POST BIRTHDAY-AND NO MORE REDEYE FLIGHTS IF YOU ARE OVER 50

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Gigi in Aging, My Life, Travel 1 Comment

CHARLOTTE

The FB likes have subsided, texts are few and I have heard from all my besties via phone and even had 2 serenade me. I am officially headed toward the next milestone birthday, seems like only yesterday I was celebrating my 40th.

Gigi @ 40

My actual birthday was business as usual, driving a 100 plus miles, taking my son to his various appointments and then home to complete the arduous packing chore. I’m going to the Jack & Jill National Convention in Charlotte, I’m typically a light packer but as I stare at this agenda with all the suggested attire, I know this is going to be complicated. I will also be the official photographer for our region, which means packing my gear as well, with no “honey do” to help me.

By the time I’m done packing everything, my lower back starts to ache at the thought of dragging, and lifting all these bags. My travel buddy Marie graciously picked me up, I don’t think I could have driven another place. Finally settled on my “redeye” flight seat 33 d, I’m surrounded by a 2 year-old convention, and I realized I forgot my hat…suggested attire for one of the luncheons. The flight was overbooked, not an empty seat, and I was happy all the babies all fell asleep.

This will probably be my last J&J convention, my son will be graduating out next year, I am looking forward to documenting the week, of course I will post my favorites here.

BTW on another note, if you must take a “redeye” not recommended if you are over 50…heheheh to hard. Here are a few tips.

1. Drink as much water-even more than you normally drink.

2. No alcohol! I repeat No Alcohol.

3. Slather your face with your favorite supa dupa “night” cream. Don’t be concerned about what you look like, this is a “redeye”.

4. Dress confortable and warm–those pashiminas you may have stockpiled from the past are perfect for this.

5. Try to sleep…

a little tea to wake me up

J & J flowers at registration

Happy Tuesday,

XOXO,

Gigi

25 Tips for a Happy Marriage

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Gigi in My Life 6 Comments

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 Kauai

25 years ago I said “I Do” to my soulmate for life. We have been through a lot together, I have experienced the happiest moments in my life with this man, and some of the saddest, birthed 2 children, traveled around the world, ran 4 marathons, 1 triathlon, biked around the big island of Hawaii, baked more brownies than I care to remember, raised a few furry children, got involved in a pyramid scheme, made money , lost money, turned vegan and shared lots of laughs together.

25 years later July 23, 2014

As I reflect on the past 25 years, I thought about why am I still crazy about this man? I came up with my list of 25 tips for a happy marriage. I’m not an expert, but these are things that have worked for us.

Not in any particular order:

#1. FORGIVE and FORGET.

# 2. Live YOUR version of a “Love Story”.

# 3. Love yourself, but don’t be Selfish.

Hubby Reggie

# 4. Make your OWN family traditions…Love your extended families, but establish a few rituals of your own.

# 5. Evolve and “be a creature like no other” embrace your own changes as well as your partner’s- being stagnant is not interesting or attractive.

# 6. Prepare “real” food with all your heart and soul. There is something sensuous about preparing food for your lover.

Reggie & Gigi

# 7. Always DATE- It is easy to get into a rut, but make it happen, get a sitter, do whatever you have to do in order to spend time as a couple.

# 8. Commit to the journey, the ride ~~may~~ will get rocky, but HOLD ON!!!

Gigi & Reggie

# 9. Have FAITH and BELIEVE in something.

# 10. Nurture your family ie. your children, but don’t forget each other.

# 11. Work at your marriage and the magic will happen- No Work No Magic.

I would say yes again…

# 12. Prioritize – What is really important? Don’t get it twisted…

# 13. Remember ROMANCE CAN LAST…don’t pay attention to the cynics, non-believers and those that are bitter.

# 14. Indulge each other in WHATEVER -at least sometimes.

Have Fun pretend to get married again …

# 15. Celebrate each other…birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s or just because.

#16. Be in “touch” and communicate-be available for one another-don’t be elusive- and TOUCH each other…

#17. LISTEN, LISTEN & LISTEN and THINK, THINK & THINK and then SPEAK SPEAK & SPEAK…

love this one

# 18. Travel near and far, especially places where you don’t speak the language, get out and explore this world we live in.

#19. Make your house a home- create a comforting space that you both look forward to.

