The Oscars are this weekend, and the gifting suites in Hollywood are in full swing. Well, I can vouch for one of them, anyway; I spent a good chunk of my day at the Academy Awards 2011 Oscar gifting suite run by GBK. On February 25th and 26th, the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company honored the 2011 Academy Award nominees and presenters with its annual gift lounge at the W Hollywood hotel in, obviously, Hollywood. There was some pretty impressive swag here, but the travel lover in me was most impressed with the travel related goodies.
The W Hollywood is sleek, hip and modern; all those young starlets I saw at the Oscar gifting suite fit right in. Last year, the gossip was about how Sarah Palin and her crew swooped into Oscar gifting suites and grabbed up stuff indiscriminately. I didn’t see anything untoward or tacky at the GBK gift lounge this year, however, I seriously enjoyed watching Cloris Leachman get treated to a makeover and a pampering skin treatment. Come on, who doesn’t love Cloris Leachman?
Star-gazing is alright, but I really enjoyed talking with some entrepreneurs and company reps who had passion for their products. There were a few travel-related standouts, in terms of both the friendly knowledgeability of their representatives and the product themselves. These were my five favorites.
Bota Box: Yes, this is wine-in-a-box. It sounds off putting until you get to hear the details. The Bota Box is wine in a box, but GOOD wine. It travels easily (the rep has had it on both checked and carry-on luggage) and is environmentally friendly. The box is made of 100% post-consumer fiber and is 100% recyclable. Now, as for the wine itself, it’s notable: Wine Spectator gave the Shiraz, Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon its highest rating. There is the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine in these boxes, all California wine, and they all go for around $20.
Arbonne: This premium, luxury line featured health and wellness products that are botanically based and inspired by nature. I think my new Arbonne skin care travel kit is absolutely gorgeous. The product line RE9 Advanced Travel Set has 10 anti-aging products, and the rep also had the RE9 Advanced Cellular Renewal Masque and Arbonne Cosmetics Lip/Makeup Primer on hand. These RE9 products by Arbonne use antioxidants, sunblock (this is key), and other botanicals to help skin look younger.
SENSA Quench: This is a powder that travels as well as any. Sensa Quench is a low calorie blend of nutrients and antioxidants, with vitamins and green tea. It is supposed to give us energy. Sprinkling the SENSA Weight-Loss System on food should make us feel sated sooner…but what really won me over are the flavorful powdered fruit drinks. Adding these low-cal, sugar free powders to water makes for a tasty and refreshing drink. These powders pack up and fit anywhere, so taking them on vacations is a piece of cake.
NYR Organics: Neal’s Yard Remedies certified organic cosmetics, face, and body products smell wonderful. Travel sizes are available, and the handsome bottles ensure that men won’t get too antsy about having these skincare products on the bathroom counter. Energising (it’s a British line, with proper British spelling) Travel Essentials include organic genanium and orange shower gel, body lotion, and shampoo and conditioner in a cotton carrying case.
William Rast Eyeware: These are high-end sunglasses that have a timeless yet trendy look (meaning, nothing too crazy). I like these sunglasses, and the rep said that the William Rast clothing line (not at the Oscar gifting Suite) has teamed up with Justin Timberlake for a biker-inspired, denim-centric series.
Sure, there were some diamond watches and an infrared home sauna, but as a member of the media, I could only look at those — the diamonds are reserved for celebrities! It’s a surreal experience to wander through a series of rooms with famous people in them, and other people bestowing gifts upon them. But what’s surreal to me is reality to them, and they would perhaps feel out of place flying coach to an ecolodge or taking a group bus trip through the American Southwest. Reality may be subjective, but objectively, I had a fantastically fun day at GBK’s Oscar gifting suite. Thanks, GBK; you really know how to put an Academy Awards event together.
Disclaimer: At the invitation of GBK Productions, I attended and received a bunch of products at the Oscar gifting suite in the W Hollywood hotel.
I am getting excited for the Oscars tomorrow! my favorite awards show!
Sounds like fun – the W is the perfect location for something like that
you had me at ‘box o wine!’ I will be looking out for that Bota Box! Any info on the availability/distribution of said delicious yet convenient potable!?
That’s a good question, Elizabeth! They’re available at specialty wine shops across the US — you’re in NYC, as I know, which has several shops selling Bota Box wines. Try Best Cellars on Lexington Ave., or American First Liquor Store on 1st Ave.
How fabulous!
How did the box of wine get past the 3ozs of liquid requirement for carry-on? Is there something I missed? Also, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Arbonne products. Been using a lot of their stuff for 3 years now.
