56 WTF?

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Gigi in Aging Comments Off

gigi @ 56

Today is the first day of my new year. 56, a number that ~~seems~~ is ~~old~~ middle age, mature, a woman of a “certain” age, that is what comes to my mind when I hear that number. This number that is closer yet to a “bigger” significant number the- big “60”.

Lately I have been photographing incredibly beautiful young models. Part of the process is the editing of these images, it is here that I am reminded that even the “best” of us will fall into the arms of father time. I am reminded that I used to have long thick hair, a tight body and a laissez faire attitude. These are faces that have not smiled as much as mine, or have seen as much sadness. Faces that giggle about new boyfriends, legs that peek out of short shorts, tousled messy hair that looks so right, random odd jobs that keep them busy, and that anticipation of the next audition, or the big break that will soon come.

pretty girls

I have embraced the physical changes ( not that I really have a choice) my kinky curly “do” gives the illusion of a lot of hair, trust me it has thinned out a lot. The body looks pretty good dressed and a little better than okay undressed. The eyes, well lets just say I have joined the ranks of those that have numerous glasses all over the house.

big hair don’t care

Or how I really do have to take a moment to find my “good” side prior to the shutter snapping, holding my chin just so. I have to hydrate non-stop, especially if I indulge in a glass or 2 of wine. But even with all these changes, I’m at a good place with my self and who I am. There is a sense of comfort that comes with the 50’s, you realize “it is what it is…” You are not going to be transformed to your former 30 year-old self, and that is okay, nor become the next President, just saynin’. Mistakes I have made have contributed to the centered woman I am today. I’m more authentic which is good and bad, good for being who I really am, and bad for sharing my thoughts, thoughts that are at times not invited.

I’m at a point where I don’t have time for the ridiculous anymore. There are places I want to go, experiences I want to have, things I want to see. A sort of urgency where you feel as if you have to focus, especially if you were a late bloomer, like moi. My inner circle is shrinking a bit, I’m satisfied with those that are “easy” and accepting. I still enjoy spending time with my husband and now that our son is about to depart for college that is a good thing.

As I reflect on this past year I am happy to be present, there are so many that have departed, I am reminded often- the news of death, something I don’t recall hearing about when I was younger. Life is truly a gift.

So as this day comes to an end, take a moment for yourself and cherish wherever you are on your life journey-

Xoxo,

Gigi

Quote

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Gigi in Aging 2 Comments

“I don’t like to throw things away, but I also have the ability to end chapters of my life.”

– Helmut Lang

I came across this quote yesterday, I’m getting better at the “throwing things away” but every since the big “5-0” I’ve been able to “end chapters of my life” and keep it moving. Perhaps at the half century mark there is a sense of urgency to do it now or never. I have permission to to stop doing things that don’t enrich my life and to figure out what does work.

Closing chapters in my life allow me to move on to the next book. Some of the past books are best sellers, some are classics some are really bad…and some are unbelievable. All these “books” the good and the bad make up who I am today, I can’t erase this history, or pretend it does not exist. There are lots of characters in these books, some are in all the books and some have mysteriously disappeared.

I’m on a quest to discover the “best” me and let her shine, polishing some rough edges. I’m human and far from perfect, but if I work on “best” I know I will have a lot of “good” that will come to the surface and I’m okay with that. The consistent effort is what I am aiming for, developing habits that keep me on point. I want to be the character in the book that you love and admire, but at the same time you find her interesting, daring, a little racy, unpredictable and not boring at all.

On the physical note, I’ve recommitted to my body, this post half century body needs a lot of care like an old vintage car. Every since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis I have these nightmares of being a hunchbacked lady, so I have become obsessive with my strength training. My workouts are like doctor appointments, I have to go, I can’t reschedule. I don’t want the to be the hunchback heroine in my next book.

