Despite the current economic climate plaguing the US, Hollywood shows that excess, success and swag are always in season, whatever the reason
By Karen Loftus

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 1/14/09-  Happy Days are Here Again
The Globes, the official, start to the well-known awards season has long been known as Hollywood’s Holiday season. While the rest of the country mourns the end of their holidays, Hollywood kicks up it’s well heeled, Hollywood heels, be it, it’s Louboutin’s or it’s sexy Giuseppe’s and gets ready for the best, flashiest fetes of the season.

The Globes is by far the most inclusive of all awards ceremonies as it celebrates both screens, small and large and is global (Globes) in scope with the foreign Hollywood foreign press picking the season’s best, often an edgier set and the official setup for the almighty O to come.

The week sees it’s share of fetes, events, awards and famous faces with The Palm Springs Film Fest, the Critic’s Choice and of course The People Choice hosted by The People’s Queen, Ms. Latifah. Many celeb, including Pitt and Jolie give face to those well respected events as no one wants to piss off a critic, no one is any one, without their people and Palm Springs is a classic. Still it all comes to a screaming peak at the end of the week with the ever golden, Golden Globes. Thankfully, this season with Slumdog, Wrestler, Fey’s funny fest and Winslet’s wonders, there was plenty on deck worthy of an award.

Yet no season or holiday is complete without a wee bit of gifting. Luckily, the pre cursor to this little awards show ditty is the suites that sweep through the city from The Hills, to Hollywood, back to Beverly, Hills that it is, the suites take the city by storm.

As is true in any economically challenged time, be it the Great Depression or this recent holiday season, there’s no greater escape than a sliver of cinema. So pull up with your other vice(s) of choice, be it a spirit, the once sultry cigarette or a piece of pizza (Oprah ain’t looking) and take a decadent peak in to this week’s suite sweep. Trust…it was a gold rush all right and the over-served celebs showed up with their pics in hand ready to dig in to the season’s best. Here’s a sneak peak at what they unearthed….

Diamonds are Forever! -The Platinum Suite
Several A list celebs & stylists sipped Moet & Chandon champagne while getting blitzed by Bliss spa treatments at The Palihouse in WEHO. There was a display of $52 million dollars worth of Platinum jewelry from top designers Neil Lane, Stephen Russell, Erica Courtney, Piaget, Damiani, Franck Muller, Mikimoto, and vintage Tiffany & Co. Platinum’s Michael O’Connor who helped celebs find the bling for tonight’s fete notes, “We are seeing a return to bold jewelry including stackable cuff bracelets, oversized cluster and drop earrings, and even lapel pins for men.”

Platinum expects a huge showing of their gems tonight with Angelina Jolie in earrings and ring by Neil Lane, the Jonas Brothers in Neil Lane, Piaget, Platinum Guild International & Franck Muller, Johnny Depp in a Platinum pocket watch by Neil Lane and tonight’s Queen, Elizabeth Banks who robbed the bank with Vintage Platinum necklace by Tiffany & Co. from the Siegelson collection ($1,850,000). Wow!

Green with Envy – Nathalie Dubois’ Suite
The forever French Nathalie Dubois has gone global in her approach, with suites at Cannes and at The Dubai Film Fest. DPA set up shop at The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Twilight star Ashley Greene’s highlight was being given a trip to Tahiti’s Bora Bora. Others in attendance slipped in to Eva Varro vintage inspired jersey dresses, perfect for travel, Henderson Design’s semiprecious drop necklaces, Sphatika’s delicious travel kit for celebrity skin and Spiritual gangster’s T’s. Henri Sillam had unique treats, a green turquoise and diamond ring and big baubles filled with whimsy perfect for the carpet crowd. The gifts were topped off with a Dutch treat, Damrak cocktails made by Max Diaz and the right touch by Massage Express, which left every one a little less stressed.

Stars and Stripes – GBK Suite
Gavin Kelly has earned his Hollywood stars and stripes by consistently putting one of the best suites in the city. It’s not all flash and fashion. He balances his act with a bit of integrity giving back (20 % of his proceeds) and giving those recipients a chance to shine in his limelight in the suite.

As I entered GBK at the 9900 Club in Beverly Hills, I immediately struck up conversation with the very impressive Grey’s Isaiah Washington, who was there to get the word out about his foundation, The Gondobay Manga Foundation. It was by far the highlight of this year’s suites sweep. He walks the talk, full stop. He has given 1milion $ to his foundation, based in Sierra Leone the poorest country in the world, 179 of 179 worldwide. He built a school in his ancestral home and has big plans for more. To find out more and put your $ where your mind is, go to: www.gondobaymangafoundation.org. Another amazing recipient of the suite is The St. Bernard Project in New Orleans.

