Is busyness an illness?

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Gigi in Life Style 1 Comment

#17 gigi

Is busyness an illness?

Yes! Busyness is an illness and I have it bad. This photography business is what has taken me to the edge. There is always something to do, something to finish, someone to call, someone to photograph. Although I love every moment, at times it is a bit much.

I sometimes yearn for those days prior to my photography gig, I can’t even recall what my life was like back then. What was I doing with all my time? I realize now that time is a real luxury item, and being a lover of luxury, I am going to have to figure out a way to tap back into those leisure days.

I don’t like getting sucked into that crazy busyness that causes anxiety and stress. Time is precious and I don’t want to miss out on the simple things that busyness blocks. Like my blog space, I made a commitment to be consistent this year- and those of you that follow, know I have made good on that promise. My blog is my guilty pleasure- I do it no matter if one person stops by or a bunch.

So, I’m going to restructure and figure out what works for me, which is going to look like a max of 8 clients per month- a number that I can give an incredible experience from start to finish and still have my life and time to do what I want to do…a selfish move but at 56 there are so many more important things that I don’t want to miss out on…

How do you manage you time? Can a person have it all? Do you have the busyness disease? How do you treat it, I’d love to know…

Happy Thursday!

Gigi

Self Portrait – The ultimate selfie

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Gigi in photography Comments Off

#17 self portrait

Like Frida Kahlo I love doing self portraits. Early in my photography career it was a way to try out different techniques, such as lighting, posing, locations etc.. I would set up my tripod, work on the focus point and jump into the scene and then analyze the result. It became a learning tool, that quickly became another art form for me and a vehicle of discovery of myself.

#17 black & white

With self portraits, at least mine, I am tapping into a vulnerable part of self- sharing my soul and my emotional state at that moment. Different from a selfie with my iPhone where it is typically a smiling spontaneous image, sharing a location or cute makeup, although you can get some nice self portraits with your phone as well you just have to put a little thought into it. For me it is a creative outlet another part of my art- where my “client” is so patient and she will do whatever I need to get the shot.

#17 color

This group that I call #17 was taken on Monday. I could not get myself together and get dressed…I stayed in my nightgown all day-dealing with a bit of being overwhelmed with a laundry list of “to do-s” but I took a moment to capture my feelings and document-

Do you do selfies? Have you played around with self portraits? If no, try it…you will be surprised at what you discovery.

“Because I am so often alone…because I am the subject I know best.” Frida Kahlo

Xoxo,

Gigi

#17 color

How to look somewhat put together…

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Gigi in Fashion Comments Off

Gigi

I find that it takes me so much longer to pull myself together. When I was younger I would just get up, dab a little gloss, a bit of mascara and I was on my way. I could throw anything on and look pretty cute, no matter where the item came from…hmmmmm fast forward to 2016 and it is a different story.

Here are some of my tips that help me to look not so disheveled.

1 Plan your outfit the night before. I don’t have a closet like this…

I need a closet like this…

matter of fact I have stuff in various closets in various rooms. So I have to pull stuff out ahead of time to put an outfit together. On a side note this is an app that I have on my phone that helps with this. Check it out Stylebook.

2 Face it at my age I need time to pull it together. Even though I wear my hair natural, I still have to manipulate it and sometimes even wet it before going out and that takes time. And I have to put some makeup on…I don’t care what I eat, how much water I drink I need a little makeup on…

3 I’m always looking for inspiration to make my old stuff look new and fresh again. Most trends I have already seen at least twice- the key is making it look age appropriate and still keeping with my style and not looking dated. I love this app called Texture where you have access to numerous magazines right on your device.

4 Dress for where you are going- know what will work, but still be “you”. Nothing worse than wearing something too sexy in a room full of conservative suits…been there before- know the dress code but then tweak it and make it you.

5 Undergaments- I don’t care if you are a size “0” or “20”, proper shape wear is a must, makes such a difference.

6 Wear clothes that fit and flatter the you of today. If it does not get rid of it…just because you paid a lot for it, if it does not look good and make you feel wonderful- time to toss or give it away.

