Stars Heat Things Up Backstage at the 35th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards’ Official Talent Gift Lounge

The Official Talent Gift Lounge of the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards took place on-site, backstage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood during rehearsals on June 19th-20th. Open to talent and media, the gift lounge was fluttered with notable stars including the show’s presenters such as Tyra Banks, Barbara Walters, Susan Lucci, Jack Wagner, and Montel Williams, and many vendors of the hottest products today. During the two days of rehearsals for the award show, presenters chose their favorite items in the lounge backstage, customizing their own gift collection with "must-haves".

Along with the presenters, all the hottest stars from daytime television’s popular soaps were joined together in honor of the show.

The 2008 Daytime Emmy Awards show’s two hosts Cameron Mathison and Sherri Shepherd were both in and out of the gift lounge Thursday and Friday, mingling with other stars including this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Regis Philbin. And now Ms. Shepherd is now ready for her upcoming trip to Costa Rica after picking up her Kmart gift collection. "General Hospital’s" Kirsten Storms also loved the beach collection including a Martha Stewart towel which she proclaimed "perfect for tanning"! All the goodies these stars scooped up in the Official Talent Gift Lounge were placed in Vera Bradley’s Raspberry Fizz Large Duffel, perfect for holding the gifts as the Duffle features plenty of room, durable long handles and doubles as a fashionable carry-on compliant! Daytime legend, Susan Lucci, said the duffle reminded her of "Provence," while Christel Khalil of "The Young and the Restless" exclaimed that her character on the show carries a Vera Bradley gym bag – now she’ll have one of her own! Susan Haskell of "One Life to Live," whose husband is writing a book to benefit children’s cancer, was excited that Vera Bradley has a line that benefits breast cancer. Vera Bradley’s spring 2008 accessories were also featured and along with the bag, they can be found on their website at www.verabradley.com.

Anne Koplik Design’s vintage inspired jewelry was another vendor at the lounge that was not to be missed, as it is always a Daytime Emmy Awards Red Carpet favorite! Their vintage inspired fashion jewelry for the contemporary woman are sure to attract eyes as their one-of-a-kind pieces feature freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, unique hand-enamel and antique glass stones. The jewelry varies in their different styles, trendy designs, and colors such as a pink embedded dove pendant, or a more traditional heart locket. Anne Koplik’s bracelets, earrings, brooches, necklaces, and watches are all available on www.annekoplik.com. 

Caravan Boutique apparel for men & women was also one of the fabulous vendors present.  Caravan Boutique offers a hip mix of contemporary apparel collections from designers around the globe. Both the male and female stars enjoyed selecting from a variety of trendy styles from renowned brands such as Primp, IZAAK, Erotokritos and much more! Caravan Boutique offers more than apparel; they also offer jewelry, eyewear, and even home furnishings. Sherri Shepherd, gearing up for her coming vacation, scooped up designer tops at Caravan’s station. You can also expect to see Marcy Rylan from "Guiding Light" in some hip new styles from Caravan Boutique, as she selected a dress and three tops. And Finola Hughes loved the look of Caravan’s clothes so much that she took pictures of herself in them with her cell phone and instantly added them to her webiste! You can join them by perusing and selecting from their website at www.shopcaravan.com. 

Joico Moisture Recovery Beauty was also there to give a special preview wherein stars were among the first to experience Moisture Recovery, a new hair care collection from Joico set to debut September 2008!  Inspired by art, fashion and modern technology, Joico breaks the boundaries of science to create the art of healthy hair. Stars of "One Life to Live", Susan Haskell, Kassie DePavia and Kristen Alderson, were excited to receive an exclusive preview of Joico’s new hair care line, Recovery Beauty, as they all said they would be doing their own hair and make-up for the awards. Take your own sneak peak at the hyped hair care collection at www.joico.com.

The Lierac Paris VIP Collection featured a variety of their latest A-class products including: Concentré Mesolift Toning Radiance Serum, Aqua D+ Tinted Moisturizer, Diopticrème anti-wrinkle eye cream and Sensorielle Body Cream.  To top it off, Lierac Paris also offered a gift certificate for a Signature Lierac Facial at the Phyto Universe Spa on 58th St. and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. Luxury meets convenience with Lierac Paris, Europe’s celebrated anti-aging skincare line. More information is available at www.lierac.us.

