Before Jim Rash captured attention from a massive worldwide audience for winning an Oscar and sending up presenter Angelina Jolie’s leg-baring pose, he was at GBK’s annual gift lounge honoring the 2012 Academy Awards nominees and presenters, held at the W Hollywood.
When he made the scene, Nat Faxon could only dream that he would be also taking the stage with Rash to win that Oscar, and that excitement was all part of the fun and festivities as other talent, including Melissa McCarthy, Max von Sydow, Marcia Gay Harden, Penelope Ann Miller, Penny Marshall, Dermot Mulroney and Wendi McLendon-Covey took part in the exclusive event.
Within glistening gold walls in tricked out suites on the hotel’s second floor, it showcased established and up-and-coming brands as well as charities that benefited from the event.
Guests were able to pick and choose from a large selection of unique gifts that helped contribute to GBK’s ongoing efforts to raise funds and awareness for various causes, this year, raising more than $91,000.00 for charitable causes through monetary donations and GBK’s own signature “Celebrity Experience” auctions.
The event’s participating charities included the Worldteam Foundation, which combats human trafficking, the HollyRod Foundation, dedicated to providing compassionate cave to those living with autism and Parkinson’s disease; Drawing Hope International, which uses visual art to join sexual assault survivors from every state in the US and 150 other countries into a healing community to connect with their own strength, and The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation, whose mission is to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for juvenile diabetes.
One of the top favorite gifts featured at GBK’s Gift Lounge was a premium down pillow from the Gift Suite’s Presenting Sponsor My Pillow – “Guaranteed the most comfortable pillow you’ll ever own.” Many of the stars in attendance instantly recognized this premium brand and were thrilled to receive their pillow including world champion boxer Sugar Ray Leonard who commented “After all the fights I’ve had, I’m really looking forward to sleeping with My Pillow.”
Jewelry was a favorite of the VIPs and celebrities in attendance, with an array of stunning jewelry brands adorning the lounge. Some of these brands include: Lafonn – Platinum bonded sterling silver jewelry with simulated diamonds and gemstones; Chloe + Isabel – fashion jewelry that appeals to every woman; Chick Boss – providing two Hand-made lei necklaces with mixed metal art pendants from the Mayalei collection; Karen McClintock – offering earrings from their 2012 Spring Collection featuring sterling silver, Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones; and Paccioni – The Paccioni Centum’ is part of a new collection which has been brought to launch in the US at the Oscars 2012, the opportunity to custom design your own ‘special edition’ quality Time piece.
Beauty and health products are always sought after by celebrities who have demanding daily schedules and seek the latest and most effective products in the market. Some of the great beauty and health gifts present at the event included: RevitaLash ADVANCED featuring their newly formulated RevitaLash ADVANCED eyelash conditioner, Hair by RevitaLash, and RevitaLash Mascara and Perfect Primer; KiwiFox – providing a jar of Aqua Surge Age Defying Moisturizer and Shimmering Vitamin O2 Body Spray; AMBE, a revolutionary skin care system showcasing two of their most celebrated products, Vitamin Veil and All-In-One Night Cream; TEI Spa Essentials – Limited edition sonic spatula, facial mask and clutch; thinkThin – gifting a wellness package filled with thinkThin nutrition bars and swag and a special golden ticket for a year’s supply of thinkThin protein bars; and lastly Vani-T – Gifting a gorgeous selection of chemical-free luxurious beauty products including minerals, tanning, bodywear, and teeth whitening.
For those who have it all, GBK delivered more novelties, exclusive gifts and the latest must-haves including: Tkaro – Red Dot Award winning Tkaro, a transportable glass bottle with protective stainless steel cover: the glass you take with you; The Artisan Group, an elite collective of over 700 small-business entrepreneurs, showcased a broad spectrum of hand crafted gifts and charming little luxuries; Max Mirani – 2-in-1 cabin-size suitcases; Lumeria Maui – The Luxury Retreat – offered a Luxury Educational Retreat offering classes & programs in yoga, water activities, metaphysical studies, horticulture and Hawaiian history and culture; and Staree by IZEA. Staree, the premier celebrity-only platform that allows its users to monetize their updates, photos, and videos while maintaining full control of their content, was on site gifting 8GB iPod Touch preloaded with the Staree application.
To top off their visit, GBK’s celebrity guests indulged in many treats like Apple-Revolution.com – Designer Caramel Apples; Bread Basket Cake Company – offering creamy rich dark chocolate red velvet truffles and a gift certificate for an 8 in custom cake; and Obsessive Confection Disorder – showcasing an assortment of the finest vegan confections.
It was hard to tear yourself away, but it had to be done.
