EnterTeenment News Presents: Glamming it Up
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GBK Gift Lounge Academy Awards 2012 Edition
by Stacy Phay
Hollywood has been a buzz over the last month or so with the preparations for, parties celebrating and now completed biggest awards show of them all, the Oscars. Billions watched, thousands attended, awards were given, pictures taken, controversy created (does Angelina Jolie’s right leg have a mind of its own? Is Natalie Portman married? Could Sasha Baron Cohen face criminal charges for his Dictator stunt on the red carpet? Did J.Lo pull a Janet Jackson on stage?).
Just before the celebs took their glitz and glamour to the red carpet, they stopped by the W Hotel in the heart of Hollywood to mingle, test out new and existing products, munch on tasty treats and take home whatever they desired at the Academy Awards GBK Lounge. Each year during the awards season GBK hosts the celebrity gifting lounges to raise money for varying charities. This year they raised over $91,000. Participating foundations for the Academy Awards lounge were The Worldteam Foundation, the HollyRod Foundation, Drawing Hope International and The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation. More on them can be found below.
Celebs like Joshua Bowman, AnnaLynne McCord, Ali Fedotowsky, Kevin Nealon, Melissa McCarthy, Colin Egglesfield, Max von Sydow, Penelope Ann Miller, Gil Birmingham, Naomi Scott, Desmond Harrington, Teri Polo and Wendi McLendon-Covey (all pictured here) joined writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (who won for their adaptation of "The Descendants"), Marsha Gay Harden, Penny Marshall, Will Estes, Pat O'Brien and Niecy Nash (along with so many others) to check out the lounge over the two day event.
EnterTeenment was lucky enough to take part in the event. We had a great time meeting the people who were generous enough to share their time, products and excitement with us, and we’re here to share that experience with all of you.
Saturday, February 25. Los Angeles. The W Hotel sits in the heart of Hollywood, on the famed corner of Hollywood and Vine. Directly across the street is the Pantages Theater where every well-known musical and play has taken place on the West Coast stop of their world tours. This particular weekend “Wicked” was the featured show. The stars on the Walk of Fame end at this corner. Jennifer Aniston just got hers right at the doorstep of the swanky, modern hotel.
The event is held on the second floor, and the fancy mirrored elevator not only dings when it arrives, but a lovely voice announces what floor you’re on. A walkway connecting the elevator lobby to the large area of intertwining rooms where the gift lounge is held overlooks Hollywood Blvd in one direction and the beautifully white and red decorated lobby of the hotel just below it in the other direction. Our press lanyards are placed around our necks and we’re ready to enter the electricity of the filled to capacity rooms.
Our first stop was at the Artisan Group table, where over 700 small-business owners showed off their various crafty abilities. Unique jewelry, custom stationary, photography and hand-knit phone/camera cases were laid out for everyone to check out. Nearly all the companies that make up the Artisan Group are female owned, and all of them use recyclable and sustainable products.
Making our way back into the hallway we ooh and aahed over the amazing colors and chemical free make-up on display at the Vani-T table. Just across from them were the tasty Designer Caramel Apples brought in by Apple-Revolution. As we stood and chatted we could not help but notice the awesome smell coming from the next room, so we made our way over to find out what was giving us such a treat. Candles. Milena’s Candles, made from organic, and kosher, soy wax, the candle burns natural oils and is so pure the smell was wafting through the entire suite despite the other items on display. We were awed to find that the wax burns less scorching hot than most, allowing one to simply stick a finger in the candle and use the melted soy wax as lotion!
Tearing ourselves away from the wonder of the wax lotion, we were greeted by the lovely folks at Karen McKlintock who’s jewelry is hand-crafted from some of the best materials including Swarovski crystals. We then got to play with a new product from Tkaro, a glass you can take with you. No joke. It’s a drinking glass with a stainless steel cover that seals in the liquid so you can carry it wherever you go. And because of its cover it stays cool! Fresh, clean water at your fingertips was a running theme as we talked to the folks at Filter 2Go, the water bottle company with a filtered cap. They were happy to pass on that this year they are sponsoring the US Olympic team, and their red, white and blue bottle covers would be seen on national (and international) TV everywhere.
In yet another room we were greeted by the folks at Ozonator, who gave us a demonstration of their product, a battery operated fan type object that sits in your refrigerator and keeps your produce fresher longer. Genius. We oohed and aahed a bit more as we were treated to the soft, silky smoothness of KiwiFox, who’s unique lotions and facial cleansers are made from, you guessed it, Kiwi extract. Then we checked out the magnetic jewelry brought in by Trion:Z. Their magnetic therapy bracelets and necklaces can be seen on some of today’s top athletes. We hadn’t even finished fawning over those before we found ourselves being treated to the amazing skin care products brought in by Ambé. Physician formulated without the prescription, the face lotions and cleansers felt heavenly on our skin, and we were just testing it on our hands!