7 Have a few investment pieces- you will get your monies worth in the amount of times you wear or use the item.

8 Take care of your clothes, hand wash, dry clean, hang everything up right away- you will be rewarded with many years of wear from your wardrobe.

9 Plan your shoes, nothing worse than being somewhere and your feet are hurting.

10 Follow your own style. When I was younger I always wanted the “it” shoe, bag etc., but now I want what makes me feel good and what fits my lifestyle, regardless of what is trending. I’m getting to a point where I like almost everything in my closet, it has been a painful process letting go, but it feels good.

What is your take on fashion? What makes you feel good when you get dressed. How has your look evolved over the years?

Happy Tuesday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

African Diaspora Vegan Dinner

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Gigi in Dining Comments Off

Gigi and Chef Cynthia

Our friends Chef Ian Martin and Chef Cynthia Chea Pean were the featured chefs in an incredible dining experience put on by Pare. Pare is a unique communal dining concept where chefs prepare and serve a meal, paired with unique wines, for 30 guests that all come together from all over to partake in a culinary extravaganza. Part of the $250 per person fee is donated to a charity, proceeds from the African diaspora dinner went to The Gangsta Gardener, Ron Finley. Check this video out to learn more about Ron.

Reggie and I went not knowing what to expect. We knew we were going to a private residence, but we had no clue it would be a 12.5 million dollar home, (btw it is on the market check it out here). It was a perfect warm California evening, the table was set along side the pool, with a beautiful view of the city lights.

The Table

view of the home

I need a closet like this…

Good conversations, spectacular environment, some of the best vegan food I have ever had, (and I have had my share of the best) it was a nice kick off for our Valentine’s weekend. I can’t tell you exactly what we had, but what I can tell you is that everything was fresh from the garden, and crafted with so many complex flavors, but still connected to the carribbean, New Orleans, Africa, Central America and soul food- all mixed together- just exquisite.

Africa Diaspora dinner and wine flight

What are your plans for this Valentine’s weekend? Is it a 3 day one for you as well? My advice is to celebrate love- with self, or a lover, your family- all the above.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Quote

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Gigi in Inspiration Comments Off

As a young woman I loved reading Anais Nin. So when I came across this quote I had to share it…

“You live like this, sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book… or you take a trip… and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are easily detectable: first, restlessness. The second symptom (when hibernating becomes dangerous and might degenerate into death): absence of pleasure. That is all. It appears like an innocuous illness. Monotony, boredom, death. Millions live like this (or die like this) without knowing it. They work in offices. They drive a car. They picnic with their families. They raise children. And then some shock treatment takes place, a person, a book, a song, and it awakens them and saves them from death. Some never awaken.”
― Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934

This quote reminds me of my love of reading, and how books were my way to another world, before I had ever traveled as a young one. I loved going to the library, it was my ticket to the universe.

I always knew there was so much out there to experience. My path had a lot of detours and bumps along the way- never taking the direct route-always making time to get lost- and shying away from those that were on that predictable journey.

It is so easy to fall into a routine, and each day you follow your schedule, do what you do, day in and day out…numb to the world around you.

Live each day with a little abandonment- never stop discovering- it is okay to step out of your comfort zone-

Speaking of comfort zone…check out this young filmmaker Solomon Onita, I saw his short JOY at the Pan African festival and it is streaming on HBO-powerful story check it out.

Happy Thursday-

Xoxo,

Gigi

“The Philosophy of Psychiatry and Diagnosis”

A Slip

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 4 Comments

Yesterday was a full day. Like most days my morning started early. By noon I was desperately trying to score Beyonce tickets with no avail, which is okay- I was only trying to do it for my daughter.

I drove into the city to meet a friend at the Pan African film festival, which was fabulous. I know in another life I was a filmmaker. We saw about 15 shorts, and like Siskel and Ebert we were giving them our own thumbs up thumbs down review.

