This year’s MTV gifting suite was hosted by the always impressive GBK Productions. While no stranger to the gifting suite process, Gavin Keilly and GBK productions continued to amaze and inspire all who attended, not only because of the beautiful items they chose, but also because of the generosity shown by donating 20% of the proceeds to charity. Long known for his role as Director of Development at City of Hope, a leading hospital, research center, and educational institution in Southern California, Gavin has found a way to build a bridge between celebrity and charity. Held in the penthouse of the swanky Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills, the palatial 10th floor suite housed over 50 companies and products. All aimed at giving to the stars and the community.
Kicking off the day of giving was Project Angel Food, a charity that provides daily meal delivery to men, women, and children in LA County who have been disabled by AIDS/HIV, cancer, diabetes, MS, Parkinson’s disease, and other major illnesses. Prepared by chefs and volunteer assistants, the meals are “nutritious, illness specificâ€, and made with the finest ingredients. Since Project Angel Food’s services began in 1989, they are proud to provide over 4.5 million meals. www.projectangelfood.org
SixDegrees.org is Kevin Bacon’s website devoted to charity awareness. Based on the premise that six people connect us all, it raises the consciousness of how we are all interconnected and together we can make a difference. On the site you are able to learn more about your favorite charities and stars who support them. For more information on donating log onto www.sixdegrees.org and give a little!
If you are somebody who likes a side of adventure with your charitable efforts than i-to-i Meaningful Travel is for you. They are a travel company that “sells life-changing experiencesâ€, not just your average “week away†vacation. Currently sending over 5,000 people a year to volunteer at 500 projects in 30 countries, i-to-i gives people the opportunity to learn about a country by giving the gift of volunteering. Projects range from working with Sea Turtles in Costa Rica to helping care for Orphans with AIDS in Kenya. For more information on these rewarding adventures go to www.meaningfultravel.com.
Once the stars “gaveâ€, they were ready to “receiveâ€. So what they get? Age before beauty, I always say, so let’s start with the gifts that went to the little twinklers.
Baby Legs provided the most adorable leg warmers for all the celeb’s bundles of joy. Perfect for girls and boys, these warmers can be worn on both the arms and legs. With a variety of colors and designs to choose from, Baby Legs was definitely a crowd favorite. Want to get your hands on a pair? Log onto www.babylegs.net.
DuckDuckGooseBoutique.com was on hand to give out the top sellers from their popular on-line store. Loaded with goodies from all the top baby companies, DuckDuckGooseBoutique.com has become a leading retailer in baby fashion. www.duckduckgoose.com
Jesse Walker provided fine knit goods to the stars’ little tykes. Included were cozy sweaters, hoodies, scarves, and more-so sweet! www.jessewalkerknitgoods.com
Punk Baby Clothing added some edge with their rocking designs that were shown on onesies, t-shirts, and caps. Inspired by an array of music motifs there was something for everyone. www.punkbaby.com
So now that the stars have their little rockers dressed, what’s next? Play time! GBK even took care of that. On hand to provide a little tot entertainment were 3 lovely ladies and a toaster. Wasn’t that a movie once? No.
First up was Shakuntula Creative Art. On hand herself, Shakuntula Zakheim presented celebs with art baskets, which included all the fixin’s for “a fun hour of artâ€. Loaded with clay, pipe cleaners, beads, and sticks the basket was perfect for a mommy and me project. For more information visit www.shakuntula.net.
Also present were Two Little Hands Productions who gifted the stars volumes 1-3 in their series of “It’s Signing Time!†sign language video series. I L-O-V-E IT. www.signingtime.com
One of the most popular gifts to be had was a copy of Kathy Dow’s book, Low Down Dirty Words. Attempting to tackle the touchy subject of racial slurs and other unkind words, Kathy does it with grace, humor, and understanding. A must have for all parents. To check out this breakthrough book go to www.lowdowndirtyspot.com.
Ahh, the toaster. Not any ordinary toaster will do; only Pop Art for our most famous pop stars. This nifty chrome toaster comes with 6 plates that can be inserted into the toaster to burn cute designs onto your kid’s morning meal. Who knew making toast could be so fun? Want one? I thought so. www.poparttoaster.com
As the who’s who of Hollywood’s cinema and sound perused the goods throughout the different rooms they were treated to the culinary delights of a host of delicious vendors. So let’s try some, shall we…?
It was all about the Tacos! Sky’s Gourmet Tacos has created a unique menu of delicious Mexican flavors with one thing in common…you guessed it, tacos. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos offers its customers their heart’s desires gently folded in an authentic corn tortilla. Stop in and try some at their restaurant located at 5408 West Pico Blvd in Los Angeles, or have them brought to your special event. 323.932.6253.
