50 things you should have or do by your 50th

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Gigi in 50 ways 1 Comment

Being a wise old 56 year-old, I was thinking about what are the things that are really important to me at this phase of my life. The do or die list. What are the things that contribute to a quality life after being on the planet a half a century or more. So this is what I came up with for me. In no particular order.

1 A pretty shoe that makes you feel beautiful when you wear it. I have quite a few…

2 A nice watch- Yes we all have our phones, but a timepiece is so elegant and old school.

3 A Pretty signature lipstick- mine is one from Bobbi Brown Blondie Pink, that I love, it is the color of my lips.

4 A favorite “work” outfit. I have quite of few black items that I have picked up for work.(I wear black on shoots.)

PS Couture beauty posse

5 Flowers. Learn to arrange- Have fresh flowers in your Living space. I can pick up fresh flowers anywhere and make them look fabulous.

6 Purchase if you have not already, a piece of original art. It does not have to be from Christie’s.

7 Heirloom jewelry that you can pass down to the next generation.

8 Signature scent. I love Tom Ford Cafe Rose and Bond No. 9 Nuits de NoHo

tom ford cafe rose

9. Hair you love.

Finished “do”

10. Ability to say “NO”… or even “HELL NO”.

11 A little black dress that you love. or 2 or 3…

12 Robust 401K- a retirement plan

13 Be a risk taker, especially if you have always been the predictable type.

14 Smile more.

15 Celebrate your birthdays in grand style.

16 Make time to read for pleasure.

17 Have a posse of trusted beauty providers i.e. manicurist, facials, waxer, hair stylist, etc. it takes a village at this age.

18 A current passport.

19 Make time for your friends, they are important for your well being.

20 Hydrate- drink water drink water and drink water…works wonders for your complexion.

21 Be supportive take time to listen to others and be as helpful as you can.

22. Don’t give up and go to the “frumpy” lane…work on you style whatever it is…Don’t give up- yes it does take a little longer to pull it together, but allow for the extra time. Get rid of logo track suits etc.

23 Keep up your appearance. see #22.

24 Mentor someone. Give some 20 something year-old the advice you wish someone would have given you…I was fortunate when I was in my 20’s to have a few 40 year-old friends who saved me big time from stupidity.

25 Forgive yourself and others. Being “mad” wrecks havoc on your looks.

26 Be a little selfish and forget what everyone else wants you to be or do.

27.Be proud of your age. It is much more attractive then trying to pretend to be”young”. Everyone can do the math- and when you avoid sharing your age- it is assumed that you are really “old” anyway.

gigi @ 56

28 Do something daily that makes you laugh- even if it is looking at a crazy video on Facebook or You Tube.

29 Be in love or open to falling in love without losing yourself in the process! It is never to late to find yourself,even if you are already lost.

30 BE HAPPY!

Happy Gigi

31 Be content with your body, weight, shoe size, bra size, jean size etc. OR Do something about it other than complain.

32 Have a pocketful of friends that you can depend on…

33 Have command of your well being. Do whatever it takes to be healthy- keep up good habits or start some now.

34 Have nice stationery and write notes and even an occasional letter to someone…we are not the texting generation-

35 Have the ability to bounce back from adversity.

36 Be able to handle rejection of any kind and keep it moving.

37 Good night cream and sun screen.

38 Minimal DRAMA.

39 A Cause you believe in- I love FACE Forward.

40 Have a love affair with your partner-

41 Continue to Dream-

42 Drink good champagne.

champagne

43 Stop living in the past and embrace the future.

44 Strength Train.

45 Travel.

46 Stay interesting.

47 Less is truly more.

48 Set goals for the next decades.

49 learn something new.

50 Don’t be sad- You are alive and you woke up this morning- make the most of each and every day.

Happy Wednesday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

fresh highlights

At My Age…

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Gigi in Aging, Beauty, Fitness, Well-Being 2 Comments

I’m going to be honest here. We live is a youth obsessed society, everywhere you look there are images of celebrities in the news, on the TV, FB etc., whether an update on Bey’s comings and goings or some Kardashian story, we are bombarded by these images.