# 20. Be desirable for each other- be the best version of “you”, look pretty, smell fresh, take care of your body, groom yourself, wear pretty lingerie or not…

Love this man

# 21. CARE for each other…Be there when your mate is down, physically, mentally, financially…just be there.

# 22. Learn to savor moments–the older I get, the more I know that tomorrow is not promised.

# 23. Don’t let things get old and tired–literally and figuratively — you are in control.

Laugh

# 24. Laugh, Laugh and LAUGH–Don’t be so serious.

# 25. Eat Love, Drink Love, Live Love, and most of all MAKE LOVE!

Here is a behind the scene video of my anniversary photo shoot that my talented son surprised me with…

As I celebrate my Silver Anniversary–I wish all you much love…

XOXO.

Gigi

24th Wedding Anniversary

2014 Another Year to Welcome

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Gigi in My Life, Quotes, Thoughts, Well-Being Comments Off

Quote

I came across this quote and thought about how everyday could be the “beginning of anything you want”. Most of us end the year reflecting about the previous 12 months and then start the new year off with a host of resolutions, you know the usual suspects, exercise program, lose weight, eat better etc. and then come February, March the backsliding begins.

2014 will be a busy year for me, I’ll be celebrating 25 years of marriage in some manner, my son will be returning from Italy, starting his senior year, and the college application process. My business is starting the year with 3 sold out events, most of my waking moments are spent planning all the details I’m so excited, and of course I will be posting all the details here. On a lesser note, I will be on an emotional roller coaster, being the rock for a family member who is about to embark on the biggest battle of their life. With all of that going on, I still plan to post my musings here, inspired by things that bring me joy, things that inspire me, things that put a smile on my face in even the darkest moments.

gigi’s Black eyed peas

Today I made black eyed peas, a New Year tradition that is said to bring good luck. I modify a recipe from Samuelsson Marcus that I love, it is african/indian inspired preparation and if you like spice, it is simply delicious. All I do is saute in olive oil instead of butter, use veggie stock instead of chicken broth, and I use whatever fresh pepper I can find locally.

Marcus

I do have a few personal goals for 2014

1. Take as many beautiful portraits that I can-many I will be sharing here.

2. Look for that perfect little casita, maybe in the desert, or by the sea or up in the mountains…it is something we have always talked about, but this may be the year to start seriously searching and make it happen.

3. Do another triathlon- sprint of course.

4. Keep calm and carry on…

5. Give back and make a difference whenever I can…

6. Travel , Travel and Travel–Brazil, Turkey, Vietnam, Madagascar, and Bali are just a few on my long list of places I hope to see one day.

7. Lastly continue to work on being my authentic self. Remember my journey is just that- my journey, and sometimes my GPS gets twisted, but it always recalculates and gets me going in the right direction again.

Remember this is your BEGINNING…

XOXO,

Gigi

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Good Bye 2013.

Tonight we will celebrate the New Year quietly at home. No galas or soirees just the two of us. 2014 will be the year of simplicity, savoring simple moments and embracing life…

I know all to well that tomorrow is not promised. Celebrate with your loved ones.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Xoxo,

Gigi

new year

NYE EVE… And what I learned from the Italians

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Gigi in My Life, Thoughts, Travel 1 Comment

On this “NYE” eve, like most of us I can’t help but to reflect on the past year. There were highs; my son’s acceptance to SYA Italy, our family trip to Thailand, my annual girls ski trip to Colorado, my launch of 54 Couture Portraiture, and my collaboration with a fellow artist forming PS Couture. There were lows as well; my husband’s stroke, my brother-n-law’s untimely death, breast cancer attacked my family like a stealth bomber, absence of a close friendship, and the loss of an unborn child. My observation in all of this is that life is constantly changing and waits for no one. The good and the bad have to be embraced, cherish the good and try and make sense of the bad.

mi familia

The past week I was in Italy with my family, a first for us celebrating Christmas away, while there I did a lot of people watching and observed the italians zeal for life. They smoke and drink with abandonment, savor their meals, upon meeting men kiss one another, and all the women from baby girls to 80 plus year-olds are “dressed”. The women my age are not trying to emulate their daughters, they are sporting silver hair, wearing body conscious clothes and always so effortlessly chic. I loved seeing people riding bikes, fully dressed in street clothes, going about their day.

Spanish Steps

It was refreshing not to see Starbucks. Yes. I do love Starbucks and have been known on more than one occasion to even cruise through a drive-thru. Here you did not see people walking around with paper cups, if you have a coffee or tea your are sitting in a cafe with a “real” cup and saucer, and oh none of this “tall”, “grande” and “venti” business, everything is served in a regular cup. The culture does not seem driven by convenience, no taking food away in containers and meals with your family are important.

