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Since the very sad recent demise of my beloved Champions On Ice, the only ice tour left is the venerable Stars On Ice. We southlanders can see it on Feb. 6 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
John Zimmerman & Kyoko Ina |
In addition to the usual cast, including one of my main crushes, John Zimmerman, who skates with the fearless Kyoko Ina, this year’s show brings some new and exciting stars of the ice-skating world.
For most people, the attraction will be Olympic silver medalist, Sasha Cohen. But for me, it will be the 2-time Olympic medalists, Chinese pairs team Shen and Zhao, if only I can keep my mascara on during their emotional performances. (I’m actually welling-up now just imagining them! Seriously!) For me, they are the greatest pairs team this side of Gordeeva and Grinkov.
Also new to the professional world is the Ice Dance duo of Dubreuil and Lauzon from Canada. These two look as though they’re about to lay the mac on each other the second they get off the ice. It’s great to witness real-life love like that, especially in such a beautiful setting as an ice show.
Speaking of love, my favorite male solo skater is also in this show. Ilia Kulik is just magical. Mr. X will be happy that I’ll be in Anaheim to experience this spectacle for myself--he won’t have to do anything for me for Valentine’s Day because this show provides enough romance to last a long while.
Stars On Ice Feb. 6, 2008 at the Honda Center Anaheim, CA www.starsonice.com
Because of all my recently-begun writing endeavors (People.com, Culver City News, and Blue Pacific News), I found time for only 3 gifting lounges for this month’s Golden Globes and SAG Awards. But I made the most of my time at them, and have several interesting finds to pass on to you. First up was the Globes:
Karen preparing to color in her card to the troops. |
This one was held at the new-ish Thompson Hotel right here in Beverly Hills. I had been there only in a past incarnation, so seeing the hotel itself was already interesting to me. I had been to only one gifting event put on by GBK, and it wasn’t for an awards show, so I felt like I had been missing out on a “famous” suite.
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| Karen’s completed card |
I loved that we actually went into suites there, which was the original design of these functions. It also gave us visitors room to move around in. I didn’t come away with as many new products as I usually do, but it might have something to do with the fact that I spent a lot of time in one suite, coloring thank you cards to our soldiers. You can do the same at www.aroseofthanks.com
None of you will believe what my favorite gift was. Ready? A mini-keg of Heineken! I know that I don’t even drink, but it’s just adorable, and so convenient for parties that I think I might just have one! www.enjoyheinekenresponsibly.com (Love that site name!)
With all these recent storms, Mr. X and I are always looking to have candles ready. I found both wax and battery-operated ones at 100 Candles. The rep told me he’s sending me some of the latter in all different sizes, so I’ll let you know how they work-out. www.100Candles.com
Lindsay Marie, a new young jewelry designer with two first names, gave me a sweet pearl necklace, and was lovely in the process. www.lindseymarie.com
The next time you touch my arm, be prepared for supreme softness, courtesy of my new MicrodermaMitt. I received a smaller one for my face, as well, but it would be really weird for a stranger to touch my face, so you’ll just have to take my word for that one! www.microdermamitt.com
A few months ago, someone gave me a small grass-growing kit, and I’m so proud of myself that I haven’t harmed it yet. (I’m the furthest thing from a green thumb, usually.) But it just sits outside looking cute. I think it was meant for children, to teach them responsibility. Metropolitan Gifts gave me a classy, grown-up version, and I’m so happy to give my original one a sibling. I hope to see what other unique gifts this site carries. www.metropoitangiftsnyc.com
My eyelashes have been through the ringer recently, (late nights, holidays, sad show business news, etc.), so I was happy to receive Revitalash eyelash conditioner. Now if I can just find some time to use it, I’ll be back batting in no time. www.revitalash.com
A girl can carry just so much, so I’ll let you know what else I found there when they get delivered and I can get familiar with them. Something for us all to look forward to!
There’s one lounge I had always heard of but had never been invited to. This time, I got a call from Dawna Shuman of Lighthouse PR, and ran right over, though the organizers asked me to still keep their name a secret.
Now I know what all the fuss is about. It was very well-done, with a lot of space between sponsors’ tables, which gave you a semblance of privacy and leisure.
