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<\/a>The breakfast pastries. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n
The generous food is always a major attraction at Doris Bergman\u2019s events. For the first few hours of this gift lounge, the always-darling servers passed the eatery\u2019s signature crostinis. My contributing writer on this one, Marc, told me his fave was the shrimp, while mine was one with fig jam and manchego cheese. At just the right time, we were all invited inside the lush dining room for what Marc called \u201ca huge spread of fabulous brunch dishes!\u201d He<\/em> was happy to dine on scrambled e-words, sausage, and shrimp pasta, while I<\/em> went with bacon and potatoes, and to offset my guilt at those delicious calories, a bit of salad. And just about everyone went nuts over the\u00a0various fresh croissants, muffins, and assorted breakfast pasties.<\/p>\n Karen Salkin donating gifts to Wednesday’s Child, the charity of local newswoman, Christine Devine. Photo courtesy of Doris Bergman.<\/p><\/div>\n Even with all that food and gifts, (which I\u2019m about to give you the lowdown on in a minute,) my favorite aspect of Doris\u2019 soirees is bringing gifts to her perennial charity, Wednesday\u2019s Child<\/strong>, which go to teens in foster care. I love being able to give back like that, as I hope that all<\/em>\u00a0her guests do! As always, if\u00a0you\u2019re interested in contributing to this very worthy cause, with gifts and\/or money, (or, even better,\u00a0adoptions<\/em>,) here\u2019s their site with all the info you\u2019ll need:\u00a0www.foxla.com\/wednesdays-child<\/a>.<\/p>\n Titus Makin, Jr. and Karen Salkin. How photogenic is Titus?! He looks exactly as he does on TV! Photo by Marc Winer.<\/p><\/div>\n On the celeb front, Marc was happy to spy soap opera actress Deirdre Hall<\/strong>, old school movie actor Judd Nelson<\/strong>, and Oscar-nominated Bruce Dern<\/strong>, but I<\/em> had eyes for only Titus<\/strong> Makin, Jr.<\/strong> from one of my favorite TV shows, The Rookie<\/em>. He\u2019s adorable, and assured me that the show will still be on for the foreseeable future, thank goodness!<\/p>\n Okay, food, charity, and celebs were in abundance. But let\u2019s be real; most of the guests were there to be gifted. And boy, were they ever! Here are the highlights:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n True Gold Honey<\/strong>\u2014Marc and I love this specialty honey so much that we just may have to move to Oregon to be closer to it! He says, \u201cThis award-winning honey is the best I have ever tasted,\u201d and I concur. Each guest received a very generous five-flavor set which features Orange Blossom, Summer Valley Flowers, Avocado, their award-winning Wild Buckwheat, and my personal fave, Coastal Mountain Sage. www.truegoldhoney.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n BeautyStat Cosmetics<\/strong>\u2014 Since this company makes only two products, I totally trust their specialty. They were gifting their famous Vitamin C serum that has been named \u201cbest\u201d by a trio of woman\u2019s magazines I read. Marc, my skincare expert, tells me that its combination of ingredients should really \u201chelp reduce hyper-pigmentation and rejuvenate your skin.\u201d I bet this product went over really well with all the looks-conscious Hollywood guests! More importantly to me<\/em>, the item\u2019s on-site reps were really nice, which you know is what I care the most about. www.beautystat.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n IFGfit<\/strong>\u2014Athletic Marc really enjoyed learning about this exercise wear line that I was already a fan of. He tells us that it\u2019s all \u201cmade with a new technology that helps your posture and also assists in healing injuries on overworked muscles.\u201d He declares it to be \u201ca very sporty athletic line for both men and women.\u201d www.ifgfit.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Twisted Silver Jewelry<\/strong>\u2014This was only the second time Marc had met this jewelry designer, and he told me, \u201cDebra Mitchell always has such a stunning array of bracelets and necklaces and earrings that are both beautiful and have unique designs.\u201d She always seems to be a favorite of the guests, who are clamoring to get over to the table where she chooses something special for each guest. This time, her featured items were lovely and fun \u201cmood glass\u201d beads on silver chains, and delicate pendants with green sea glass she chose herself on a recent trip to the Amalfi coast! That woman does it all! That woman does it all! www.twisted-silver.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Buywine.com<\/strong>\u2014The event\u2019s\u00a0Presenting Sponsor was featuring wines from the Campos Family Vineyards, a boutique winery in NoCal\u2019s Mount Diablo, which I hear is a beautiful area. (So, of course, I\u2019d like to visit it someday.) They were gifting a choice of wines, with something for everyone. There were Sparkling Roses, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Cabernet Francs, Petite Sirahs, Cabernets, and even more. Marc took note that this company’s new specialty is creating private labels to customize the wine bottles for all special events. www.buywine.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Sue Wong<\/strong>\u2014This designer\u2019s silk scarves are all<\/em> so stunning that guests don\u2019t even try to choose one for themselves. They are all on her table in mystery bags, and anyone who receives one is thrilled. I\u2019ve never even ever seen people try to trade<\/em> them; when they open the packages during lunch, everyone oohs and aahs, and is more than happy with the one they received! www.suewong.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n RevealU Skincare<\/strong>\u2014Marc knows more about skin care than anyone else on my team, and he loves this company! He said, \u201cMy current favorite from this line of\u00a0water-based\u00a0 gel moisture products is their Gold, which can be used on both face and body.