Golden Globes Gratis

Every year, a few days before the Golden Globes, vendors and studios set up a virtual buffet of decadence around Los Angeles for the stars to peruse and "sample" wares; and by "sample," we mean get free stuff.

Isaiah Washington from 'Grey's Anatomy' and Paris Hilton from "Any Club That Serves a Martini" were both at the Silver Spoon suite, along with Neil Patrick Harris of 'Doogie Howser' fame, checking out items from Red Bull, Mixed Emotions, Elizabeth Grant Skincare, ME! and Lucky Charms. And when they weren't getting drinks served by monkeys or having pictures taken with the Lucky Charms Leprechaun, they were sampling moisturizers, purses, games, shoes, jeans and a perfume that smells like your favorite martini. (Finally, Tara Reid can rest assured she's not the only one who smells like an appletini.)

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Style Lounge
The Silver Spoon
Luxury Lounge
HBO Luxury Suite
Diamonds and Pearls

The Style Lounge at a private residence in Beverly Hills had even more stuff on Jan. 13: Jewelry from Valerie Down, handbags from Candice Nicole and a line of T-shirts with the words "ta-ta" on them. With all the jewelry, shoes and T-shirts meant to accentuate your breasts, what's a big strapping guy like Ledger to do?

The suite for the guys was sponsored by HBO, where the most metrosexual celebs could get everything from a manicure and pedicure to Cargo jeans. And so no Mr. Masculine would feel too weird getting his nails done, there were sports on flat-screen TVs and MP3 players to keep them feeling manly.

The Luxury Lounge at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills showcased more jewelry, more jeans, definitely more handbags, chocolates, sweaters and a tanning booth from Mystic Tan.

Then there's the bling. Platinum Unlimited brought out the big guns -- or should we say big gems -- at the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive. More than $8 million in sparkly platinum jewelry encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires were on view for stylists and celebs to pick out something for the big red-carpet night.