{"id":40715,"date":"2019-07-12T17:21:52","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T17:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/?p=40715"},"modified":"2019-08-08T22:07:40","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T22:07:40","slug":"gifting-lounge-gbks-2019-espys-gifting-lounge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/gifting-lounge-gbks-2019-espys-gifting-lounge\/","title":{"rendered":"GIFTING LOUNGE: GBK’S 2019 ESPYS GIFTING LOUNGE"},"content":{"rendered":"

GBK’S 2019 ESPYS GIFTING LOUNGE<\/h1>\n
\"Photo<\/a>

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

I\u2019m so glad that GBK held their recent gifting lounge, which was in honor of the ESPYs, at the La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood because that was my introduction to the venue. GBK has always opened my eyes to new places, and I so appreciate their variety.<\/p>\n

The event took place on the rooftop, both outdoors on the sunny artificial-turfed patio, where the bar and perfect buffet were set up, and in a long party room, where all the gifts were. Despite the high heat that day, everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. We all bonded over the summer conditions, which the very in-shape athletic guests did not seem to be bothered by at all.<\/p>\n

\"Norm<\/a>

Norm Nixon and Karen Salkin. Photo by Roz Wolf.<\/p><\/div>\n

Speaking of athletes, there were lots of sports celebs at GBK\u2019s lounge on this day before the ESPYs. I spied several, but the one I really enjoyed speaking with for a bit is former Laker, Norm Nixon<\/strong>, (who has been married forever to performer Debbie Allen! That actually impresses me more than his successful basketball career\u2014I love a longtime show biz couple!!!)<\/p>\n

My contributing writer on this one is Roz, who also enjoyed the entire experience. She said, \u201cThe\u00a0 rooftop location afforded us a fantastic view of the nearby hills of Hollywood. It was like walking around in the clouds, where air is fresh and rarified. Speaking of rarified, we noticed many great-looking guys and gals steadily joining in the fun. I especially enjoyed seeing so many athletes and their toned bods. The inside-outside set-up of the lounge provided a lot of legroom for everyone to flex and feel very comfortable together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Part<\/a>

Part of the lovely buffet. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

By the way, I must laud the La Peer Hotel<\/strong> itself for the delicious food!\u00a0 It was all spot-on for the health-conscious guests, especially the vegan and vegetarian choices. \u00a0The generous buffet included two different kinds of hummus; a cheese and charcuterie platter, which featured Marcona almonds and dried fruits; and not one, but three<\/em> creative salads. And, for those of us who needed our sugar fix, (I\u2019m definitely raising my hand on this one,) there were the most scrumptious brownies and cookies. And I totally appreciated that each dish had a sign, telling us just what it is! In addition to all that, their pleasant rep from the hotel gifted everyone a gift certificate for a one-night stay which includes dinner at their restaurant, Viale Dei Romani. If that eatery’s chow is as fabu as this buffet was, I know where Mr. X and I will be heading if our AC goes on the fritz this summer!\u00a0 www.lapeerhotel.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

Now here are the highlights of the rest of the gifts, every single one of which was new to me, as well!:<\/p>\n

LA Smash Cakes<\/strong>\u2014I love the tagline for these\u00a0cake\u00a0<\/em>pi\u00f1atas\u2014\u201cMake your next cake a\u00a0hit<\/em>!\u201d Because, it turns-out, it\u2019s not made of actual\u00a0cake; it\u2019s all just\u00a0chocolate<\/em>! The ones I saw at the lounge were so gorgeous that I\u2019d rather bronze<\/em>\u00a0them, (to keep them forever,) than smash them to bits, but I think that most others will love doing just that, especially because they\u2019re filled with more candy. And, unlike\u00a0regular<\/em>\u00a0pi\u00f1atas, you get to eat all the broken bits! What a fun treat this is\u2014it will truly be the\u00a0hit<\/em>\u00a0of every party! \u00a0www.lasmashcakes.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

