{"id":40484,"date":"2019-06-27T17:29:46","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T17:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/?p=40484"},"modified":"2019-06-27T23:38:41","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T23:38:41","slug":"gifting-lounges-rafi-gift-lounge-the-official-gift-lounge-of-the-2019-bet-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/gifting-lounges-rafi-gift-lounge-the-official-gift-lounge-of-the-2019-bet-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"GIFTING LOUNGES: RAFI GIFT LOUNGE\u2014THE OFFICIAL GIFT LOUNGE OF THE 2019 BET AWARDS"},"content":{"rendered":"

RAFI GIFT LOUNGE\u2014THE\u00a0OFFICIAL GIFT LOUNGE OF THE 2019 BET AWARDS<\/h1>\n
\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n

As many of you know by now, between my former television show, my various columns on other websites, and this<\/em> e-zine, I\u2019ve covered more gifting suites than just about anyone else over the years! I\u2019ve written about hundreds of them here on INAM alone!<\/p>\n

But, until this one of Rafi\u2019s for the BET Awards, I had attended only one other official<\/em> gift lounge for any event. That one was for the NBA All-Star game a few years back, and it was held at the same venue, the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles, as this<\/em> one for the BET Awards. But Rafi\u2019s was my first for an awards<\/em> show, so I thank him for that.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The DJ and Karen Salkin rocking their matching attire! Great minds…Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n

The event took place in the Gold Room at the hotel, and was set-up beautifully! There were colorfully-pillowed couches and perfect-height tables for relaxing in-between all the action, and there was just the right amount of room to walk around and be comfortable in.<\/p>\n

My contributing writer on this one, Roz Wolf, remarked, \u201cThis was a great gifting suite! It had a very hip and festive party vibe. Everyone was dancing, at one point or other, to the constant upbeat sounds from the DJ. It made the whole room feel alive.\u201d I hadn’t moved and grooved so much since my\u00a0days of\u00a0running hip-hop clubs, and it all brought back such happy memories for me. (And I was glad that I didn\u2019t have to stay out until the wee hours to enjoy Rafi\u2019s event!)<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/a>

Mike Colter and lounge host, Rafi Anteby. Photo by Denni Christopherson.<\/p><\/div>\n

There were many guests who were involved with the BET awards themselves, and I noticed one particularly handsome man. It turned-out to be Mike Colter<\/strong>, whom I used to be scared of, (while admiring his beauty at the same time,) when he was the baddie, Lemond Bishop, on\u00a0The Good Wife<\/em>. And while I was getting my hair cut, Justina Adorno<\/strong>, (from one of my favorite new summer TV series, Grand Hotel<\/em>,) stopped by to chat with the guy who was also having his hair worked on at the same time. (And, of course, Rafi, whom I first met because he\u2019s the designer of the Bullets4Peace<\/strong> jewelry line, was the biggest celeb there!)<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

You know I love a lounge that feeds us, so I was happy to see that, contributing to that party atmosphere, there was very attractive all-day food! I so appreciated that they changed-up the menu as the day went along. Roz describes it all like this: \u201cThe bites they served were perfect! We started off with breakfast nibbles of tiny croissants and cute little palm-of-your-hand-sized crumble cakes.<\/p>\n

\"These<\/a>

These are the HUE hair products I tell you about below. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Later on, they brought out a delightful display of afternoon treats. All were delicious.\u201d That fare was several interesting dips, along with pita triangles and all kinds of interesting long crackers to scoop them up with. I\u2019m sure the vegans in the crowd were happy to see that there were some for them, such as basic hummus and one with sun-dried tomatoes, but there was also one with bacon and a hot crab and cheese dip for the rest of us. And sodas, sparkling water, and coffee and tea were on-hand at all times.<\/p>\n

But, as usual, most of the guests were there to check-out the gifts! So here are the highlights of what we found at Rafi\u2019s official gift lounge for the BETs:<\/p>\n

\"Allen<\/a>

Allen McMurren, about to trim an unnecessarily nervous Karen Salkin’s hair! Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n

HUE For Every Man<\/strong>\u2014This hair care company from New York gifted their shampoo for men\u2019s diverse hair types, which Roz says \u201csmells great\u201d and should \u201cdefinitely be popular.\u201d So now us gals don\u2019t have to share our<\/em> shampoo with the guys anymore! And I\u2019m happy that they also make a sheet mask specifically for a man\u2019s skin, because I always hide my masks from Mr. X. But even better than both of those discoveries is that Hue had hairstylists on hand for touch-ups and even the works! So, adorable Allen McMurren<\/strong>…cut my hair! Yes, folks, I did<\/em> allow someone to trim it! And he was meticulous about it\u2014this was no quickie job, let me tell you. And, true story here, when my bestie Marc picked me up for an event later that night, and saw me just walk in front of his car, he said, \u201cYou\u2019re hair looks so good! It\u2019s moving beautifully. Did you cut off an inch or two?!\u201d I\u2019ve been making it sway ever since! So, a major<\/em> thank you to both Allen and Hue! (I guess that makes this company also for every woman<\/em>, on occasion!) www.hueforeveryman.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"These<\/a>