We finished the evening at Post & Beam, Govind Armstrong’s restaurant, with good conversation, wine, dinner and lots of laughs about the past.

with chef Govind Armstrong

Timing was perfect to pick up Reggie from the office, which I did. So here is where things changed, he drove up to our home, parked in the driveway and I got out of the car like I have done for the past 27 years. I went to the mailbox, and next thing I know like a cartoon I fell, not almost fall where you catch yourself, but the kind of fall where your purse goes one way and your body is slammed against the concrete. All I could think about was that I was jacked!

the fall

With my osteoporosis, what if I broke my hip…Still for a moment as Reggie came to help me, I slowly got up and limped to the house barefoot. My hips were fine, I guess all the padding protected them. I immediately started the process and elevated and iced both ankles, which was where the most trauma was evident.

As I reflect on my fall, this morning I think about how that could have been a real disaster, reminding me of how life is fragile and fleeting and will slip right from under you literally. I need to SLOW down and be aware of my environment and stop trying to do it all every moment- and ween myself from those DAMN heels!!!

Happy Wednesday from a bruised but otherwise okay Gigi

the shoe…

Are You In Love?

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Gigi in Inspiration Comments Off

Valentine’s Day is a few days away, candy, flowers and gifts will be exchanged between loved ones. February 14th became associated with love during the middle ages, it was believed that the middle of the month was the beginning of the birds mating season hence a day for romance.

I will celebrate 27 years of marriage this year and if I add the 2 years we dated prior, I have known Reggie for 29 years! So my question is how do you know you are still in love and it’s not just a “habit” like a job you are working just for the benefits?

Well here is my little list that the fairy tale is still magical.

1 You both understand and accept each others weirdness – i.e. the only 2 peeps not paying close attention to the Super Bowl and happy to be at home doing other randomness.

2 You can see each other really “raw” i.e. first thing in the morning when my hair is looking “Don Kingish” and he still thinks I’m cute, and I can see him coloring his mustache…

3 You still make plans for Valentine’s Day and you actually want to be with each other- not just going through the motions.

4 You are planning for when you are really old and what that looks like for the 2 of you.

5 You are happy when you are together, and mundane things i.e. driving to Lancaster (2 hour drive) to see an emergency patient…are fun.

6 You offer each other the last bite of something really good.

7 You try stuff that you normally would have no interest in doing i.e. triathlons, marathons, hot yoga, windsurfing, paddle boarding, zip lining, white water rafting, camping, cooking classes, korean spas, foreign films etc.

8 Your diet becomes his and vice versa- you go from eating everything to pescetarian, vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, vegetarian/vegan, juice fasts, gluten free, etc.

9 You are interested in what the other person is doing and become their biggest supporter and sometimes only client…i.e delivering brownies, going to trade shows, modeling for photog class, etc.

10 You still want to sleep in the same bed…same room-same house.

11 You love traveling together and look forward to vacation.

12 You send “sexy” pics “sexting” even though the other person does not know how to work their smart phone that well…and will discover the picture days later not sure where it came from.

13 You could tell the person that you want to be an astronaut and the next thing you know you would be on the way to NASA for training.

14 You think about if something happened to the person and you instantly become sad at the thought of being without them.

15 In a crisis that person is the one who comforts you-

16 If you were sick, bedridden and could not go to the bathroom etc. you know that person would be there for you.

17 You have a best friend that you get to sleep with every night-

18 And, lastly you are a better person because of them.

Happy Tuesday! Are you in Love? Will you be celebrating Valentine’s Day? Regardless- if you have a sweetheart or not- celebrate by loving yourself and doing something special.

Xoxo,

Gigi

25 years later July 23, 2014

Hubby Reggie

Happy

I’m going to “TRI” real hard…

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Gigi in Fitness 1 Comment

Inspiration comes in many ways. I was minding my own business when a client shared she was doing the Pasadena triathlon, one that I participated in last year in the swim portion on a relay team. Then my daughter who just launched a fitness IG browngirlsdoitwell, asked me for a photo from a triathlon I had did in the past, she was doing a “throwback” post. That was enough for me to dust off my running shoes and think about starting the process to whip this body into “tri” shape in the next 4 weeks. I work best when I have a goal, so this event is perfect and obtainable, I think…

Transition Area

My First Tri

The Pasadena triathlon is March 12, it is a little sprint, 5k, 10 mile bike, and 500 yard swim, and no, I am not the type that can wake up and drop a “tri” with no training like my husband can, but I know I can finish.