Once in the suite, it was a flurry of activity. Celebs were dressed in OgieKanogie threads, given David Tishbi rings and top products, share a bud speakers, Metropolis flat iron for wet & dry hair, Pak Seat’s backpacks and messenger bags, Share Buds (Dual ipod speakers) Hope couture clothes for kids & dogs, hip Whish for the skin,Nordic Naturals vitamins (DHA & Omegas) for within and a year of beauty treatments from Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery (www.BeverlyHillsPlasticSurgery.com). After sipping Verve cocktails and Ocean Mojito, my final highlight was seeing Borat’s buddy Kenny Davitian.

The Kids are Alright – Kari Feinstein’s Suite
Feinstein McGuinness PR had Hollywood’s young successful set in attendance. Jessica Alba, a long time fan and friend of Feinstein was toasting Mad Men nominee January Jones at a private luncheon at Kari’s hosted by jeweler Tacori while guests in attendance scooped up Marnie Rock’s individualized necklace, Joica and Moroccan Oil hair products, Glowelle for the skin, Bittersweet Butterfly lingerie, Little Black Dress red wines, Precious Earth meaningful jewels and Stella & Dot’s chunky, yummy, 60’s inspired jewelry, PJ’s from Pajama City, Soma intimates, Kerstin Florian skin things and the best bites from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Paris now back from Oz, The Hills own Brent Bolthouse, Forever Young Illeana Douglas and Michelle Tracthenberg who went wild for Penelope Wildberry’s sheepskin boots, were but a few of the many that made Kari’s suite a fave place to show face.

A Head of the Class – Think PR’s Pre-Sundance Suite
LA stylist to the stars, Brits own George Blodwell and I ran in to Think PR’s suite in their final hour in Hollywood. It was a pre-Sundance showcase of their clients. Think Green bars gave everyone a mid suite week boost, coupled with Karma champagne for a buzz. It’s all about balance. Karma champagne had individual sized servings in bottles made to look like flutes. Very cute and tasty too! On the fashion front, South Pole sweaters, Evol T’s, bobi cotton jerseys and EMU boots were our fave! This Australian company, EMU is sure to give Uggs a run for their money. We loved the line and the sexy rep.

Ooh Baby Baby – Jayneoni’s Boom Boom Room
The trend that knows no end is the baby craze. No place does that have a bigger face than in Hollywood where Brangelina made babies, yours, theirs and mine ever trendy. Jayneoni together with Melissa of Rapp Around PR had celebs wrapped around the block and the Century Plaza to get in on the action. Celebs that don’t typically do suites run to Jayenoni’s annual Boom Boom Room. It’s off the chart for Mommy and Me goodies.

Tim about to have a baby, Allen and his wife were the first to arrive on Friday. Sexy Mr. Big came with his little guy Orion and his girl Tara. Another SITC alum Evan Handler was there with wife scooping for cast mate David Egienberg (Steve) who just had a baby. Scott Baio was chasing his daughter down a hall, while Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford loved the baby furniture. Celebs scored best bets for baby & Mom from Blessence Maternity, beautiful bodemi custom clothes, the buti bag for baby or cosmetics on the go, Loved baby clothes, bags by Go Gaga, ergonomically sound for Mom and travelers and eco chic’s Green Girl bags with their jazzy patterns, BamBoo hugs towels, Books by Barbemal and Chicken Soup for the soul for kids, Robeez shoes, Seven smooches sumptuous sweaters, Peek-a- Boo maternity bibs for Mom, moco babies signing for tots, boob maternity for Mom and tasty baby frozen organic baby food was but a few…All in all, it made me crave a baby. It was that good.

All Access Pass – Access TV’s Stuff You Must
The 3rd Annual Access Hollywood “Stuff You Must…” was chock a block with famous faces. The lovely Tom Wilkinson posed for a pic, while Ross, the too fun for prime time, Intern dished with the celebs in the Bertolli booth. He gave me a full run down on who licked their chops and plates and who had how many Bertolli Oven Bake Meals servings. Apparently, Access’ own Maria Menounos couldn’t get enough. Last count four!

CVS/pharmacy donated $100k to Best Buddies and Lollipop Theater Network with the help of Hollywood stars Access own Billy Bush, Nancy O’Dell, Vanessa Hudgens, Twilight’s Taylor Lautner, Disney’s Selena Gomez, Project Runway’s Christian Siriano, Sophia Bush, my mate Tom Wilkinson, Rumer Willis “Miss Golden Globes,” L Word’s Laurel Holloman, the lovely Holly Robinson Peete, True Blood’s Sam Trammell, my girl Tichina Arnold and too many more.

Celebs scored 1year memberships to Crunch Fitness, a year pass to AMC theaters (jealous!!!), Blackberry Pearl flip phones, Buddha Boards, iHOME AUDIO SYSTEMS FOR iPODS and iPHONES, Keurig Coffee Machines, goodies from Glamour Campaign, Habitual jeans, Arm & Hammer teeth whitening and tons from CVS Beauty Bar from Christophe hair care to Laura Geller makeup, Borba drinks and 24/7 skin, all toped off with Ferrari’s sparkling wine, the perfect Hollywood ending.