Before & After

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty, photography 6 Comments

gigi before & after

As you all know, I am passionate about my craft, I love waking up each day and capturing images that move me or make me chuckle. Sometimes it is something silly like a sign that has a double meaning.

tj maxx

Or this guy “rock climbing” the wall at Starbucks…

rock climbing…

Although I love taking pictures, getting in front of the camera, now that’s a different story. Yes, I do take lots of pics of myself, but there are many you don’t see, you know the ones you “delete” right away. For the most part, I’m in control of most of the shots, I “pass” the camera to one of the Reggies, and tell them how to take the pic.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided to be the subject, so I could see what a client feels like when a big lens is staring in their face. First thing I realized, being photographed is humbling, your whole person is being viewed by another, and you can’t help but to think about all your perceived imperfections. At first I felt vulnerable, exposed in a way, I was worrying about my hair, thinking about was my mascara to clumpy or did my body look weird and a host of other silly thoughts. I’m sure it may be different for actors, and models who are always in front of the camera, but I am speaking for those of us that can count the times on one hand that we have had our portrait done, and I am not counting the family photo shoots. We all have our “stuff” when it comes to being photographed–“my butt is fat”, ” I don’t like my arms” or “my stomach” the list goes on and on.

So after about the first 15 shots, I began to relax and trust my friend and take her direction, and soon I was feeling as if I was on America’s Next Top “Old” Model, it was actually fun. I let go and quieted the little voice in my head, embraced “me” and accepted this was who I was at that moment and it was OK. We are bombarded by photoshopped images every day, so we can’t help but to develop a warped sense of what we “think” we should look like. We all want to feel BEAUTIFUL. Many of us don’t even take pictures at all, which is sad, because one day you will look back and there will be periods of your life where you have no images just a fleeting memory.

While I love photographing families, my heart is shooting women, I love finding that sparkle in women who have been on the planet for a while, and have lived a little, those that may not have a perfect, perky 22 year-old-body, but there is something that comes through those eyes, a connection, and when that happens I am delighted. Offering an experience for women, where for a couple hours they can feel like an A-lister, and I can capture something special, my work is done and I am happy. Stay tuned…

Gigi After

Happy Friday-Have a good weekend! And BE-YOU-TIFUL!

XOXO,

Gigi

Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web # 12

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Gigi in Web Comments Off

Scandal @ Saks

I’ve been so busy lately-focusing on 54 Couture, I have not been nosing around the web, but here are a few tidbits I discovered. As you may or may not know I am a Scandal fan, and I cannot wait to watch the new one tonight. Well I guess Saks Fifth Avenue is a fan as well, the windows are filled with mannequins of the Scandal crew decked out is fashions that of course can be purchased.

Scandal @ Saks

Yesterday I was in the city (LA) yes I live in the burbs and I make it my business to go into LA a couple of times a week, usually with my eyes open, observing the world around me…so I enter this boutique and I am greeted with this sign that is so apropos.

cute sign

I think everybody knows I’m a “kitty” person, but after watching this video, maybe just maybe I could have a change of heart. Fall in love with these Corgi pups.

Interesting study about when women feel most unattractive, so that companies could tap into the “feeling ugly” market. Monday is the day women feel most unattractive according to the study, I thought about this–my “ugly” usually is Thursday, day before I usually do my hair, especially if I have been working out hard all week my hair is jacked by then. Read it here.

More than half the women in this country are a size 14 and above, there is a contest for companies to compete for a chance to have their business compete to have a commercial during Super Bowl. Curvy Girl Lingerie is in the running, read about it here and vote.

I found this piece interesting and insightful “15 things every woman over 50 should Own” I especially like the one about having a professional portrait…

And finally I am going to end with my Facebook post from yesterday:

Grab a Big piece of Life today…and Hold on to it like theres no Tomorrow…

XOXO,

GIGI

LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Gigi in American Life, Family, My Life 3 Comments

Gigi & Mom

Mothers

My mom will celebrate her 84th birthday on October 16th, it seems like yesterday she was a “young” woman, so different from the thin framed, white-haired lady she is today. Riverside a suburb about 45 minutes from my home is my mother’s hub, We moved there in 1977, the year I graduated from high school.