Did we mention there was food? Ya. Along the way we were treated to the wondrous tastes of vegan candies by the cleverly named Obsessive Confection Disorder table, got to take home several boxes of nutrition bars from the folks at ThinkThin, and sunk our teeth into cake pops by Tickleberry Desserts. Also on hand was Green PolkaDot Box, an all organic, all-natural online food store. We forced ourselves to just wave as we passed by the table of dark chocolate red velvet truffles brought in by the Bread Basket Cake Company.
Loaded up with products to bring home and tell you all about, we made our way back over the glass bridge and down the talking elevator out to our car. Our senses were just as overloaded as our arms, and we slowly left behind the glamorous Hollywood life we got to take part in for one fun-filled afternoon.
Information about all the products:
My Pillow - Presenting Sponsor-"Guaranteed the most comfortable pillow you'll ever own."
Ambe Aesthetics - AMBE is a revolutionary skin care system developed by nationally recognized & board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Milind Ambe. AMBE is excited to participate in this year’s GBK Oscar Gift Lounge, showcasing two of their most celebrated products, Vitamin Veil and All-In-One Night Cream.
Apple-Revolution - Designer Caramel Apples.
Bread Basket Cake Company - Creamy rich dark chocolate red velvet truffles and a gift certificate for an 8-inch custom cake.
Carter Kustera brought to you by AOL - Custom silhouette and text portraits.
Chick Boss - 2 Hand-made lei necklaces with mixed metal art pendants from the Mayalei collection, hand-woven scarves plus a Tee-shirt featuring the Chick Boss logo and slogan “cross the road”.
Chloe + Isabel - Chloe + Isabel designs its line of fashion jewelry to appeal to every woman — whether they seek the timeless elegance of a classic piece, or the bold statement of the latest style.
Colantotte/Trion:Z - Colantotte/Trion:Z products contain axially magnetized magnets arranged in a unique Alternating North-South Polarity Orientation (ANSPO™) which increases the magnetic field flow.
Dorset Cereals - The gift box will include 2 packs of cereal (Berries & Cherries and Super Cranberry), 1 Dorset branded bowl, 1 spoon, 1 little Dorset booklet and a post card from Dorset Cereals saying that if they write us, we will send a free mixed case of our 5 cereals.
Drawing for Hope - Charity - "Pushing the limits of art, compassion, and healing." Drawing Hope International uses visual art to join sexual assault survivors from every state in the US and 150 other countries into a healing community which supports survivors to connect with their own strength, see their beauty and embrace their freedom.
FILTER 2GO - Filter 2GO products allow you to filter water as you drink in a portable bottle with included filtration device.
FlairWalk.com - Flairwalk.com, classic style with a little VaVoom, is giving away gift certificates for our online boutique.
Gilly's Organic - Gifting blissful, organic spa products for your skin and hair: a sugar scrub, moisturizer and cleanser.
Glymed Plus ® Advanced Aesthetics - The GlyMed Plus FOR MEN Essentials Travel Kit & DNA Reset Face & Neck Cream.
GOFoods - GOFoods is feeding and prospering the world by serving, saving and sharing relevant, easy-to-prepare meals and beverages for on-the-go-lifestyles that encourage people to eat nutritiously and spend time together while enjoying natural mouth-watering meals that taste as good today as they will in 25 years.
Gorreana Tea Estate - Organic, European-grown, rare green & black tea collection from Europe's only green tea Plantation.
Green PolkaDot Box - A large collection of the Green PolkaDot Box’s favorite organic foods and products, and a membership to the nation’s first online buying collective that gives members up to 60% savings on natural, non-GMO, and organic foods and products.
HOLLYROD Foundation - Charity - The HOLLYROD foundation is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with autism & Parkinson's Disease.
I-Wipey - I-Wipey the original peel + stick antibacterial screen cleaner.
Julep - Gorgeous toxin-free nail colors and cutting-edge mani and pedi products. Julep Maven subscription: $240 per year, $19.99 per month. As a Julep Maven, you’ll get the hottest trends in nail color and the latest Mani and Pedi Care products delivered right to your door. And, because our Mavens are our very own VIPs, you'll have access to these gorgeous colors and products before anyone else. Even better, every box we send you will be especially tailored to your unique style.
Karen McClintock - Earrings from my 2012 Spring Collection featuring sterling silver, Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones.
