![\"Karina](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_8108-e1619989009514.jpg\")
<\/a>Karina Ward. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n
And here’s a shock\u2014this one was held in a venue I had never been to before! In LA! I hadn’t thought that was even possible. Even host Matt Harris was surprised at that concept. So I thank Matt and Mark for introducing me to the Hilton Hotel in Universal City. (By the way\u2014Universal Studios is the site of my very first national TV acting gig, so that area always holds a special place in my heart.)<\/p>\n
I was a bit trepidatious about going somewhere new that I understood to be sooo big, but the twins chose a ballroom right on the first floor, which was very easy to get to. And I appreciated that the gigantic space made it easy to not be super-close to any of the other guests nor the many sponsors.<\/p>\n
It was quite a treat to see (and hear, of course) harpist Karina Ward<\/strong> play right in the middle of the room; her beautiful and unintrusive playing helped put all of us at ease right away. What a classy touch she leant to the proceedings; I’d never seen anything like it at a gifting suite before!<\/p>\n Now let’s get to the highlights of the gifts I discovered there that day:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Superbad Inc.<\/strong>–This company’s many reps were the happiest, most chill people there. No wonder\u2014they were very generously gifting a set of pre-rolled joints in a mysterious black box! It’s the perfect size packet for taking along with you, and the joints themselves are gorgeous. Judging from how upbeat everyone was at this entire event, (and by how many of them dug right into the pizza that the twins were good enough to provide in the lobby,) I have a feeling that many of the guests did not wait to get home to try this<\/em> gift out! www.superbadinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Misaky Crystal Treats<\/strong>–This sweet treat made me miss my beloved friend who lives in Japan, so we never get to see each other. She’s the person who had introduced me to this candy. However, Misaky’s were the most beautiful renditions I had ever seen! Even their display at this event was absolutely gorgeous! They cleverly gifted a box that’s entitled \u201cMother’s Day Gift Sweets,\u201d so we’d be all set for the happy holiday that’s coming up right away. Besides admiring their looks, you’re really supposed to eat<\/em> the candies, of course. What they are is edible crystals that are made from seaweed. For the uninitiated, they’re also considered to be healthful<\/em>, even helping to lower cholesterol! And the box itself is so gorgeous, I suggest using it as a jewelry or keepsake box when the candy is all gone. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. www.misaky.tokyo<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Olive Oil Pantry<\/strong>\u2014I really enjoyed stopping by this table, both to discover the gift and to be greeted by the super-upbeat woman whose company this is. She was gifting olive oil and balsamic vinegar sets, which I feel every kitchen needs. And the bottles were prettily presented in a bag with olive-adorned paper, to boot! www.oliveoilpantry.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Lena Laced<\/strong>\u2014This local Laguna lady gifted a wonderful assortment of her handcrafted skincare, including ones laced with CBD oil. I loved everything in her display, but the pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance was the gold Oscar!!! I didn’t know whether to use it on my face, eat it, or accept it!!! www.lenalacedcbdbeauty.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Millennium Essence<\/strong>\u2014I had the most fun with this candle-making couple. Each guest received a choice of fragranced candles. I have a feeling Wine Cellar was the most popular with the happy-to-be-out-of-the-house crowd! I loved that the duo was happy to learn my new candle-burning tip. Mr. X had just taught it to me the week before, so they were the first recipients of our newfound knowledge! www.millenniumessence.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Frank Green<\/strong>\u2014Even though this is a perfect name for a person, it is not<\/em>. (Well, in this<\/em> case, anyway.) It’s the name of a company who was gifting white reusable bottles that have an interesting way of opening at the top so that the liquid inside won’t spill or leak. The reps at the event personalized some of the bottles, if the guest was so inclined, but I liked the plain, anonymous bottles better; they look so pristine and classy. www.us.frankgreen.com<\/a><\/p>\n Lifevac<\/strong>\u2014This is most likely\u00a0something everyone<\/em> should own; it’s a device to save someone from choking.\u00a0 www.lifevac.net<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Jewelry on a Budget<\/strong>\u2014I was floored by the prices of this attractive jewelry! The rep pointed-out a set of silver earrings and a massive necklace, and told me it costs less than two tickets to a movie these days! So even underpaid writers, influencers, and out-of-work actresses (all such as myself) can afford any of these pieces!<\/p>\n Glam Bitch Eyelashes<\/strong>\u2014Ever since I started hearing about magnetic eyelashes recently, I’ve wanted to try them. I was very curious because I had erroneously assumed that, since the word is \u201cmagnetic,\u201d magnets<\/em> would be involved, and I could not figure out how that would work. But it turns-out they’re attached with a different kind of glue, that you use like eyeliner. If I ever do<\/em> get around to giving them a go, I’ll be happy to share my findings.<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Maya\u2019s Cookies<\/strong>\u2014Each guest received a pretty pink box containing a couple of this San Diego bakery’s delish cookies. The surprise to me, and probably to many others that day, is that they’re…vegan! I had no idea vegan can taste so yummy. www.mayascookies.com<\/a><\/p>\n Jimi Merk<\/strong>\u2014I had planned to talk to this guy who was doing psychic readings for everyone, but by the time I got over to Jimi, he was leaving, and we had only a minute or two to chat. (Since I’m a bit psychic myself, I should have seen his exit coming, and made my way over there earlier!) So we’re planning on having a proper session soon, over Zoom. I’m looking forward to it, which I’m sure Jimi already knows!<\/p>\n And then, after all of that fun, on the way out, everyone received a goodie bag, filled with all kinds of samples. (They’re pictured at the top of this page.) It featured quite the assortment, with everything from skincare to Absinthe! I can guarantee that a good time was had by all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WOW CREATIONS’ 2021 PRE-OSCARS GIFTING SUITE I was so happy to see the Harris Twins back at work, this time on a post-pandemic Oscars gifting suite. I had missed their uber-pleasant greetings! And here’s a shock\u2014this one was held in a venue I had never been to before! In LA! I hadn’t thought that was<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>