Talika’s mouth-watering display |
Also, this time it was at the restaurant/club Social, so we had some delicious hors d’oeurvres while we looked around. I talked to their adorable special events manager, Chris Palean, at the end, and found-out that the restaurant is re-opening soon with the revered chef, Michel Richard, at the helm. www.socialhollywood.com
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| Little Black Dress display on the bar at Social, of course |
My favorite gift of all three suites this time, (maybe of every one I’ve ever been to) is also the smallest. It’s a tiny sterling silver tiara pendant with a diamond at the crown point. I’m not a big necklace wearer, (though I’m nuts for silver bracelets and won’t ever be seen without earrings), but this one just called to me. The designer, Sophie Gardner, was also one of the easiest-going sponsors ever, and seemed genuinely happy for us to enjoy wearing her designs. www.sophiegardner.net
To make sure that I always have the above-mentioned constant earrings (the first thing on my desert island wish list; the next 3 are an eyelash curler, mascara, and lip gloss--I’m sure the sun would eliminate my need for bronzer and blush), Luxe Jewels hooked me up with quadruple-hoop earrings, in the most mouthwatering turquoise and gold round tin. www.luxejewels.com
Usually, gifting suites are big on salon services, which is why they were started to begin with, but for some reason, (I think the writer’s strike, indirectly), not this year. The only one I saw was brow-shaping by Megan Gibbons of Billion Dollar Brows here in Beverly Hills. I was so happy to see someone other than the one famous brow person (you all know who I mean), that I sat right down, and came out looking better than I could imagine. (BTW--I’m sure that woman is fine; it’s just that I find it ridiculous that many females think that there’s not more than one person who can shape brows!!!) www.billiondollarbrows.com
Hairdressers always comment on the fact that I have “enough hair for 10 people,” knock on wood. To ensure it stays that way, I got a whole gift bag of products from Nioxin, a hair-thickening line. And one for Mr. X, as well, to make sure that his hair keeps standing on end, though I think living with me is taking care of that!!! www.nioxin.com
More than my hair better look great next time you see me, because I got great skincare products from www.orlaneusa.com, lash care from www.talika.com, and lip care from www.blabbermouthlips.com. (I think the last company named their lip balm after me.)
I guess the girls from the Dearfoams company knew that we’d need to relax as soon as we got home, so we were all invited to pick-out whichever cozy slippers we liked the most. Since I never have time to relax anyway, I chose a pair for my little mother. The girls were patient while I called her to discuss size (and “Matlock”!) for longer than necessary. www.dearfoams.com
Though, as we all know, I don’t drink because I can’t stand the taste of alcohol (thank goodness), I was attracted to a pretty bottle of wine because it had drawings of a red hanger and shoes. Turns out the company is supporting a charity that sells clothing from celebrities to benefit children’s causes, and this time around is asking them to donate little black dresses. I could contribute, as well, but I just don’t think my black dresses would still qualify as little. Hopefully in a few months again. www.lbdwines.com www.clothesoffourback.org
Two weeks later came the SAG awards. Most big suites companies had just finished their stretches at the Sundance Film Festival, which I was finally planning on attending, but was just too busy here in L.A., so I got to try out a newer one before the SAG Awards. Here’s the skinny on it:
This one, located in the Hyatt Hotel Penthouse on the Sunset Strip, was the most packed, bustling one ever. They handed us gigantic, gorgeous duffel bags upon entering, which let us know immediately that we were in for quite the treasure hunt.
There were items that I’ve never seen before, so it was refreshing. I wound-up spending so much time here, that I never got to go to another one for the SAG Awards!
Sidebar: All of these suites and lounges invite certain celebrities, which is who they were conceived for in the first place. The term “celebrity” is used very loosely nowadays, so there’s rarely anyone I recognize at them, and that’s not my purpose there anyway. But I must tell you the story of a nice one I did know.
When I got to the Hyatt, they were full-up for parking. Being that my dear friend my car is ailing right now, so I didn’t want to keep driving around, I asked if I could just wait until someone left, which is what I did.
A girl finally left her spot at the far end, and not wanting to block the one passing lane to sit on her rear until she left, I waited. When I went to get into my car to take the space, the attendant pointed out that someone backing into it, not knowing that I was waiting. He didn’t want to say anything because he’d already gotten a tough time from too many obnoxious visitors demanding, “Don’t you know who I am???”, (like that sentence is going to magically make a space appear), so he asked me to handle it myself, if I chose.
