Nick Verreos at the Melanie Segal's Platinum Publicity Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge for the MTV Movie Awards 2011, Luxe Hotel PenthouseYesterday, I was invited to attend several of those fabulous Gifting Suites in lieu of the MTV Awards--Because of my hectic schedule, I could really only get to one, Melanie Segal's Platinum Publicity Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge at the Luxe Hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills, on Rodeo Drive.
As you may know, these "Lounges" are PR and Marketing to events held in LA during Awards Season to, highlight brands and show off anything from beauty products, clothing, liquor, make-up treatments, shoes, jewelry, tooth whitening and spa treatments, super-flossy resort vacations ,the latest-and-greatest in technical gadgets, to well, even cup cakes!
Actor Frankie Muniz, with his NeilMed Sinus Rinse bag of "goodies", Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge, Luxe Hotel PenthouseThe point is to get Celebs to come, check out the products, pose and take a photo with the product so the vendor gets something for their Publicity/PR page, and hopefully, the invitee gets a "gift" of a product as a "Thank You". The bigger the Celeb, the bigger their "gift", as you can imagine.
The scene at this Platinum Publicity "Lounge" at the Luxe Hotel Penthouse (above photo) was, appropriately enough, lounge-y. This was the first day and guests/Celebs were just trickling in as I arrived. Sometimes it's a bit odd to come to these events--for several reasons, including the fact that you might have to deal with that dreaded "And You Are???"--but it's always nice when immediately, the "Door Girls" recognize you and are UBER sweet...as they were here to me.
There was a "red carpet" section for photo-ops, a DJ playing fun "Lounge-Club-Pop" tunes and immediately you were "drawn" into the various vendor tables. Usually you are escorted by one of the Gifting Suites pr people who leads you from table to table to check out all the fun...
Nick Verreos posing with UniqueVintage.com Retail Store Manager Kelly Edwards, Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge, Luxe Hotel PenthousePlatinum Suites had everything for everyone: Manicures from Bellacures (I got one!), Ed Hardy tees and hats, Artá Tequila, Wine Tasting, DDF Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate Cremes, Paciugo Gelato (I had a cup!)...
Great tanks and vintage-inspired clothing from UniqueVintage.com, great printed shirts from Nuco Clothing, Dulcerama Lingerie (Thongs anyone?) to NeilMed Sinus Rinse products. This last one I was excited to find out more info. since I had just returned from San Antonio Texas and had a bad case of that city's infamous Cedar Pollen Allergies.
As soon as I said "hello" to the NeilMed Sinus Rinse booth people (above photo), they were above-and-beyond excited to see me! I guess they are BIG Project Runway fans and well, before I knew it, I spent half an hour giving them DISH on the show and all the behind-the-scenes stuff! My "handler" was so over me that she done left me!
During my stay, I spotted the beautiful actress/singer Samantha Mumba (I LOVED that song of hers, "Baby Come On Over" back in the day!) but in the end, I had to hightail it back to my studio and run my business and make some dresses...
But of course, I couldn't leave without stopping by two particular "booths": First, the Friandise Pastries, where I picked up some DELICIOUS macaroons, cupcakes and cookies. And finally...
Nut Lover: Nick Verreos loves MyMixedNuts to-go bags, Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge, Luxe Hotel PenthouseI had to stop by MyMixedNuts.com--I love their to-go bags of nuts and they were so kind to give me one "for the road", as well as for my many travels on a plane--they're perfect for that--and perfect for when I don't get that Upgrade and get seated waaaay back in Coach!
Thanks Melanie Segal and Platinum Publicity for another fun Trend Lounge. event.
