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<\/a>Candy Bar. All photos by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
It was held once again at the SLS Hotel, but this time with a birthday party theme. Since I missed my own January birthday party this year, I was happy to be at this ersatz one! (GBK suites are usually partly outdoors, which is a breath of fresh air, in every way, but this one was entirely in the hotel, which is also fine. Perhaps that’s because today’s children are so rarely outdoors, which is a shameful trend, that this crop just might melt in the sun! Or am I thinking that because I just saw Wicked <\/em>in New York this trip?)<\/p>\n Part of the buffet. I couldn't get it all in the picture.<\/p><\/div>\n Anyway, to go along with the theme, there were balloons and streamers everywhere, a fourteen foot giant cake display for photo ops, a perfect (as always for GBK) buffet of delicious, and easy-to-eat, finger foods, and the best part\u2014a candy bar right in the center of the main room! Yum!<\/p>\n The birthday cake wall, with edible logos.<\/p><\/div>\n I think that perhaps the birthday theme was inspired by one of their charities, The American Cancer Society<\/strong>, part of whose mission is to \u201cfight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.\u201d As a result of their research and care-giving ways, about a dozen million people in this country who have had cancer, or have avoided it due to the research being successful, will be celebrating birthdays this year. How can you not support a charity like that??? www.cancer.org<\/a><\/p>\n GBK’s other charities this go-round were Dream Center<\/strong>, which combats the issues that afflict Los Angeles communities, including rescuing people from poverty, homelessness, hunger, and substance abuse, and has opened the nation\u2019s largest shelter for victims of human trafficking (www.dreamcenter.org<\/a>); and Model Citizen Fund<\/strong>, which fills backpacks with emergency supply items for the homeless. (www.modelcitizenfund.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n Here are the highlights of the gifts I discovered at the lounge:<\/p>\n Action Flip Books<\/strong>–to go along with the birthday theme, this sponsor made me feel like I was at a bar mitzvah! I’d love to feature them at my next big soiree. What they did is film each guest against a green screen, (the set was complete with props and visual effects, if you chose,) and turn the action into a personal flip book! I, of course, was filmed doing my patented hair flip and adjustment. (I think that’s what I thought they meant by \u201cflip;\u201ddon’t judge my brain power on that one\u2014I was still very jet-lagged from my cross-country flight only sixteen hours before.) I would love to see one of Mr. X krumping! www.actionflipbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n My Pillow<\/strong>\u2014I love the packaging almost as much as I love this pillow! So much so that when Mr. X had the fun of unwrapping it, (unauthorized by me<\/em>, I might add\u2014I guess he didn’t realize its name says it all\u2014my <\/em>pillow!,) I went mental for the rest of the night. But I had the fun of sleeping on it, so I felt all better by the morning. www.mypillow.com<\/a><\/p>\n Ematic<\/strong>\u2014the MP3 Video Recorders that Ematic were gifting are much too hip for ludites like me. But they look so cute, and are just the right size, (not to mention You Tube ready,) that they’re going to change me into a techno whiz! Or just a hipper version of my usual fabulous self. www.ematic.us<\/a><\/p>\n Bios Life Slim<\/strong>\u2014this is a weight-loss product that’s \u201call natural and clinically-proven,\u201d so, also naturally, I can’t wait to try it! I thought it was a good idea that they were at a Kids’ Choice-related event because being aware of the possibility of obesity should start when one is young. www.bios-life.com<\/a><\/p>\n Revitalash<\/strong>–as an avid Revitalash products user, I was thrilled to discover two new items in their line, which I can’t wait to try. There’s a highlighter pencil, which I feel is essential to any make-up kit, and what I know will be my new favorite\u2014a black eyeliner pencil, which doesn’t smudge off easily. Perfect for a drama queen such as I! www.revitalash.com<\/a><\/p>\n Impress Press-on Manicure<\/strong>\u2014I would have loved to receive all <\/em>the designs of these press-on nails! They would have come in especially handy on my recent trip to New York, where my real ones always get destroyed instantly. And the presentation of the press-ons, in a faux bottle, is way cute, too. I’ll let you know how they work when I get to try some out for myself. But I have high hopes. And fingers crossed, though it might be hard to attach them in that case. www.impressmanicure.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK KIDS’ CHOICE AWARDS LOUNGE I arrived back in town just in time to attend one gifting suite celebrating the Kids’ Choice Awards. So, of course I chose GBK! It was held once again at the SLS Hotel, but this time with a birthday party theme. Since I missed my own January birthday party<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>Sweet Dream Girlz<\/strong>\u2014two young sisters created this line of face, body, and hair products that I predict will become well-known for their delicious fragrances! The products were designed with girls the same ages in mind, but I’m here to tell you that they’re perfect for all of us. Especially fun chicks like me<\/em>! www.sweetdreamgirlz.com<\/a><\/p>\n