Traveling…

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Gigi in Events, Travel 3 Comments

Courtney and Glendon

Wedding

Busy weekend…packing for a 6am flight, leaving our family’s home at 3 in order to make it to the airport on time. The wedding was beautiful and the rain disappeared just in time. There was plenty of toasting, good things to nibble, music to bounce to, and family and friends all celebrating the marriage of Courtney and Glendon.
The ceremony was held at the American visionary art museum, the couple and the wedding party stood on the stairs surrounded by all the guests as they exchanged their vows.

Invitation

Buni,the mother of the bride and I met 17 years ago when I joined the Pasadena showcase house group.

href=”http://www.gigismeanderings.com/traveling/image-3/” rel=”attachment wp-att-5689″> Gigi and Buni[/caption]
When your friends children start getting married you realize that time really is zooming by and lately we have been receiving a few of these. I find it interesting to see the new families merging together, knowing that we are not in control of the partners our children meet and fall in love with.
The reception was elegant and laid back chic, the atmosphere was sexy lounge with soft seating and two large tables for the families. Tray passed appetizers were non-stop, combined with food stations with an assortment of delicious nibbles, with plenty for us vegans to choose from. The cake was simple modern and tasty.
Two things I learned from this wedding:
1. I have no desire to be a wedding photographer-although I had my camera with me, I was respectful of the hired photographers, I don’t know how they do it with everyone taking pictures with their phones.

Gigi

2. Not sure if I want to have a 25th wedding celebration-weddings are wonderful, but they are work, maybe we will go away and celebrate, or maybe have something small.

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

This is my first time posting from my iPad so forgive me if the format is a little funky, the text editor appeared to be a little off. I will post pics tomorrow, so until then cheers…

Toast

Xoxo
Gigi

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

LA Links 61st Cotillion One Moment In Time 2012

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Gigi in Events Comments Off

Being a romantic at heart, growing up, I wanted to be a debutante and a have a big wedding with all the trimmings; big white billowy gown, elegant reception, beautiful flowers and an exotic honeymoon. Neither happened for me, and I have been attending and celebrating these events with friends and family ever since. Debutante balls have been around for about 400 years, traditionally held to introduce young ladies from upper crust families to society ie. other upper crust families. Some might ask with multiple social networking websites, facebook, etc. is there even a need for cotillions? My daughter was a debutante in 2008 and it was an unforgettable experience for both of us. The girls are required to do community service, etiquette classes, social skills, college admissions preparation, financial management, and most of all meet other young ladies that they will form life long friendships with.

Friday evening, November 23rd, 15 young ladies curtsied, at the Beverly Regent Hotel, walking arm-in-arm with a father, grandfather, or uncle. An evening steeped in tradition, over 500 friends and family members were in attendance at this grand affair. We were there to support our friends, Vincent and Allison Conard and their beautiful daughter Charis. This year was the 61st Cotillion presented by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Links, and the Los Angeles Chapter Charitable Trust. The proceeds from the ball are used to support community non-profit organizations, and scholarships.

Debutante Charis and Gigi

Debutante Charis was a the belle of the ball. I have watched her blossom into a beautiful young woman.

Allison and Vincent Conard

Allison and Vincent, proud parents on this special evening, I love Allison’s navy gown so elegant. The father/daughter waltz was so beautiful. I captured what I could on my little point and shoot camera.

Grand Ballroom

The ballroom was filled with admiring friends and family, these young ladies are truly special.

Place Setting

Floral Arrangements

The ballroom was filled with flowers, the tables were set and everyone was dressed black tie, a nice affair to start off the holiday season. Here is another clip of the Debutante/Escort waltz.

Debutante Charis and Escort Edmon Porter (son of Keith and Karen Porter)

Gigi & Reggie

Debutante Amani (Gigi’s daughter) 2008

While a cotillion may not be for everyone, I still sit at the edge of my chair in awe at this elegant tradition that is still going on in 2012. To see these young ladies dressed in these ball gowns prancing around glowing, knowing that this “moment in time” is truly theirs.

What do you think about cotillions? Were you a debutante? Is your daughter going to be a debutante?

Xoxo,

Gigi

Harlem Debutante Ball, Renaissance Ballroom 1950′s (photos)

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Face Forward

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