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<\/a>The veggie buffet. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Patty Onagan is my contributing writer on this one. She had never been to a GBK event before, and commented, \u201cThe GBK Gifting Lounge had a super cool vibe atop the chic and beautiful La Peer Hotel. It was such a treat to take in the 360 degree view of Los Angeles along with our city’s perfect weather. Gavin Keilly and his staff go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience, from their greeting\u00a0at the check-in table to assisting with holding your gift bags to all the great sponsors. I love events that have a \u2018guest-first\u2019 philosophy!\u201d<\/p>\n
Patty and How To Get Away With Murder<\/em>\u2019s Esai Morales<\/strong>\u00a0had worked together in the past,\u00a0so they were all hugs when they ran into each other here. (I\u2019ve made his acquaintance previously, as well, but only briefly, so I was also happy to see him here again.) I swear\u2014that handsome man never ages!!!<\/p>\n Bruce Dern. Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n We were\u00a0also interested to see Oscar nominee, Bruce Dern<\/strong>, chilling-out in an oversized chair right next to us. I actually had lunch with this Hollywood legend a couple of years ago, and let me tell you\u2014that man is sharp. He still remembers my boyfriend from an encounter decades<\/em> ago!<\/p>\n As you know, I love a gifting lounge that gives me a helper to assist with the bags and the introductions, and this time, we were lucky enough to get uber-pleasant Jesse Gutierrez, an aspiring screenwriter with whom Patty and I both hope to work one day.<\/p>\n Jesse\u2019s assistance freed us up to be able to interact with all of GBK\u2019s sponsors in a much more relaxed way than usual, which we really appreciated. So let\u2019s get right to our gift discoveries there. Here are the highlights:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Genius Pipe<\/strong>\u2014These stunning and classy new-age water-pipes made me sad that I stopped smoking marijuana over four years ago! (It will actually be four and a half years this week-end. Wow.) My mouth was watering<\/em> over them. Patty says, \u201cThis is to all you modern day cannabis\u00a0users–you cannot be seen smoking without the beyond-cool Genius pipe. These sleek and slender pipes are beautifully-designed, and well, exactly like their name says, they’re genius<\/em>!\u201d The only conundrum is whether to go with the classic-look model, or with one of their creative and crazy designs! I say\u2014choose both<\/em>! \u00a0www.geniuspipe.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Super Dentists<\/strong>\u2014While this dentist, Kami Hoss, and I just compared our blue eyes, Patty got down to the nitty-gritty of his gifts, which were most generous. She says, \u201cI wish he had been a dentist when I<\/em> was a kid! He was on-hand with a big smile, sharing not only how to get kids to brush and floss, but the importance of understanding how \u2018your mouth is the gateway to your body, and is the most critical organ for extending your years.\u2019 To help with that, he created The Super Dentists musical toothbrushes; research shows that children\u2019s brushing time significantly increases when using musical toothbrushes.\u201d One of the other gifts in his generous gift bag was an adult<\/em> Sonicare toothbrush, so I asked if he also treats grown-ups. His answer? Only if his kid patients invite their parents! I love that. (Now I have to find a child to pose as mine<\/em>!) www.thesuperdentists.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Zuzu Kim<\/strong>\u2014We really enjoyed meeting this beautiful designer from New York, and seeing her lovely bow tie designs. Patty explains, \u201cZuzu creates the most adorable and stylish couture bow ties for both people and<\/em> pets. This is a perfect, handmade gift for your friend who has everything, including a dog! We both agreed that it\u2019s a \u201cwonderful way for pet owners and their furry friends to dress wearing matching couture ties, especially for a fun photo shoot.\u201d But you don\u2019t even need a dog<\/em> to rock one of these with\u2014you\u2019ll be cool with one all on your own. www.zuzukim.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n AKA Cosmetic<\/strong>\u2014This company was gifting a choice of their eyelash conditioner or lip-plumping serum. Patty smoothed a small amount of the latter on her lips and marveled, \u201cI can\u2019t believe how quickly my lips looked fuller!\u201d Now I<\/em> want to try it, especially because Patty added, \u201cAnd it leaves a pretty sheen on your lips, too.\u201d www.akacosmetic.