Gigi’s Meanderings around the Web # 16

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Gigi in Web Comments Off

Always wanted to go here, and today I did…had a really good juice.

Central Market

I see why makeup “you tubes” can be addicting…came upon this one, love the look.

Yes. I am condensing stuff, and not shopping as often, appreciating what I have, but I would like pair of these.

Speaking of shopping I love love love a good deal, so of course I was thrilled to score these boots at the Last Call at 70% off, especially since they are in the store at full price.

Being a girl who has always a lot of junk in the trunk, I’m always intrigued with the attention the media spends on “butts” check out this piece on “posteriors”.

Love this look for a Cali fall day.

Cali day look

Saw Choir Boy, by Tarrell McCraney it is a must see. Read about it here.

Equilizer- definitely a “boy” movie, but it was Denzel Washington.

This time I will keep up with my workouts…starting back is so so hard, but if you are wearing a pair of these I’m sure the workout will seem easier.

Love my garden…still have collards, peppers, tomatoes, herbs and squash that is taking over everything.

collards -gigi’s garden

Happy Tuesday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi’s Meanderings around the Web #15

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Gigi in Web Comments Off

A few interesting tidbits I found around the web.

I love this product– it adds so much to my smoothies.

Looking forward to Viola Davis’s new show…Check what she has to say here.

What is your beauty routine? Is it similar to this woman’s?

Interesting take on Self Control.

Needed to read this…Yes. I’m guilty of all of these things.

Yes, I am a kitty girl, but I Love this Doggie.

And lastly this Quote- so so True.

Quote

Happy Monday!

XOXO,

GIGI

Gigis Meanderings Around the Web #14

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Gigi in Web Comments Off

Yesterday was a nonstop marathon of a day…starting at 6:00 am ending at 11:30pm, driving from OC, to Pasadena, to Hollywood, to LA and finally back home. So needless to say I was and am exhausted, but wanted to share a few tidbits.

Will be incorporating a few of these routines “12 quiet rituals of enormously successful humans“.

Yes I am a fashion buff I can’t even imagine having an interview with Anna Wintour never mind what to wear…

Love this Quote…I admit I am guilty of hoarding stuff and sometimes buying to many unnecessary things ie. the big packs of velvet hangers at TJ Maxx. I constantly need reminders to keep me on point.

Quote

Loving this man’s voice:

Another quote that I love…

quote

This is a post from my friend’s daughter Kara Brown via Jezebel “most Poignant photo of Michelle Obama”.

Well I wish I had more time but my “boss” is waiting… XOXO, GIGI

Nelson Mandela

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Gigi in Web Comments Off

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

The world loss a great man yesterday. When my family and I traveled to South Africa summer of 2012, we visited Robben Island, the prison where Mandela spent 27 years. I will never forget the chilling account of what life was like, that was told to us by the guides that had been prisoners at some point as well. The strength Nelson Mandela had is an incredible example of the human spirit, we could all learn from his lack of bitterness. He will be missed…

May your weekend be full of gratitude, until Monday

Xoxo,

Gigi

Nelson Mandela

RANDOM-NESS

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Gigi in Shopping, Web 2 Comments

Do you ever wonder why some people do the things they do? Especially when it is not something positive, or uplifting, almost as if they purpose to make life difficult and go out of their way to be hurtful to others. I find this phenomenon prevalent in groups of women, perhaps it is the hormones mixing together that creates an atmosphere of animosity. At my age my patience is not like it used to be, maybe because I know the value of living each day to the fullest and that there is so much in this world that I want to conquer that I don’t have time for craziness. I listen and I observe and wonder what is going on with that pour soul that they are exuding so much anger. I just want to take all of them and throw them in a hot yoga class, so they can sweat together and see that we really are so much alike, when you take away the barriers and melt down the layers and become vulnerable and reveal our hearts to each other.

O.K. enough of that…some fun stuff I discovered …

Holla Doormat

Is this not cute…Available at Nordstrom for 50.00

Every year I send out holiday cards, this year will be my 24th. I am always looking for a new card, the last few years I have been ordering from minted, and since they send me a repeat customer discount card I think I will be ordering from them again. They have interesting designs, good turn around and excellent service. I will be referring clients to them this season as well.

minted foil holiday cards

I do yoga in spurts, I need to be more consistant, but sometimes stuff happens, but I’m back on the wagon and I just splurged and ordered a new mat, how could I resist…

Love these

Available at anthropologie. 98.00

Speaking of anthropologie, I got the cutest “work” boot ever, when I am shooting I need to be comfortable, especially if I am out on location, I’m not the tennis shoe outside the gym type of girl, so when I found this boot online I was thrilled. It reminded me of one I liked by Valentino that was over the top–so this rustic version is perfect and was priced just right compared to the Valentino.

my boots 195.00

Valentino 1795.00

My other good bargain of the week a friend told me about the Trina Turk outlet in Alhambra–never new about this gem. I scored beautiful silk slips for my photo sessions for 10.00 each, I love the softness of sexy slips in my pics, everyone can wear these and they photograph so nicely. I also scored a beautiful Missoni inspired dress that I love for 80.00. Trina Turk Outlet 3025 West Mission Road Alhambra, 91803 626 872-0020 Trina Turk.

