February 28, 2005

Oscar Goodies Report: Travel

Let the detoxing begin. Now for the matter of sorting out which trips in the presenter’s basket are worth redeeming and which ones are, um, transferable:

 Vancouver’s Opus Hotel is offering its six-night “Ultimate Canadian Experience,” half of which will be spent at the Four Seasons Whistler, with helicopter transfer between the two resorts.
 Carolina Country, anyone? The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina has anted up a riverfront cottage suite for three nights, golf, spa treatments and more.
 Golf fanatics can play to their heart’s content for two days on Robert Muir Graves’ championship course at the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley.
 The St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Dana Point is including a butler to attend to your every request and a “surf-butler” for lessons in its three-night getaway.

February 28, 2005 at 12:04 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Suite Life, Part V: Dior (L.A.)

Before Oscar madness hit its fevered pitch this weekend, Dior Beauty hosted a small, sedate cocktail party at the Soho House last Thursday night for celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who eventually had to tackle presenter Gwyneth Paltrow's face for the big ceremony. Beauty pros, stylists and editors mingled with starlets like Kate Bosworth and Riley Keough, aka Elvis Presley's granddaughter, who graces Dior's current ads (did we mention she's all of 16?). But of course there had to be a little drama -- this is a fashion-slash-Hollywood bash, after all -- and it occurred when a friend of Dubroff's lost an Anthony Nak earring. Partygoers got on their hands and knees to search for the sparkler, but nothing. Surprisingly, the least stressed person was Anthony Nak designer Anthony Camargo, who wasn't going to let anything spoil his Oscar week.

February 28, 2005 at 12:04 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 25, 2005

Oscar Gift-Basket Keeper: Sprint Phone

Olive oil? To Mom. Cashmere drawstring bottoms? To Sis. But you should hold onto the Sprint PCS international phone by Samsung. The IP-A790 is the first Sprint device capable of making and receiving calls in more than 130 countries. Which means if you’re vacationing in Costa Rica one week, filming in Vancouver the next, and checking up on the house in L.A. in between, you’ll always be in touch with the same phone. Presenters will receive the gadget -- which boasts features like voice recognition and downloadable clips from CNN and ESPN -- and three months of service. $549, available at sprint.com beginning next week

February 25, 2005 at 12:06 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Suite Life, Part IV: Fekkai/Chanel (L.A.)

With all the uncertainties of awards season, one of the things Oscargoers and industry insiders can always count on is getting expertly primped at the Frederic Fekkai/Chanel beauty retreat. It’s consistently been a tried-and-true escape, even if things were a bit crazed on the first day yesterday. The big guns aren’t due to show up until Saturday, but Nicolette Sheridan, past nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, Kelly Lynch and even an Endeavor agent enjoyed blowouts and makeup applications from Chanel's Susan Sterling, as well as non-stop Perrier-Jouet and Gran Centenario "Glam-a-ritas." "Desperate Housewives' " Brenda Strong and other guests also took some pampering home, snagging goodie bags packed with Chanel glosses and Fekkai sprays on the way to the elevator.

February 25, 2005 at 12:05 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Suite Life, Part III: Kwiat/Revlon (L.A.)

What in the world was Robert Duvall doing at the bash for the Kwiat/Revlon suite last night? OK, so the actor wasn’t at the Four Seasons to get a makeover; he was just waiting for his car from the valet. But Allison Janney, Teri Polo, "Desperate Housewives’ " Andrea Bowen, "The O.C.’s" Shannon Lucio and several other PYTs from TV land were on hand for the showing of bling and free-flowing beauty products. The night’s shtick was that one partygoer would take home a diamond necklace if she got the winning ticket with her "Diamond-tini." Unfortunately for the publicists, an unnamed guest (not a celeb) ended up hitting the jackpot. However, all in attendance walked away with a Kwiat umbrella, a Kwiat tee and more Revlon than a drugstore display.

February 25, 2005 at 12:04 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 24, 2005

Oscar Gift-Basket Keeper: T3 Hair Tools

This is one the presenters shouldn’t hand off to their assistants: The T3 Tourmaline set of hairdryers and irons will earn a place in your beauty hall of fame, alongside Nars’ Orgasm blush and Shu Uemura’s eyelash curler. Already treasured by fashion folk like runway hair guru Orlando Pita, the ionic dryer incorporates complex-sounding technology to dry tresses in less than half the time of normal dryers. But recipients will also get T3’s newest irons, including the amazing wet-to-dry iron, which steam dries even the curliest locks straight while locking in moisture. $200 each, t3tourmaline.com

February 24, 2005 at 12:06 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Suite Life, Part II: De Beers (L.A.)

Freebie vultures hoping to cash in on a suite "mall" scenario at the Regent Beverly Wilshire will be disappointed to hear that it’s been an upstanding affair in BevHills so far. Ice powerhouse De Beers just set up camp yesterday, with diamond maven Joan Parker at the helm. Media and stylists were treated to an eyeful of blinding stones, as well as a photo display of past nominees like Cate Blanchett and Scarlett Johansson in De Beers. Since the company prefers to target just one nominee to bejewel at each event, the selection was carefully edited. Mostly bracelets and earrings were on display, with just a few necklaces. Which leads to another red carpet trend alert: Look for lots of bare necks with strapless gowns.

February 24, 2005 at 12:05 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oscar Goodies Report: Beauty

Friends, families and assistants of presenters, don't be surprised if you've got some of these products (all included in the official gift basket) coming your way:

 Presenters will hit the Kiehl's motherload with endless lip balms, cleansing bars and, oh yes, a gift certificate to the new Robertson Boulevard store for pretty much whatever they want.
 Also included is a Kinara cert good for a custom facial, massage and lunch at the spa’s cafe.
 And just in case the celebs’ mugs aren’t being pampered enough, Kate Somerville threw in another certificate (worth up to $2,500) and an essentials kit for glowing skin. The best part? The chic little Tarah Smith clutch it comes in.

February 24, 2005 at 12:04 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 23, 2005

The Suite Life, Part I: Jimmy Choo (L.A.)

Editors and stylists got a sneak peak yesterday of creative director Sandra Choi’s fall collection at Jimmy Choo’s annual Oscar suite at the Peninsula. In addition to the sexy metallic numbers for the red carpet, there was a fierce boot/heel in cracked leather silver, gold and eggplant that had the footwear fiends wishing next fall would arrive already. But the Oscar collection was enough to tide everyone over. Rose and yellow gold strappy stilettos were plentiful, all festooned with strings of rhinestones (like the Ghost sandals pictured). Bowls overflowing with clip-on jeweled accoutrements to dress up any style were abundant, too. Which leads to a red carpet trend alert: Whereas last year’s clip-ons had a brooch-y feel, this year's gems are long, drapey and fabulous. jimmychoo.com

February 23, 2005 at 12:05 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 22, 2005

Suite Dreams Filled With Swag (L.A.)

Now that the Presidents' Day holiday is out of the way, swag-o-rama week is officially in full swing. Jewelers, beauty companies and liquor houses have set up camp in suites all over town to push product on Oscar-goers. Some of the more concentrated spots include the Regent Beverly Wilshire (Stuart Weitzman, Bacardi, Rafinity Jewelry), the Four Seasons (Kwiat, Revlon) and the Pacific Design Center (Stila, Eduardo Lucero, Taryn Rose). Who’s been spotted where and snagging up what? Updates to come ...

February 22, 2005 at 12:02 AM in OSCAR SUITES AND GOODIES | Permalink | Comments (0)