![\"DJ](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/thumbnail_IMG_3116-e1758160656354.jpg\")
<\/a>DJ Dazzler having some fun with one of the guests. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
There was something so friendly about this entire event; it seemed that everyone was joyfully meeting and greeting. From the beginning, before we even entered the event space, we were warmly welcomed by my favorite security guard, Patrick. And that camaraderie continued with PR peeps Tad and Jenn, organizer Gavin, and then once inside, our favorite food purveyor, Ike from Ike\u2019s Love and Sandwiches.<\/p>\n
Laura said, \u201cAs always, GBK did not disappoint. In addition to the gifts, they consistently deliver the best music, food, and drinks. They understand that while receiving gifts is exciting for celebrities, the experience as a whole should be just as enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are the highlights of the day:<\/p>\n
<\/a>Ike Shehadeh surrounded by his old and new gal pals, (L-R) Karen Salkin, Kristen of BH Pilates, and Laura Saul. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Ike\u2019s Love and Sandwiches<\/strong>\u2014Ike was in attendance once again, happily feeding the entire assemblage. We love that guy! Laura, (Ike\u2019s biggest fan, outside of her tween daughter, who is obsessed with his food,) said, \u201cI couldn\u2019t imagine a GBK event without Ike Shehadeh\u2014his presence has become a tradition. He was handing out his signature, overstuffed sandwiches, which are just as bold and flavorful as the brand itself, which is known for their quirky sandwich names, secret \u201cdirty sauce,\u201d and inclusive menu that caters to meat-lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike.\u201d Lucky guests also received one of Ike\u2019s colorful signature tee-shirts.\u00a0\u00a0www.ikessandwich.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Laura Saul, as is the one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n Hansens Cakes<\/strong>\u2014And then there was a surprise dessert from seventy-five-year-old classic LA bakery, Hansens. You could eat a cupcake right on site, or, better yet, make your own six-pack. Or both!\u00a0 Native Angeleno Laura says, \u201cHansens Cakes has been a beloved fixture at elegant Los Angeles weddings, birthday parties, and special events for as long as I can remember. Established in 1920, this family-owned bakery has built a reputation for crafting exquisitely designed custom cakes, pastries, and desserts that blend classic techniques with modern flair. Known for their attention to detail and commitment to quality, they use only the finest ingredients to create visually stunning and delicious treats tailored to each celebration. Their creations have become synonymous with sophistication and indulgence in the L.A. event scene. That\u2019s why I was especially excited to see them at GBK this year\u2014their presence added a touch of timeless elegance to the event.\u201d\u00a0www.hansenscakes.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Oro Vento Parfum<\/strong>\u2014This men\u2019s perfume company was gifting a choice of several of their eau de parfum fragrances. Laura took a whiff of some of them, and told me she was \u201cpleasantly surprised by their subtle and well-balanced scents. The one that stood out to me was Harmonia Elixir, which features a natural essential oil fragrance that feels both fresh and sophisticated. Unlike many traditional colognes, it\u2019s light enough for everyday wear without losing its complexity or depth. Oro Vento\u2019s approach combines quality ingredients with elegant compositions, making their fragrances appealing to those who prefer understated yet memorable scents. Their collection reflects a modern take on classic perfumery, perfect for anyone seeking a refined and unique aroma.\u201d And the fun news for all of us is that the GBK lounge was offering this sneak peek at the Dubai-based company, which hasn\u2019t launched in the US yet, so we\u2019re all ahead of the pack now! www.orovento.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Cat Cora Cookware<\/strong>\u2014Laura says, \u201cIt\u2019s typical at gifting suites to see celebrities on the receiving<\/em> end of the gifts. But there was a surprise this time\u2014a celebrity handing out<\/em> some gifts! Chef Cat Cora, the first female Iron Chef, was there giving away items from her cookware line.\u201d To follow-up on Laura\u2019s note, I feel terrible that I didn\u2019t realize that Cat is famous\u2014even though I was mainly a restaurant<\/em> critic for many years, I have never watched cooking shows. (Strange, I know.) But I so admire that she didn\u2019t act like anyone should<\/em> know her; she just seemed grateful when I complimented her wares and her fabulous chef\u2019s jacket. And she laughed when I told her that, after watching a Dateline<\/em> while I was getting ready for the event that morning, I didn\u2019t think I should accept one of her stunning chef\u2019s knives because Mr. X and I don\u2019t need any potential weapons in the house. But, more importantly, these were seriously the best knives I\u2019ve ever seen in my life, including perusing my fair share of blades in my restaurant reviewing days. And Cat\u2019s are very affordable, to boot. I have a feeling that I\u2019m not the lounge\u2019s only guest who is going to have to learn to cook now. \u00a0www.catcora.