IFGfit<\/strong>\u2014This one was the find of the lounge! Roz deems this \u201cvery stylish\u201d tee-shirt, which helps one\u2019s posture, to be \u201crevolutionary\u201d and a \u201cbrilliant idea.\u201d That\u2019s because of its invisible anti-slouching technology, (which gives this apparel the designation of \u201cFDA medical device!\u201d) Mr. X actually has one, (he\u2019s a krump dancer, so he\u2019s hunching-over for a good part of each day or night,) and he said this shirt really helps stop that bad tendency! He said he can feel it correcting his posture without being annoying. And the shirts are so attractive! I know way too many people who slouch, and I\u2019m always having to stop myself from pulling their shoulders back.\u00a0 Do you think giving these shirts to them would be a more subtle hint?\u00a0\u00a0www.ifgfit.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

Silent Mode<\/strong>\u2014We were fascinated by this item! I\u2019ve always had trouble meditating because I can\u2019t calm my mind down enough. (I think regular INAM<\/em> readers have already figured that out!) And this product is designed to help with that situation, which is good because I feel that everybody\u00a0<\/em> should meditate! Roz explains the entire concept to us: \u201cYou cover your eyes with the included noise-and-light-reducing, large, soft, and very comfortable headband. Then you connect to the accompanying app on your smartphone, and dial in the level of meditation or relaxation you desire. You can choose a five-minute focus period or a ten-minute relaxation or even just a twenty-minute power nap!\u201d Guess what? I\u2019ll\u00a0<\/em>be choosing them\u00a0all<\/em>!!!\u00a0\u00a0www.silentmode.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The kit, with a before-and-after on the sneaker bottoms. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

ReShoeVn8r<\/strong>\u2014Tennis player Roz says, \u201cThis is one of the most unique ideas I\u2019ve seen lately. I know first-hand how filthy your tennis shoes can get, so I can attest to that this very easy laundry system for sneakers is perfect for everybody<\/em>, especially the sports crowd.\u201d The helpful kit includes the cleanser, a special brush to use with it, a petite laundry bag, and a pair of shoe trees to keep the shape of your kicks after laundering them. With white shoes being all the rage these days, this should come in handy for all athletes. And<\/em> hipsters! www.reshoevn8r.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

Beauty Pulse<\/strong>\u2014This skin care line that features CBD in its products was gifting a Madagascar Pear body cream which Roz sampled on-site, and admired that it is \u201cgoes on really smoothly\u201d and \u201cis non-greasy.\u201d Each guest also received an under-the-tongue tincture in a choice of mango chai, cappuccino, or butterscotch flavors. I\u00a0appreciated that in each gift bag was\u00a0a card explaining the benefits of CBD. Who knew there are five types of CBD?! I don’t think anyone<\/em>, outside of the Beauty Pulse peeps! www.beautypulse.shop<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

Shanti Hot Yoga<\/strong>\u2014We loved speaking with the rep from this yoga studio in Culver City. She explained that even though the name says \u201chot<\/em>\u00a0yoga,\u201d they have classes in warm and normal temperatures, as well. I\u2019m sure all the body-and-health-conscious guests in the lounge were happy to receive a gift certificate for a month of unlimited use. With a gift like this one, Roz says, \u201cThe heat is on for a better body!\u201d Clever.\u00a0 www.shantihotyoga.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

PFB Vanish<\/strong>\u2014This solves a problem I didn\u2019t even know existed!\u00a0 Roz explains that this company\u2019s roll-on is \u201ca really cool product that helps to soothe skin irritations caused by shaving, including bumps and ingrown hairs.\u201d The rep told us that the product also lightens dark spots, which Roz greets as \u201cwelcome news, because she feels that \u201cthe summer heat certainly doesn\u2019t make body skin care any easier.\u201d www.pfbvanish.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

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

GBK always chooses a charity to benefit from a portion of the proceeds, and this time it was Etta<\/strong>, which provides programs and services to enable people with disabilities to live full and independent lives. Their reps were at the lounge, telling guests about their upcoming casino night, which Roz says \u201clooks like a lot of fun and is certainly for a good cause.\u201d They gifted everyone a set of lovely note cards, which are painted by their differently-abled\u00a0clients, making them the most cherished gift in my eyes.\u00a0\u00a0www.etta.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GBK’S 2019 ESPYS GIFTING LOUNGE I\u2019m so glad that GBK held their recent gifting lounge, which was in honor of the ESPYs, at the La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood because that was my introduction to the venue. GBK has always opened my eyes to new places, and I so appreciate their variety. The event<\/p>\n

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