TARNISHED GOLD IN TINSELTOWN

Rather than handing out trophies at the  Golden Globes, Rumer Willis was handed a lot of free stuff at the Access  Hollywood lounge and other gifting suites

Instead of wearing gowns and tuxedos and parading down the red carpet, most people who would have been partying at the Beverly Hilton for the Golden Globes Sunday were wearing sweats sitting on the couch. Watching a barebones presentation racing through the recitation of the winners at breakneck speed. Congrats to “Sweeney Todd,” “Atonement,” Johnny Depp, Julie Christie, Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, “Mad Men” and “Extras” for taking the top prizes. The show did go on earlier in the week at a few select gifting suites. Access Hollywood put on its second annual “Stuff You Must” lounge, and that stuff included Palm Centro, Spanx, CVS Pharmacy’s beauty bar, Nine West and Norman Covan jewelry. Miss Golden Globe Rumer Willis made the rounds, as did Josh Groban, Katherine McPhee, Perry Reeves and Chandra Wilson. The Kari Feinstein Winter Style Lounge featured Langenburg Oxygen Water,Talika eye products, Dearfoams, Orlane, Reebok, Billion Dollar Brows, Charlie Lapson, Luxe Jewels, Nioxin Haircare and a whole lotta Heineken. On tap were Jeremy Piven, Cisco Adler, Ali Landry, Marlon Wayans and Ken Davitian. Roger and Lynn Neal and Anita Talbert hosted the SHM suite and a dinner party for 130 at the Luxe Hotel, with Chef Kurt Ehrlich’s celebrated cuisine and stunning ice sculptures making for a festive night, under the circumstances. The Secret Room in Brentwood’s Metro Couture showcased Bali lingerie, Denim Design Lab, Anchor Blue and R.D. Alchemy skin products. But the biggest swagfest had nothing to do with the Globes. The Boom Boom Room was actually about 30 rooms of a Century City hotel filled with all sorts of kid stuff. Father-to-be Chris Noth and his wife and Denise Richards and her kids checked out all the merch. And just so everyone felt a little bit better about all the free stuff, most of the events benefited the Writers Guild strike fund or its foundation. .

TOP HAT Remember a few years back when a certain segment of the population followed Britney Spears fashion lead….no, not in going commando, but in wearing newsboy caps everywhere?  Brad Pitt is a vastly better poster boy for the renewed headgear trend, only he’s doing it for a good cause. So good, in fact, that you can’t get these Caputo Caps anymore. They were briefly available, but demand overwhelmed supply at the website for Make it Right and the three $30 styles are marked “discontinued/sold out.” Collector’s items! You can still make it right by contributing to the cause of building environmentally-friendly housing for thousands of people in New Orleans whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina at makeitrightnola.org

Pitt in the Katrina-devastated Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans; he created Make it Right as a catalyst for redeveloping housing for lower income residents

FOLEY + CORINNA = FASHION FUSION
From the Lower East Side to Melrose and Crescent Heights, Dana Foley and Anna Corinna have just brought their brand of luxe and vintage-inspired clothing and handbags to the Left Coast, kicking things off with a rockin’ bash recently. The gorgeous new shop features 14-foot tall silver leafed angels on the walls, a grand wooden chandelier and vintage furniture, including a huge hand-carved mirror from a Paris flea market.

A great alternative to Fred Segal, right across the street, you may just find the perfect getup for your next big night out. 

Foley + Corinna, 8117 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles (323) 944-0169
 
 

SUPREME SPORTSWEAR
Cotton and cashmere blend hoodies? You’re on. Sometimes it’s hard to be stylish and warm at the same time, but the selection of upscale warmwear at Martin + Osa is perfect for this time of year. 

The antithesis of the Gap, and not that much more pricey, the label recently opened an 8,600-square-foot flagship in Westfield Century City. Martin + Osa is known for its unique brand of luxurious, sophisticated “refined casual” clothing and accessories with denim, sweaters and lifestyle accessories that incorporate high quality fabrics and materials like cashmere, pure wool, imported leather and premium cottons. Stylin’!

Martin + Osa, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City 310. 277-3898

 A SWEET IDEA
Eating dark chocolate is good for the heart and soul, but a new brand of sweet treats promises even greater benefits. Called Intentional Chocolate, it claims to decrease stress, increase calmness and lessen fatigue. The chocolate itself is from Hawaii and each piece is imbued with “focused good intentions to improve your overall wellbeing.” Milk and dark chocolate pistoles and truffles are available, as well as a delish hot chocolate mix. The company is donating 10% of its net proceeds to support the Dalai Lama’s vision of creating a center at the Deer Park Buddhist Temple to facilitate dialog between East and West. $15-$47, available only online.

www.intentionalchocolate.com
 
 

A KISS IS MORE THAN JUST A KISS
She’s the stunning other half of Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, and now Keisha Nash-Whitaker has teamed with noted makeup artist AJ Crimson to create Kissable Couture, a shimmery lip gloss collection meant to evoke the sensuality and magic of a kiss. Named for men who presumably are very good kissers, the First Kiss Collection consists of seven shades including Dylan, a light peach shimmer, David, a sun-kissed bronze and Tyler, a deep purple shimmer. And of course, we must give a shout-out to Forest, a rich burgundy wine shimmer. 

Kissable Couture, $22 each at Fred Segal Apothia and Henri Bendel, www.kissablecouture.com

FUN IN THE SUN ON ROBERTSON
This season more than ever, a tan—baked or faked—is a great accessory, and there is no greater tanning pleasure palace around than the new SunStyle on N. Robertson. This is tanning salon on steroids, in a good way, thanks to the vision of owner Ulrik Neumann, whose fashion photography lines the walls of the warehouse-like studio.

 The ultra-modern 7,000 square-foot facility sports the latest techno-tanning beds from Ergoline, complete with iPod docking stations. Plus, there’s great private parking in a pristine art-filled garage in the back that doubles as a hip new spot in which to throw events.

627 N. Robertson Blvd., W. Hollywood, 310.289-9200, www.sunstyle.la 
 
 

PLEASURE AT THE PUMP
You’ve got to hand it to British Petroleum. Dependence on fossil fuels/filling up with petrol is far far far from eco-friendly. Although it first seemed like a PR stunt, they have created simply the best gas station in LA, complete with solar panels, recycled glass as pavement and energy-efficient lighting. Have you ever heard of a nice gas station bathroom? These are beauties with bamboo and stainless steel. Plus, there’s free water and air for your tires. Thanks to the green-haired attendant for making sure TAR’s tires were filled to capacity. You get better mileage that way, you know. 

Helios House, 8770 W. Olympic Blvd. at Robertson, LA, 310.855-9346
www.thegreencurve.com
 
 

GET A HINT

Tired of Vitamin Water and other concoctions that add calories to basic H2O? Hint Water is the premium up-and-coming brand hitting store shelves. With no sweeteners, no preservatives and no calories, the water comes in tarty flavors like mango-grapefruit, pomegranate-tangerine and raspberry-lime. Founder Kara Goldin created the all natural products as an alternative to what was on the market, a beverage with just a hint of flavor and no other junk.

Hint, about $1.69 for 15 ounces at Whole Foods and Ralphs. Cases $44 at www.drinkhint.com