{"id":33430,"date":"2018-03-16T16:17:59","date_gmt":"2018-03-16T16:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/?p=33430"},"modified":"2018-03-16T16:17:59","modified_gmt":"2018-03-16T16:17:59","slug":"gifting-lounge-gbks-pre-oscars-celebrity-lounge-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/gifting-lounge-gbks-pre-oscars-celebrity-lounge-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"GIFTING LOUNGE: GBK\u2019S PRE-OSCAR\u2019S CELEBRITY LOUNGE 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

GBK\u2019S PRE-OSCAR\u2019S CELEBRITY LOUNGE 2018<\/h1>\n
\"The<\/a>

The entrance to the GBK Oscars Lounge. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of the page, which is the view looking down into the event.<\/p><\/div>\n

This pre-Oscars event was held at the new-ish St. Supery tasting room on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. GBK outdid themselves with this luxurious venue…I felt like I was at the Oscars themselves as soon as we entered!!! My contributing writer on this one, Flo, (whose comments are the ones in quotes throughout,) said it was \u201cabsolutely perfect for the occasion!\u201d She describes the atmosphere as \u201celegant, with grand double-curving stairways and elegant wrought-iron banisters.\u201d I agree–it was three-levels of exquisite-ness. (And I\u2019m sure most of the guests enjoyed the ever-flowing wines, as well!)<\/p>\n

We really didn\u2019t even know where to begin! Everywhere we looked we discovered something new and happening. So, here are the highlights of the GBK gifts:<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Artisan Group<\/strong>\u2013Once again, we were bowled-over by the magnitude and fabulousness of the gifts from this group of uber-talented artisans!!! Each guest received a goodie bag containing over a dozen items, all of which Flo deemed \u201cfit for a star–as well as for the rest of us!\u201d We spent a lot of time looking at the many offerings from different artists, everything \u201ccarefully curated and handmade.\u201d My favorite piece in there was a shock to even me<\/em>, (because it\u2019s not jewelry<\/em>!) It\u2019s a charming, very colorful little zippered pouch from The Art Werks<\/strong>. Even the designer’s business card<\/em> is a \u201cwerk\u201d of art! (www.theartwerks.com<\/a>.) And Flo went ga-ga over a set of teensy-tiny handmade journals, complete with blank pages that suggest you \u201ctest your pens in Sanford\u2019s ink, if you please\u201d from The Nib & Quill<\/strong>. (www.thenibandquill.etsy.com<\/a>.) Here\u2019s some more of the wonderfulness that we found in the bags: Tahmi<\/strong>\u2019s lovely \u201cWoven Rain\u201d pendant whose tiny glass bubbles actually \u201cgive the effect of raindrops\u201d (www.tahmi.com<\/a>); The Vintage Locket<\/strong>\u2019s sparkling tennis bracelet that features \u201clarge Swarovski crystals in a range of shades\u201d (www.thevintagelocket.com<\/a>); a luxury candle (the fragrance of which Flo found to be \u201cuplifting and soothing\u201d) from Mahendi<\/strong>, who donates a portion of all proceeds to charitable women\u2019s organizations across the globe (www.mahendiprojects.com<\/a>); Nature With You<\/strong>\u2019s metal \u201cAtom\u201d pendant, which looks like a scientific version of a Jewish star, which we both appreciated (www.naturewithyou.com<\/a>); Kari Asbury Jewelry<\/strong>\u2019s Victorian-style skeleton key necklace that features varicolored hand-wrapped rhinestones (www.kariasbury.com<\/a>); and very attractive earrings from Dragon and Butterfly<\/strong> that have a lot going on, including silver ovals and little purple crystals (www.dragonandbutterfly.etsy.com<\/a>.) Whew! And it\u2019s all so beautifully packaged and presented to the celebrities. I only hope that they<\/em> appreciate all of this spectacular craftsmanship as much as Flo and I do! www.theartisangroup.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Flo Selfman.<\/p><\/div>\n

