![\"Karen](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_14261-e1546975943468.jpg\")
<\/a>Karen Salkin and Anna Trebunskaya deep in conversation. Wonder what they were discussing. Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n
My co-writer, Nina, (whose comments are the ones in quotes throughout,) had never attended one of their events before, and found it all to be \u201cvery festive\u201d and \u201ccelebratory.\u201d She was even impressed with the \u201clovely\u201d hotel itself, and got a kick out of Secret Room Events giving us bags of popcorn on the way in. She said it was \u201ca wonderful, friendly way to invite guests in, while getting them in the movie-and-television-watching Golden Globes mood.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the highlights of the day for me was meeting Dancing With The Stars<\/em> pro, Anna Trebunskaya<\/strong>. She was even more adorable in person than she is on TV! (And that\u2019s pretty adorable!) We chatted for a long time, where she even broke-out her fake Brooklyn accent in honor of the origins of yours truly. And we bonded over how hot her husband is! (My<\/em> words, not hers, though she totally agreed.) He was carrying their new baby in a chest pouch, which made him even more<\/em> attractive.<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n So, now, in honor of Anna, I\u2019ll begin the highlights of the Secret Room Events gifts with a couple that she highly recommended to me, and then we\u2019ll go from there:<\/p>\n Minute Relief<\/strong>\u2014Anna told me about this pain-relief spray, and trust me, dancers know the best stuff in that<\/em> category!!! My broken back can\u2019t wait to try it. Nina admitted that she \u201coften ignores\u201d helping-out her sore muscles with the usual creams because she doesn\u2019t like getting them on her hands. So for her, \u201cThe spray bottle applicator of this product is very appealing.\u201d www.minuterelief.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Adonia Organics<\/strong>\u2014This beauty company was gifting two products, which I\u2019m sure everyone appreciated. First up was the Self-Tan Body Foam, which Anna said does not get sticky, (which is such a plus in the world of ballroom dance!) And Nina deemed the Peptide 10 to be a \u201cface lift in a jar,\u201d and added, \u201cIn a room full of people who are concerned about showing signs of aging (as one might expect at a show business event,) I\u2019m sure this product was completely gone before the lounge was even over!\u201d I agree.\u00a0 www.adoniaorganics.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Buckle Me Coats<\/strong>\u2014This one is brilliant! I don\u2019t even have<\/em> kids, but I totally recognize the genius of this uber-useful apparel, not to mention how adorable the jackets themselves are. Both of us were drawn right over to their colorful and adorable display. I believe the story is that children are not supposed to wear puffy outerwear in car seats, for safety issues. The seat belts need to fit tighter than normal jackets and coats allow, but these Buckle Me ones are just right. Nina, who\u2019s not a mom, either, but has a baby nephew in Alaska, said, \u201cThe design of these jackets is perfect,\u201d and I add for both safety and<\/em> fashion. I was drooling over the pink one with cupcakes lining.\u00a0 I wonder if they can make it in a large! Okay, okay\u2014make that an extra<\/em>-large. www.bucklemecoats.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n Camouflage Cellulite Body Liners<\/strong>\u2014As we learned from the arrivals at the awards show the other night, you don\u2019t need to be in a bathing suit for your cellulite to show. So we were happy to discover this shapewear that covers it for you under clingy clothing. They\u2019re high-waisted, so, as Nina noted, \u201cThey cover and smooth everything from the ankles\u201d (or above\u2014you can leave the bottoms at either length) \u201call the way up to the bra line!\u201d\u00a0 Now we can\u2019t wait until the Oscars to try to figure-out just which stars are rocking these versatile underwear items! www.camouflagecellulite.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Silver Stork<\/strong>\u2014As a big believer in subscription boxes, to try out a bunch of interesting items at once, this was a new one for me. I often get the beauty products ones, but this Aussie company is filling a very underserved niche\u2014they make one for moms<\/em>! Both new ones and moms-to-be. How fun. I got a peek inside a few, and the contents are fabulous. And, best of all, they curate them specially for each recipient! That\u2019s a lot of work, but I\u2019m sure it\u2019s all very appreciated by mothers everywhere. www.silverstork.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n Sun Soaker<\/strong>\u2014Boy, were these Flexible Solar Kits the hit of this lounge! The main component is a thin, flexible, very portable, roll-up panel, which you leave out in the sun, and then it charges your phone, tablet, bluetooth speakers, and more! While it\u2019s a handy item for everyone<\/em> these days, Nina pointed-out that it would be an especially<\/em> good gift for campers and fishermen! (Wait\u2014fisherman? How did a young girl from Los Angeles come up with that<\/em> one?!) www.sun-soaker.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n Lelo<\/strong>\u2014Nina explained that these pretty pink vibrators \u201cuse sonic waves and pulses to stimulate the entirety<\/em> of lady parts\u2013 not just the external,\u201d which I\u2019m sure all the female guests will be happy about. She made me laugh by adding, \u201cAlso, it\u2019s waterproof, so bath-time is not out of the question.\u201d www.lelo.