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A Home For the Holidays Special Raises Adoption Awareness; Distinctive Assets Brought the Christmas Spirit

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Renee RussoThe holidays are upon us! The 10th Annual “A Home For the Holidays” Christmas special, executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Henry Winkler, is an moving annual entertainment special celebrating the joys of adoption and raises awareness about foster care adoption, one of the nation’s most pressing and underreported social crises.

The hour-long holiday special, which will be broadcast Tuesday, December 23, on CBS, will feature taped profiles of three families sharing their adoption experience. The profiles will be presented by Emmy Award-winning comedian Martin Short, Rene Russo ("The Thomas Crown Affair”), Emmy and SAG Award winner Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond," "Front of the Class") and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth of ABC’s “Pushing Daisies among the celebrities. The special will feature moving musical performances by Grammy Award-winning country music stars Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, actor/singer Jamie Foxx, rock musician Gavin Rossdale and Grammy Award-winning rock singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge and others.

Distinctive Assets Backstage Talent Lounge Brought Christmas to the Set

The taping of this heartfelt special took place this past weekend. While the stars taped, they got a taste of Christmas early, as Distinctive Assets was thrilled to provide the presenters and performers some fabulous gifts to thank them for taking part in the show, which included:

Storm of London, the exclusive London-based brand, brought their extraordinary line of unique, sleek, stylish watches and accessories…ideal for all the trendsetters. The line ranges from super funky to sophisticated and just the right thing for the individual who is  looking to stand out from the crowd. “Storm” is sold in more than 45 countries world wide including Shanghai, Riga, Prague, Bratislava, Dubai, Melbourne and Delhi, making it a truly international presence. For more information on storm watches visit: www.stormwatches.com

Rachel Lee Cook with Storm of London Watches

Celebrities got a gift bag full of great soy-blend candles and other fabulous products from Tyler Candle Company, including  hand-poured, rich fragrant oil, and high quality wax candles are the perfect stress relievers and key items needed to enjoy those quiet, aromatic evenings spent during the winter solitude. Tyler’s long-lasting candles are soy based, which allows for longer and cleaner burning, and are amazingly manufactured within the United States from renewable resources. The signature leopard print trim, a new, spunky, contemporary twist, along with their long-lasting abilities are quickly making Tyler’s candle line one of the top sellers in the country. “Tyler’s Candle Company” also offers products such as Tyler Glamour Reed Diffusers , Tyler Candle Fragrance Fuels, Tyler Candle Fragrance Lamps, Chambre Parfum, and Mixer Melts. Tyler Candle Company products can be purchased online at www.TylersCandlesonline.com.

Jenny Garth with Tyler Candles

Golf Junkie’s trendy and functional collection of golf apparel, churned out of The Netherlands, Arnhem, is being distributed in the U.S. and stars were turned onto these avant gard styles. The golf course has never looked this good! This original clothing line created by a super-team of creative and innovative people has become the answer to the lack of traditional brands in golf apparel. This lifestyle fashion brand focuses on the demanding female and male golfer and is may quickly become the next “must-have” golf clothing line.

Dr. Frank Ryan, M.D.There were gift certificates for skin rejuvenation from the medspa of Dr. Frank Ryan, M.D., a top aesthetic cosmetic surgeon who specializes in delicate procedures and is a respected member of many elite plastic surgery societies such as ASPS, ASAPS, CSPS, and CMA. Dr. Frank Ryan is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and offers facials, injectables, and laser procedures. His many celebrity clients are as beautiful as ever, thanks to him.

He even has an exclusive skincare line, Dr. Frank Ryan Skin Care, available to his patients that will soon be available to people everywhere in January 2009. Dr. Frank Ryan believes in helping people find their healthiest selves and inspiring them to look and feel their best.

As a firm believer of a kinder world as well, Dr. Ryan has removed over a thousand gang-related tattoos pro-bono and founded “The Bony Pony Ranch” in 2003, a 26-acre ranch in Malibu, CA that serves as a hiatus for under-privileged and at-risk youth. Perhaps a visit to Dr. Frank Ryan could be your own personal gift to yourself. Frank H. Ryan, MD, 9675 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, CA                      (310) 275-1075          .  For more information visit: www.drfrankryan.com.

Monarchy collections hoodie.Distributed worldwide, the Monarchy Collection is known for their unique graphics and fabrics. Monarchy is an eclectic premium men’s and women’s apparel line that is a front runner in fashion for trendsetting tees and ground breaking denim. It’s become a sought-after brand by in-the-know Hollywood. Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Seacrest, Jessica Beil, Jeremy Piven, Jake Gillenhaal and others are fans. Designer Eric Kim has created this line after a long career as a successful designer and feels its “raw-edged” appeal is right on the money. www.MonarchyCollection.com

Celebs seeking the not-so-typical location for a quick getaway can use their gift certificate for a 2-night stay and daily breakfast for two at the Legends Bistro at the legendary La Costa Resort and Spa. Located in Carlsbad, CA, just 90 minutes south of L.A., and nestled in 400 acres of charismatic lush landscaped setting, La Costa caters to individuals looking for an alternative yet pleasant experience. Guests can engage in activities such as tennis or golf or simply enjoy the peace and quiet in the spa courtyard. There’s even a small shopping center within the spa containing boutiques such as Pinkalicious, Coastal Dunes, Audrey’s Etc, Yamaguchi Salon Boutique, and Chopra Center Gift Shop. All in all, “La Costa Resort and Spa” is the unique and relaxing atmospheric destination of the traveler seeking refined contentment and tranquility.
For more information visit: www.lacosta.com