my slips…

pretty missoni “like” dress 80.00

And lastly a sort of sad story about the oldest woman to do the NY marathon, who died the next day with her tennis shoes still on…she was 84 years old, and said she wanted to die running…another example of do what makes you happy. read it here.

gigi

Happy Wednesday Everybody,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi’s Meandering Around the Web #13

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Gigi in Thoughts, Web Comments Off

Lately, I have found myself incredibly busy never enough hours in the day to complete my various tasks. I can’t blame it on my kids, since both of them are gone right now, but I wake up early, go to bed late and still have a host of unfinished projects. So I am writing that to say while I was researching tidbits for this post, I was especially interested in “time saving” strategies that I stumbled upon.

Busy

House Pad a new app that is coming out which will keep notes on what needs to be done in your home, and it will store images of closets etc. on how things should be arranged and help you keep track of your household stuff, there has been so many times I am looking for something and I don’t recall where I stored the item, so this would be like having a personal butler.

Interesting quote from Mark Zuckerberg sister’s book “Dot Complicated”--“Re-post unto others as you would have them re-post unto you.” I love this little piece of social media etiquette advice, it is so easy to repost something of our friends and family and share it, but be polite and ask first.

book

Opinion VS Confrontational

Sometimes your opinion can be viewed as confrontational, at my age or shall I say post “50” I have let the truth guide me along with honest opinions, which made me realize, based on some reactions, some people don’t want the truth and take offense. My first 40 or so years I was the queen of sugar coating advice, in fear of losing friendships, or upsetting someone. Now I find that I don’t have time anymore for that approach, and that in the long run honesty builds stronger relationships that don’t suffer from resentment that builds up when you have tap danced around issues.

Yes. I want a personal shopper…Thefind.com scours more than 1/2 million online merchants to help find your item at the best price. I’m going to try this out and will keep you posted.

The find

cute basket

love this from crate and barrel.

This is interesting, you too can have a personal chef like the celebrities, hire a food specialist from Kitchit.com for your next event. Menus start at 25 per person, you select the chef based on various profiles and come up with a menu, they accommodate different diets and you enjoy your time with your guests, perfect for the holidays.

rent a chef

While you’re at it, why not rent something fabulous to wear from renttherunway.com, and you are all set. This company rents designer items, the cost includes dry cleaning and the return shipping, perhaps for that next black tie event that you just want to look fab for a minute. Prices started at 25 on up with designer dresses such as Herve Leger 150 btw these sell for 1500 so for the right occasion this could be a nice option.

rent a dress…

nice…love herve leger

And lastly I love this storage closet system from Pottery barn: I can always use more shoe storage space…

shoe storage

So let me get back to my lists and get “busy”.

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

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

Gigi’s Meanderings Around The Web # 10

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Gigi in Web 2 Comments

Just wanted to share a little of this and little of that… As you may or may not know my son Reggie is doing a year abroad in Italy, so of course all things Italian are on my radar. Blogger Tamu McPherson lives in Milan, her blog All the Pretty Birds is one of my favorite street fashion blogs, she is featured in an HM video about living in Milan and being a street photographer. I hope to get to Milan on one of my visits and check out some of her favorite spots. Check it out.

http://youtu.be/nxrp47OUG4M

No matter how busy I am I like to take time to read for pleasure, I am a magazine addict and I love literature. Waiting on awarding author, Jesmyn Ward‘s memoir Men We Reaped to arrive, it comes out tomorrow, it may inspire me to resurrect my old book club Round Table.

Men we Reaped, Jesmyn Ward

I have hoarder tendencies, but as I “mature” I am editing and getting rid of things that no longer serve me, or repurposing items. Living in southern California, our winters are mild, but I do wear boots occasionally, a few years ago I bought a pair of Stuart Weitzman 5050 boots, a boot that debuted 20 years ago. I am glad I did not get rid of them,because they are still my go to walking boot.

stuart weitzman 5050 boot

Check them out here, or if you are patient like me, maybe you can catch a pair on sale at the end of the season.

I don’t watch must TV, but every season this is some series that catches my attention ie. Scandal, this past summer I found myself watching netflix’s Orange in The New Black, so of course I got a giggle out of this spoof with these cat faces. check it out here.

Orange is The New Black

So so true…so easy to spend time complaining about life, instead of doing something about it. It is easy to get in a rut, combat those times with exercise, yoga and green juice…works every time.

True

When we were traveling back from Thailand, we had a stop over in Tokyo. My friend Nancy Kutsura met me at the airport and we quickly caught up on our lives since design school. Prior to design school Nancy was one of the first African-American models to grace the runways at the big couture shows, back in the late 70’s.

Nancy & Gigi

Barbara Summers book, Skin Deep: The story of Black models in America and Abroad gives a detailed history of these models of color that opened the door for many of the models we see today, so of course I was saddened to read this article about New York fashion week and the absence of models of color in 2013.