Cafe

What I learned from the Italians:

1. If I don’t have time to sit downn and drink my tea or coffee–I don’t need it.

2. No more wearing my “workout” clothes as street wear- finish working out and get dressed-enough said.

3. Prepare more meals at home, with the kids being away it is so easy to just pick something up.

4. Spend more time with family.

5. Continue to find joy in simple things ie. having fresh flowers just because…

flowers are everywhere in Italy…these were sold from the back of a truck

6. Having friends over just because–the art of home entertaining seems lost-

7. Make more rituals-make your bath like a spa-why not?

love my bathtub…

8. Ride your bike for transportation in your regular clothes-and put your groceries in the bike basket–get rid of the Costco card and stop buying thngs in bulk…

9. Laugh out loud often- even if for no reason

10. And lastly…Drink more red wine or juice or kumbucha…water–just drink

10.5 Yes…a bidet

11. Say “Ciao” “Grazie” and ” Allora”

Ciao,

XOXO,

GIGI

Gigi in Rome

Christmas and Thereafter

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Gigi in Family, Italy, My Life, Travel Comments Off

mi familia

The days are going by so fast and blending into each other. We have been in Italy just enough time to start adjusting to the time only to have to start packing for our trip home. A lot of bonding goes on when you are in a country where little english is spoken and there are none of the normal distractions. No phone calls, unreliable wifi most of the time, no nada, just each other, talking about everything from the future, their goals and dreams to what retirement looks like for us.

family

You bring these children into the world, but as parents we lay the foundation and express our wants and desires for them, but ultimately it is up to them to make it happen and stay on task. There is not enough “micro managing”,” helicopter mommy-ing” in the world that can make these young adults do something that they don’t really want to do. I’m sure there are many who may not agree with this, but in my 54 years here on the planet, 23 of these years being a parent and countless years observing my friends, family and numerous acquaintances raise kids, you have to just hope for the best and set the foundation, because there are no guarantees or sure set paths or formulas.

family

On this trip of no distractions we talked about everything like, “Yes you are on a nice trip doing “nice” things, but what are your going to do in your life so you too can travel?’ or “What colleges are you interested in based on your GPA?” or “How long to you plan to live in NYC on your salary?”

As I sat across from my children, I could not help but to reflect on how my family has grown up so quckly. We were blessed that everything worked out and we were able to be together. This trip made me realize how much I miss my children and the dynamics of being together as a family. I’m happy that they are both so independant but sad that they are both so far away.

This has been an unforgettable trip full of special memories. Tomorrow is our last day together, and we will all go our seperate ways hopefully to be reunited in the summer.

family

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi in Rome

I LOVE YOU- FRIENDS…

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

quote

In my 54 plus years on the planet, my life has been enriched with a plethora of friends that have had a profound impact on my life. One I have know since 5th grade, one I have met in the past year and others that I have met throughout my adult life. I am the woman I am today because of the phenomenal friends that have been in my life contributing to this crazy, veggie obsessed, light seeking photographer, yogini, real book reader, sometimes obsessive compulsive knitter, chef, swimmer, biker, hiker, dancer, writer–without you all-my life would be so different.

Many of you have shared secrets with me, traveled with me around the world, cried with me and laughed at all my crazy stories, even if you heard them ten times before. Some I chat with daily, sometimes twice a day and others from morning til night, some of you I speak with once every 6 months or so, but regardless we pick up as if it was yesterday. I’ve shared many meals with all of you and shared numerous bottles of champagne. Some of you are “shoe” buds, who are interested in “sole” searching at anytime.

Just as important, I’m happy I’m a friend to many incredible women and in their life as well. We have raised children together, met “new” significant others, shared opinions and differences.

I’m glad you all have embraced me with all of my imperfect parts, my weak moments and my vulnerable ones. I’m not perfect, but you can count on me–I will be there, and if I get “mad” you know it is only for a minute.

I thank all of my friends for making my life complete I love you all…

Tell your friend you love them today…Happy Thursday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

here a just a few of my “friendly” pics…there are so many…

buds

Gigi, Greta & Michelle

Housewives of ASPEN

BACO ladies…

not our mama’s 50…

Our Chariot

When the Stars don’t Line Up…

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Stars

Do you every have a day when everything is off? And you wonder what the heck is going on? Well yesterday was that day. It started off when I could not find a client’s memory card, that had images that would have been irreplaceable. The thought of having to tell her that I “lost” her images made me sick to my stomach. I spent hours looking for it all the while thinking of what could I tell her, when out of no where it appeared, actually it was lodged between a book, don’t ask me how. Lesson learned.