These trinkets were so popular, that these were all that were left when we finally took the pix! Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n

Yael Designs<\/strong>\u2014I couldn\u2019t get over to this table of beautiful jewelry fast enough! I loved everything on it! All the items were crafted of sterling silver and I believe zirconia. I was so intrigued that I took a look at the designer’s website, which features all gorgeous high-end<\/em> pieces, with the real<\/em> jewels! But honestly, I was in love with the delicate earrings and pendants that he was gifting at the lounge. I have no idea how anyone chose among all the beautiful pieces! I wanted them all! www.yaeldesigns.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

JKimm by Concrete Rain<\/strong>\u2014Since this jewelry designer, Julie Gibbs, was one of the hits of Rafi\u2019s Oscars<\/em> lounge earlier this year, I was thrilled to see her sunshiny self at this one, too. She was gifting each guest a choice of her lovely and colorful bracelets, of which Roz said, \u201cHer designs are all brilliant and different; she was offering a truly beautiful selection at the lounge.\u201d She especially loved one that featured \u201ca bright and bold purple amethyst.\u201d And I<\/em> was drawn to them all, especially the sparkly ones! But my absolute fave was one with silver beads between blue tiger eye stones. It was just gorg<\/em>! www.jkimm.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

Alpha Wolves Swimwear<\/strong>\u2014This gorgeous swimwear is just launching next month, so I was thrilled to be among the first people to view the line in person, ahead of their website starting-up! All the monotone bikinis, in classy muted and gold hues, looked and felt truly luxurious! Now if only I had a trim body like the pretty designer, I\u2019d be all set to rock her creations! Maybe the desire to wear one of her bathing suits will actually give me something to start working-out for! (And if you just have to learn more right now, look for this line all over social media platforms, so you can be one of Alpha Wolves\u2019 first fans, as well!)<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

Grindstone Universal<\/strong>\u2014Each guest received his or her choice of one of the hip caps or tees from this urban fashion company. Since Mr. X has been krump dancing for so long, I\u2019ve become an expert in the appropriate headwear and tee-shirts, so I know that everyone at this lounge will enjoy rocking these new gifts! www.grindstoneuniversal.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

Bogavia<\/strong>\u2014Roz says that this company\u2019s strengthening shampoo and conditioner are \u201cthe perfect hair care for summer, when you know that harsh pool chemicals, and intense sun even moreso, will really destroy your tresses.\u201d She adds they \u201csmell fresh and clean.\u201d And who doesn’t want strong, fresh-fragranced hair?! www.bogavia.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The girls were moving too quickly for anything but a blurry pic! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Nuzuna Zone Fitness<\/strong>\u2014I saw some in-shape girls doing some impossible body positions on the floor right in front of me, so, of course, I had to learn more. Roz paid attention, too, and tells us, \u201cThis is the future of fitness! Their revolutionary Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is used to unlock your full potential for a work-out.\u201d We both can\u2019t wait for this concept to branch-out from their current Costa Mesa location into greater Los Angeles, so we can try it out. I\u2019m sure all the guests feel the same way, due in part to the generous certificate of a free private session with a one-year membership that each person received. www.nuzunafit.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n

Gloria Hincapie Body Contour Art<\/strong>\u2014We were both very interested to learn about this new technique in body fat removal. Roz said, \u201cThe fat is gonna go by-bye with this hands-on approach to it.\u201d They gave everyone a gift certificate for three complimentary sessions, which is perfect right now because, as Roz points-out, \u201cSwimsuit season is upon us!\u201d www.gloriahincapie.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

Neft Vodka<\/strong>\u2014They set-up their own little mini-bar at the far end of the room, with petite glasses filled with their vodka for easy sampling. You all know I don\u2019t drink, but Roz said it was \u201csimply delicious.\u201d We both oohed and aahed over the adorable barrel packaging, which Roz says \u201cis so different, you\u2019ll want to display this on a home bar as a conversation starter!\u201d Even teetotaler moi<\/em> can get behind that fun visual! www.neftvodkaus.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

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

Happy Doggies<\/strong>\u2014This local doggie daycare gifted certs for a few nights of overnight boarding, walking services, or training. After speaking with their rep, Roz deemed this \u201ca great place for the four-legged members of your family,\u201d whose comfort we all know is the most important to us! www.happy-doggies.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

RAFI GIFT LOUNGE\u2014THE\u00a0OFFICIAL GIFT LOUNGE OF THE 2019 BET AWARDS As many of you know by now, between my former television show, my various columns on other websites, and this e-zine, I\u2019ve covered more gifting suites than just about anyone else over the years! I\u2019ve written about hundreds of them here on INAM alone! But,<\/p>\n

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