![\"Some](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_5083-e1678914647412.jpg\")
<\/a>Some of the action in the pool area. Look at the steam coming off the hibachi grill! Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
This year’s GBK’s Gift Lounge celebrating the Oscars returned to the\u00a0Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood. The venue and GBK can always roll with the punches because when the rain prevented the event from being on the usual rooftop, everything was set-up downstairs, partly in the lovely lobby, partly in the covered patio area, adjacent to the pool, and partly in a warm and cozy room off to the side. It was like a treasure hunt!!!<\/p>\n
Laura said, \u201cThere is something about a GBK gifting lounge that is just a little extra special compared to the others. They have the most diverse sponsors, and the hosts are so kind and generous that that energy permeates the suite and makes it a lovely afternoon.\u201d What she<\/em> said!<\/p>\n Since Laura and I are both major foodies, we were thrilled<\/em> to see so much wonderful fare there, and right off the bat, to boot! Let’s explore those first, and then we’ll get to the gifts, because to us, delicious food is<\/em> a gift!:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ike\u2019s Love & Sandwiches<\/strong>\u2014Ike himself is one of my favorite people, and now he’s Laura’s, as well. She said, \u201cThis is the second time meeting Ike, and seeing him again is like running into an old friend. He is so personable, and has built such an incredible brand, that you can’t help but root for him.\u201d Besides our love for him as a person, all my friends and I are crazy about his creative sandwiches. Laura adds, \u201cHe has built quite the sandwich empire, which is no surprise because his sandwiches are amazing!\u201d Mr. X and I were crushed when his UCLA-and-our-house-adjacent sandwich shop closed during the pandemic, so now we’re ecstatic that a few opened-up almost as close to us. And they’re worth a trip, anyway, no matter where<\/em> they’re located. On top of feeding the GBK guests once again, this time they also gave-out Ike’s new tee-shirts in fun colors. But the absolute icing, cherry, and sprinkles on the Ike’s cake were the incredibly generous gift certificates that the VIPs received! And I’m sure they were appreciated by the celebs–let me tell you, they’re worth about fifty times more than my latest residual from one of my Tonight Show<\/em> appearances! www.ikessandwich.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Hibachi House LA<\/strong>\u2014A chef from this catering company was on hand the entire day, grilling-up absolutely delicious bowls of shrimp, chicken, rice, and vegetables. And he actually made each guest’s bowl one at a time, so it was uber-fresh, and with only their desired ingredients. Laura said, \u201c Everything was so flavorful that it didn’t need any additional seasoning, but they did have some yummy sauces to choose from. I chose them all, and they were all equally delicious.\u201d A thoughtful touch was that they were served in thick plastic containers with lids, in case you couldn’t finish yours on site and thus wanted to take it home. I was especially grateful because it was so generous that it took me three<\/em> tries to finish the one plate!!! On top of that, the VIPs received certificates for a ten-person at-home party! The food is so delish that I would invite no one, and just eat it all myself!!! www.hibachihousela.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Schwank Grills<\/strong>\u2014Laura noted that to show how their grills work, this company was \u201ckind enough to create tidbits for both vegetarians (little pizzas,) and carnivores, (very rare steak,) alike.\u201d They also gifted what Laura describes as \u201ca really sturdy apron\u201d with their logo embroidered on it. www.schwankgrills.com<\/a><\/p>\n Now let’s get to the highlights of the non<\/em>-edible gifts:<\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry<\/strong>–This Silicon Valley jeweler’s display was class all the way. Laura says, \u201cTheir table was full of the most beautiful Oscar-worthy fine jewelry. I was photographing the table like I was a jewelry paparazzo. I couldn’t help myself. It’s exactly the type of bling that we see adorning the nominees.\u201d Of course, they could not gift precious jewels like that, but they did something that I so appreciated\u2014they had a whole table of elegant little pouches for the guests, filled with classy money clips for the guys, and a long rope of stunning pink pearls for the ladies. I felt like I was getting ready for the Oscars just perusing<\/em> it all! www.shsilver.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n GE Lighting, A Savant Company<\/strong>\u2014I think you all know how much I adore colors, so this company’s strips of colored lights just about stopped me in my tracks!They were gifting their famous Full Color Dynamic Effects Smart Light Strip, which Laura describes for us thusly, \u201cEach strip has sixteen million vibrant colors, mixable gradient color segments, amazing lighting effects, music-syncing capability, and bright, tunable white light.\u201d As a mom-of-two, she further explains, \u201cIf you spend enough time on social media, you will notice that the kids love these lights. You will see them lining the ceiling and in the corners of rooms. If you want to up your<\/em> social media game, make sure these lights are in the background of your videos.\u201d She doesn’t have to tell me twice! www.gelighting.com\/cync<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Rear Ended<\/strong>\u2014The owner of the casual clothing company was there with her very cute model daughter, and they were both rocking their athleisure attire for us. They were gifting a choice of tops, including hoodies with their logo on it. Laura checked them out, and says, \u201cThey looked very soft and comfy; everything you want in a hoodie.