Unlike me, my mom can count the times on one hand that she has had a professional mani & pedi, she has NEVER colored her hair, obviously I can’t say the same, and I could just about own a nail shop after 30 years of appointments. She prides herself on still being able to fit all her clothes from yesteryear, proud of never being “FAT”. Reminding my sisters and I that she wore her regular clothes six weeks after giving birth.

Her favorite and only travel destination is Hawaii; Europe, Africa, Asia will have to wait to another lifetime. Most restaurants she does not like, always finding something wrong with the food, preferring her own cooking and her american folgers coffee, no cappuccinos for her. Entertaining and preparing food for large groups is her second nature, always finding a reason to have a house full, extending invitations to everyone.

I will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year, I remember vividly when my mom divorced my father in 1968 before “divorce” was fashionable. At 38, with four children in tow, ranging in ages 2-16 she moved cross country from New Jersey to Compton California, with a small savings to start a “new’ life. I was 8, and have no memory of life being difficult, she enrolled me in St. Albert a local catholic school, although on occasion I do recall being called to the office because my mom did not pay the tuition, but I certainly was not the only one. She worked numerous jobs, including being a housekeeper in Brentwood, Westwood, Palos Verdes, etc., I remember going with her sometimes wanting to help at my little age, marveling at these estates saying to myself that one day I too was going to have a big house, as I quietly observed these women giving my mom instruction “Peggy, please don’t forget to do this or that”.

Determination is what I grew up watching, seeing a mother never give up at wanting to provide a life for her children. At 40, four kids and all, she married again and had another baby, way before it was vogue to be 40+ and pregnant. She returned to school in her late 50’s and went on to complete her masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at the young age of 64. At 83 she is still ripping and running with the next generation, always at games, dance recitals, etc. never missing any milestones for the grandchildren. She discovered yoga in recent years and does not let anything interfere with her “zen” or her water aerobics.

Whenever I think about something being to hard or difficult, I just think about my mother’s story and keep it moving…

Happy Wednesday

XOXO,

GIGI

RANDOM

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Gigi in Inspiration, Quotes, Well-Being 7 Comments

I feel as though I am playing catch up, from the weekend, the late nights are catching up with me, and it is times like this that I feel all my 54 years. Fall is here, Scandal will be back on Thursday, and there are not enough hours in the day to do all the tasks I need to do before the year ends. I have a little bit of traveling in the next few months: DC, New Orleans, NYC and Italy. I have learned to pace myself and do what I can do each day and always make time for simple pleasures, such as taking a long bath with fragrant oils, having tea ie. brewing loose tea leaves, teapot, china tea cup etc., a little piece of chocolate basically finding pleasure in something every day. Came across this quote and really like what it says, our environment and the things we choose to surround ourselves with is so important and contributes to our well being.

Quote

Love this, after 25 years of living in the same place I have accumulated a lot of items, some which are not useful or beautiful and I am slowly editing or repurposing them. I no longer have the need to hold on to everything, freeing the clutter enables me to think clearly and focus, and speaking of focus I finally have a logo for my business and I am happy to have “it” debut here:

my logo…

Thanks to my friend Kim Jones owner of Kgrafix Creative Design, (949 500-0090) for her patience and understanding me, when I could not find the words to explain what I wanted the logo to look like.

October 1 is the perfect day to start a fall workout plan, I like to switch up what I do, to keep it interesting and challenging my body. I need to bump up my cardio so i’m looking for something fun to add to the mix, maybe revisit bootcamp. Do you like to change your workout? Or do you have a tried and true plan that you stick to?

Reinvent

So friends, do something pleasurable today and if needed start editing things that no longer serve you…

Xoxo,

Gigi

QUOTE

Face Forward

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Gigi in Events 2 Comments

Gigi @ Face Forward Gala

Saturday Reggie and I got to escape our valley abode and travel west to Santa Monica and join our friends at the 4th annual Face Forward Gala, the theme “A Gatsby Affair”. The gala did not disappoint, everyone was decked out in their interpretation of 1920’s glamour, a silent auction with a bevy of items, an exciting live auction, beautifully decorated ball room, exquisite centerpieces, delicious meal, hosted by Sara Rue, performances by Stacy Francis and Macy Gray one of my favorites performers.

Face Forward was established in 2007 by Deborah Alessi and her husband Dr. David Alessi, to provide pro-bono physical and emotional reconstruction for women and children victimized by domestic violence. I have attended the gala every year, this being the first time on the committee. It was nice to see all the hard work come together on this magical evening.