Have you closed any chapters? Working on a bestseller? Happy Tuesday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Breaking the Speed Limit- 55

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Gigi in Aging 6 Comments

Gigi breaking the speed limit-55

Another birthday – I am 55 years-old today…it feels weird saying that, and I know some ladies still like to treat age like a mystery, but my thought is aging is a part of living and should be celebrated instead of hidden. I feel good and I’m at peace with self. I look in the mirror and I see a woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and a friend to many. I see a woman who has lived, taken risks, did a few things that I’m not proud of, a woman who has laughed and smiled a lot and has the lines to prove it.

Gigi in the mirror

I look back over my life and I have few regrets. Of course hindsight is always clearer and it is easy to think about what you could have done differently. I have grown in so many ways, no longer struggling with self doubt, no more worrying about what others think.

There is something about these “golden” years that are empowering. Perhaps it is the acceptance of my physical self, all 130 plus pounds of me, my kinky curly hair, no longer regulated to the beach, but red carpet events as well, embracing all the changes in my body and focusing on the good parts. After 50 plus years, finally learning what works for my body (stretch is always good), and certainly what doesn’t, even if it is the latest trend. Wearing my high heels, probably more often than I should, getting more of a thrill buying workout wear than regular clothes, and generally just abiding by my own rules and what makes me happy.

Accepting that no matter how many hours I spend in the gym, how “clean” I eat, if I should chose to tweak my face or some body parts, at the end of the day I’m still a middle-aged woman, and if I’m confused at any point, all I have to do is just stand next to a 25 year-old preferably in a bikini. I will continue to work on being the best version of me that I can be, taking care of my mental well being, along with my physical and spiritual self. I will go into this next “birth year” with conviction, bumping the workouts up a notch or 2, really paying attention to what I put into my body, and making sure I take time for me. I will continue to work on giving my children the skills they need so they can thrive in this crazy world we live in, long after I am gone, and being a wife and partner to my husband and the rock he can lean on.

Another thing about breaking the “speed limit” my “to do” list and “to go” list seem more urgent. I want to go to Brazil, Bali and the Montreux Jazz festival, I want to learn another language, work on my photography, host more intimate dinner parties, and of course keep editing what is no longer needed.

I will be departing this evening to the Jack & Jill National Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. I will be in touch…

XOXO,

GIGI

Gigi @ 55

The “Men- All- Pause”

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Gigi in Aging, menopause, Well-Being 4 Comments

Odds are if you are old enough to remember this song, you are experiencing or have experienced “men-all-pause”. I have been pretty fortunate, my symptoms have been pretty minor. Never ever had a hot flash or a night sweat as of yet, but I have had my moments of unexplainable rage against those that I love and random strangers. My boobs have gotten bigger, and not just from being a little heavier, in my 20’s I struggled to fill an “A” cup, post babies I grew into a 34 B and as of last month, at my bra fitting by a bra fitting specialist no less I am a solid 32D!

my fav bra natori feather bra

My grays are getting a little more aggressive, but I don’t think I can blame that on “men-all-pause”, and wearing my hair “au natural” those grays are buried in a hay stack. My hair is thinner, but considering how thick it was growing up this is a good thing.

Gigi big hair

Now the face. Let’s just say I pay a lot more attention to lotions, potions and all the magical creams I read about. I stop and read the ads about botox, fillers and have even cruised the websites. Right now I still like what I see for the most part, the “character” of me, the “grown and sexy” version. I can wake up and tell by looking in the mirror if I had that extra glass of wine or if I did not have my 64 oz minimum of water the day before.

hydrate always

love this stuff

Now for the body…I’m in a state of emergency. Me and my “butt” are at war! What used to work is not doing nada…The old me always had a little waist, but the “men-all-pause” is trying to snatch it away. The thighs are trying to catch up with the waist, trust me -not good and it is to hot to succumb to the dreaded power underwear ie. spanx, although I do have my stash for those “red carpet” moments. Yes, for the most part I practice a vegan diet, but the nuts, and other delicacies can do their damage too, a calorie is a calorie I’m just saynin’. So I have bumped up the workouts, I’m trying to shock this 54 year-old body, that is about to break the speed limit in a minute into submission. I am doing everything from the “rockin model workout”, “beach body ready”, “stacked”, “tread and shread”, “whipped” pilates, yoga, zumba, swimming, biking, you name it, I’m doing it, cause I ain’t going out like that!