\u201d I agree with her when she says, \u201cThe owner of this brand hassuch a wonderful personality that you can’t help but fall in love with Rear Ended!\u201d www.rearended.life<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The Artisan Group<\/strong>\u2014I was thrilled to see this group of uber-creative artists again\u2014the last time was pre-pandemic! I got a gander into one of their chock-full-of-items, crisp new navy blue tote bags that they were giving to the VIPs, and discovered about eight lovely gifts courtesy of different members of their collective. I always love the variety in there. My faves this time were: Brag About<\/strong> It<\/strong>‘s two little twisty rings on a silver chain, for those ladies who want everyone to know they’re taken, but don’t like wearing rings on their fingers<\/em> (www.etsy.com\/shop\/BragAboutIt<\/a>); Mahendi Projects<\/strong>‘ popular take-along Scent Shift Diffuser to help you relax anywhere<\/em>! (www.mahendiprojects.com<\/a>\u2014they recently had a fire, so orders may be delayed a bit, but I’m happy to support them); Boho<\/strong> Zena<\/strong>‘s blank-page journal with \u201cIt’s Your Day To Shine\u201d on the cover (www.bohozena.com<\/a>); and especially, Eileen Henneghan Stout<\/strong>‘s cute little purple woven bag containing a polishing cloth for all your jewelry, along with a bracelet made of perfect green Connemara marble, (which is found exclusively in West Ireland,) just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! (www.eileenhenghanstout.etsy.com<\/a>.) www.theartisangroup.org<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Remington Products<\/strong>\u2014It seems that I’ve been hearing about Remington grooming products my entire life! It’s just one of those iconic brand names. So I was thrilled to actually see their wares in person and learn about them at this event. And I loved that they were offering items for both men and women, with a variety of hair tools, (which are all infused with Keratin and argan oil!!!–what will they think of next?!,) such as a flat-iron, blow dryer, and curling wand, along with men\u2019s shavers and hair trimming kits. www.remingtonproducts.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Badazz Glazz<\/strong>\u2014Laura was so impressed by these luxury sunglasses designed by none other than Joe Pesci, that she says, \u201cIt figures that these very cool sunglasses were created by an equally cool actor. They’re also classic and comfortable. I love a simple frame like this pair have; I’m not a fan of embellishments on accessories. These frames have clean lines and come in classic black.\u201dwww.badazzglazz.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Laura Saul.<\/p><\/div>\n Myavana<\/strong>\u2014Laura says this hair analysis company \u201cwins the prize for ‘Most Innovative’ at the lounge from me!\u201d This is how their kit works: You send in a sample of your hair in their special packet, they analyze it, and then they provide you with a digital profile of what products you need for the most healthy tresses. www.myavana.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n El Christiano Tequila<\/strong>\u2014The guests were really happy to warm-up on that wet, chilly day with tastes of what everyone told me is this \u201cwonderful\u201d tequila! They were also gifting full bottles of each guest’s choice of a quartet of their varieties. My aesthetically-minded self just admired their beautiful bottles! The visuals almost made this teetotaler want to start drinking, just to be a part of the fun! www.el-cristiano.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Netvue<\/strong>\u2014This company was gifting each guest’s choice of a baby monitor or abird feeder.Laura checked-out the latter on-site, and says, \u201cWhat an incredible way to watch birds; the feeder is upgraded with a camera and AI technology. This is one of those ‘why didn’t I think of that’ products. You get to watch the birds and learn about them. The best part is that you don’t have to miss out on anything<\/em>; the camera takes care of the watching for you!\u201d www.netvue.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Laura Saul.<\/p><\/div>\n Lucky Soul USA<\/strong>\u2014This company was gifting a product called Muscle Crack. The upbeat reps told us it will do wonders for your aching everything! Laura researched it, and tells us, \u201cIt was created by a chemist who formerly worked forNeutrogena, so I have a feeling it must be good.\u201d I have a feeling it was the one gift all the GBK attendees used that day, after carrying all the gifts, and in the rain, to boot, when everyone’s body hurts just a little bit extra! www.luckysoulusa.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Laura Saul.<\/p><\/div>\n Kahuna Chair<\/strong>\u2014Laura got to sit in one of their “4D massage\u201d chairs, and told me she didn’t want to get out of it! As a matter of fact, for the rest of the day, she kept saying she wished she was still in it! Since they can’t give people a massage chair, of course, this company gifted what Laura describes as \u201ca very sturdy, durable, and large Thermos.\u201d Hydrating and soothing your body go hand-in-hand, so the water bottles will remind people of them. www.kahunachairla.com<\/a><\/p>\n As always, GBK raised funds for several charities, and invited them to the event to educate and inform the guests about their organizations. This time they were the Rastegar Family Foundation<\/strong>, Childhelp<\/strong>, and Educating Young Minds<\/strong>, all of which Laura and I were grateful to learn about. Their dedication to philanthropy is one of the things I appreciate most about GBK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK PRODUCTIONS PRE-OSCARS GIFT LOUNGE CELEBRATING THE 2023 ACADEMY AWARDS How much do my co-writer, Laura, and I, (and just about everyone else in show business,) love GBK events to go out to their latest one in the pouring rain last week? The answer is: a lot!!! We would not have missed it for anything!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>