Dr. David Alessi & Deborah Alessi

One in a least three women in the world are victims of domestic abuse, which means all of us know or indirectly know a woman who is being physically abused, it may be a family member, co-worker, neighbor, teacher, friend, church member, domestic abuse has no boundaries.

At a young age I was the victim of domestic violence by a “boyfriend” , I remember being ashamed and having no one to talk to, the abuser was constantly threatening me of more consequences if I told anybody. Finally one day I “snapped” and pulled a butcher knife on him, and for those brief moments I knew I was capable of causing severe bodily harm ie “killing a M-F”, fortunately for me that was the last time I ever saw that ass hole and I never was in another relationship like that again. So of course this charity is close to my heart because I knew I could have been one of our patients.

Gigi, Greta & Michelle

Gigi & “Bear”

One of the things I love most about galas is getting dressed up, I’m a girlie girl at heart. So I was excited about the 1920’s theme, a new ensemble was not an option so I was up for the challenge of shopping my closet. So of course I was happy when I found a BCBG dress that I picked up at the outlet, and I paired it with a Tracy Reese top I got about 5 years ago, threw on a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti’s, converted an Anthropologie head band with a $5 hair thingy from my local Halloween pop up store and I was good to go.

Now my hair, that was another story, I knew I did not want to sport my “big” hair, so I decided to experiement, so I washed it, added a lot of tresemme natural conditioner and detangled, followed by deva one leave in conditioner, curl junkie styling creme and a generous amount of eco protein styling gel , sat under the dryer for about 30 min to set it and then pulled it back into a low side bun using a donut thing to shape my hair which worked perfect.

I’m already looking forward to next years Gala.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web #11

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Gigi in My House, Web 3 Comments

This week zoomed by, it is all a blur. I spent yesterday cleaning out my garage, what an ordeal, how did I ever accumulate so much stuff? Why have I kept every vase from every floral arrangement I have received for the past 25 years? How many sets of holiday lights does one family need? Throw pillows? 30 really? My scrap booking phase, mosaic phase, stenciling phase, floorcloth phase, “faux painting” phase, orchids phase, roses phase, home decor phase, floral arranging phase, succulent phase, my garage full of the support items of all these activities. Books and more books, my books, Amani’s books, Reggie’s books-box after box and yes these are just the overflow books, I have numerous in the house. Both of the kids pre–school papers, grade school, middle school, and high school memorabilia filling plastic tubs piled up to the ceiling. After pulling out everything onto my drive way, and neighbors asking me if I was moving, it came to me that I have a little bit of hoarder in me. I looked at the empty trash bin I ordered and begin to get rid of what no longer served me, it was refreshing to see the possibilities of parking a car in the garage again. Will reveal after pictures next week, although I worked all day and part of the night, I still have a long way to go.

interior

What?

After I relaxed for a minute I did a little peeking here and there on the web and here is what I found. Last summer I attended my first Trombone Shorty show last summer at the Hollywood Bowl, once this band came on the entire audience was up moving and shaking, I have been a fan ever since. Check him out:

Interesting article on the multiracial world we live in, read it here.

Stepping out–Designer Rick Owens recruits African-American sorority girls to “step” in his show.

Saturday I will be attending the Face Forward Great Gatsby Gala, a charity that I am involved in that raises money to provide reconstructive surgery for victims of domestic violence. I was so happy to see this public service announcement that is on the subways in NYC.

domestic violence

And last but not least, trying to decide if I like these “new” athletic inspired shoes, I have not tried any on , but I must say they look comfy…even though I am a sneaker in the gym kinda girl…

Sneak Around…

Happy Friday Everybody XOXO, GIGI

Post & Beam– And– A Film Screening

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Gigi in Dining, Movies Comments Off

I love films especially independent films. Some where deep inside of me is a story waiting to be transformed for the big screen. I’m already taking baby steps toward making a little short reel for my photography bus, so of course I was excited to go to a screening of our friend, Fred Hawthorne’s film Inner City Champions this evening. Prior to going to the screening however, we made a quick pit stop to Govind Armstrong‘s restaurant Post & Beam, long overdue on my list, I have eaten at Willie Jane his Venice place, but I had not tried Post & Beam. Brad Johnson of (Georgia) one of my favs back in the day, is co-owner of this upscale eatery located outside of the Crenshaw mall.