it’s pricy but I love my gym

I’m at peace knowing and accepting that my pre-kidlet 22 year old body is a relic of the past, and I have no desire to be a size “0” or XS, however I do want to be fit and be the best that I can be, and I know I have to get out of my comfort zone and work a lot harder. I can’t worry about if I am the oldest person in the “rockin model” class, or if I can’t rock a bra top and a pair of lulu bootie shorts… I know the benefits of being active are so great and important for this next phase of life. No, it is not easy, my knees and joints don’t recover as fast, for the last couple of weeks I have been in a constant state of feeling as though I am recovering from a car wreck. My advice to the young-nins if you don’t have a good workout routine start and make it part of your lifestyle, if you are a little more mature like me, find something you like and be consistent and if you are already doing it–don’t ever stop, oh and by the way if whatever you are doing is easy, trust me it probably isn’t working.

Now please excuse me and my butt we have a workout to get to…

Happy Tuesday XOXO GIGI

50 WAYS TO AGE EFFORTLESSLY, WITH STYLE AND FINESSE

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Gigi in 50 ways 2 Comments

Gigi @ 54

50 WAYS TO AGE EFFORTLESSLY, WITH STYLE AND FINESSE

1. Celebrate every birthday as if it were a milestone

2. Practice yoga or pilates or both- a flexible spine is a young spine

3. Challenge yourself–never stop learning

4. Stay engaged with LIFE

5. Stop being angry- it’s not worth it in the long run

6. Strength Train ie. weight training-your bones will “thank you”

7. Love and admire your children/grandchildren/nieces/ nephews

8. Have fresh flowers all the time

9. Walk daily

10. Use your “good” stuff ie. crystal, china, silver etc.

11. Be present in the moment- enjoy the duration of the day

12. Be a role model

13. Wear lipstick

14. Be your best “you” today and stop trying to be the “you” of the past

15. Celebrate the good in your life- forget the negative

16. keep the passion with your partner and/ or if solo don’t be afraid of LOVE

17. Menopause- embrace the change

18. Take long baths with fragrant oils

19. Drink good champagne–just because

20. Change your hair if you have been wearing the same “do” for 20 plus years

21. Keep dreaming

22. Continue to shop- but know what works for you- be picky only buy things you LOVE

23. Volunteer- make a difference

24. Have a spiritual base

25. Forgive and Forget

26. Watch your posture

27. Eat clean- preferably a plant based diet with lots of raw organic farm to table produce

28. Invest in a good bed and make your bedroom a retreat

29. Be a creature like no other

30. laugh aloud and find humor in everything

31. Dance

32. Pay attention to your appearance- don’t give into middle age frumpy

33. Watch your weight

34. Don’t fear love- never stop dabbling in it…

35. Make time for friends

36. Wear pretty, sexy non sensible shoes

37. Accept that it is OK that you don’t look 22- embrace whatever age you are and “work it”

38. Sleep get your rest.

39. Don’t be a fool for fashion- have your own style

40. Wear lovely lingerie

41. Douse yourself with perfume

42. Travel

43. Smile

44. Don’t do things to contort your face- you won’t look younger

45. Unleash your blocks, whatever they may be

46. Break the rules on what “blank” age is supposed to be

47. Indulge in whatever your heart desires

48. don’t drink excessively- it never looks good

49. Continue to create and discover new interests

50. FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU!

My weekend is starting early Friday, I will be in New Orleans via a red eye flight tonight.

New Orleans

Happy Thursday

Xoxo,

Gigi

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

50’s

56 WTF?

Related articles

Quote

Related articles

Breaking the Speed Limit- 55

Related articles

The “Men- All- Pause”

Related articles

50 WAYS TO AGE EFFORTLESSLY, WITH STYLE AND FINESSE

Related articles

At My Age…

Follow