By Charly SHELTON

Congratulations to the Crescenta Valley Weekly Oscar ballot contest winner, Paul Jarnagin. This Oscar season was a roller coaster ride with many predictions and hopes – some that came true, other debunked. Thanks to all who played and keep reading CV Weekly in print and CVWeekly.com online for more fun.

One aspect of the Oscar season that is always fun is the Oscar gift bag. But did you know that there are other ways of grabbing awesome Oscar swag without walking to the red carpet? Nicorette, sponsor of the #PledgeToQuit program which helps promote smoking cessation and education for kids before they start smoking, held an event to help raise awareness about the campaign and also to get some products into the hands of the trendsetters of our day: celebrities. CV Weekly was invited to the GBK Oscar gift lounge the weekend before the show to take a look at some of the things celebrities will be toting down the red carpet at the Oscars as well as at other events.     For prep time, there were Revitalash cosmetics and its line of eye care and makeup and the all organic makeup and eco friendly tools from NVEY Eco.

In front of the camera, beautiful handmade jewelry by The Artisan Group while drinking handcrafted cocktails by Skinnygirl Cocktails.

After show essentials include a relaxing bath with scented soy candles that melt into moisturizer from Milena’s Boutique and avocado oil enriched body polish with English lavender from Viavo!

And who doesn’t like some fun? Toy State showed off its line of new toy cars, commemorating 50 years of James Bond with remote controlled Aston Martins and other Bond cars.

What would a spy be without knowing how to speak multiple languages? Rosetta Stone was also on hand to give the gift of language to attendees, who received a one-year subscription to learn any language in the Rosetta Stone arsenal.

All in all, the event was great fun. Some celebrities stopped by to make donations to the cause, helping either by pledging to quit or even with monetary contributions.

If you would like to see any of the products listed here, scan the QR code in this story or go to CVWeekly.com for the links to see all these products and more. Get them before the trend sets in and you could be a trendsetter yourself.

  Charly Shelton