I bravely approached the parking vehicle, and said, “Excuse me, I’m so sorry, but I’ve been waiting for this space for a long time.” The person was lovely, and said he didn’t realize and it’s no problem, and gave me the space! I was shocked that someone was so upright, so I looked all over the suite for the hair he was sporting, to see who it was. It turned-out to be Justin Guarini from the first season of “American Idol,” and he was lovely. Put me in a good mood for the rest of the day.
I picked up some good wardrobe items to wear on my show. One was an adorable sweater-like shawl designed by Moby Wrap, who was also featuring wraps to hold your babies onto your chest, and leave your hands free. www.mobywrap.com
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| Karen and the Smooch Jeans designer |
I received the best-fitting, newest-style, cutest jeans from Smooch Jeans. A matching belt, too. And the girls from the company were so nice, which is a rarity among jean companies at suites, trust me! www.smoochinc.com
After I had my aura read by the adorable and insightful Tracy Southern of Tracy’s Aura Photography (soon to be in Venice, CA), I knew I needed to find some peace. So I picked-up a thermal shirt with peace signs on it, courtesy of www.peacelovemom.com.
To further look good for my show, fabulous make-up artist, Kyle Compton (sounds like his porn name, doesn’t it?), introduced me to Color On press-on eyeshadows. What a handy thing to have with you at all times, just in case a past love shows up at the market you dragged yourself into, looking not your best. Just whip these babies out, and sashay on over to his aisle! www.coloronpro.com
I found the most necessary item for females at awards shows (or clubs, for that matter.) They’re Spare Soles Portable Flats, which are slipper-like footwear that roll-up and fit in even the smallest purse. I love their slogan: “Something your feet won’t regret in the morning.” www.sparesoles.com
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| Karen and her Down & Feather Pillow |
I fell in love with the pillows from a start-up company called Down and Feathers. I started falling asleep on their display table! I can’t wait to receive the firm one I ordered, which is the most like their coveted feather-bed. www.downandfeathercompany.com
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| Kyle Compton applying Karen’s new eyeshadow |
To continue my relaxation, I was gifted with a beautiful, generous-sized candle in Snickerdoodle fragrance. It was even decked-out like the famous cookie it was named for. My favorite part of the presentation? They included matches in the gift bag. Very clever. And appreciated. www.warmglow.com
At these events, one can get so carried away with “trick-or-treating-for swag” that we lose focus of what we’re there to celebrate. But Mona Hogan of L&M Table Creations gave us wine glasses that she had beautifully hand-painted with the masks of comedy and drama in honor of the SAG Awards. I love mine.
My mouth watered when I saw one table with miniature toy dogs and a dollhouse for them. I thought it was just a display for pet jewelry, but it’s really the latest in the doll/something-inanimate-to-take-care-of category. I think it’s for kids, but I wanted them all!
When given my choice, I, of course, picked a white toy poodle, who looks just like my precious Clarence, The Singing Dog, who’s the co-star of my TV show. Turns out, that’s the back-story of my new stuffed-one as well! Coincidence, or has someone been watching my show? Either way, Clarence and I are thrilled to welcome this little one into our fam. www.pawparazzi.com
Speaking of my beloved Clarence, I was so happy to find two products for him. The first is a giant dog bed, that fits in crates. We know that he’s tiny, but I’m using this one to curl up with him myself! (And, in the meantime, I’m storing all the gifts in it!) www.precisionpet.com
The other is a very clever item that I’ve never seen before--a doorbell for dogs! It’s made-up of bells that you hang on the doorknob and the dogs move it with their paws to let you know when they need to go out! Ingenious. www.poochiebells.com
I was on the way out, and noticed that I missed the very first table on the way in! This company had all kinds of accessories, but I chose a shiny, colorful, jeweled belt to go along with my personality! (They didn’t have anything in the “annoying complainer” category.) www.lachicachic.com
Suites are always light on refreshments, which I find strange as we need to maintain our strength for carrying all the swag! But at this one, we had a hot dog table going at all times, provided by Mr. Stein of Florida. We were born in the same hospital in Brooklyn, and my first job in L.A. was selling hot dogs in Westwood, so we had a lot to talk about. In-between mouthfuls, that is!
That's the gifting suites story for now. But never fear--February brings the Grammy's and Oscars. Can't wait!
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