Delicious and nutritious! Kiwiberri served some spectacularly refreshing frozen yogurt with the freshest of fruit toppings. Located throughout the city, Kiwiberri will certainly treat you right this summer with some frozen flavors to reverse the effect of global warming. www.kiwiberri.com
Dare Devil, the energy drink. It tastes good because it’s got a natural citrus flavor…and it has caffeine. It’s good for you because it has vitamins in it…and it has caffeine. It looks cool because it’s in a black can with red devil writing…and it has caffeine. With 16 fluid ounces that aint no little bull. Try it with Vodka…I did. www.daredevilenergydrink.com
…And the Gold Medal goes to, The Margarita King. 3-time winner of the Beverage Testing Institute’s coveted award, Giovanni’s premium margarita in a bottle is something to remember. With it’s blue agave tequila, orange liqueur, and natural lemon and limejuices the Margarita King only needs to be shaken and poured. Come on, that’s pretty cool. www.themargaritaking.com
Stumbling right along, helping the stars stay beautiful were a sober group of companies that are at the top of their field in health, beauty, and clothing.
Former NFL pro Eddie Georges introduced his breakthrough fitness regime called the EGX Lifestyle Total Body Workout. The package included a pedometer, jump rope, and a one hour DVD that promises to “trim you down, give you strength and balance, and create a whole new healthy you.†The exercises focus on your upper, lower, and core muscle groups providing a true total body workout. Get one now at www.egxlifestyle.com
In case the stars needed a little boost in curbing their cravings, DEX-L10 Hoodia was passing out their milk chocolate and lemon-lime soft chews. Each chew contains 25 mg of certified South African hoodia gordonii, and only 20 calories. Coming soon is DEX-20 made with succulent cacti that are effective in suppressing the appetite and reducing the formation of fat cells. This is going to be big! Put down that sandwich and log onto www.hoodia.com for more information.
Barbar Artist Inc. supplied stars with the industries’ finest quality grooming tools. Based in Beverly Hills, this long-standing favorite among Hollywood’s well-quaffed elite displayed some of their prized products to a throng of the world’s most demanding hair clients…rock stars. The first to go: hair dryers and flat irons. www.barbarartist.com
Je Beau gifted beautiful botanically enriched hair care products. Available for both men and women, this line offers a variety of products ranging from shampoos and conditioners, to shines and glosses. www.jebeauint.com
Makers of the hottest eyelash product to hit the stores in years, Revitalash, showed stars how amazing their lashes could be even without makeup! This revolutionary eyelash conditioner delivers longer, fuller lashes in just 4 weeks.
www.revitalash.com
LanoLip perfected pouts throughout the day with samples of their lanolin rich lip balm. This wax free moisturizing balm is made with medical grade lanolin and a unique blend of moisturizers that promises to be a step above the rest. www.lanolip.com
Whew! All this hair tossing and puckering gets exhausting. Thank God for “The Massage Spotâ€, and their experienced team of massage therapists who were on hand providing chair massage. Specializing in “mini day spa “ treatments, The Massage Spot was a perfect choice to give attendees a little relaxation. www.themassagespot.com
American Laser Centers were on the scene providing impressive gift certificates worth $1000 each to some lucky guests. Known for being the best in the business, ALC offers the latest technology in Hair Removal, and Skin Rejuvenation. Their staffs of Board Certified Physicians are there to help you look and feel your best. www.americanlaser.com
Vision correction procedures were the talk of the day at the Dougherty Laser Vision display. Confidently located in Los Angeles, Dougherty Laser Vision has become Southern California’s top choice for advanced vision care. For a complete list of services go to www.doughertylaservision.com
A variety of goods as well as services were introduced in this years gifting suit. Think of these as the perfect gift for someone who has it all, but could use a little more.
How about a lifestyle manager and concierge service? Dream Weaver acts as a personal butler to those who can’t do without. They can arrange anything from tee times and grocery shopping to party planning and corporate retreats. No job is too big or small. www.dreamweaverconcierge.com
Executive Gaming Monthly showed guests how to “bring the casino home†with their choice of an exclusive EMG Gift Package. Included was all you need to be the envied host of all your friends: table, cards, chips, the works. Just add cigars. This online company offers a variety of poker packages for all levels of play. For more information log on to www.executivegamingmonthly.com
Astrologer and Tarot Card reader, Brad Kronen, lended his unique talent to the suite by offering readings to those who felt adventurous. Brad’s ability to interpret the Tarot accurately is truly something to experience. He combines both tarot and astology. Treat yourself or someone you love to an amazing session. Trust me, it will be the best gift they have ever had! www.fingerofdestiny.com
Other gifts included a copy of Lolly Anderson’s,How My Refrigerator Sent Me To Paris Free. Based on the inspirational and true story of the authors journey through life and the 7 rules that can make all our dreams come true.
www.thespiritualtimes.com
San Francisco favorite, Speakeasy Ales and Lagers, presented a noteworthy display of their most popular beers. Included were Prohibition Ale, Big Daddy IPA, and Untouchable Ale. Sexy packaging and a great taste make this an obvious choice in beer. [email protected]
Ever hear of a Spiritual Florist? Only in L.A. right? But wait, it’s not what you think. Once you meet Mary Street, floral artist and company owner of Zenspiration Gardens, you will know what I mean. With her sweet demeanor and calming energy it makes sense that Mary would combine her love of floral design with her passion for the human spirit. The result? A Zenspiration Garden. Each garden is individually prepared in a keepsake box filled with plants, fresh flowers, candles, and spiritual icons. The keepsake also includes a booklet with an explanation of how and why each item was chosen, and a personal message. www.zen-opolis.com
Sweetening the day of gifts were Allies Edibles. Quite possibly the best chocolates ever made. Seriously. Touted as “indulgent comfort sweets†these divine pieces of chocolaty, gooey, nutty goodness are individually wrapped in crave-size portions. With 6 varieties to choose from, there is something for everyone. You must taste them to believe! www.alliesedibles.com
Moving on, I was curious to see the clothing designers I would encounter at the worlds largest Rock and Roll award show. Lots of flash, lots of style, and a bit of the outrageous. Yeah, that’s what I found.