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Baroque & Rose<\/strong>\u2014This make-up artist from Malta (which means that she and I have a lot to talk about\u2014I lived there for half a year many moons ago, and love that place!,) was gifting her little Instant Beauty & Detox Kits. Since it\u2019s marketed as being \u201cunisex,\u201d Nina said, \u201cI never thought to make face masks a date night activity, but why not? This brand is all about making spa fun a co-ed activity, and I love that.\u201d \u00a0www.baroqueandrose.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Shore Bags<\/strong>\u2014I noticed a guest carrying a really attractive tote bag, so I was very pleased to discover that the company was one of the sponsors that day! As reusable-bag-women, (which everyone must<\/em> be in this busy world,) we both went nuts over these \u201ctough and durable,\u201d yet still attractive bags, which come in all shapes and sizes. Nina said, \u201cThey\u2019re like the heavy canvas work bags that sailors and fisherman use. And I love the leather handles!\u201d She added, \u201cApparently, they can be custom-made, with whatever you like printed on them, which is pretty cool.\u201d How about one that states \u201cIt\u2019s Not About Me, But It Really Is,\u201d like my business cards say?!\u00a0 www.shorebags.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Relaxium Sleep<\/strong>\u2014As someone who never sleeps anymore, but is wary of sleeping pills, I was happy to learn about this non-prescription supplement that should help in that category. A neurologist from Florida developed them along with a different formula for calmness. I\u2019m sure all the guests in this\u2014how shall I put it–high-energy<\/em> town were happy to receive both<\/em>! www.tryrelaxium.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n Heather Chapplain<\/strong>–This garment designer was gifting little denim purses, which she makes out of recycled clothing. Nina was especially taken with the concept, saying, \u201cI love that Heather takes pieces of your own languishing apparel to create a one-of-a-kind item that is meaningful and exciting to wear.\u201d She could outfit an entire army<\/em> if she used all the clothing I<\/em> have sitting around being wasted! www.heatherchapplain.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Pure Trim<\/strong>\u2014Nina pointed-out that these \u201cquick and easy-to-make Mediterranean wellness shakes offer twenty-one grams of protein, while still being vegan.\u201d All I<\/em> care about is that they\u2019re touted to help you lose weight. What better way to start-off the year?!\u00a0 www.puretrim.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n Wet<\/strong>\u2014Nina, who is so much more adventurous than moi, tasted several of these flavored lubricants, and said they\u2019re all \u201creally good!\u201d She especially admired that they\u2019re paraben-free, which she deemed \u201ccool.\u201d She said, \u201cI\u2019ve always thought it strange that so many chemicals are in typical lubricants.\u201d I had no idea that people even read those packages! But now you<\/em> don\u2019t have to because Nina did it for you. www.stayswetlonger.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Anne Neilson Home<\/strong>\u2014This artist and author was gifting something artistic, of course! Each bag contained a little journal with an angel on it, which Nina said is \u201cgood to write down little prayers you have,\u201d along with a small candle which \u201csmells quite lovely.\u201d But both of our favorite touch in the gift bag is that they included a box of matches for the candle, with the same angel painted in it! Now that\u2019s<\/em> a matchbox! Nina said that one tiny artistic box \u201cadds a sweet bit to home d\u00e9cor.\u201d www.anneneilsonhome.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Charming Cheaters<\/strong><\/em>\u2014Dr. Nicole Kelly surprised us by, immediately upon meeting us, asking if we had ever met a charming sociopath. It turned-out that she<\/em> has, and wrote this book about the awful experience. Nina lauded her, saying that \u201crather than focusing on revenge in action, writing is certainly a healthier option.\u201d www.nicolekellymd.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Secret Celebrity<\/strong>\u2014This housewares company (which is not to be confused with moi<\/em>, whose social media platforms are all Major<\/em> Celebrity!,) was gifting interesting black candles, and also displaying their other beautiful wares, which were some of the very first items that caught our eyes on the way into the event. www.secretcelebrity.net<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Dandy Blend<\/strong>\u2014Since, as many of you already know, I detest the taste of coffee, I\u2019ll let Nina take this one on her own. She tells us, \u201cThis is an a herbal coffee substitute that boasts some similarities to coffee. It\u2019s so delicious with a splash of coconut milk. I love the nutty, rich flavor. I really want to try sprinkling this powder over some vanilla ice cream,\u201d as I\u2019m sure everyone in New England will want to do\u2014they love all things coffee flavor over there! www.dandyblend.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Nina Herzog.<\/p><\/div>\n Bare Nature<\/strong>\u2014We enjoyed tasting these beverages, with Nina commenting, \u201cThese juices and iced teas are yummy, and I love that they\u2019re filled with vitamins. There are sweet, delicious options made with sugar, and also stevia-sweetened versions of the same flavors.\u201d www.vinkandberi.com<\/a><\/p>\n On the way out, the VIPs received one of Secret Room Events\u2019 signature gigantic goodie bags, bursting at the seams with multiple fun items. This one was perhaps their biggest one ever!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>