Friday we are going to New Orleans for a medical meeting. I do all of our travel arrangements, so I’m looking for our flight reservation to print and I cannot find the email confirmation, I searched my credit cards and no record of any airline purchase. I realize somehow I FORGOT to buy the tickets, btw this is a meeting that all the opthamologists from all over the world attend, so I go online to purchase last minute tickets and the price has skyrocketed to 1600. each for coach tickets. I can’t pay 3500. to go to New Orleans for the weekend so I do my research and figure that we could fly to Mississippi for about 400. and then rent a car and drive.

The day continued on with incidence after incidence, you know the usual suspects, running late, can’t find a parking space etc., crazy traffic driving home. A friend calls to tell me that her son saw an intruder come in their backyard and steal her bike, mind you this is in a neighborhood that you would not think someone would do that at the “homework” hour with cars in the driveway.

off balance

The day ends with another friend telling me she had some diagnostic tests in which she will get the results on Thursday morning. Results that would be life changing, hearing the fear in her voice and trying to comfort her made me realize my little inconveniences were nothing in comparison. It put everything in perspective. We take so much for granted and get caught up in petty silly things that at the end of the day really don’t matter. Another reminder to savor each moment and really take time to smell the roses.

smell the roses

Roses from my garden…

Happy Wednesday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Your Practice is YOUR Practice

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Gigi in My Life, Well-Being Comments Off

quote

Saturday night we attended a special 2 hour hot yoga event, the room was steamy, the reggae rhythm was bumping, the “quiet storm” perfect pitch voice our yoga teacher Scott was smoothly guiding us through the vinyasa flow. As I struggled through the poses I reminded myself that my practice is just that “my practice” my moment to be the best that I can be at that given moment, no more no less. Within ten minutes I was in my trance, not longer worrying about if my butt looked gi-normous in chair pose, or that my back bend was pretty lame, or that annoying fat roll was appearing when I did a side bend nor that my leg was not lifted as high as the rest of the yoginis. All of those conscious thoughts disappeared as I moved through the poses, taking an occasional child’s pose when needed for a short reprise.

After about an hour or so, my emotions began to come to the surface, perhaps it was when Scott said something like “release what binds you, so you can be free” I felt my eyes as they began to fill with water, slowly releasing tears that merged with the salty sweat forming a shiny glow on my face. I continued the poses with a spurt of energy, thankful for this time, for my life, my breath and my sanity.

I realized that the key to real happiness is accepting your personal best, rather than comparing yourself to your neighbor, friend, relative, or stranger, I may not ever do a beautiful headstand in the center of the room and that is OK. In life it is easy to compare ourselves with others, but when you are able to “let it go” and accept that your personal best is good enough, you eliminate the “keeping up with the Joneses” effect or the “green eyed” jealousy and her partner envy at bay. Find contentment with your own success and growth, I can do my passion without worrying about if I will be a six figure earning photographer or if I will be famous, shooting magazine covers.

I can do “ME” without thinking about if I am meeting someone else’s expectations. I can accept my imperfections and mistakes and I can forgive and forget. Free from the judgement of others or the petty punishments inflicted, I can purpose to improve on yesterdays actions and continue to “practice” and give my best.

I practice at Purple Yoga– a fabulous studio with awesome teachers. Scott Winslow led Saturday nights class.

Namaste XOXO,

Gigi

yoga class

Kicking Stones…

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Gigi in Inspiration, My Life, Well-Being 4 Comments

Big Stone…

For me the inspiration for a post usually begins with something that I observed, read, heard, experienced or felt. Today I was thinking about milestones and how easy it is to get caught up in when certain events should happen in our lives. How you feel like a loser if you have missed some “stones” or stumbled on a few or maybe you are just starting to creep up on a one or two. There is always that someone who is doing more, has a thriving career, perfect kids, etc., but the truth is we have to accept where we are and know for whatever reason that is our plan for the moment.

For me two years ago I did not know at the ripe young age of 54, I would be launching a photography business, one where many photographers my age are well established, some world renowned, while I am just mastering really understanding my complex camera and my flashes. Instead of harping on the “I have so much catching up in my field” syndrome, it is easier for me to evaluate what I have to offer, for example I am an expert on photographing women over the age of 40, I know that demographic very well or that I bring to my business a brain that has scoured magazines for the past 40 years and so many beautiful images are permanently imprinted in my brain.

I have learned to be at peace with my life and where I am and accept that there will be adversity, and as painful as it is everyone is not going to embrace you or support your choices, some may even criticize you and ask you questions such as “Are you doing that as a hobby” or ” really…someone going to pay you for that” and that is OK-it will make you a stronger person.

So where ever you are start jumping over those stones or better yet put on a pair of steel toed boots and start kicking them out of the way…

Happy Tuesday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Photographer Gigi

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