![\"Matt](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/IMG_2128-e1562833642268.jpg\")
<\/a>Matt Barnes speaking with a sponsor. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n
Because this event was to honor the ESPY Awards, her co-host was former pro basketball player, Matt Barnes, who had been both a Laker and a Golden State Warrior in his long career, and whose\u00a0charity, the non-profit Athletes vs. Cancer, benefitted from a portion of the proceeds. Everyone there seemed happy to meet him.<\/p>\n
This whole day was the easiest, most relaxing Los Angeles experience ever, from beginning to end, including even getting there!<\/p>\n
And \u201cthere\u201d was\u00a0downtown LA\u2019s Casa Vertigo,\u00a0which was a totally new venue to me. I had never even heard<\/em> of it before, (even though it was built in 1926, and has been designated a historical site!,)\u00a0but it turned-out to be fascinating.\u00a0 And very comfortable. Leave it to Tamara to find something so interesting to entertain us.<\/p>\n Casa Vertigo\u2019s personnel were lovely from the get-go. Handsome Orlando greeted us warmly at the entrance, which set us up happily right away. Once inside this multi-level edifice, adorable Darron made us feel totally welcome, and escorted us throughout the day. And then lovely Olga showed us around a bit, including giving us a peek at a fabulous secret theatre that I doubt anyone else got to see. (She was so cute\u2014when I asked for her name, she was worried that she had done something wrong, not realizing I was asking because she had gone above and beyond!)<\/p>\n Part of the action from above. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The entire shebang was tons of fun! My contributing writer, Roz, had also never been to this locale before, nor this particular\u00a0event<\/em>, and she agreed with me about how charming and relaxing it was. She said, \u201cCasa Vertigo is a beautiful \u2018old Hollywood\u2019 type of place. The ballroom we were in is so beautiful and inviting, with lots of open giant windows open. Fresh air is so rare in LA buildings that this was a welcome surprise. It made for a very uplifting vibe.\u201d As to the crux of the actual CannaSpa, she commented, \u201cThe gifts and services were enjoyed by a continuous flow of people who looked very happy to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n Karen Salkin getting a hand massage from Kelly Anne. Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n And I must laud Tamara and Matt for\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0having a DJ there, as so many non<\/em>-club events are wont to do these days, in an effort to appear hip! As much as I love me some great hip-hop jams, I hate it when the organizers of gifting suites feel the need to blast music when we\u2019re all trying to converse and learn about the sponsors\u2019 products!<\/p>\n As the title CannaSpa<\/em> implies, this event featured gifts and services that mostly involved cannabis, with either CBD and THC, in one way or another.<\/p>\n Roz and I were all about the spa services. We began with massages and ended with facials. How can a day out be any better than that?! It cannot. Let us tell you all about them:<\/p>\n (L-R) Cynthia Livingood and Eve Stumpges working on a pair of guests. Photo by Traveling Hands staff.<\/p><\/div>\n Traveling Hands Massage<\/strong>\u2014These massage therapists were set up in a light, breezy room, with each guest receiving his or her choice of a chair or table massage. We both chose table ones, (of course,) mine by Eve Stumpges and Roz\u2019s by Cynthia Livingood. Eve went right to work on my poor broken back, loosening-up all the tension-filled knots she was kind enough to not point-out to me. Roz had a sore hip, and said that Cynthia\u2019s work on it was \u201ctransforming,\u201d and that \u201cThe CBD-infused oils they used on us elevated the healing process.\u201d But the best part of this company is that…they travel to you! \u00a0Roz says, \u201cNow you can stay at home to avoid even more stress from the crazy LA traffic, and have a deep, healing massage at home or your office.\u201d And who would not love\u00a0that<\/em>?! Count us in! \u00a0www.travelinghandsmassage.com<\/a><\/p>\n Adorable Rocio Bonilla giving a guest a facial. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n CannaFaceAesthetics by Rocio<\/strong>\u2014This wonderful aesthetician, Rocio Bonilla, gave facials to the assemblage, in a private area high atop, and overlooking, the ballroom. Even though she was billing the sessions as \u201cmini\u201d ones, they were really pretty complete, without even disturbing our eye make-up! I swear, the next day, somehow, my face looked five pounds thinner! Mr. X said the same thing. I have no idea how Rocio accomplished that! Roz said that she was glad that we saved this experience for last because it was \u201cthe best!