Fresh out of the LBC comes Bling it on Designs by Connie. Connie Abaya has created this fun line of trendy custom casual wear with sparkle. Swarovski crystals, nail heads, and rhinestones are used to create your personal works of art, from company logos, team names, and images to priceless personal statements. www.blingitondesigns.com
Too Cute! is right. Saturday morning cartoons are back as your favorite characters make an encore appearance on Too Cute!’s line of apparel and accessories. You can’t help but feel like a super hero yourself with the original wonder Woman flashing her gold tiara across the crown of your styling baseball cap. Check out their caps, belts, tees, jeans, and sport coats branded with your own colorful cartoon alter ego ready for action. www.toocuteusa.com
“Choose your style. Choose your fabric. We stitch and ship!â€Â Now that’s the way a handbag ought to be…hand made. Jenna Claire Handbag Studio offers customized classic designs with attention to quality and detail in every stitch. www.jennaclaire.com
Rosa Loves, and I do too. This non-profit grassroots apparel company creates works of art inspired by the individuals it aims to help. Original designs are hand printed on sweatshop-free shirts and once sold the proceeds are returned in the form of a gift to meet the need of the individual, family, or community. “Learn the story. Buy the shirt. Know whom you’ve helpedâ€. www.rosaloves.com
Keeping it hip, Cityboy Empire, FPjeans, and Don’t Tread on Me all shined with edgy designs to increase your cool factor. But if it’s with your SPF factor you’re more concerned, then SunSoul has you covered. Their UV powered sport jerseys’ material is engineered to heal acne and rejuvenate your skin. www.cityboyempire.com www.fpjeans.com www.dtom.com www.sunsoul.com
Finally, to bring it on home there were some spectacular as well as sensible gifts that were perfect for any home. Rockers don’t always live out of hotel rooms ya’ know.
Setting the mood, iFred sponsored the positive influences of the Mood-Lites, and Zulugrass Jewelry. Dedicated to “shining light on depressionâ€, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred) flipped the switch on the Mood-Lites. These colorful bulbs are coded to enhance the positive emotional states you wish to maintain in your home. Zulugrass Jewelry utilizes the same colorful accents and puts them to beads you can wear, at home or out, in the effort to keep the positive vibes alive. www.depression.org www.mood-lites.com www.zulugrass.co
Speaking of switching on the lights, Turn It On Designs contributed their fashionably customized tactile switch plates to add a little extra detail in your home. Each plate is hand crafted with an original design intended to accentuate your home’s décor. Go beyond Martha Stewart with Turn It On Designs’ groovy plates. www.turnitondesigns.com
Getting many well-deserved oohs and ahhs were Linnovation’s interior waterfalls. Their artistic design water creations were fantastic walls of water engineered to relax the mind and refresh the spirit. These beautiful waterfalls transform the walls of your home into sculptures; and I’m pretty sure they don’t use any lead based paint. www.liquidwall.com
Continuing with the creative and cutting edge home goods, ProSun Sunshower, AIW, and BlueFin Industries all contributed interesting items for the abode. ProSun Sunshowers, like the name implies, provides a safe sun tanning system in your shower. AIW, or Alexander Innovation Wizard, promoted some high-tech fun gadgets worthy of The Sharper Image. BlueFin Industries bellied up with some creative classic longboard surfboard bar tables. Kawabunga! www.prosunsunshower.com www.AlexIW.com www.bluefin-surfbars.com
Finally, no home in Southern California is complete without a surfboard (at least that’s what my husband keeps telling me).
Rebel Boards dominated the line up with its extensive quiver of sticks. Long, short, wide, or narrow, Rebel Boards custom builds all of their surfboards to meet any generation’s shredding needs. Decked with colorful airbrushes, from the aggro to the sublime, you too can drop in with confidence, look at that wave and say, “hey bud, let’s partyâ€. Sure I can talk the talk, but it looks like I’m buying a Rebel Board this summer so I can learn to walk the walk. I just hope I can stand up on the damn thing. Aloha. www.rebelboards.com
Well, that’s all folks. This year’s MTV gifting suites by GBK was a doozy. I sure do appreciate all of the kind souls who came out to show their love, creativity, commerce, and contributions to not only the stars that drive this crazy business, but to the people for whom they continue to reach out and make life a little sweeter. Each company, and the individuals I met representing them proved to have their heart in the right place. I thank you all for your generosity. See you all at the next get together.
