The Emmys were ultra-exciting—but the excitement started even before the ultra-glamorous TV Awards Ceremony.  All over Hollywood celebs, including Emmy-nominated actors, former Emmy winners, presenters, and industry VIPS, were invited to a series of Pre-Emmy Gifting Suites, where they were introduced to all kinds of terrific products, clothes, and accessories.

One of our very fave events every year is hosted by the fabulous Doris Bergman. She always has the coolest place, the hottest stars, and the best gifts ever! This year was no exception.

Her “Endless Summer” Primetime Emmy Suite” was held at the world-famous Gonpachi of Beverly Hills. Doris and her producing partner, Kathy Duliakas couldn’t have picked a more perfect place. This afternoon the restaurant offered delightful and delicious Asian cuisine, including delectable shrimp balls surrounded by crispy noodles; sushi (always a hit), chicken in a yummy sweet’n sour sauce, veggie tempura, and lots more. It was the perfect fare for a hot summer day.

Some of the stars strolling about the beautiful dining room and lush gardens, enjoying the food, fun, and fashion, included Felicity Huffman, Deidre Hall, Diane Ladd, Shirley Jones & Marty Ingles, Robert Townsend, and Gregory Itzin. Two totally handsome hotties were Kevin Eubanks from “The Tonight Show” and Antonio Sabato Jr. (OMG, is he ever cute! Hubba hubba!)

It was also a family affair. Eric Roberts arrived with his wife, Eliza; Eva La Rue from “CSI:  Miami” was with her sister, Nika; and “CSI:  Miami’s” Omar Miller brought his mom, Gloria.

There were dancers and singers, like “Dancing with the Stars’” Chelsie Hightower & Mark Ballas and Chord Overstreet from “Glee.” And vampires, too: Carrie Preston, Lauren Bowles, and Mariana Klaveno from “True Blood,” and Malese Jow from “Vampire Diaries.” And just in case they sucked too much blood, a medical contingent was on hand: “The Doctors’” Andrew Ordon, M.D. & Jim Sears, M.D.; and from “Nurse Jackie,” Lenny Jacobsen.

Things went from bad to mad with RJ Mitte from “Breaking Bad” and Bryan Batt from “Mad Men.” And what’s a hot party without a cougar . . . or at least a gal from Cougartown, Carolyn Hennesy!

The other “stars” of the day were all the goods and goodies that the TV stars got to toss into their very own goodie bags, known in Tinsel Town as “Swag Bags”:  from skin care to footwear; from jewelry to luggage; from techno gadgets to designer gowns; and from chocolates to vodka.   If it sounds like a ton of fun—well, it was more than that!

On “The Bachelorette,” Ali Fedotosky had to select just one choice—but at the Pre-Emmy Gifting Suite, she and her fiancé, Roberto Martinez, got to select ALL the exquisite items.

And don’t be jealous.  If you couldn’t make it to this sensational party, you can still pretend you were there!  Just pick up a few of the fantastic items on your own—and no one will ever know you didn’t get them while cruising and schmoozing with the Hollywood crowd.

Here are a few of our personal faves:

What better way to get gorgeous for the Emmys (or any occasion) than Cell Ceuticals,® a hardworking 3-Step System of “biomedical skin treatments,” that delivers amazing results.  We know—we’ve tried ‘em!

And who could resist those hot Jeans by Playboy (yes, that Playboy)! Encrusted with studs, rhinestones and other glam trim, with just enough “stretch” to fit and flatter even if your figure isn’t quite “star” perfect.

And the perfect play “mate” for those Playboy jeans, very fun tees by Dirtee Hollywood and Obvious Clothing in some truly fabulous designs and styles.

AK Anne Klein® was on site with some new high-fashion watches with watchbands in some truly delicious colors.  Our fave was hot pink.

And for the gentlemen, there were Armitron® watches, which some of the gals took to as well, oversized watches being the fashion craze these days.

For evening, we especially loved the uber-elegant couture gowns by Odette Christiane. And the perfect accessory for her dresses?  Stunning satin, jeweled and embroidered evening shoes and handbags by Menbur from Granada, Spain.

In Hollywood, where one’s smile can make or break, a lot of celebs gathered around Rockstar White®, a homeopathic tooth whitening system that promises a kissable smile along with gentle results.

In Tinsel Town, we know hair is also a super-important “accessory.”  For locks that have been damaged due to color and exposure to the harsh lights of film and TV, we found INTENSE RX, an Ionic Keratin Protein Restructuring Serum from Keratin Complex, to do wonders in bringing hair back to life.

Another fabulous collection that caught our attention was Posh Life Bling a bejeweled and bedazzling line of cell phone covers, card holders, and other accessories that truly live up to their name.

While some packed their collectibles into Caribbean Joe® luggage—including “fun in the sun” beach carry-on duffels, traditional uprights, and travel totes—others combined them all on a Shoppers Tote, a handy new gadget out of New York that makes it easy to carry multiple shopping bags.  BTW, a portion of their sales go to Wings of Hope, a non-profit organization that offers educational scholarships and financial support to young people in need.

But undoubtedly, the coolest of the cool bags were laptop cases and backpacks with built-in solar power that keeps your laptop running while you’re on the run.  Thanks to Eco Traveler™ by Traveler’s Choice® for coming up with these environmentally conscious products.

After a “hard day’s work” spent shopping and snacking on sumptuous Asian food, many celebs stopped to rest in Gonpachi’s  fabulous open air bar where they sipped on Waialua Soda Works. Some opted to mix these refreshing drinks with the oh-so-smooth new Pau Maui Vodka from the Islands, which we learned was distilled with pineapple.  And speaking of things cool and refreshing, guests could “cool off” with NitroCream, truly delicious, hand-made ice cream, gelato, and sorbet (dairy and non-dairy), that was made right on the spot. Two counter-top machines created the tantalizing flavors and the festive frozen fog that would add fun to a party for any occasion.

In the spirit of giving back, Room to Read® was on-site collecting books, donated and autographed by the celebs.  These books will later be auctioned in order to raise funds to continue its important work. Room to Read® is a global organization, founded on the belief that “World Change Starts with Educated Children®.  The organization helps to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world, focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.  Visit them at www.roomtoread.org

For now, the Emmys are over . . . but the glamour and glitz doesn’t have to be!  So grab your BFF and head out to find your fab faves. Or simply just tap the keys of your laptop, iPhone or iPad.  Meanwhile, that’s the scoop from this year’s “Endless Summer” Primetime Emmy Suite,” where on a super hot day, it was so cool, it was hot!

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By Marilyn Anderson and Barbara Armstrong