ROAD TRIP

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Gigi in Travel Comments Off

Road Trip

Well we are about to embark on a road trip, a rarity for us. My husband being 1 of 12 children, grew up constantly taking road trips back and forth between New York and North Carolina, so he sort of has an aversion to road trips longer than 2 hours. I on the other hand, am a road warrior, give me good music, water, comfy shoes and I’m good to go. Growing up some of my fondest memories are cross country trips in our RV. We did not “fly”, vacation was getting in the camper and driving cross country to visit other family members. Stopping at rest stops, truck stops, diners, and sometimes splurging for a night stay at a Holiday Inn, were all part of the experience. I know my love of travel started then, I was always fascinated by what I would discover, always observing the changing terrain.

Route dans les Pyrénées françaises (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We are headed to the Jack and Jill Teen Conference, Reggie and I are both chaperones. There will be about 300 teens from the far west attending, we will have a restless weekend… with temps expected to be around 114, can’t even imagine.

Happy Thursday XOXO,

Gigi

How To Prepare For A Fantastic Road Trip

Housewives Of ASPEN

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Gigi in Travel 2 Comments

Housewives of ASPEN

For the past 10 years or so I have been going on an annual “girls” ski trip. A few of us are “wives” not necessarily “house”, a few of us are single ladies, all brought together for one week away from our crazy busy lives. We have gone to Vail, Whistler, Steamboat, Park City, Sun Valley, Mammoth, Breckenridge, Snow Mass, and Beaver Creek. Some of us are expert skiers, some of us don’t ski at all. We are a combination of good friends, new friends and old friends, we hail from the east, midwest and the fabulous west.

At times our trip could easily be a primetime reality show-8 strong personalities mixed together equals lots of explosive laughter, deep conversations, and lots of stories. On this trip, it started off with a laugh, one of our girls who flew into Denver and rented a car and was driving up to Aspen called us to say she was 5 minutes away. We were waiting for her to knock, when before we knew it 45 minutes had past. Greta, Molly and I could not imagine where she could be, so we finally called her and she answered and said “I’m at the house, where are you all?” We realized she went to another townhouse and unpacked her groceries and was chatting with her “housemates”! We busted up laughing. Each year our trip is always a little different, we start planning our trip in August, figuring out who is going, and midway some the the ladies will invite a new friend to come along, which always keeps our group interesting and fresh.

The camaraderie that comes from spending time together is priceless. As far as skiing I am a solid intermediate almost advanced skier, I can do all blue runs and a few easy groomed blacks. Each year I take a clinic and improve on my skills. Here are a few more pics from our week in Aspen. We are already thinking about Sun Valley 2014!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Aspen St. Regis Spa

Dinner

The Ladies

Dinner Casa Tua

ASPEN

Ski Aspen

SCENES FROM THE WEEKEND

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Gigi in Travel, Weekend 4 Comments

This past weekend we visited Reggie’s parents in Northern in California. They live in Lakeport, a community two and a half hours north of San Francisco. My in-laws will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary the weekend of June 13-15 and I along with the family will be planning a destination weekend for 200 guests. I love planning parties and I love weddings, so much so that I buy wedding magazines just to browse and fantasize. The trip this weekend was primarily to fine tune our location and investigate the area for accommodations. Both tasks were accomplished, of course I will be sharing all the details as they unfold. Here are a few scenes from the weekend.

Kimeko

Kimeko, a Shiba Inu puppy was a delight to photograph, she was full of energy but I captured her from afar and zoomed in tight.

Fresh picked tangerines. It is so peaceful here…I was awakened by the sun rise, I quickly got up and grabbed my camera and with outside.

Persimmons

Las Vegas: 48 Hours

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Gigi in Travel Comments Off

Las Vegas

We got back from our Las Vegas road trip last night. The weekend started with a drive-arama on Friday. I drove to Cate School, to pick up my son Reggie, it is a beautiful drive but, 2 hours each way none the less. My car was in the shop so I was delighted when I was told I would have to have a loaner for the weekend. Yes! The Lexus SUV hybrid equipped with Sirus radio made the drive a breeze, and it was so good on gas.

I’m a member of Jack and Jill, and our area workday was being held in Las Vegas at the Green Valley Ranch, a beautiful resort about 15 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Of course I registered late and missed the window for getting a room, so we stayed at the Signature MGM property in Las Vegas.