\u201d www.revealuskincare.com<\/a><\/p>\n Karen Salkin, spreading her wings, (with a bracelet in each hand!) Photo by Marisa Marshall.<\/p><\/div>\n My Saint, My Hero<\/strong>\u2014Marc went nuts over these blessing bracelets \u201cthat give you a prayer to wear on your wrist for love, health,\u00a0and happiness.\u201d I thought I was familiar with all<\/em> their designs, but at this<\/em> event, they introduced a new one with angel wings. To celebrate them, their display featured a giant set of wings on the wall for us all to pose in the middle of. What fun! (That actually may be the only<\/em> way some of us will ever get angel wings, if you get my drift.) www.mysaintmyhero.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Shann Christen Salon<\/strong>\u2014Four and a half years ago, I attended the launch of Shann\u2019s Biomethod haircare line. So I was happy to run into this knowledgeable trichologist\u00a0\u00a0once again.\u00a0\u00a0Marc talked to him for awhile at the lounge, and he noted that the products\u00a0\u201care geared toward\u00a0all\u00a0<\/em>hair conditions and types; they\u2019re designed to treat damage at the root cause.\u201d\u00a0 www.shannchristen.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Charise Noel<\/strong>\u2014This designer of lovely\u00a0jewelry that can be mixed-and-matched\u00a0has branched-out to write an all-ages\u00a0book,\u00a0Itchy Feet Happy Soul<\/em>. She gave everyone the little book along with one of her necklaces that Marc noted \u201care as beautiful as Charise herself.” www.charisenoel.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Appletinies<\/strong>\u2014I first learned of this delicious candy from Austria about a decade ago! So, I was thrilled to rediscover them here.\u00a0\u00a0Marc explains they\u2019re \u201cdelicious dehydrated and coated apple snacks, and are organic and gluten-free.\u201d Each guest received a gift box with a trio of flavors covering the tiny apple drops:\u00a0white chocolate and lemon,\u00a0white chocolate and elderberry,\u00a0and dark chocolate. I brought a handful (or two) of the chocolate ones home to Mr. X, and they were so delish that we wish we had an entire\u00a0orchard\u00a0<\/em>of them!\u00a0\u00a0www.appletinies.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Apothecary Stores<\/strong>\u2014For almost eighteen years, my precious pup, Clarence, and I shared sooo much, including a pillow! So it was interesting to discover these items that are designed for both\u00a0humans and their pets. In this case, they were gifting a\u00a0CBD-infused muscle pain relief gel for the guests themselves, and a corresponding calming spray for their best buddies, (though most of the people<\/em> could use this one, in my humble opinion.) Marc said the latter is great to \u201ccalm your dog\u2019s anxiety when you leave his side for a few hours.\u201d That made me laugh because Clarence was a wreck if I just walked into another room<\/em>! www.theapothecarystores.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Milena\u2019s Boutique<\/strong>\u2014Milena was on-hand gifting what Marc describes as her \u201celegant candles, which she creates in heavy, well-made glass vessels.\u201d He adds, \u201cOf the numerous fragrances, the plumeria seems to be the gifting lounge favorite.\u201d www.milenasboutique.com<\/a><\/p>\n Daniel happily working on Karen Salkin’s lovely hands. Photo by Marc Winer.<\/p><\/div>\n Pachamama<\/strong>\u2014This CBD-infused products company was doing two healing services, rather than gifting. Marc was treated to\u00a0a brief neck massage, (it was a short one, time-wise, because he was rocking a suit and tie, so it would have been hard to have more work done without getting messy,) while I had my upper back worked on. (The masseuse said my back was incredibly tight and asked when my last massage was. She was in shock when I told her it had been the day before!) Then Daniel and Yumi did another<\/em> healing treatment on me with…tuning forks! Two more pleasant people I cannot imagine, so I\u2019m grateful to have made their acquaintances. www.enjoypachamama.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Hint Water Sunscreen<\/strong>\u2014Since half of this event was outside, (even though it was covered, you just can never be too safe these days with all these horrible global warming issues,) the guests were happy to receive cans of spray-on sunscreen from this water<\/em> company! And I<\/em> was happy to discover their new fragrance\u2014pear! www.drinkhint.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Epic Comeback<\/strong>\u2014No one had a better time at this event than Life Coach Nikki Bruno. This recent transplant from Massachusetts was gifting\u00a0certificates for half hour sessions with her, (complete with an appropriate tiny boxing glove keychain!,) which is especially geared towards women who had gone through difficult divorces. (Maybe I<\/em> should start a business where I don\u2019t let them marry bad guys to begin with! I can\u2019t tell you how many ladies, and men<\/em>, too, have told me, \u201cI should have listened to you!\u201d To which I always have to answer, \u201cWell, duh.\u201d) www.coachnikkibruno.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Marc Winer.<\/p><\/div>\n Precious Vodka<\/strong>\u2014This go-round, this alcohol company was gifting mini versions of their famous diamond-shaped bottles containing their vodka. A more adorable tiny vessel you will not find anywhere! www.preciousvodka.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DORIS BERGMAN\u2019S PRE-OSCARS VALENTINE ROMANCE LOUNGE & PARTY For Doris\u2019 annual fete at Fig and Olive, this time she decided to go with an easy-going brunch the day before the awards show. Since the Oscars came so early this year, Doris\u2019 theme of \u201cValentine Romance\u201d was especially effective! I got into the swing of it<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>