Countdown to the Oscars

Ultimate Oscar SWAG

Lash Fary is something of an expert on the subject of celebrity SWAG. For 14 years, his company, Distinctive Assets, has been called upon to put together gift bags for such high profile events as the Grammys and the MTV Movie Awards. For Sunday night’s 84th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, the company has assembled an impressive collection of celebrity worthy products for the “Everyone Wins At The Oscars” 2012 Nominee Gift Bag.

Lash Fary of Distinctive Assets

Nominees in major categories and host, Billy Crystal, will receive predictably exotic gifts, like the Premier Tours Elephant Back Safari, as well as more every day fare, like Dearfoams slippers. Some items are both practical and out of the ordinary, such as the 1 oz. bottle of Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, encased in a gold and crystal jelly sleeve. According to Fary, “We work on the bag solicitations year round. It’s a two way street of interested clients contacting us and our sales team reaching out to products/services that we think are a good fit. We do not set retail price minimums, but rather remain open to any and all items that might be helpful, useful, and enjoyable to celebs.” The full roster of this year’s goods, valued at more than $50,000, includes:

PURELL INSTANT HAND SANITIZER, $135
DISARONNO cocktails, at the location of their choosing, for up to 100 guests! $15,000
ESP – ESSENTIAL SAFE PRODUCTS, Gift set and a $200 gift certificate, $250
CAROLINE’S CAKES, 7-Layer Caramel Cake, $58
BAMBOO PINK fashion jewelry, $1,000
PREMIER TOURS ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI, 4 night/5 day stay for 2 at Abu Camp in Botswana, Africa, $15,580
FAIZA COSMETIQUES – ADVANCED ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE SYSTEM, $275
EMINENCE, organic body scrub, $48
DR GARTH FISHER, A complimentary visit to his own “Biomed Spa”, $1,645
EC GALLERY, Limited edition art, $500
DARCI BY DI CAPRIO COSMETICS, $207.50
CHOCOLATINES JEWELRY BOX, handcrafted and naturally flavored, $50
SEYIE DESIGN, Interior design services, $10,000
Invitation to visit LEAINE DEHMER’S SKINSATIONS SPA, $1,000
Earthpawz, Pet Safe + Pet Specific Toxic Free Cleaning, $120
HUNTLEY DRIVE FITNESS, Package of 10 Personal Training Sessions, $850
IMANTA, Two nights in Ocean Casa, $3,350
CLD STYLE HOUSE, Assortment of fashion goodies such as Spanx, ShowStoppers Lovemarks and Luichiny Shoes, $400
NAUGHTY BITS BROWNIES, $50
DEARFOAMS, $72
STARLETTOS, Heel protector, $14.99
THERMAROBE, Luxury heated robe (wireless), $178.99
HERB RITTS: LA STYLE, A catalogue published by The Getty that traces the life and career of Herb Ritts (1952-2002), $59.95
JM BLOWDRY, Unlimited blowouts for the entire year, $2,000
ANGEL MINARO EXQUISITE BEAUTY, Ultra Nourishing & Firming Body Lotion and Acai & Honey Tropical Blend Smoother, $51
NOZIN Nasal Sanitizer, $9.99
NOZIN Allergy Master, $14.99
SLIMWARE, Stylish portion control plates (boxed set of 4 ceramic plates), $59
HEATHER LOUNSBURY, CELEBRITY ACUPUNCTURIST, 1 house call, $500
LIVE IN FITNESS ENTERPRISE (LIFE), 1 Week All Inclusive Fitness and Weight Loss Retreat, $4,850
KOSANKA, 100% natural anti-aging beverage, $80
RED CARPET MANICURE, $300
BELLDINI, chic women’s apparel, $500
BIGROUNDBALLS INC. It Takes Balls To Fight Cancer blue rubber bracelet, $4
PHYSIQUE 57, one month of unlimited classes, $300
NIGHTFALL BY SUSAN MCCRAY, eau de parfum, $65
VAPORTRIM, world’s first zero-calorie dessert, $9.95
SERENA WILLIAMS SIGNATURE STATEMENT COLLECTION, Belted Tote (in olive), $99.90
ORGANIC SOAP AND SPA will send a variety of products, valued at $200 each month to the recipient, $2,400

Companies pay a standard fee of $4,000 to be included in the gift bag, but feel it is well worth it considering the fact that  “…if a celebrity actually shows up at a facility, redeems a gift certificate, … or is seen wearing a product in public, it can be a press goldmine.” Fary relates the story of how music superstar, Fergie, was so enamored of the UniLazy pajamas she received as a gift, that she ordered several pairs to give at Christmastime. The company was able to use that success story to gain placements in In Touch Weekly and The Today Show.

Over the years, Distinctive Assets has been able to build longstanding relationships with many agents, managers, publicists and their clients, which facilitates their ability to get the gift bags directly into the hands of the stars themselves. So regardless of whether or not your favorite nominees are winners or losers on Sunday night, chances are they will not be going home empty handed.

– Rhonda Erb

Throw An Oscar Celebration

Moet & Chandon is once again the exclusive champagne of the Oscars and this year they worked with the Cooking Channel’s chef Aida Mollenkamp to create a collection of finger food recipes inspired by the Best Picture nominees. Oscar fans can prepare these simple dishes at home along with the “Moet Red Carpet Glamour” cocktail, which will be served to guests at the Governor’s Ball on Sunday night. The cocktail recipe, created by Adam Seger of Chicago, was the winning entry in the Moet Oscar Cocktail Contest.

For recipes click: http://oscar.go.com/blogs/party/moet-signature-cocktail-winner ,
http://www.aidamollenkamp.com/

EHow Home contributor, Drea Christopher has some easy, do-it-yourself decorating ideas to make your Oscar party special. Check out her inexpensive tips at:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5655631_make-decorations-oscar-night-party.html

-Rhonda Erb