I’m excited that this is going to be the perfect way to implement my 2016 fitness goals. January has come and gone and I have not been on my program. I found this 8 week guide to training for a sprint triathlon that I will modify for 4 weeks, yes I am an ambitious old thing.

triathlon training plan

My off days I will add yoga.

So I started the (run/walk) this past weekend, and hmmm I have a lot of work to do. I noticed after about 10 minutes my legs began to itch like crazy, so much so that I had to stop for a moment and try and relieve myself. I know what this is- as my heart rate goes up, blood flows faster, and the tiny capillaries and arteries in my muscles begin to expand rapidly, these stay open when you are fit but if you have not been on point, your capillaries tend to collapse. When your capillaries expand, the surrounding nerves become stimulated and send messages to the brain which read as intense itching! I learned all this when I trained for a marathon many years ago…

What are you fitness goals for this year? If you are mature like me, what are your obstacles if any? And how do you stay motivated? Btw you could always sign up for the Pasadena Triathlon…I’d love to know.

Happy Monday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

In pursuit of Perfect

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 4 Comments

Gigi

I used to want it “all”. You know the perfect house, husband, kids, career, invites to all the best parties, and of course a thin body with all the latest designer frocks. While nothing is really wrong with wanting those things it contributes to a sort of deterioration , when the milestones aren’t reached or the perfect story starts to fall apart. Out of nowhere some unforeseen unpredicted situation will arise and everything will come tumbling down.

2015 was a year of highlights, I successfully made it through the rigorous college application process, the acceptances arrived, a beautiful graduation party, fall family trip to New York for the dorm move in, side trip to one of the best outlet malls- life was good. Thanksgiving came and everything changed-

My son did not return to school due to a host of complications and mishaps. My little perfect story had a glitch, that I did not see coming. At first I felt it was my mistake somehow, my cross to bear, like I was responsible for this puzzle piece that was lost. How would I explain that my prep school, year abroad in Italy, artist, son was not returning to college- he was taking an unplanned gap year?

Well the holidays have come and gone, we are all adjusting and regrouping. It is a time of discovery, learning that my son is quite a chef and perhaps a culinary career my be an option he is researching.

I am constantly reminded that life is not predictable and that you have to just go with it and make the most of any situation…and always look for the silver lining.

Reggie Creation-

Reggie

Happy Friday. I am looking forward to a solo weekend of indulgent me time. My husband is traveling to Florida for a conference and my son is going to Santa Barbara.

Xoxo,

Gigi

On being Grateful…

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Gigi in Inspiration 1 Comment

If you are reading this you more than likely have a “device” of some sort or you are sitting at a computer.

You probably have a home or apartment, you ate yesterday (if you did not it was because you were fasting), you slept last night in a bed or stayed up binge watching something on cable.

You may have a spouse, significant other, children, parents, siblings and friends as well.

You may have a career, a business, a job, be a student, or you may be retired.

You may be going to the gym, or yoga, hiking, bike riding or taking a pilates class, finishing your workout drinking a gallon of filtered water to hydrate your body.

You get you hair “done” or like me you have a special closet full of hair potions and lotions, manicures, pedicures, etc. are what you do, you kept up your “beauty” routine just like you maintain your car service schedule.

Just looking at the news or reading the paper I am reminded and humbled of how good my life is…and most of the people I know- but how that is not the norm for many. People are really struggling with all sorts of challenges- health problems, financial, legal, family dynamics, relationships you name it, if you are not suffering you are truly blessed.

I am reminded daily to practice gratitude, because life could change in a moment- the older I get the more I see this happening.

No matter where you are on your life journey…there is so much to be thankful for…Practice Gratitude-

Happy Thursday.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi & Tea

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