I think if you buy bottles (er, boxes) in duty free airport stores, you can carry them on plane. But they must be specially sealed, w/ receipt evident, etc.
SO excited about seeing the Arbonne anti-aging skin care! Great products that literally changes your skin in 24 hours! Everyone will be wanting more! Love the Bot Box, too!
helping others look better, feel better, and create financial peace!
Oooh, I stayed at the W Hollywood when it first opened last spring, and it’s definitely a great place to be for the Oscars! While I was there, I saw both Timbaland and Julia Stiles–and it was a Monday morning not during awards season!
ARBONNE RE9 Advanced as well as the other products we carry ROCK! I am addicted to them:
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Great review!!! So exciting to see the Arbonne Anti-Aging Travel Set being gifted to the Stars!! Now they can share what we’ve been enjoying for years!!!
Fabulous seeing Arbonne at the Oscars, they were also at the the Academy Awards and are the darling of Vogue. I have never used anything so amazing on my skin and believe me I’ve tried a lot!
As a PT for 30 years Arbonne’s Healthy products are the only ones I’ll ever use. If you too would like to experience healthy like the stars are about to just e-mail me and I’ll send you a sample.
Arbonne hits Hollywood again. For all you Canadian fans check-out my website for more information or contact me and I will happy to assist you experiencing the Arbonne Differenceeeee
Great to see Arbonne hitting Hollywood!
So excited to see Arbonne products at this event! These products are amazing and the business opportunity attached to them is even more amazing! Arbonne is available in the US, Canada, UK and Australia!
Yeah for ARBONNE! These products are amazing and the business is even better! If you want more information email me! I’m always looking to change people’s lives!
I LOVE what I do! 
This is so incredible that the celebrities get to experience Arbonne’s amazing products!! The RE9 Advanced Anti-Aging skincare line is the BEST and proven to given results in only 24 hours!
Nice review!!! Very excited to see the Arbonne Anti-Aging products being gifted to the Academy Awards Stars!! Now they can enjoy and feel their best!
Amazing to see Arbonne at the Oscars!!! The business and products are changing my life!!!!
I’d love to help change yours too 
Wonderful review on Arbonne’s RE9 Advanced Products. These products definitely give results. I’m 46 and people think that I’m in my 30′s.
King’s Speech won Oscars! I’m so happy!
Arbonne skin care system is the best on the market today. They really work. Try them for free. We also have Arbonne Essentials which is our Health & Wellness product line. Everything from Vitamins to Ammunity Boosters.
It was so great to see NYR Organic at the Oscars! Thanks so much for the mention!
Sound intersting. Looking forward for the event and the launch of the product in the event.
Wow, so great to see Arbonne at the Oscars, everyone deserves a bit of Heaven. I’m a new RVp and would love to share Arbonne with everyone, it’s the best secret around. Look me up!! Enjoy
Great review!!! Very excited to see the Arbonne Anti-Aging products being gifted to the Academy Awards Stars!!!
It was absolutely wonderful to see Arbonne at the Oscars!! What amazing products Arbonne has, over 450 products. A health and wellness company that makes you feel good both inside and outside. Want to try a sample and see the results, email me I am in Northern VIrginia and love to share the products and amazing business opportunity. A very well kept secret.
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Love all the goodies! And I recently have discovered how delicious some box wines are too! They’ve come a long way!
So great to know that all of the celebrities were given the chance to try the Greatest skin care products in the world (if they haven’t already)!!! The Arbonne RE9 Advanced Anti-Aging Skin Care Line can truly make a difference in your skin within 24 hours. Don’t believe me – get in touch with me and I will send you your own samples to try. You will LOVE them!!!!!!!
Wow! ARBONNE INTERNATIONAL products were at the OSCARS! Truly deserved as all their heath wellness and skin care products for babies, teens, men and women are awesome. VIVA Arbonne! Vivian
Wow, I’m so proud that the products I love were at the Oscars! The are the best in the world!! Wished I could have been there too! What an amazing night!
ARBONNE AT THE OSCARS!!!
The Oscars may be in the US but Arbonne is here in the UK too! Each month more of us are enjoying the Celebrity Experience and the benefits of Pure Safe and Beneficial Health and Wellness products. Arbonne is a quality Company and a fabulous Opportunity…..for everyone….If you would like to hear more please get in touch with me.
Hi!!!
Thanks for submitting your article to “everything glamorous blog carnival” such a fun and exciting read. The best article yet!!!