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<\/a>The VIP gift bag I’ll tell you about at the end. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
My co-writer, Marc, and I discovered something new and interesting at every turn!\u00a0 There were so many, in fact, that the Ballroom of the SLS Hotel couldn\u2019t even contain them all.\u00a0 The Platinum Sponsors were proudly featured in the ante-room of the Lounge where we all checked in. Marc said, \u201cThere was excitement in the air from the moment we walked in! All the individual gifting companies, happy guests, and photographers\u00a0kept the room’s high-energy vibes going all day.\u201d<\/p>\n
And I loved that they took donations for Ukrainian refugees on-site when the guests arrived. I’ve been doing my nails in Ukraine’s colors since the war began, to make sure people don’t forget the horrors that are happening to that country. Every little reminder helps.<\/p>\n
Secret Room Events’ Gift Lounges always<\/em> have the most gifts of anybody, but this time it was off the charts!<\/p>\n One of the gift boxes from BiOptimizers. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n So let\u2019s get to them already, because they\u2019re all so fabulous.\u00a0 Here are the highlights:<\/p>\n BiOptimizers<\/strong>\u2014I have rarely seen so many tantalizing products from one company! So I was glad they’re for health and wellness because that’s what everyone needs right now. Marc told me that he was also \u201cimpressed with their probiotics,\u00a0gut health supplements, protein powders, and\u00a0vitamins\u00a0for everything, including focus, sleep, energy, parasites, and many more.\u201d And we both really appreciated that their attractive rep calmly spent so much time with each guest to make sure they understood it all. \u00a0www.bioptimizers.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Spencer\u2019s Custom Wood<\/strong>\u2014I don’t know how they do it, but this small, veteran-owned, family-operated business hand-makes the classiest, most handsome, one-of-a-kind wooden cheese-slicing boards and pizza slicers; any gourmet would be proud to own them! They’re basically works of art, which just happen to also be functional. I was so intrigued by what I saw in their display that I just had to check-out their website, as well. And I found everything from ice cream scoops to jewelry! Now I just wish I had some friends worthy of buying these gifts for! www.scwood1.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n HempHera Kosmetikos<\/strong>\u2014We spoke with the upbeat rep of this skin care company for a long while. Marc said he loved learning about all the products, which are \u201cfilled with hemp ingredients.\u201d He paid attention to the \u201ccleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, and masques,\u201d and was impressed that they’re engineered \u201cwith\u00a0nano-technology, which allows for faster absorption, while the hemp benefits include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging\u00a0benefits,\u201d all designed to \u201cget\u00a0your glow on.\u201d\u00a0www.hempera.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Pikagos<\/strong>\u2014This creative company was gifting the most gorgeous and creative purses ever!!! This was actually the most popular I’ve ever seen at a lounge; people were gathered around, admiring them all, and clamoring to get closer like they thought that BTS was handing-out kisses at the table! www.pikagos.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Scotch and Bonnet<\/strong>\u2014This kids outerwear company had the most fabulous jackets for babies, kids, and teens. They made me wish I could still fit into kids’ clothing. When I guest-starred on an episode of a children’s TV show back in the day, as a cavewoman, the wardrobe people didn’t get my little leopard-skin outfit on time, so they asked if I could fit into the ten-year-old star’s little black skirt, top, and boots. And guess what\u2014I did! That’s what I harked back to when I saw these mouthwatering puffer jackets. Marc added, \u201cThey’re all so beautiful and well-made. I love that several styles are reversible, so it’s like getting two\u00a0jackets for the price of one. They were definitely a great collaboration with Secret Room, and the owners are from New York, so\u00a0what’s not to love?!\u201d\u00a0 www.scotchbonnetnyc.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Retuned Jewelry<\/strong>\u2014These bracelets and necklaces were so attractive on their own, that I didn’t even realize they’re crafted from…guitar strings!!! That makes them even more hip and happening! And it prevents all those hard-to-recycle can’t-use-them-anymore discarded strings from ending up in a landfill. And their business cards are shaped like guitar picks! What a clever company name, to boot. That’s a win-win-win-win to me. www.retunedjewelry.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Bellybambino<\/strong>\u2014I didn’t even realize these adorable woven storage baskets are for kids! I wanted them all for myself. The children of this designer from England are lucky to have a mom who wants to make their rooms and play spaces so attractive! www.bellybambino.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Seven Saints<\/strong>\u2014Not only is every piece of this jewelry line more gorgeous than the one before, but each one has a spiritual meaning behind it. Some help with chakras, some are for protection, and one is even entitled the \u201cFlower of Life.