Woodchuck USA<\/strong>\u2014This one was a great find! We both adored this company\u2019s reps, John and Michael. (I\u2019m Peter Pan, so now all we need is a Wendy!) Not only do they hand-craft handsome items, (such as notebooks, coasters, journals, even business cards!,) out of thin wood, but they\u2019re kind human beings, as well. Flo noted that \u201ctheir mission is to put nature back into people\u2019s lives.\u201d To that end, for every tree they use, another one gets planted; so far, they\u2019re up to over a million! We talked to the guys for a long time, (because they were so charming that we couldn\u2019t tear ourselves away,) and Flo told me that she so appreciates that Woodchuck USA \u201cbuilds giving back into their business model.\u201d www.woodchuckusa.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Flo Selfman.<\/p><\/div>\n

My Sky Moment<\/strong>\u2014This was something neither of us had ever seen before. Each guest received a personalized poster of a chart showing the heavens at the exact moment of the special occasion of their choice. It\u2019s perfect for a romantic gift, or in my<\/em> case, my favorite date to celebrate with Mr. X. I titled mine \u201cThe Day I Took You Hostage.\u201d I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll enjoy looking up to the heavens in the picture of that date, as he wonders \u201cwhyyyy?\u201d (Said ala Nancy Kerrigan!) www.myskymoment.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

John Kelly Chocolates<\/strong>\u2014Viewers of my former show, Karen\u2019s Restaurant Revue<\/em>, may remember that the give-away we did of this world-class fudge was one of the most requested ever! Since Flo didn\u2019t win one back then, and is a major fudge fan, I was thrilled for her to try these here. She pointed-out that \u201ceach piece is hand-crafted, and generously-sized,\u201d which is such a bonus because you\u2019ll always want more of it! She told me that she equally loved the flavors, including \u201cmilk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate with fillings like truffle and caramel, and some topped with sea salt.\u201d We both think that you should emulate what she\u2019s about to do, and visit both of their two locations \u201cwhen you\u2019re in LA.\u201d www.johnkellychocolates.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Healing Salt Caves<\/strong>–This Canadian wellness centre (which also has a few locations in the eastern United States) was gifting certificates to any of their spas, along with shot glasses that are made out of pure salt, (which I assume means that when you drink from them, you\u2019re doing yourself a favor, and not just getting drunk.)\u00a0 I felt better just walking over to their corner of the room because it was filled with several of their healing salt lamps! www.healingsaltcaves.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Flo Selfman.<\/p><\/div>\n

OG Hot Sauce<\/strong>\u2014Even though \u201cOriginal Gangstas\u201d would love this hot sauce, the \u201cOG\u201d really stands for \u201conion and garlic,\u201d which are the primary ingredients in this thick and zesty hot sauce. (There are peppers in there, too, of course!) Flo tried it right then and there (the mild one\u2014we\u2019re not adventurous tasters,) and said that although it was \u201csurprising to see it paired with fruit\u201d (for the samples,) \u201cit works!\u201d And she deemed it to be \u201cvery tasty!\u201d www.oghotsauce.net<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Woodhouse Spa<\/strong>\u2014This Minnesota spa isn\u2019t in LA yet, so they brought some of their goodies to us<\/em>! Guests were given a choice of a handsome little tin of tea or shea butter hand cream. Flo tried the latter and declared it to be \u201cthe creamiest cream you\u2019ll ever put on your hands!\u201d Now we both hope that they come to our city soon so we can see what they can do for the rest<\/em> of our bodies! www.arborlakes.woodhousespas.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Flo Selfman.<\/p><\/div>\n

Shapa Scale<\/strong>\u2014There\u2019s a lot of data behind this new scale that you sync up to your smart devices, to help you set health goals and meet them. But when the rep mentioned that there\u2019s no read-out<\/em> (for others to see,) I was so happy that I heard nothing after that statement! www.shapa.me<\/a><\/p>\n

As with all GBK events, this one benefitted a couple of charities. They are:<\/p>\n

Gain Foundation<\/strong>\u2014This organization is focused on the admirable task of finding a solution to end malnutrition around the world. www.gainhealth.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Route 91 Strong<\/strong>\u2014This organization was founded by one of the survivors of last year\u2019s tragic shooting in Las Vegas, to help her fellow victims who were not as lucky to escape as she was. www.route91strong.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GBK\u2019S PRE-OSCAR\u2019S CELEBRITY LOUNGE 2018 This pre-Oscars event was held at the new-ish St. Supery tasting room on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. GBK outdid themselves with this luxurious venue…I felt like I was at the Oscars themselves as soon as we entered!!! My contributing writer on this one, Flo, (whose comments are the ones<\/p>\n

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