Celebs in the news

BEY

Our “norm” of what a person looks like is an overly photoshopped picture that leaves a little remnant of what the person actually looks like in person. Digital images once uploaded and magnified expose any sensitive areas you may have or shall I say did not know you had…

Madonna Before and After

Most days I feel like I am holding on pretty good, considering I’m 5’4″ and 54. I inherited my father’s hair color gene, just a sprinkling of grey strands, which allows me to color my hair about every 5-6 months and wearing a curly “do” hides a multitude of sins.

Photographer Gigi

The body however, is something that needs constant monitoring. No more of the magically tight 20’s, or the taunt 30’s or the firm fine 40’s this is the “betta find your a$$ in a gym 50’s” or else ease on down the middle age spread road. Is there anything really wrong with that? Passing on the baton and settling comfortably in to a pair of spanx and a good bra? No. Not at all-but of course there are other benefits to working out other than the “I don’t like the body that I glanced at in the mirror” reason.

Spanx

And don’t throw in the dreaded “M” work…That blanky-blank will jack a body up until you outsmart it…My theory is that menopause has a timer that tries to tell the world in subtle ways that this body is no longer available for reproducing. Let’s try and plump it up just enough to take away that youthful hourglass figure, just enough so somebody may slip and call you “Ma’am”.

menopause

My car is a 2007 model, which is old by California standards, the moment the service light comes on I am at the dealer, never ever missing an appointment, that is how you have to be with these bodies, diligent. I have to do yoga or I risk stiffening up like the tin man, strength training-a must do especially since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a few years back. Cardio, cardio and more cardio if you want to have some memory of a waistline, and finally the most important one of all-drumroll THE DIET!

Gigi yoga

You have to fine tune what you put in your body and know what works for you. I’m not here to preach the vegan diet, vs raw vegan or vegetarian sermon, because even those can wreck havoc on a body if not followed properly ie. we all have met the obese vegetarian who lives on macaroni and cheese and pizza. The only rule I want to share is “GRREN UP” Saturate your body with as many anti-oxidants as you can stand, from fresh organic produce-you will notice the benefits inside and out especially in your skin. Everyday I have at least one big glass of fresh green juice.

Green Goddess Juice

Of course there are skin care advances and procedures available, but I want to do everything I can holistically before I investigate those options. I know I owe a lot to my diet and protecting myself from our beloved sun.

botox filler injections

So Gigi’s advice to all my pretties:

20’s Have fun, but set up a foundation of being active

Gigi @ 25

30’s “twerk” the diet if you had bad habits in the 20’s, especially if you are starting to have babies

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

40’s if you don’ get your shit together here, this is like the last hooray-lots can happen in this era

Gigi @ 40

50’s you can still be FAB, but you have to do the work No get our of jail card here, you will go direct to “fifty and frumpy”

50’s Gigi

60’s and beyond KEEP it MOVING and watch the diet, it is a lifetime commintment

The good thing is our bodies are truly amazing, with a lot of effort and hard work you can still get results and reverse the aging clock. Will you ever look 22 again? No, but you can be a damn good looking 50 something year old

So start today by making good choices or bumping it up a notch if you already have a good routine. I’m always trying to do something, whether it is trying a new workout or training for an event, anything to keep my butt moving instead of drooping…

So let’s toast with a green juice and move your body today!

Xoxo,

GIGI

5’4″ and 54 years young

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Gigi in Aging, My Life 6 Comments

baby Gigi

My life lately, has been one big interruption of sorts. I miss Gigi’s Meanderings when I don’t post, this little refuge that allows me to share my humble life, with all its idiosyncrasies. I feel as though there is not enough hours in the day. I recently celebrated my 54th birthday on July 28th, my motto for this one being “5’4″ and 54”. Last year was “53 and free”, “50 and fabulous” you get the gist, embracing each year instead of hiding my age. In our youth driven society I feel good about my age-do I have regrets? Certainly. Who doesn’t?