KiwiFox - Jar of Aqua Surge Age Defying Moisturizer and Shimmering Vitamin O2 Body Spray.
Lafonn - Lafonn offers platinum bonded sterling silver jewelry with simulated diamonds and gemstones.
Lumeria Maui - The Luxury Retreat - An Alternative Travel Experience. A Luxury Educational Retreat offering Classes & Programs in yoga, water activities, metaphysical studies, horticulture and Hawaiian history and culture.
Made in Earth - Australia black tourmaline handcrafted sterling silver pendant.
Mama Earth Rocks Publishing - Pinky the Star- Motivation Illustrated Children's Books. Sweet Potato Mama Cookbook-Healthy, Eco-Friendly Gluten Free Cook Book and Angels for Everyday Living-Angel Guide Book.
Max Mirani - MOVE Mobile Closet is a brilliant 2-in-1 cabin-size suitcase that eliminates the need to unpack and repack at each destination.
Mayawater - Milena`s Candles are made from exclusive organic and kosher soy wax, pure essential oils, soy oils organic wood wick and cotton wick. That is it, pure no petroleum products, no chemical dyes, no lead wicks, and no carcinogens! Most elegant handmade kosher organic moisturizing candle and body butters.
MicaGem Fragrance - Two wonderful fragrances, Human Man & Human Women. For every fragrance sold, we buy a mosquito net for a child in need.
Milena's Boutique - Milena`s Candles are made from exclusive organic and kosher soy wax, pure essential oils, soy oils organic wood wick and cotton wick. That is it: pure, no petroleum products, no chemical dyes, no lead wicks, and no carcinogens! Most elegant handmade kosher organic moisturizing candle and body butters.
Obsessive Confection Disorder - An assortment of the finest vegan confections presented in a natural cotton tote bag.
Ozonator - (Two) Patented Ozonator™ The Green Refrigerator Machine, the 21st Century update to your refrigerator that extends the life of your fresh and organic fruits, vegetables, and perishable foods, saving you thousands on wasted food each year.
Paccioni - The Paccioni Centum' is part of a new collection which we have brought to launch in the US at the Oscars 2012 , the opportunity to custom design your own quality time piece.
RevitaLash ADVANCED - Newly formulated RevitaLash ADVANCED eyelash conditioner that lengthens and thickens eyelashes. New product for hair Hair by RevitaLash, conditioner that gives you fuller and thicker hair. RevitaLash Mascara and Perfect Primer.
SnapSac - Stylish totes will be provided by SnapSac. SnapSac is an exciting new line of eco-friendly totes that is reinventing reusable bags as more accessory than drab necessity.
Staree by IZEA - 8GB iPod Touch preloaded with Staree.
Sweet Roll - Sweet Roll, by Get-Set-Go, LLC, is the only hair styler that organically conditions hair while styling! Style an entire head of hair with 1, 2, or 3 rollers in minutes; be hands free while it sets.
Sweet Shoppe Candles - Gifting a 16oz Anise Biscotti Jar Candle, the aroma of sweet baked goodness!
TEI Spa Essentials - Limited edition sonic spatula, facial mask and clutch, with 5% of proceeds to Downtown Women's Center.
The Artisan Group - The Artisan Group, an elite collective of over 700 small-business entrepreneurs, will showcase a broad spectrum of specialties including handcrafted jewelry; spa and bath products; designer stationery; purses and totes; knitted hats; designer iPhone cases; decorative-fused glass; a handcrafted tutu; pet toys; journals; handcrafted pens; hand-cut paper flowers, and fine art photography.
The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation - Charity - The mission is to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for juvenile diabetes.
The Worldteam Foundation - Charity - Rick and Sue Clark started the Worldteam Foundation in 2006 to combat human trafficking, starting with Thailand and the United States.
thinkThin product - The nominees and presenters will receive a beautiful wellness package filled with thinkThin nutrition bars and swag AND a special golden ticket for a year's supply of thinkThin protein bars.
Ticklebelly Desserts - Luxury cake pops with metallic jewel finishes tucked into exclusive one of a kind tote.
Tkaro - Red Dot Award winning Tkaro, a transportable glass bottle with protective stainless steel cover: the glass you take with you.
Vani-T - Gifting a gorgeous selection of chemical-free luxurious beauty products including Minerals, Tanning, Bodywear and Teeth Whitening, as well as offering Spray Tanning and Makeup Services in the lead up to the Academy Awards.
www.CaliforniaCaviar.com - A customized caviar collection. Their choice of four different caviars in a caviar-cooler with blini and crème fraiche.