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

Summertime and the Livin is Easy

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Gigi in My House Comments Off

With summer upon us, I’m already thinking about hosting a few alfresco gatherings. Although southern Cali weather is pretty tepid, I still find myself entertaining outdoors more in the summer months. So it is time to do a little sprucing up, the elements do take a toll on things and nothing lasts forever. I need to replace a few umbrellas, deep clean the outdoor furniture, and replant and refresh the landscape. My budget is tight so I will be searching for the best prices and a lot of DIY projects. I’m always looking for inspiration.

moroccan theme

I love moroccan anything…love the colors and the lanterns.

love this

I need to address an area that gets full sun, I would love something like this…

nice

I love outdoor rugs, the ones I have are on their last season.

love outdoor parties

This is a party I had 3 years ago, Reggie and I did all the food. I love making lots of salads, and experimenting with decadent vegan desserts, I make REALLY good vegan ice cream.

My place at the golden hour

everything is overgrown now

the pool

Love the light

My upper deck is in good condition, perfect for having drinks at sunset.

This is the current state…I have my work cut out.

rose garden in need of TLC

My beautiful rose garden is sick…

over growth…

Everything has grown so massive and is blocking sun to other plants…we used to have a really good gardener who retired and I have not ben able to find someone else to do the quantity of work that he did…

lots to do…

Do you like alfresco entertaining?

XOXO,

GIGI

!AquaLivin Outdoor Solar Shower

Where does GIGI Work?

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Gigi in My House Comments Off

My work space…

Gigi’s Home Office

Working at home can be convenient, but it takes a lot of discipline to stay on task. I have to put myself on a schedule, so I don’t get distracted, which is easy to do at home, especially when there is always something to interrupt your flow. So for me, it is important to have a relatively neat space, so I can think clearly. I’m really working on editing and getting rid of things that no longer serve me. I switch back and forth from my laptop and my desktop, depending on if I am uploading images. One of the perks of when your kids go away to school, you gain space, and rooms to repurpose for other uses. My office/closet/pilates studio/ hair salon, used to be my 22 year-old daughter’s nursery.

love pretty paper

stationary cabinet

I love pretty paper, and still like to write letters the “old school” way, there is something special about taking a nice pen to beautiful paper-different experience from a text, email or tweet. I love to pick up stationary when I travel, this cabinet is perfect for storing all my goodies.

I took the doors off this “sliding door” closet

always need extra shoe storage

my favorite built in

My contractor “found” dead space in the wall and built this cabinet out, it is about 3 feet deep, and has glass doors and space at the bottom for storing boots.

love sweaters

fascinators

I don’t ever wear these, but they make fun props…

neclaces

Gigi on the wall…

The trompe l’ oeil by Cynda Valle, was painted 22 years ago, I was about 6 months pregnant in the piece, I don’t think I will ever change it.

reformer / pilates

desk setup from crate and barrel

Do you work at home? How do you stay focused? Do you have a “space” or room in your home where you can escape?

Xoxo,

Gigi

The original trompe l’ oeil by Cynda Valle, was painted 22 years ago, I was about 6 months pregnant in the piece, I don’t think I will ever change it.

My Name Is Gigi and I Am A Hoarder…

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Gigi in My House 5 Comments

I’m not sure when this problem started, but I have accumulated a lot of “stuff” over the years. With a daughter living in New York City, I was pinned to the news keeping up with “Sandy”. I couldn’t help thinking about the what if we were hit with a catastrophic event what would I do? What is really important? I have so much clutter it would really be hard for me to find the items that I would even want. That’s a problem. So I decided I would confront this situation.

Exterior

This is the outside of my house. You will be surprised at what lurks inside of the garage. I am ashamed to share with you that I cannot park one car inside because of stuff.

interior

See? Bikes, boxes, furniture projects–never wanting to get ready a chair because I’m going to recover it…

What?

There are so many boxes from when remodeled the kitchen I have no clue what is even in them.

the rafters

The rafters is full of stuff too, more boxes and holiday decorations.

Gym

I did take one car stall and make a gym, and that area stays free of clutter.

So, little by little I am going to clean my garage so I can park a car inside. I also made a list of what would I grab if I had to leave my home quickly:

Not in any particular order:

1. My 3 external hard drives

2. Mac Book Pro

3. Ipad

4. Cameras which stay packed in a backpack

5. Medications (my husband takes some life saving meds that he can’t go without…)

6. Passports

7. My 2 Cats

8.Flashlight if I could find one

9. Water

10. My jewelry–I love my baubles

Ten things that I would hate to leave

1. Boxes of pictures (let’s just say an entire closet full of pictures)

2. My shoes–no need to explain you know I loooove my shoes

3. My wardrobe

4. Paintings

5. Odd things I have brought back from trips

6. My Hastens Bed

7. My books-I have many-even though I have a kindle I will always love books especially Art books

8. Trinkets from my children ie. preschool drawings etc. I have all that stuff too

9. My dishes I used to have a china problem

10. The few antiques that I have collected

Gigi

What would you grab if you only had a few minutes? What would you miss?

I will be posting my progress on Operation Garage in the coming weeks.

Xoxo,

Gigi

The Fruits of My Labor

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Gigi in My House 2 Comments

Peaches

Five years ago after much discussion and arguing we landscaped our property. Reggie, my husband felt our yard was fine, and needed nothing more than a quick trip to Home Depot to pick up whatever plants were on sale. I on the other hand had visions of a rose garden, fruit trees, grapevines, berries, flowers, grasses, succulents, and everything else I had clipped from various garden magazines. I eventually won and we now have a peach tree, apricot, fuji apple, guava, avocado, orange, blood orange, meyer lemon, pomegranate, tangerine and a fig tree.

Fruit Garden

It’s summer and I am feeling the anticipation of the first fruit. Today Reggie surprised me with a plate of peaches and blackberries-so yummy. It does not get any more organic than this- going outside and picking something from your garden and taking that first bite. Living in southern California, I am fortunate to live in a perfect climate where just about anything will grow.

: Breakfast

If you already have a fruit garden, think about adding a variety that is not readily available in your local market. I love blood oranges and planted a tree that bears an abundant harvest. You will be amazed at how quickly your tree will reward you with delicious fruit. If you are just starting your garden or if you have limited space, think about planting a dwarf lemon tree in a container. There are so many possibilities, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Blackberries

Orange Tree

Fuji Apples

Pomegranate

Apricots

What are you growing in your garden?

xoxo,

Gigi

Necklaces Jewelry Display

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Gigi in My House 3 Comments

In another life I am convinced I was a Christmas tree. I have always loved jewelry, and have been collecting all my life. I keep most of my jewelry in drawers. The problem with the drawer system, I can’t see my baubles, and therefore I tend to wear the same pieces. I’ve been searching for something to display my necklaces. While cruising in Cost Plus the other day, I stumbled upon this wire heart rack, in the art section of the store.

Wire Heart Rack

I picked up a couple and installed them on the wall and hung my necklaces on the hooks. I was pleasantly surprised with the result, I had an instant gallery display of my necklaces.

Gallery Necklace Display

It’s nice to see all my necklaces in one place.

$39.99 Each

It’s easy to try different combinations out when you can see everything at a glance.

Easy Accessorizing

Room to Grow

My rack is sturdy, I could hang a few necklaces on each hook.

I love necklaces…

Always keep your eyes open to the possibilities of what you can create. Take time to see things in different ways, you may surprise yourself.

xoxo,

Gigi

My House

Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web #11

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