\u201d After each guest chose his or her piece, the lovely and peaceful designer even threw in a calming aromatherapy spray, as well! We all needed it that day, amid all the hubbub of the happening event. www.sevensaints.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Vanity Vegan<\/strong>–Each shade of these vegan lipsticks is more gorgeous than the next. And the containers and little gift bags they come in are just as stunning.\u00a0 The company was also featuring the most perfect eyeshadow palette I’ve ever seen. You really need to visit their website to see all this beauty. (And you may as well pick a little something up for yourself while you’re there!) www.thevanityvegan.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Twinkle Links<\/strong>\u2014Not only is every piece of this jewelry beautiful, but each collection is for a different lovely purpose, such as Kindness and Empowerment. www.twinklelinks.com<\/a><\/p>\n Skin Prophecy<\/strong>\u2014The owners of this upscale Montecito skin care clinic were on hand, gifting beautifully-curated boxes of products specifically for women or men. Each box also included a handy towel, which somehow makes it an even classier gift. www.skinprophecy.com<\/a><\/p>\n Skin Prophecy AND Pet Prophecy. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Pet Prophecy<\/strong>\u2014Along with their sister company for people<\/em>, (above,) this one for pet lovers gave-out beautiful black gift boxes full of everything for the fur babies, including\u00a0shampoo, conditioner, and paw wash, which doggy-daddy Marc tells us \u201cis great after a long walk.\u201d He added that \u201call their products are made in California, and contain essential oils and no harmful chemicals.\u201d www.petprophecy.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ciao Bella Jewelry & Michelle Marie Boutique<\/strong>\u2014This sweet mother-daughter team was on hand to show off their custom-designed jewelry. They create bracelets, necklaces, etc. with whatever logo or photo you give them! But what they were gifting that day was perfect, even without<\/em> the picture of me, (or rather, my old<\/em> self,) from the top of this e-zine’s home page! www.ciaobellawholesale.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Merv Skincare<\/strong>\u2014This all-natural and vegan skincare line out of Canada was gifting one of their lovely face oils, (formulated to glow, nourish, or renew,) along with a travel kit of all three of them. If it would make me look like the girl at their table, I’d bathe<\/em> in it! www.mervskincare.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Freestyle Photo & Imaging Supplies<\/strong>\u2014I’ve loved cameras since I was a kid, so this company’s display made my mouth water. They were gifting actual film<\/em> cameras\u2014complete with a roll of film! How thoughtful and clever. www.freestylephot.biz<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ase\u2019 Haircare<\/strong>\u2014A lovely nurse allowed each guest to choose his or her own natural hair items, and they even got to decide if they wanted the products in a colorful purple box or pretty purple bag! So everyone was a winner, in all ways. www.asehairbutter.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Moss & Palm<\/strong>\u2014When I saw a bottle of this company’s body oil entitled \u201cAmazing Maysie,\u201d I stopped in my tracks. That’s because my late adorable mother, May, was also called Maysie on occasion! She even used that moniker for awhile as her pen name! (I won’t tell you the crazy last<\/em> name she chose for that purpose.) I wish I had gotten to chat with the owner of this skin care company because she named the product after, and actually created it for, her own<\/em> late mother. With our heavenly moms’ names on it, it must work great! www.mossandpalm.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n DeLa Cruz Collection<\/strong>\u2014Marc noted that \u201ceveryone was happy to receive this beautiful resort-inspired swimwear in bold island colors. The high-quality fabric dries quickly after getting out of the water, so you don’t have to sacrifice fashion over function.\u201d They were gifting one-piece swimsuits for women, and board shorts for\u00a0men.\u00a0 The designer herself was on hand, and\u00a0very pleasantly helped\u00a0each guest try to figure out their sizes. Not an easy task, I assure you. www.dlccollection.com<\/a><\/p>\n Karen Salkin’s hands being exfoliated by Buie right on-site! (Notice her Ukraine-colored nails.) Photo by Marc Winer.<\/p><\/div>\n Buie Holistic Herbs<\/strong>\u2014This fun fam was giving-out glittery gold gift bags containing the most useful and clever items. With the exfoliation scrub was…an adorbs little sponge and baby spoon! OMG! I loved it. And a petit jar of honey came with the honey swirler. (I, obviously, don’t know the technical name for that instrument.) In addition to all that, they were exfoliating guests’ hands with their Mad Honey, right in the Ballroom of the SLS! I had forgotten to put hand cream on that morning, so I’m proud to say that I was their first client in the lounge, and I stayed ultra-smooth for the rest of the day! www.buieholisticherbs.