Post & Beam

Considering we did not have a reservation, I was delighted that we were able to walk right in and get a table. The ambience is dim and sexy, perfect place if you were undercover with someone you should not be with, another reminder that I need the flashlight app on my phone so I can read the menu. Being vegan Reggie and I are well versed at surveying a menu and quickly coming up with a few options at most places. We did not have much time, so our friendly server, made a few suggestions (pizza with sweet potato, mozzarella and kale), no thank, so we settled on a market salad which was delicious, black eyed peas sans the bacon, my husband’s fav succotash, heirloom tomato composed salad and corn bread. The portions were regular size perfect for sharing, presentation was nice, and overall good food. It was so dark I could not capture any pics. The menu has lots of interpretations of soul food dishes, wines by the glass and bottle and specialty cocktail menu. I will go back again when I can take my time and savior my meal.

Post & Beam Open daily for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch 323 299-5599 3767 Santa Rosalia Drive Los Angeles

We arrived at Fred’s home just in time to grab a seat and watch the film. To my surprise, right before the screening a woman greeted me and told me that we were FB friends, she was here via Chicago, just moved here a few months ago. It is always nice when that happens and you meet someone who was a cyber friend.

Gigi & Robin

Considering I am by no means a basketball historian, I found the story of these 2 players very interesting. The film chronicles the lives of Freeman Williams and Dwayne Polee , both from LA, attended Manuel Arts High School and had phenomenal basketball careers, but unfortunately due to various circumstances their NBA careers were very short. I realized that for every Magic, Kobe and Michael, there are millions of young men who never make it in the world of “ballers”.

I left the screening motivated, video is so powerful…I jazzed at the thought of my little “reel”.

Xoxo,

Gigi

SLEEP PATTERNS

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Gigi in My Life, Well-Being Comments Off

pen and pad

I love the quiet of the night, that magical time where all sorts of thoughts and ideas appear, and my pen and I happily transcribe to my trusty legal pad. Yes, I’m old school I love a pen in hand and seeing words on paper, it’s sort of like an electronic reader vs book, I have both but there are times when I want to curl up with a book instead of an electronic device. My husband on the other hand can barely stay up and watch the news, but 4AM he is up and running a 10 miler, or at the gym, or working out with his trainer and I on the other hand am just turning in at 3AM. Considering I don’t have a”place” to be in the morning since I work at home, I catch up sleeping in a bit, but of course the phone starts ringing around 8 and I am the master of answering as though I was wide awake and then quietly falling back into a deep sleep sometimes not remembering who I spoke to.

So the other day i read a piece on the Habits of Supremely Happy People, on the huffington Post and one of the habits was getting plenty of sleep, so I decided I’m going to rewire my brain, and go to bed early and wake up at dawn and start my day, and still have that quiet time that I love. The following are the other items that “contribute” to “supreme” happiness-this list is dead on…

1. Surround themselves with happy people–check. Nothing will take you down quicker than others who are negative, I find that my nature is to “fix” people, but sometimes you have to pull away.

Housewives of ASPEN

2. Smile when they mean it–check. A smile is a cure all.

Gigi

3.Cultivate resilience–check. Keep trying, keep doing, never give up on your dreams.

Quote

4. Try to be happy–check. There are some people you purpose to be mad, I don’t get it.

5. Appreciate simple pleasures–check. Smelling a rose as I leave my house can make my day.

love these roses

6. Devote time to giving–check. Always giving something to someone, trying to make a difference.

7. Lose track of time–check. I’m an expert at this one.

8. Nix the small talk for deeper conversation–check. You have to go there, dig deeper.

9. Spend money on other people–check. Yept.

10. Make a point to listen–check. It is amazing how many people don’t do this one.

11. Look on the bright side–check. Yes, there always is a bright side to everything no matter how bad it seems.

12. Value a good mixtape–check. I LOVE MAKING MIXED CD’S- another part of my sleep problem. Music is so important to me…

13. UNPLUG–Gotta work on this one ie. leave the phone at home sometimes, have rules.

14. Get Spiritual–check

15. Exercise–check. no brainer

Yoga

16. Sleep– Working on this one

17. Laugh–check. I always find the humor in everything…

and lastly

18.Walk the Walk–check. The old “pep in your step” is true…

Walk the Walk

So my friends what are your thoughts? Anything missing? Anything to add? Spread some happiness as you go about your day today.

XOXO,

Gigi

QUOTE

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Gigi in Inspiration, photography, Quotes Comments Off

Love this Quote …

YES!