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ritualslane Skincare<\/strong>\u2014We always love learning about a new skincare line, and Laura says that this one \u201cemphasizes natural and botanical\u2011infused ingredients.\u201d Their fun rep demonstrated a couple of their products on our hands, and Laura felt like they \u201cdelivered visible improvements, such as smoothing fine lines, providing dehydration, and restoring youthful glow.\u201d\u00a0The guests each received a \u201cPure Harmony Complexion Set,\u201d which contained some of the company\u2019s top items, so that skincare will become a \u201critual\u201d for all of them!\u00a0www.ritualslane.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Laura Saul.<\/p><\/div>\n Jam Vino<\/strong>\u2014This is a very interesting food item we have never seen before! It\u2019s wine-infused jams! The guests each received a set of their trio of flavors: Blackberry Merlot, Raspberry Moscato, and \u201cStrueberry Blanc,\u201d (which is a combo of strawberries and blueberries with Sauvignon Blanc.) To make it easier for everyone to sample them right then and there, they put dollops of each jam into little puff pastries in individual easy-to-grab containers. Besides enjoying the taste, Laura was impressed that \u201cthe brand is woman-and-minority\u2011owned, with Chef Lori drawing on family traditions of jam-making and adding her culinary creativity.\u201d I introduced one of my friends to them, and he said he thinks they\u2019d be great as marinades, as well. www.jamvino.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Beverly Hills Pilates Studio<\/strong>\u2014This upscale pilates place right in the heart of Beverly Hills was gifting a private session with their lovely rep, Kristen. (I later spoke with the owner, Lisa, and she was an absolute delight, as well!) Laura researched them, and tells us the sessions \u201care tailored to individual needs, and accommodate all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners, with a strong focus on core strength, flexibility, and alignment.\u201d To remind us to visit them, guests also received a choice of the studio\u2019s tees, tank tops, and even long-sleeved polo shirts,\u00a0which is a different and welcome gift from an exercise establishment. Since I did Pilates for years, (and this studio is conveniently right near all of my doctors\u2019 offices,) I just may pay them a visit soon. It was good to learn about this friendly neighborhood wellness facility.\u00a0www.beverlyhillspilatesstudio.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Shepherd Boy Farms<\/strong>\u2014This family-owned pet food company was gifting a variety of items I had never seen before in my two decades of owning adorable toy poodles! Laura looked them over and tells us, \u201cTheir product line includes freeze-dried raw diet treats and nutritional goat\u2019s milk supplements, all made from U.S.-sourced ingredients raised without antibiotics or added hormones.\u201d She concludes, \u201cOur pets are such an important part of the family, so it\u2019s refreshing to see pet food receiving the same level of care and attention we give to our own<\/em> meals.\u201d (My<\/em> faint-of-heart eating self was just relieved to find-out that the treats that had \u201cduck hearts\u201d and \u201cbison liver\u201d in their titles were for animals<\/em>, who will love them, and not for me<\/em>!) \u00a0www.shepherdboyfarms.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Laura Saul.<\/p><\/div>\n Ophora Water<\/strong>\u2014I was happy to see this water company on-site because, for some reason, I\u2019ve always liked their big bottles! The rep invited us to visit their premises when we have a bit of time, and take in their spa and cold water plunge, (which I never knew about,) both filled with their own bottled water! We chatted with him awhile, and Laura found-out the company is \u201cproudly headquartered in Carpinteria, which just happens to be my favorite beach town!\u201d So I guess we\u2019ll be headed up there sometime soon.\u00a0\u00a0www.www.ophorawater.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n GBK\u2019s charity this time was the wonderful nonprofit organization, Food On Foot<\/strong>, that is \u201cdedicated to assisting our unhoused and low-income neighbors in Los Angeles with nutritious meals, clothing, and a fresh start through life-skills training, full-time employment, and permanent housing.\u201d I cannot imagine a more worthy program to get involved with! I thank GBK for making us aware of it, and I\u2019m happy to pass along that knowledge to all of you. www.foodonfoot.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK\u2019S LUXURY LOUNGE CELEBRATING THE 2025 EMMYS Regular readers know how much I love that GBK constantly surprises us with the venues for their events. This time, the day before the Emmys, they threw their GBK Luxury Lounge in the Garden Terrace of the Sun Rose Hotel in West Hollywood, which was totally new to<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>