Maria Conchita Alonso, pictured at a luncheon held last month, came by the recent Valentine suite at Café La Bohème, cane and all.
We recently joined the stars in search of Valentine gifts, awards season outfits, accessories and the latest gadgets at the Valentine Romance Sneak Peek Oscar Suite at Café La Bohème in West Hollywood. Yummy food, an open bar and free stuff? Not even a torrential downpour — or worse — could keep celebs (or us) away from this party. Actress Maria Conchita Alonso, who broke her ankle six weeks ago, even showed up with a cast and cane!
Attendees had the opportunity to give back by donating new or gently used footwear to Shoes for Africa via The Ashé Foundation and then replacing them with dressy heels from Menbur or trendier kicks from Shiekh Shoes. The chic gowns and dresses from Scala were a hit with Sofia Milos of CSI: Miami, who ordered two, and picked an eye-catching onyx and silver bracelet and earrings set from Amadika.
Alonso, who’s developing her own skin cream and fragrance line, was keen on trying out the Skinn cosmetics and CellCeuticals anti-aging products, developed by plastic surgeon Garth Fisher, M.D. The unusual Rocks jewelry made from stones set in concrete caught the eye of Dexter’s Lauren Vélez, who wore her new ring home, and actor Gilles Marini, who chose dog-tag style necklaces for his wife and himself. Marini, who returns to Brothers & Sisters Feb. 21, was looking forward to taking his Mrs. away for a romantic weekend to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “She’s more than my rock, she’s my everything,” he confided.
Celebs could also take home organic cotton tees and tanks from Live Life Organics, quick-drying nail polish from Dazzle Dry, bath products from Herban Body Care, calendar keepsakes from Not Just Any Old Day, and cool gadgets like Plantronic headsets and Pineapple in-ear speakers. There was even a product for those wanting to shape up for awards season: My Spin Gym, a compact resistance-training tool for sculpting arms, chest, back and shoulders.
But for those who just wanted to relax, the cozy pullover robes and loungewear from FreeBeneath were a big hit. Bachelor host Chris Harrison zeroed in on those, with his wife in mind. Planning to celebrate a low-key Valentine’s Day at home with a bottle of wine, Harrison is well aware that high heels and lingerie are really for the men. “After 16 years, I know what she really wants,” he told us. “A night away from the kids and a comfortable robe.”
What’s the best Valentine gift you ever received?
Photo credit: Stefanie Keenan/WireImage
© 2010, VIV Publishing, LLC., Zinio, LLC. - San Francisco - New York - London - Barcelona - Taipei - Sydney - All rights reserved.
2 Reader Comments:
Ok – best Valentine I have ever received I can’t mention here! But I was at the Suite (so much fun) and got introduced to Forbes Riley’s SpinGym (www.MySpinGym.com) and have to share with your readers how incredible this little thing is – looks like a toy, but when she shows you the intense workout you get in less than 5 minutes – I’m serious – my arms were burning!! And it fits in my purse.
Also it was a blast seeing Gilles Marini – I am a huge DWTS fan. And left with loads of goodies — loved Antonia’s chocolate and Skinn – this was a great shindig – gotta love Hollywood.
Just have to leave a note and I am an avid fan of this new fitness product that Forbes Riley created. Need to echo what Caitline stated – SO MUCH FUN – this is truly the most amazing little product. I am addicted. It sits at my desk and everyone loves. Personally I have now given away about a dozen and for Christmas it will make a great stocking stuffer. For those interested in their fitness but without a lot of time to go to the gym- GET yourself a SpinGym!!