\u201d She says that \u201cas my make-up was washed away, the tension in my neck washed away, as well. I think I was in a meditative state as Rocio masterfully applied CBD-infused CannaCreams from Canna Cosmetics Premium CBD Skincare line.\u201d Relaxation and looking better? Just sign us up for more sessions with Rocio! www.rxcannacare.com<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0www.styleseat.com\/eastvaleparlour<\/a><\/p>\n KA Holistic<\/strong>\u2014Kelley Anne (the \u201cKA\u201d in this company name) was doing hand massages for everyone. I was appreciative of that because I had not had my phalanges worked on in my table massage earlier, and this completed my body relaxation for the day.<\/p>\n And these are our favorite products that we discovered at CannaSpa:<\/p>\n In the top left corner, notice Karen Salkin’s pink business card (upside down, of course,) with the beautiful Underground Beach Club one right below it. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Underground Beach Club<\/strong>\u2014Jason, the cute co-founder of this fun clothing line, (whose business card is the most mouth-watering one I\u2019ve ever seen!,) told us that their tops and shorts are mainly for men<\/em> at the current moment. But I pointed-out that girls wear their boyfriends\u2019 shirts all the time, so he agreed that these items of apparel can definitely qualify as unisex. Roz looked over the wares, and tells us, \u201cSummer is perfect timing for discovering this hip beachwear. The pre-shrunk cotton tee-shirts are outstanding in look and feel and here\u2019s the coolest thing\u2026they\u2019re all made in the USA!\u201d I<\/em>\u00a0think the coolest thing is that Mr. X and I can share a sweatshirt from this company! \u00a0www.undergroundbeachclub.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Seven Leaves<\/strong>\u2014This appeared to be one of the most popular sponsors. That\u2019s because they were gifting actual joints<\/em>! Each one comes in its own plastic case, ready to go. Even though I don\u2019t smoke it anymore, I got a kick out of the clever monikers, such as Bon Bons and Bruce Banner.\u00a0 www.sevenleavesca.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Pineapple Express Wellness<\/strong>\u2014This was my favorite company name at the event! Mr. X laughed just reading the moniker. Their main claim-to-fame is their delivery service for\u2026cannabis! Of that, Roz comments, \u201cThis is a fresh idea for people who rely on deliveries to their home or office. You get to skip the drive when you need a supply of the various strains they offer.\u201d To remind us of them, they gave-out little packages containing CBD-infused epsom salts for the bath, full-spectrum CBD tincture, and personal lubricant. Roz adds, \u201cThey even have a rewards program. I\u2019d say the future of cannabis-consumption is here.\u201d www.pineappleexpresswellness.com<\/a><\/p>\n We were thrilled that there were very interesting snacks and creative beverages available all day long. (And they were all\u00a0non<\/em>-infused so\u00a0everyone\u00a0<\/em>could try them, cannabis aficionados and non-indulgers alike.)<\/p>\n Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n Chef Matt<\/strong> served two delicious dishes, one sweet, one savory. The full-size shrimp salad sandwiches were both hearty and light at the same time. And the crowd could not get enough of the sweet<\/em> treats. They were fresh-cooked crepes and waffles, both featuring strawberries and bananas, topped with a drizzle of chocolate. [Pix of the sweet treats are in the big pic at the top of this page.] \u00a0www.chefmattcooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n And Mad Diva Mixology<\/strong> came up with a handful of unique refreshing \u201cfruit-forward\u201d\u00a0 (according to Roz) non-alcoholic drinks, including the Matt\u2019s Mojito which Roz said was \u201cvery minty, and perfect for summer hydration.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0www.maddivaconcierge.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CANNASPA GIFTING SUITE IN HONOR OF THE 2019 ESPYS I\u2019ve been to several events thrown by the lovely Tamara Anderson, who is the CEO of Culinary and Cannabis, and the organizer of this CannaSpa Gifting Suite. So I knew not to miss it, even during my self-imposed exile this week to watch every second of<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>