014Since little girls\u2019s dresses are more in Patty\u2019s purview than mine, here are her thoughts on this line: \u201cI love Kami Boy\u00e9r\u2019s classically-designed dresses.\u00a0 Her black, sleeveless A-frame linen dress, with a white Peter Pan collar, will make every little girl look like a Audrey Hepburn mini-me from\u00a0Breakfast at Tiffany\u2019s<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0And, for every designer dress you purchase, you also receive a paper doll with a matching dress.\u00a0 If you\u2019re looking for something elegant for your little girl to wear for any<\/em> special occasion, she will absolutely shine in one of these dresses.\u201d www.boyerclothing.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Hadron Epoch<\/strong>\u2014I don\u2019t know if you guys know how much I love paper, colors, and planners, but I do.\u00a0 So, when I saw this stationary and journal company\u2019s lovely, classy display of items right as we walked-in, we ran right over to their table. And what we found did not disappoint.\u00a0 I loved the classy, muted tones of the items, while Patty was taken with their \u201cclean and smart designs.\u201d\u00a0 She said they\u2019d all make \u201cexcellent gifts for your hard-to-shop-for friends,\u201d but I<\/em> would just keep them all for myself! www.hadronepoch.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Townley Girl<\/strong>\u2014Patty brought this gift bag that\u2019s chockfull of fun children\u2019s gifts to her little daughter, who went nuts over the contents.\u00a0 She told me, \u201cAlexa loves the many fun Disney, Emoji, and My Little Pony lip balms, which come in pretty shades of pink, blue, and purple, some with \u201cspecial sparkle. And, the Play Doh bath soaps are the perfect way to get kids to initiate bath time all on their own.\u201d\u00a0 Those of you who know me by now realize that I\u2019m not kidding about this\u2014I wanted the entire contents of the bag for myself<\/em>!\u00a0 I didn\u2019t have children on<\/em> purpose<\/em> so that I wouldn\u2019t have to share my fun items like Townley Girl\u00a0everything<\/em>!\u00a0 www.townleygirl.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Studio 67 Mats<\/strong>\u2014We both loved these colorful floor mats! They\u2019re so beautiful that I wouldn\u2019t even want to put them on the floor<\/em>!\u00a0I\u2019d rather frame them\u00a0and hang\u00a0them on\u00a0a wall. Patty said, \u201cThey\u2019re a fun and personalized way to welcome your guests.\u201d And this company has about\u00a0a zillion patterns to choose from, so they go with all<\/em> decors, even my<\/em> post-modern mess! \u00a0www.studio67mats.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Sophistication Is Overrated<\/em><\/strong>\u2014I\u2019m jealous of these sisters who wrote this entertaining (in both meanings of the word) book, not just because they know how to throw fabulous fetes, (which is what this book is about,) but because they\u2019re sisters who…actually love and appreciate each other!!! I can’t imagine what that would be like.\u00a0 Patty pointed-out that they call themselves \u201cfauxialites,\u201d and the book \u201cshows us how to create unforgettable parties that are ridiculously fun.\u201d I may have to use it for my upcoming January 14th birthday. (But I\u2019ll postpone it a week to have time to read the whole book…and also to see which pals of mine wish me a good day to deserve<\/em> to come to this soiree that should be wonderful if I follow this book\u2019s suggestions! www.sophisticationisoverrated.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Passion Planner<\/strong>\u2014I don\u2019t know if you guys know this about me, but I\u2019m obsessed with appointment books and planning calendars!\u00a0 There\u2019s just something about writing it down, (especially in colored ink,) that is so much more satisfying than having your schedule on a computer.\u00a0 Or even worse\u2014your phone!\u00a0 So I was thrilled to discover this brand of them, whose pages have so much more than just\u00a0dates<\/em>!\u00a0 Patty deemed them \u201ca clever and tangible way to plan your business and personal schedule, plus keep your weekly to-do lists and track your goals all in one book.\u201d\u00a0 I agree!\u00a0 www.passionplanner.