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Go Easel<\/strong>\u2014I ran over to this table because I saw two very handsome guys, Gideon and Jaron, repping the product. They turned-out to be the sons of the creator of this clever artist’s tool, Rick Alonzo. The item is a plastic water bowl on which you can balance either a big or small easel, with both vertical and horizontal spaces for your brushes. Patty exclaimed, \u201cThis all-in-one art product makes painting easy!\u201d I\u2019m glad she paid attention to how to use it because you just know that I paid more attention to…the boys! www.goeasel.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n New England Hemp Farm<\/strong>\u2014This Connecticut-based CBD company, which is family-owned, was featuring their product line of tinctures, liquid capsules, and topical creams. The uber-pleasant rep showed them all to us, and we were both most interested in their roll-on pain relief gel. Patty tried some on and declared it to be “an effective choice in dealing with aches and pains, and joint stiffness.” Now I want to pay a visit to the farm the next time I\u2019m on the East Coast.\u00a0www.newenglandhempfarm.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Wish Man<\/strong><\/em>\u2014We were both honored to meet retired lawman Frank Shankwitz, who, along with his wife, Kitty, and a few other kind folks, founded the wonderful Make-A-Wish Foundation. He was on-hand at the lounge signing DVDs of the recent film about him, Wish Man<\/em>, rocking his cowboy hat, of course! (He is<\/em> from Arizona, after all.) When I started-out in the biz, Make-A-Wish was one of the very first charitable organizations whose events I participated in, so I\u2019m thrilled to see that they\u2019re still going strong, granting wishes to critically ill children, after all these years. It\u2019s a very worthwhile foundation. Now Patty and I look forward to watching the movie! (After we finish all the SAG Award nominees, of course\u2014voting is in just under a week!)<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Trico Field<\/strong>\u2014This children\u2019s clothing store, which features lines from three popular Japanese companies, was gifting certificates. I appreciated that they were presented in boxes that were then housed in clear bags with classy decorations in and on them, just to make it all more special than just handing you a gift card. www.online.tricofield.net<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Miyoko’s Creamery<\/strong>\u2014This vegan \u201ccreamery\u201d (so, therefore, not really a creamery at all,) was serving a variety of their vegan \u201ccheeses,\u201d along with fruits and crackers, on beautifully-displayed platters. Patty tried their Classic Double Cream Chive, (which is, of course, made\u00a0from cashews rather than dairy,) and said, \u201cYum!\u201d With more people going vegan these days, I\u2019m sure the lounge guests were happy to each receive a wheel of it for themselves. www.miyokos.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Yowie<\/strong>\u2014Patty enjoyed learning about these candies that she says are \u201ckid-friendly\u201d especially because they have \u201cthe surprise of an animal collectible inside.\u201d As a mom of two, she appreciated that \u201cyour child learns about eco-conservation in a fun and yummy way!\u201d\u00a0 www.yowieworld.com<\/a><\/p>\n Patty Onagan and Karen Salkin enjoying their relaxation. Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n Glen Ivy<\/strong>\u2014Having reviewed a similar venue to this one (with spa treatments, clay baths, and gourmet food,) on my former TV show many years ago, I began hearing about Glen Ivy Hot Springs all the way back then. So I was happy to finally make their acquaintance at this lounge. Patty and I received a tiny taste of their services with all-too-brief hand massages while wearing their headphones, which Patty says \u201cis a sure way to zone-out and escape from\u00a0the stress of the day.\u201d If we can ever find the time, we\u2019ll pay them a visit and do a full<\/em> review for you guys. www.glenivy.com<\/a><\/p>\n GBK\u2019s charity this time was Educating Young Minds<\/strong>, whose mission is \u201cto holistically change, impact, or enhance the academic, emotional, social, and professional trajectories of today\u2019s at-risk, underserved, and\/or special needs students, and those who desire to excel with AP honors subjects.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0As a former teacher who worked on all<\/em> aspects of my charges’ lives, and not just their scholarship, I especially appreciate this organization. www.educatingyoungminds.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK\u2019S PRE-GOLDEN GLOBES GIFTING LOUNGE 2020 GBK hosted their gifting lounge in honor of the recent Golden Globes on the rooftop of the La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood. Actually, it took place in three areas\u2014the patio up there (which included a bar, a veggie buffet, and a comfy lounge area); inside the adjacent event<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>