Signature MGM

After driving our 4 hour plus ride we arrived at the the Signature MGM, a non- smoking hotel with no gaming, which I loved. We were upgraded to a suite, which is always nice especially when we are traveling with our kids. Our room was on the 33rd floor with an incredible view, and two full bathrooms. This resort is perfect for families and the location is close to everything and the room rate was a little under 200.00.

Signature Bathroom

I love a spacious bathroom, with nice products, there was even a TV so you would not have to miss your favorite program.

view from our room

It was nice connecting with my Jack and Jill sisters from the far west region. My son attended the teen meeting and community service project. That evening the teens cruised the strip Las Vegas style in a party bus.

Gigi and Patricia

My son Reggie

Saturday evening husband Reggie got tickets to Cirque du Soleil Ka’. What a treat! The effects are lavish and the performers are unbelievable in the physical feats they are able to execute so gracefully. Here is a peak at the show.

Reggie & Gigi

I wore my new top that I got last week at Zara’s in Chicago. It worked really well dressing up my black jeans, this picture does not show all the details. I will be wearing this a few more times this holiday season. Check it out here.

My Zara top 99.00

We slept in a bit, got a quick breakfast at the hotel before driving home. Although I am not a big Las Vegas fan, I can see the attraction, it is a big fantasy world full of excitement. There were so many people walking the streets, with super size neon cocktails, restaurants were busy, music blasting, and casinos full of people playing games hoping to win the big one. The drive is quick, and the flight is under an hour, I have never had enough time to explore the spas, but I hear they are nice too.

Gigi and Reggie

This was our last trip of the year. I’m looking forward to staying at home working on projects that are in various states, needing some attention so they can be completed and checked off my list.

Xoxo,

Gigi

48 hours in Chicago

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 6 Comments

Chicago

This past weekend, we flew to Chicago for 48 hours. Reggie attended the AAO meeting, which of course was a perfect excuse for a quick get away. Here is what we did…First we packed some California sun and sprinkled it all over Chicago so we could have unseasonably mild weather, perfect for strolling Michigan Avenue. With no agenda other than Reggie attending his courses during the day we had a weekend full of spontaneity. We landed about 4 on Friday after a pleasant flight on Virgin America, our favorite airline.

O’Hare Airport

We checked into the Avenue Crown Plaza hotel, dropped our bags, and quickly found our way to Karyn’s take away, where I had a delicious green smoothie. While we were there a woman walked in and recognized Reggie and I from Facebook, the power of social media never ceases to amaze me.

Reggie cruising the deli case

That evening we met friends at Karyn’s on Green. Karyn Calabrese is a phenomenal vegan chef, I had her food almost four years ago and never forgot.

Sexy 65 year-old Karyn Calabrese

Gigi and friends, Agape, Imani and Koya

Saturday Reggie went to his course and I walked around and explored the area.

Carriage Ride

I decided why not, take a horse drawn carriage around downtown.

Gigi At MOCA

Love this exhibit at MOCA, the lit massive MOTHERS sign rotated slowly, a nice lady took this shot of me at the right moment.

Barney’s

Windy City Weekend

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 2 Comments

Chicago

My love affair with traveling started on a cross country road trip when I was about 9. I fell in love with Holiday Inn’s, swimming pools, middle america, and samsonite luggage.

When I have a trip on my calendar this blogger is ready for role play before the TSA agent can say “Remove your shoes, jacket and lap top”. The windy city is my next destination, after two weeks of tropical 85 degree days, it is a little difficult to pack for a chilly weekend. Cold weather, not my favorite, unless I am skiing and dressed in all my gear including hand warmers. Strategic carry on packing is always a challenge for me, every piece must work double duty.

Gigi’s Coat and Boots

I’ll start with my coat which I will wear, and boots, which I will pack, for me it is to hard to take knee high boots off, considering I have a tendency to run late and that step can be the difference between making my flight. Jeans, sweaters, dress for dinner and a good walking shoe so I can explore the city while my husband attends meetings. I couldn’t be more thrilled to visit our President’s town during this exciting time.

I’ve been to Chicago a few times but, never long enough to really explore. When I return I will share my findings in the windy city.

Have a Great Weekend!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Weekend Get Away #1-Carpinteria / Santa Barbara

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 5 Comments

I have had the good fortune of spending many weekends in Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. My daughter attended Cate School, a boarding school in Carpinteria, where my son currently is a sophomore. Carpinteria is a quaint little town 20 minutes south of Santa Barbara and 2 hours north of LA, which makes Carpinteria a perfect weekend get away, especially if you want the perks of Santa Barbara at a fraction of the cost.