Gavin RossdaleFor all the kids in your life that you’d like to especially reward for being so wonderful, there are Bandai America Incorporated action figures, role play, and tech toys such as Power Rangers, Ben 10, Tamagotchi Connection, Dragon Ball Z, Blue Dragon, and Mugen Pop Pop. These super fighting powers, virtual pets, and alien figures are exactly what your kids need to wheedle away the long hours spent indoors. www.bandai.com

Sunstyle Tanning, a premier Los Angeles sun tanning salon, features the newest Ergoline Tanning Collection and showcases some of the latest sunless tanning treatments.  This one of a kind salon offers tanning and style concierges, studio attendants, fully stocked vanity bars, private parking, and even special goodie bags for all of their “Couture” members.  Open Sun, Excellence, Affinity, Advantage, and Ambition are a few of Ergoline’s newest professional tanning units available at Sunstyle.  Even more impressive, Sunstyle Tanning is the official tanning studio of the Hollywood Music Awards.  Furthermore, as a special incentive to new clients, you can join their guest list and receive a complimentary tan.  However, the biggest attraction of this salon would have to be “Open Sun 1050”, a 30 high-pressure unit that includes a stereo sound package with an external Mp3 player connection and a powerful cooling fan. Sunstyle Tanning is one place in L.A. that lets you tan “in style. www.sunstyle.la

 Grapes and Goodies Gift Baskets had their holiday editions onhand to gift the presenters and performers. The innovative and highly customizable gift baskets allow you the options of personally choosing from a range of gourmet items and marvelous gifts. You have the awesome ability to pick what you want and how much you want to spend and have it all put together and shipped out for you. Simple, easy, and convenient! To order a Grapes and Goodies Gift Basket visit: www.grapesandgoodies.com

Renee Russo with Grapes and Goodies Gift Baskets

Gamila’s Secret is a handmade soap made of mixture of wild herbs and hand-pressed olive oil, created by Gamila of Galilee, a Druze woman born and raised in the village of Pqi’in, from a secret, special formula. Its unique, all-natural combination of over 15 active wild herbs, Shea butter, and 6 vegetable oils soothingly restores, hydrates, cleanses, revitalizes, and heals skin that has lost it’s natural balance. With 100% natural active ingredients such as olive oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and laurel oil that are first cooked in kettles for over 40 hours and then added into the mixture by using a “gigantic tea bag”, a certain synergy is created that after use produces healthy and supple skin. This synergy is further intensified when the soap is left to ripen for a period of six months before marketing, thus creating the perfect non-skin clogging and preservative, dye, and emulsifier-free natural skin care product. Get more information on “Gamila’s Secret” by visiting: www.gamila.com

Gamila's Secret at "A Home for the Holidays"

Jill Reno, the creator behind the Jill Reno Custom Jewelry line, is offering women a delightful diversion from the typical beige and earth tones usually associated with winter by providing brilliantly colorful jewelry pieces made from elegant and glamorous gemstones. Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Vanessa Williams, Tori Spelling, Vanessa Ann Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale are just a few of the celebrities that have already jumped on the Jill Reno bandwagon. For more information visit: www.jillrenocollection.com

Joico, the hair-care line originated in 1975 to “preserve, improve and enhance the integrity of [hair]”, is yet another way to treat yourself to a moment of tranquility while pampering your hair at the same time. Joico is marketed towards the salon professional and aims to preserve certain standards such as technology comes first, artistry, commitment, integrity making it more than just your average hair care product. This is an amazing line! Joico can be purchased at various beauty supplies throughout southern California. Find more information, where to purchase, and the latest hairstyles by visiting: www.joico.com

Lash Fary, CEO, Distinctive AssetsOther great items in the Giftbag included Range of Motion, TrueBlue Pet Products, Hollywood Fashion Tape, Tiny Prints, Vivites Skincare, Soy Basics Candles, Say it with Vases, Lindt, nGallerie, Reebok, PINK Spirits Company, Shomer-Furdigo, Cobblestone Vineyards, Otter Box, SpinLash, Caramba Tequila, Baskin Robbins, “Super Hero” by Shoshana Bean, ONE DRINK, BNY Dogs, Inc., Peek, Famima!! and Jockey.

Distinctive Assets, well-known for lavish gift collections and interactive gift lounges at major Hollywood events such as the GRAMMY® Awards, Latin GRAMMY®s, HBO Comedy Festival, People’s Choice, American Music Awards and Kids’ Choice Awards, Distinctive Assets spearheaded the celebrity swag industry over nine years ago. Established in 1999, Distinctive Assets not only produces the Gift Bags and Talent Lounges for many major award shows but also provides Celebrity Placement, Public Relations, Product Integration and Branding Opportunities within the entertainment industry and beyond. Other services include Corporate & Personal Gifting for every occasion. www.DistinctiveAssets.com

About the author

Athena Spencer