Gigi @ 54

On a positive note I am happy to be alive, we all know life as we know it is not forever, but there is still a little work here on earth that I need to do, and a few more places I would like to see. My birthday signifies my personal “New Year” I set resolutions and assess the previous year, and figure out what I could do better.

travel

My “54” list:

Physical Goals

I will continue to lead the healthiest life I can, recommitting to being as physical as possible, nourishing my body with organic fresh food, and reestablishing a strong yoga practice. Oh and finally dropping that annoying 5 pounds that keeps hanging around.

love yoga

Spiritual Goals

I will humble myself and do whatever I can to uplift others and have unconditional love for my family and friends. Continue to work with my various charities and try and make a difference in another person’s life.

Professional Goals

Establish my photography practice and develop my business model of photographing everyday women, creating extrodinary beautiful portraits. Continue to share my thoughts on Gigi’s Meanderings regardless if I have 5 readers, 5,000 or 1,000,000. And oh learn PHOTOSHOP.

Photographer Gigi

Keep stress at bay-which is our worst enemy.

Quote

Live each day as if it were my last-and celebrate just because and sprinkle a love trail where ever I go.

QUOTE

What are your plans for your personal “New year”? Do you cringe at the thought of another birthday? Share your anti-aging techniques…

Xoxo,

Gigi

SIXTH DECADE

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Gigi in Aging 6 Comments

1st Decade baby Gigi

YES. I am in the sixth decade of my life. I know, I’m 50 + years old, 53 to be exact, but I don’t “feel” like a “middle aged” person. I don’t think my friends and I are our mothers “50”, but then again perhaps our mothers felt the same way when they were “50” compared to their mothers. We live in a society that is youth driven. I have friends who have shared with me how challenging it is to get hired, everything is submitted online and once the application is reviewed, few interviews are scheduled more than likely do to age.

not our mama’s 50…

50 today does not necessarily mean “old age”, for me it means being more confident, not afraid to make mistakes, free to be me, and willing to take a risks. If you missed some stuff in the first 50 years, this is the time to make up and do whatever it is you may want to do. No more excuses…

The physicality of 50 + is more work-plain and simple you have to “keep it moving” no quick fixes. Engage your body daily or else you will slide down the “middle age spread body” of no return. Granted your body will not be like a 22 year old, but you can be a rockin’ 50 something. Your diet is important too, maybe you skated by in your 20’s, 30’s and early 40’s but trust me the 50’s are unforgiving and don’t even talk about menopause… You have to figure out what works for you and like everything else moderation is key. I prefer a vegan diet with as much RAW and a little red wine, that works for me and my lifestyle. I juice most days and drink gallons of water, hydration is so important to keep everything running smooth.

Gone are the arkaic rules of “middle age” like “cut your hair”, “no minis” , “no bikinis” etc. my thoughts on this if you have the conviction to pull it off, go for it! Wear a tight dress? Why not. 4-5 inch heels? as long as you can walk in them. You also have to bump up the maintenance a notch or 2 maybe even 3. Unless you are ready to embrace 50 shades of grey-color your hair. Wear some make-up, no I’m not talking about full on Vegas show girl, but take the time to put on a little lip gloss, mascara, and concealer, it does make a difference. No matter what your style is, take a moment to pull yourself together, look in the mirror before you step out, even if you are going to your local grocery store. And lastly get plenty of SLEEP.

Although 50 is not the 50 of our parents, the decade birthdays can be a source of uncertainly. We can’t help comparing ourselves to our peers, wondering if we are where we should be on our life journey. For me once I turned 50, my attitude was “I am who I am, I can’t be who you want me to be” and of course when you stop trying to “be” for everyone else your life and relationships will make the necessary edits.

My life by the decade birthdays:

10–Could not wait to be a teen

Gigi @ 14

20–Can’t wait to be “21”

Gigi @ 25

30–Wanted to be married and have a family (btw married 1 week shy of my 30th birthday)

Gigi @ 29

40–I have arrived. I finally get it now.

Gigi @ 40

50–“I am who I am” I’ve embraced my authentic self–not afraid of risks, and no judgement

Gigi @ big “50”

53 soon to be 54– Figuring out the next step in this thing called life. Looking at what the next 5 years looks like-accepting each moment and savoring it, not worrying about the past, and taking delight in planning for the future.