Santa Barbara

Carpinteria

Gigi’s Perfect Carpinteria / Santa Barbara Weekend

Friday

Leave early around 8AM and make a pit stop at Camarillo Premium Outlet some of my favorite stores: Neiman Marcus last Call, Saks Fifth, Tory Burch, Restoration Hardware, J. Crew, Barneys, BCBG just to name a few. Stay a couple hours and stop for lunch in Ventura at Mary’s Secret Garden. I love this place, the best smoothies. I always get the raw tostada, but everything is good even if you are not vegan you will enjoy lunch here.

Mary’s Secret Garden

Continue the drive along the coast which is breathtaking. We usually stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Carpinteria, it is clean, neat, and great for families. Each room is a little suite and rooms are quite reasonable. Other places we have stayed are Montecito Inn, Four Seasons Biltmore, Bacara Resort and Spa, and Fess Parker’s Double Tree. Canary Hotel and Agave Inn are two other places in Santa Barbara that come highly recommended.

Holiday Inn Carpinteria

Where to Eat

So many choices, some of our favorites:

Trattoria Mollie

Traditional Italian food always good. We have been coming here for years, we had Amani’s graduation dinner here in 2008. Mollie never disappoints. I first discovered Mollie through “O” magazine, Oprah is a big fan of Mollie’s.

Chef Mollie

Jeannines’s Bakery -Good breakfast always crowded with locals.

Jeannine’s Bakery

Arigato Sushi best vegan selection, amazing rolls and good “regular sushi” no reservations and there is always a line but well worth the wait.

Arigato Sushi

Zookers- in Carpinteria, American bistro close to the Holiday Inn

Siam Elephant Thai-family run good home style thai food a favorite of Cate students

Four Seasons Brunch- great for a special occasion beautiful location great food.

What to Do

State Street- the main drag in Santa Barbara great for shopping, eating, and Santa Barbara people watching.

Lotus Garden– Madame Ganna Walska’s private estate now open to the public, reservations a must due to location in a private neighborhood.

Orchid Shopping- Orchids are grown in the area check here for upcoming orchid events and sales.

Wine Country Santa Barbara has a vibrant wine region. You could spend the entire weekend visiting wineries. Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton, and Lompoc have numerous wineries waiting for you. There are tour companies that do day tours for under 100.00 person. Las Brisas Transportation 805 455-6384, Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling 805 686-9490, Wine Canyon Tours, and Santa Barbara Adventure Company 805 884 9283 just to name a few.

Rent Bikes at the beach

McGrath Farm

On the way back stop at the Mcgrath Farms right off the freeway before the outlet exit, always interesting local produce and just in case you forgot something stop make your final stop at the outlet.

Reggie & Gigi

Xoxo,

Gigi

More-New York State of Mind

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 4 Comments

To be honest, when I was in New York a few weeks ago, I was distracted with a medical challenge I was dealing with. I really did not take advantage of all the interesting things that New York city offers, but now that my daughter Amani lives there I will have many more opportunities to visit again.

Gigi and Hubby at Mondrian SoHo

Reggie joined me on the weekend and we drove to D.C. for a wedding, of course, Amani took advantage of having access to a car for the day. I did very little shopping, (a sign of my state of mind) just 3 pairs of flats from Vince Camuto and a cute bootie from Topshop (btw Topshop will be opening in the Grove early 2013). I’m really not a flat shoe kind of girl, but a few hours of walking around in my heels on the street, made me a new convert.

Vince Camuto sparkle pewter flat

Vince Camuto flat

TopShop Bootie

Once I had my nice comfortable flats, I walked around and observed this non-stop busy city.

Doggy ordering

This little guy was staring at the menu as if he was going to be ordering something.

Shoegasm

I often have shoegasms…

Pure Food and Wine

Gigi at Pure Food and Wine

Had a delicious gourmet raw vegan dinner at Pure Food and Wine.

Kittens

I’m a sucker for kittens, especially orphans. This was a rescue operation on the street that was looking for foster moms.

Uncle Paul & Gigi

I was born in New Jersey, yes I am a Jersey girl. My Uncle Paul my father’s brother still lives in Paterson, New Jersey in the house that I spent the first five years of my life. He is 85 years young, lives alone and is doing fine. I was surprised at how familiar everything was considering it was so many years ago that I lived there.

