By Juan Markos and Jason Thompson
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/4/25 – This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Bodywell & MEND’s 2025 Critics’ Choice & Grammy Fire Relief Lounge, presented by GBK Brand Bar at the stunning Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. From luxury gifts to meaningful philanthropy, the event had it all—and, of course, I met some incredible vendors along the way.
One of the standout brands was Bodywell, who gifted me their cutting-edge technology designed to help block radiation from phones and electronic devices. The kit includes a chip for your phone or tablet, a card you can carry or sleep with, and blockers for headphones and smartwatches. Developed by Swiss scientists and rigorously tested, this was a must-have for someone like me who’s constantly glued to their phone. Cobra Kai’s Patrick Luwis seemed just as intrigued as I was while we learned about the product.
Check out the video from Juan Markos up on YouTube:
Beyond the luxury experience, the event had a charitable heart. Hosted by Americares, guests were invited to assemble hygiene and recovery kits for those affected by the recent wildfires. The hygiene kits included essentials like shampoo, soap, and toothbrushes, while the recovery kits contained masks, gloves, and goggles to help victims sort through what remained of their homes. I jumped in to make a few kits, though the volunteers seemed to have things well under control.
On the fashion front, I snagged an incredible psychedelic-inspired T-shirt from Single Tree Lane—fingers crossed it fits because it’s giving major acid-trip hippie vibes. I also met the fabulous Shari Henry, a fashion designer who creates dazzling, sequin-covered suits. She was so warm and friendly, and now I kind of want one of her designs (though I doubt they come in my size!).
Check out the video from Jason Thompson on YouTube:
I couldn’t resist grabbing a bottle of Lunell Iconic by Arzo perfume to add to my ever-growing fragrance collection—it smelled divine. And Pretty Pout gifted me their SPF lip balm, which had no weird film or taste. I wish I had grabbed a hundred of them!
And then there was my dream man, Jai Rodriguez. We kept bumping into each other throughout the event, and he was as charming as ever. Maybe if we cross paths a fourth time, we’ll finally become besties (a girl can dream, right?).
Of course, the views of Beverly Hills from the venue were absolutely breathtaking, adding to the magic of the event. With a mix of star power, incredible brands, and a great cause, this lounge was definitely one for the books!
