PO!NT HAS BEEN ON A MUCH NEEDED VACATION. WILL RETURN END OF MAY FOR EVENT, FILM AND WINE REVIEWS AS WELL AS TRAVEL DESTINATION RECOMMENDATIONS.

April, 2013
Even the most cynical of writers, including myself, get loopy when spring arrives.  People are already sneezing from the blooming trees and flowers, and convinced they have the flu or the plague, running to their doctor for meds that they don’t need. So here’s a little escape for my readers and their box of tissues: my annual report of new products culled from the awards season gifting suites and tested by yours truly. Now you can use the same products gifted to celebrities (which they admit to re-gifting to their assistants or agents or Mom back in St. Louis). Bear in mind that I only write about products that I deem worth your hard-earned dollars. Links to websites will appear at the bottom of this page. For film reviews, please click on the Reviews link above and for photos, click on the link below.

     Several times a year, PR maven and ski patrol member Alyson Dutch stages theme-based CONSUMER PRODUCTS EVENTS for media (no celebs invited) in Los Angeles and NYC. I attended her Valentine/Wedding event in January at the Viceroy in Santa Monica. It was overwhelming – especially the male models dressed in nothing but WOOD UNDERWEAR (pun intended). Made of beech tree cellulose/elastane blend, the bright colors of the boxers and briefs are perfect for a guy who likes to take his pants off. As the models paraded past me, I almost spilled my glass of luscious Lavande wine, produced by MATIN DU BOIS Winery in Temecula. I highly recommend this lovely merlot for wedding guests as it is bursting with fruit and just enough residual sugar to please a variety of palates. He makes wine, she grows lavender. Sigh. My fantasy! The husband and wife team makes full use of their land by also planting lavender for their TEMECULA LAVENDAR & CO. Now, I grow lavender myself but there must be something wonderful in the soil and air down south as the lavender from their company is richly aromatic. All of their products are produced in small batches with no colorants, preservatives or perfumes. If you don’t know by now the healthful properties of this ancient herb, well, best educate yourself (wake up, Ambien users!). A plethora of lavender products are available at their website.    

     The chances of me holding an OSCAR envelope are slim to none (OK, none) but I got that chance at the CPE bash. Yep, MARK FRIEDLAND COUTURE COMMUNICATIONS designed and produce the envelopes used at the Oscars. Printed on heavy stock, the envelopes have teeny Oscars on them and are really collectable.  It’s obvious why winners ask for the envelopes back stage at the Dolby. Oh, and his company also did Oprah’s personal stationary (something else I’ll never see). The go-to guy for lavish, extravagant invitations has been called the “Godfather of Communications” – and he doesn’t even have an Italian name!

      A wedding can put stress and fatigue on later honeymoon activities. Enter JOPEN “toys” – wildly designed sexual aids that can put the fun back in any relationship. Their devices are so artfully created that you can almost set them on the coffee table and tell visitors they’re sculptures. For those who love crave the exotic, check out PONDICHERRY – the go-to place for fashions, jewelry and handbags inspired by the artisans of South Asia and India. A standout was a lovely gold and red purse that folded into a unique fortune cookie shape worthy of a Hollywood red carpet. The stunning bracelets would make perfect bridesmaids’ gifts, too.  Groomsmen would love the ANCHOR NECKWEAR ties – with patented button down function that keeps a tie put even through wedding reception revelry. An added feature is a clever little pocket in back of the tie – perfect for a car key or a slip of paper with the phone number of the bride’s hot, single sister.

      During Oscar week, KATHY DULIAKAS staged a gifting suite at the Taglyan event space on La Brea, hosted by actor Aaron Paul and benefiting the Kind Campaign. Guests were treated to a scrumptious Middle Eastern buffet and tastes of delicious KAH TEQUILA while checking out the booths. Among the standouts:  ISABEAU Flourish Hydra Complex moisturizer. I tried this wonderful cream and hey IT WORKS! Within a couple of days I noticed that small lines disappeared and my skin looked younger (a challenge for any crème!). Darks spots also diminished considerably. Wonderful! Rey Herrera’s CHILANTHROPY products are for relaxing – aromatic home and travel candles, bath salts (pink Himalayan and black Hawaiian) and unique bath “teas” -  bags of spices and herbs that hang in the shower and release the most wonderful aromas. Who says you can only relax in a tub! This guy is on to something. The HOT IRON HOLSTER is a silicone bag that hangs on a sink or countertop that can hold your hot hair tools (works in the kitchen, too). Whitney Anderson designed some smart tees with very hip slogans for her upstart BIG BOLD FIERCE company.  I wore her “NO RISK NO STORY shirt to the Hollyshorts film screening and young filmmakers were all over me (trust me, it was the shirt).

      PROJECT RUNWAY contestant Gordana Gehlhausen was showing off her multi-use wrap – it’s a shawl, it’s a skirt, it’s a beach cover up - whatever you need it to be. Travelers will appreciate the versatility of her lightweight garment. You can find her GOGA shop on hipster street Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA. Although JULIE LOPEZ claims her shoes are not hipster, I disagree. That is, if you think classic imported Italian leather heels that will last for more than one season can be hipster. I do. Female CEO’s take note! MALEKU JEWELRY – exotic creations inspired by the colors of the rainforest. Designer Ileana Rojas-Bennett’s adornments utilize turquoise, pearls, topaz and other earth gems in elegant bracelets, necklaces and rings that are so classic that they work well with both formal and casual wear. Perfect for the traveler who doesn’t want to carry a lot of jewelry. I wore a beautiful pair of her topaz earrings to the NIGHT OF 100 STARS OSCAR VIEWING PARTY. To read more about THAT Beverly Hills event, click on EVENTS link.

     I admit that I have tried so many hair products that I am practically an authority. I thought nothing could impress me as much as Chaz Dean’s WEN products but Holy Hair Follicle Batman, I am totally wowed by the argan oil-based AGADIR Voluminizing Shampoo and Conditioner. The company hosted a lavish afternoon brunch on Sunset Blvd. to showcase their splendid products. Argan oil conditions hair but doesn’t make it heavy or greasy-feeling. Your style will also last longer between washings and the shine and body are amazing. My ultra fine hair is better for using Agadir products.     

     So, there you have it. Links to the above company websites are below. Would I steer you wrong?