You may get tired of this reoccurring theme in a lot of my posts, but it is so true, and once you embrace this concept you will see how life changing it can be. It does not have to be a different career, it could be something simple like going to a show by yourself, taking up a new hobby, a yoga class, going back to school, just as long as you are doing something that you have “always wanted to do”. The real beauty of this is that if you do something and realize that perhaps it “is not all that” at least you tried and you had that experience.

I always loved photography, and always had my little point and shoot camera with me, nothing sophisticated, just an inexpensive camera I kept in my purse and pulled it out daily to capture moments and observations of my day and the kids and all the “cute” things that they did, btw this is before digital, so I have boxes and boxes of snapshots for each year…another project I need to address one day.

When my brother was alive we took a photography class together about 13 years ago, I remember because Amani was 10 and Reggie was 4 and at the time I could not juggle everything and it was not my time, so I dropped out of the class, however my brother became a professional photographer and changed his life. He departed earth almost 4 years ago, so I know it was my time to pick up where he left off, I know he is smiling looking down on me saying something like “You got this Sis, you can do this”…

GiGi

So my friends, go do something YOU always wanted to do…let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

XOXO,

Gigi

Weekend Observations… Mother of George

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Gigi in My Life, Weekend, Weekend Observations 4 Comments

This past weekend was incredibly busy. Between working on my “business” and my typical tendency to cram to many things into a day–I am worn out! Part of my problem is that I love life and I try to live each day to the fullest, never wanting to miss out on anything. Sunday was my marathon day, first I had a shoot with a beautiful family, the weather was perfect, the park was not busy, the children were adorable, my cohort Elsy was phenomenal, my BFF Blaine was stylist extraordinaire, my hubby provided refreshments,we finished on time and the the family was still smiling. Here’s a sneak peak.

The Girls

That should have been enough, the rest of the afternoon should have been spent relaxing, instead of just beginning. Next stop downtown LA to a trunk show by Wunmi, her line is aptly called WOW WOW, the colorful collection brightly patterned dresses, pants and tops, was a sensory overload. I wanted everything, but it was a little after 3 and we had tickets for a movie at 4 in Santa Monica, so I knew I did not have time to try on anything, but Wunmi told me this was the last day of the show and she was going back to NY, so I just went on my instinct and bought a dress that can be worn 4 ways. I love that all the fabrics are fair trade and hand dyed, which gives each garment a unique look.

WOW WOW

my “wow wow” dress

With 30 minutes to spare we were on our way to Santa Monica to see Mother of George a film that is only playing at The Royal Laemmle. You all know I love Kerry Washington, Morris Chestnut, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassestt just to name a few, but this film had no actors I recognized and I was awe struck. The cinematography is beautiful, the colors and the lighting are a story within the story. The opening wedding scene is an elegant ceremony saturated with vibrant color and music. It is the story of a Nigerian couple Adenike and Ayodele living in Brooklyn, who are unable to conceive and the pressures that come along with that from the family in particular the husband’s mother, this could be anyones story. I remember after I had Amani it took us six years to get pregnant with Reggie and well meaning friends and family would innocently ask us when are we having another baby, not knowing we were desperately trying. This film poses the question, how far would you go to have a baby? This is a must see film filled with spectacular imagery, although you will have to go out of your way to see this one it is well worth it, matter of fact I am going to see it again with Reggie. I wish there were more films like this, where you really feel the emotions of the characters.

After the screening there was a Q and A with the producer who also played the brother of the main character in the film, Anthony Okungbowa, that was really insightful of what goes on behind the scenes and the challenges of getting a film like this made.

Gigi & Producer Anthony Okungbowa

Blaine

Ok by now I should be going home, but instead back downtown for a dinner reservation at one of my favorite restaurants, Baco Mercat. So back on the freeway and we zoom downtown for a nice dinner, btw we had not eaten all day, so we were beyond hungry. Reggie meets us there and to our surprise my other BFF Denise walks in with her family, so of course we are delighted at this unplanned reunion.

BACO ladies…

Finally on the way home, exhausted, but I am determined to write my post, one of my list items-write my blog daily and be consistent. So it is 1:15AM friends and I’m not quite finished yet. I hope your weekend was productive and interesting as well. I’m looking forward to a productive week and getting a lot done.

Happy Monday

XOXO,

GIGI

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