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Healthy Roots Hemp<\/strong>\u2014Guests got to choose between healthful products for themselves or their dogs. All of them are infused with CBD, even the Calming Chews For Pets! I’d love to give some to my neighbor’s always-barking pooches right about now.\u00a0www.healthyrootshemp.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Raindrops Candy<\/strong>\u2014OMG–this is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen at a gifting lounge!!! It’s gummies in the shape of every kind of fun food imaginable! There’s a burger and fries, a taco, adorable Asian noodles, and…a pizza!!! And a sushi platter! I have no idea how the guests chose among them. I swear, if ever I have a wedding, I would give them out as favors. (And maybe I wouldn’t even need to feed my guests then\u2014I could just tell them each item is the real thing!) www.raindropscandy.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Tayz Fashion<\/strong>\u2014Fashion for the whole fam! Each guest got a choice of a cute tee-shirt for the kids or an attractive little monochromatic skirt-and-top outfit for the females. I’m sure it was a hard choice for the moms in the crowd. www.tayzfashion.com<\/a><\/p>\n Nat\u00e9 Hair Care<\/strong>\u2014I loved learning about this weightless deep hair conditioner. And, as a girl whose tresses are as long as Rapunzel’s, I really appreciated the brush that comes in the box with it. What a great touch!\u00a0www.natehaircare.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Royal Keepers Products<\/strong>\u2014There were sooo many items in this all-natural line of hair and skincare products! And their labels are all so colorful that they will be fun to use. They have something for just about every condition imaginable, and they were so happy to be helping the guests with them. www.royalkeepersproducts.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Bluebird Botanicals<\/strong>\u2014The reps of this wellness company out of Colorado seemed so happy to be gifting their CBD oils and soft gels\u2014they were their own best advertisement! And it all came in a pretty iridescent pink box. I love me a good presentation! www.bluebirdbotanicals.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n ANMC Holistic Health<\/strong>\u2014Amanda Soulvay Plevell was on hand, (with her supportive husband,) to give-out a duo of her books–Clean Your Plate<\/em>, which is about nutrition, and Unbound<\/em>, which is about how to get rid of anxiety. I could have used her to help with how stressed I am just writing this long article! www.anmcholistichealth.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n BodyByBree Fitness<\/strong>\u2014This totally in-shape trainer was gifting a choice of a giant bottle of whey protein or some supplements, along with gift certificates for a few on-line training sessions with her. If she can whip my<\/em> broken-backed-and-shaky-kneed body into shape, you just know that she’ll become My New Best Friend! www.bodybybree.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Work It Towels<\/strong>\u2014These very soft work-out towels that feature clever sayings almost made me want to go back to the gym! But then I figured that I can just carry them around and let people think<\/em> I’m working-out. So I’m as clever as the towels themselves. www.workittowels.com<\/p>\n Green Influences<\/strong>\u2014They were introducing everyone to their long-lasting, all-natural deodorant. That’s a perfect gift at an event that has soooo many guests, hobnobbing all day! www.greeninfluences.com<\/a><\/p>\n Word Lyfe Apparel<\/strong>–This urban streetwear company was gifting tee shirts with different messages from their Humble Bougie collection. www.wordlyfeapparel.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Je Suis Diva<\/strong>\u2014This company specializes in one thing only–magnetic eyelashes. What a great idea they are! They come in sooo many thicknesses and styles, and you just apply them with the included magnetic eyeliner. Easy peasy. www.jesuisdiva.com<\/a><\/p>\n Celebrity Hair For Less<\/strong>\u2014This wig company gifted an attractive headband, perfect for holding back your hair, both real and fake. www.celebrityhairforless.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Blakery<\/strong>\u2014Guests received a two-pack of thick, gourmet, CBD-infused cookies made in Miami Beach. I brought a chocolate chip one home to Mr. X who deemed it to be \u201ca superior cookie!\u201d \u00a0www.heblakeryli.com<\/a><\/p>\n Truly-yourself<\/strong>\u2014This company\u00a0which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community was featuring tee shirts, caps, and nylon tote bags to remind everyone that it’s more than okay to always be your true self. \u00a0www.truly-yourself.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Invisible Trendsetter<\/strong>\u2014This company was gifting classy tee shirts and their signature brightly-colored caps. I actually enjoy being a visible<\/em> trendsetter, but these caps are so vibrant that I have a feeling no one will ever miss the wearers of them. www.invisibletrendsetter.com<\/a><\/p>\n US-United Strong<\/strong>\u2014They were gifting tee shirts to let people know about their cause.<\/p>\n The VIP guests were thrilled to see that, once again, on their way out, they were receiving one of Secret Room Events’ signature gigantic gift bags with soooo many additional goodies. I got a gander at some of the items in them, and these were my faves:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>