Another highly prized set that the stars got their hands on was Nature Made SAM-e’s Complete "Discover Your Good Mood Essentials Kit". This decadent kit included a 6-month Supply of SAM-e Complete, a copy of The Bounce Back Book by Karen Salmansohn and luxurious, chenille spa slippers all packaged in a reusable tote. Nature Made SAM-e Complete also offered relaxing massages from a licensed massage therapist onsite in the Gift Lounge! Nature Made SAM-e Complete makes it their goal to help you achieve a naturally healthy mood in as little as 7-14 days. More information can be found on www.SAM-e.com.   

With all the hustle backstage, guests may have worked up an appetite that they satisfied with the delicious Nonni’s biscotti cioccolati & turtle pecan, plus an additional VIP card for a free Nonni’s biscotti anytime!  Nonni’s also invited talent to sign oversized pink coffee mugs to help raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. Daniel Goddard, star of "Young and the Restless" wrote "Let’s find a cure" on a Nonni mug, while Sherri Shepherd declared after tasting the caramel latte flavored Nonni, that she would be receiving a lifetime supply of the biscotti! Finola Hughes also found Nonni’s work meaningful. Hughes shared that her mom had passed from breast cancer, and she was really pleased to be able to help in some way. Nonni’s gives back further which goes along with their motto: "Treat Yourself Better". Check out more of their goodies and other information at www.nonnis.com.

TreasureKnit offered a different service and product that was quite the hype at the gift lounge. They featured customized color photo blankets, where each star had a photo of their choice woven into a custom full-color blanket that will never fade. Many stars have sent their photos in advance and received their custom blanket on-site. They also received a second photo blanket woven with The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards commemorative poster by pop artist Charles Fazzino, a keepsake to treasure forever. TreasureKnit got a lot of fun reactions from stars who received blankets with their pictures of them and their loved ones. Daniel Cosgrove from "Guiding Light" said that his wife might actually cry when she sees the blanket. Susan Haskell of "One Life to Live" said that she was going to give the blanket to her mother-in-law, but it was so gorgeous she might just want to keep it for herself! Sherri Sheppard of "The View" was overjoyed with the TreasureKnit blanket of her husband and son, exclaiming Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! She said she would get tons of Blankets as gifts for everyone she knew. When he saw the blanket with a picture of himself,  Daytime Emmy’s co-host, Cameron Mathison, said "This is fantastic "I’m going to give this to my brother so he can cuddle up to me at night"! TreasureKnit can transform any photo in a woven photo blanket! See how at  www.TreasureKnit.com.

The shows and their talents who were present include: "All My Children": Susan Lucci, Darnell Williams, Debbi Morgan, Cornelius Smith, Jr., Ricky Paul Goldin, Beth Ehlers; "The Bold and the Beautiful": Jack Wagner, Heather Tom; "As the World Turns": Jake Silbermann, Van Hansis; "Guiding Light": Daniel Cosgrove, Marcy Rylan, Gina Tognoni, Robert Bogue; "The Young and the Restless": Melody Thomas Scott, Doug Davidson, Don Diamont, Michelle Stafford, Sharon Case; "Days of Our Lives": Alison Sweeney, Arianne Zucker, Nadia, Bjorlin; "One Life to Live": Michael Easton, Susan Haskell, Kassie DePaiva, John-Paul LaVoisier, Farrah Fath, Kristen Alderson, Brandon Buddy; "General Hospital": Jason Cook, Kristen Storms, Bradford Anderson, Laura Wright, Sarah Brown, Julie Berman, Tyler Christopher and many more.

The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards is a presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). The show was broadcast live on ABC Friday, June 20, from Hollywood’s famed Kodak Theatre at 8:00 p.m., ET. For more news on the award show including fashion, winners, and performances, go to www.emmyonline.org.  

The Official Talent Gift Lounge was produced by On 3 Productions, the leader in customized gifting experiences for major award shows, entertainment and charity events. On 3 Productions has produced the most buzzed-about Gift Lounges backstage at The Tony Awards, The Independent Spirit Awards, Z100’s Jingle Ball, Super Bowl and more! Check out their website at www.on3productions.com.