Mad about the Emmys

    From there, I moved on to the Alive Expo at the London Hotel, where there is always something enlightening to be found, including a good local charity recipient (Project Green, www.projectgreenusa.com). Offerings included steaming hot cups of coffee from OrganoGold.com with a healthy secret ingredient, ganoderma mushrooms (no, it did not taste funny!) followed by ice-cold bottles of MetroMint water (www.metromint.com). There were simple but rare ingredients for salad dressings by Olive Oil and Beyond (www.oliveoilandbeyond.com), including lush truffle olive oil from Australia and an 18-year-old violet-infused balsamic vinegar. Dragon Pearl (www.dragonpearltea.com), served delicate teas, including a green tea energy shot which provides a delicious boost without Red Bull’s unpleasantness.
    The cocktail set, meanwhile, could indulge in Rock Sake (www.rocksake.com) made domestically from California rice and mountain spring water. After sampling their crisp, clean sake, I lingered on a pale pink cocktail made from sweet passion fruit juice and unfiltered niguri sake.
    Given that HBO’s Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes, also took multiple Emmys later in the weekend, Body Ecology’s (www.bodyecology.com) presence was particularly poignant. While the company’s products and well-received book have helped dieters restore their energy, immune system, vitality, strength and appearance, nutritional consultant Donna Gates’s recipes and supplements have also benefited children affected by autism and ADD. With increased awareness of both disabilities, and the innovative solutions of founder Gates and her team, this is one organization worth watching.
    The real star of Debbie Durkin’s fourth annual Eco Emmys Celebrity Château was the eco-friendly Hollywood Hills mansion housing the event. Thanks to solar panels and a sophisticated computer network, every gadget tied to the event was running on some form of clean energy. Two fine charities benefited, including the American Red Cross and the environmental group Green Wish (greenwish.com) endorsed by Rachelle and Ed Begley, Jr.
   Debbie’s focus and execution were flawless, especially with her culinary line-up of DelBondio Organic Wines and Derrick Sky Vegan Chocolates (www.derricksky.com). I was so knocked out by their texture and flavour that I saved a few cookies for my lactose intolerant husband. He found them so sublime that he had trouble believing not a single drop of milk went into their production. Though Derrick’s slogan, ‘Handmade by humans who care for your health’, is memorable, anybody who can make healthy vegan treats not taste like health food will have my continued business.
    After enjoying a classic margarita featuring organic Castle Brands’ Tequila Tierra, I headed off to the “pampering room”. There I met Dr Celedonia Yue, a board certified Family Physician whose practice integrates alternative and complementary therapies, women’s health care issues, pain management, fitness and nutrition, and age management. Attendees enjoyed complimentary acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and a nice massage. Upstairs in the Eco-Spa, make-up artist Stephanie G. was using her new natural cosmetics line to help celebrities look their best, while Janelle Varada, founder of the formaldehyde-free Beverly Hills Brazilian keratin treatment, was promoting a non-toxic way to straighten unruly hair.
    Fashions at the Eco-Château ranged from the purely practical to pure luxury. A very attractive mannequin wearing RibbedTee.com underwear caught my eye, and I learned about the innovative deodorant stain remover from DeoGo.com. I admired Austrian fine jeweller Frey-Wille’s collection of gold and glass wearable art that combines the psychedelic sensibility of Peter Max and flowing shapes of Pucci (www.frey-wille.com).
    GBK teamed with It Girl Public Relations and classic candy Tic-Tac to transform the SLS Hotel’s modern garden terraces into a late summer wonderland that attracted some impressive talent, including Mary Kay Place, Seth Green, Adrian Brody, Alex Trebek, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Neil Patrick Harris, Blair Underwood, Beau Bridges, Alan Cumming, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Fred Willard.
    Though I arrived a little late in the event, there were some wonderful finds in full bloom, including Peter Lamas’ botanical-based hair care line (www.lamasbeauty.com) with different collections tailored for different textures, ages and styling needs. Alicia Silverstone, Gloria Estefan and Gisèle Bündchen are fans of his Chinese herb-based line, which helps promote hair growth without harmful chemicals. There were also bottles of all-natural Hairfinity vitamins to encourage hair growth, and TC Intimates (www.cupidintimates.com/tc-fine-intimates) delivered shapewear that does everything but pinch and ride up. Even their sensual leopard-printed camisoles offer extra support when needed.
    Pin Up Girl Clothing (www.pinupgirlclothing.com), meanwhile, was a Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe inspired fashion collection with attitude—a positive attitude. I was enthusiastic about the real women appeal of the clothes and the fact their glamorous, sexy silhouettes were also available in plus sizes. They even offered necklaces made from brass knuckles, lest you forget that ‘Bitches Get Stitches’. Family-owned Lombardi Limonata (www.lombardicompany.com) quenched the collective thirst for refreshing late summer cocktails with its decidedly adult take on lemonade. While there is everything to like about their limoncello, straight or mixed, cream of limoncello was lemon meringue pie in a glass and every bit as luscious as Pin Up Girl’s satin frocks.
    HissyFit foundation, armed with 50-plus SPF protection, was a treat for the face, while soft, comfortable ‘jeggings’ by Denimocracy (denimocracy.com) resulted in a skinny jean that hits and slims in all the right places. Elena Segal (www.elanasigal.com) offered unique jewellery bridging classic and modern uses of stones, pearls, and African trade beads. While fine jewellery purveyor Nehita was on hand for red carpet loaners, and Manu Jewelry featured attention-getting cocktail rings, LoveLinks America (www.lovelinksamerica.com) made a powerful statement with its bracelets crafted from sterling silver and parachute cords. The attractive, unisex design mirrors survival bracelets worn by soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The company donates $25 per bracelet to wounded veterans and their families.
    By Saturday, I was ready for my own primping and pampering session. I headed down to celebrity “it” salon Sally Hershberger (she of the famous Meg Ryan shag) only to discover the staff couldn’t have been nicer, more patient and so into the notion that customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal. The salon is local home to Global Keratin Hair Taming System.
    Though I was sceptical at first, having long accepted my curly mane, the experience combined with the salon’s wonderful service put me at ease along with the fact the treatment did not have that chemical smell associated with other blow-outs. While I was assured I could go back to my curls, albeit neater curls, with careful use of my own styling tools, I left the salon with straight, shiny hair that still had great volume. Besides the compliments and my husband getting used to having a “new woman”, it’s been a real luxury to have my regular morning routine significantly streamlined. •

Leyla Messian is Lucire’s US west coast senior writer.