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Festive Frolics of Panda and Owl<\/strong><\/em>–Author Frank Lewis wrote this children\u2019s book as a gift for his wife, which is a lovely enough gesture. But then she<\/em> went beyond that, and got it published for him<\/em>! How wonderful! What a dynamic duo! (They now have puzzles of the tale, as well.) www.franklewisbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Tick Key<\/strong>\u2014I\u2019ve been a fan of these handy-dandy\u00a0Tick Removers for awhile, so I was happy to introduce them to Patty.\u00a0 She said, \u201cI hope to never need<\/em> to use my hot pink Tick Key, but it\u2019s good to know that it\u2019s on my key chain should I encounter\u201d one of those nasty bloodsuckers!\u00a0 www.tickkey.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Better Than Average Jellies<\/strong>\u2014This jelly company from New Hampshire had the prettiest display I\u2019ve ever seen at a gifting suite!\u00a0 Their table looked like a Hallmark holiday movie!\u00a0 They were gifting jellies in either Ros\u00e9 or Sangria flavors, which Patty deemed \u201ca lovely alternative to fig spread on a classy cheese plate.\u201d www.betterthanaveragellc.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Morgan Taylor<\/strong>\u2014This nail polish company was gifting a cute little cosmetics bag containing two of their top colors this season. There was also a luggage tag in the shape of a big pink polish bottle, so all of us glamour gals can identify each other on our travels! You know that I\u2019ll<\/em> be using mine on my next trip to the Big Apple! www.morgantaylorlacquer.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Kocostar<\/strong>\u2014This Korean company has\u00a0at-home beauty masks for every condition.\u00a0 Patty wanted to try the one for hair, while the Foot Therapy one was calling my name after spending so much time on my feet perusing this successful lounge!\u00a0 www.kocostarusa.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Mama Taylor’s Treats<\/strong>\u2014They were gifting pretty pink boxes of a four-piece assortment box of \u201cdecadent\u201d fudge.\u00a0 Patty said it\u2019s the \u201cperfect hostess gift, which is sure to get you an invite to your host\u2019s\u00a0next<\/em>\u00a0party.\u201d\u00a0 Being an optics lover, I\u2019m always happy to see that they make the outside of their boxes different each time I meet them.\u00a0 www.mamataylorstreats.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Patty Onagan.<\/p><\/div>\n Go Go Squeeze<\/strong>\u2014Mom Patty told me, \u201cThese convenient applesauce-on-the-go pouches are popular snacks in my home.\u00a0 And I learned a Secret Room tip\u2014put them in the freezer the night before and place in your kid\u2019s lunchbox the next day to keep nice and cold.\u201d\u00a0 www.gogosqueeze.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Nudestix<\/strong>\u2014I\u2019ve written about this beauty pencil company for a few years now\u2014I\u2019m even the one who first suggested to them that they be in a gifting suite to begin with!\u00a0 So I was thrilled to see that they heeded my advice, as I\u2019m sure all the recipients of their two latest pencils were!\u00a0\u00a0Patty was new to this brand in person, even though she had been intrigued by all I\u2019ve written about them in the past.\u00a0 She was afraid that the lip pencils would be \u201cdrying,\u201d as she\u2019s found most matte lipsticks to be.\u00a0 So when she tried one of these, she was happy to discover that it\u2019s \u201cnon-drying\u201d and even \u201cmake your lips feel soft.\u201d www.nudestix.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n So Fruitty<\/strong>\u2014We each got to sample one of the fruit bars from this new line of ice treats.\u00a0 Patty went nuts over the surprising avocado one, saying that it\u2019s \u201ccreamy and delicious.\u201d www.sofruitty.com<\/a><\/p>\n When the VIPs finally left this wonderful event, they received yet more<\/em> gifts conveniently packed in a humongous canvas bag from LL Bean<\/strong>. Does the generosity of Secret Room never end??? And the bags this time had a cute little \u201cLove\u201d tag hanging from them; they must have known that\u2019s how we\u2019d feel about the contents!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>