Mondrian SoHo

Isola SoHo

We had breakfast at Isola before we departed for our four hour drive to D.C.. I love this greenhouse inspired space, beautiful place to stop and have a drink or tea at the bar. I’m looking forward to my next trip to the city, which will be in April.

Xoxo,

Gigi

“Mickalene Thomas”: Origin of the Universe” Brooklyn Museum

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Gigi in Art, Travel 5 Comments

Amani and I went to the Brooklyn Museum to see the “Mickalene Thomas” : Origin of the Universe” exhibit. What a treat! Our day started with a taxi to Brooklyn to Amani’s “10 day” roommate Amie’s restaurant, Sun in Bloom Cafe, where we had a light vegan lunch, followed by a delicious apple spice vegan cupcake.

Sun-in-Bloom 460 Bergen Street, Brooklyn 718 622 4303

We walked to the museum taking in a little Brooklyn scenery along the way. The weather was warm and perfect for a stroll.

Brooklyn via my i phone

When we entered the exhibit we both were both overwhelmed with the large, vibrant, decorated, blingy, rhinstoned accented, masterpieces featuring African-American women. Mickalene intertwines classic depictions of women combined with images that remind me of blaxploitation characters from the 70’s, with references to Courbet, Monet, Manet and Duchamp. The show also features photography, film and interior vignettes that take the viewer thru her process of how the paintings come together and what her creative process entails. My little point and shoot camera do not do these pieces justice, which means that you need to check your calendar and check out this show. New York Times review.

Din, Une Tres Belle Negresse

Qusuquzah, Une Tres Belle Negresse #2 2012

Mickalene Thomas Painting

Gigi & Amani

One more thing-Amani took this picture of me in front of the museum, and my friend thought it was very “Off the Wall”, I must say I see what she means…

Off The Wall

michael-jackson-off-the-wall-original-cover

New York State of Mind:Mondrian Hotel SoHo

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 8 Comments

Gigi Goes To New York

scene 1

LAX airport terminal, about 8:30PM, a healthy amount of people waiting to use the self-check in terminals and drop bags. GIGI, an attractive 40ish woman arrives with three bags. She is carrying a stuffed Tumi carry on, a roller backpack (mac book pro, ipad, nikon d7000) and her black Marc Jacobs Stam bag. She needs to check in the carry on but realizes if she waits in the line she will not make the flight, she has less than 30 minutes to get to the gate. She decides to go for it and forgo checking in her carry on bag. She is greeted by a TSA agent who is not happy.

TSA agent # 1

You have 3 items. You have to check one in.

Gigi

No, not really I’m going to put my purse in my backback, just getting out my ID and boarding pass, sir.

TSA agent #1

(rolls his eyes) and reluctantly lets her through

Gigi

(struggling with the roller backpack, now on her back, Tumi carry on, purse, wearing a coat and a scarf now breaking out in a sweat–not cute. She is greeted by a long line of frustrated travelers waiting to be screened. She checks the time and realizes she is going to have to cut the line in order to make her flight.

Hi, excuse me, my flight is departing in 15 minutes. excuse me, thank you so much, excuse me, oh so sorry, excuse me.

TSA agent #2

(blank look on her face-it has been a long night)

Gigi

Hi, my flight is departing in 15 minutes, is there a way I could go to the front of the line? Please? My daughter is alone in New York and I have to get there so I can help her. I can’t miss this flight. PLEASE?

TSA agent #2

(motions to other TSA agent to let Gigi to the front of the line)

Gigi

Frantically takes out her plastic bag, mac book, removes coat, scarf and shoes, loads up the plastic bins, gets x-rayed, retrieves her items, puts shoes in backpack and runs barefoot to the gate which of course is at the end of the terminal. She is the last person to board the flight. The flight is smooth and on time. She arrives and is transported to the hotel where she is dropped off, and is pleasantly surprised by this beautiful arched entry way .

Entry to the Mondrian Hotel

In the evening the tunnel was lit with white lights. The hotel has a vibrant blue decor.

Blue Lobby

The restaurant was my favorite space. I love the greenhouse concept combined with the pretty chandeliers.

The Restaurant

Bar Area

Glass on Glass

Happy for an early check in.

Hotel Room

Shower

Bed

The blue theme was throughout the hotel. I wondered if I could do my own space in one color…

Hallway

Details

Gigi in New York

I will share more about my New York state of mind this week. Overall it was a nice trip, and I see why my daughter is happy to live in this fabulous city.

XOXO,

GIGI

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