I need some tea and honey…

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

First on foremost…I’ve missed coming here and sharing my thoughts and such. Life is zooming by and I have been caught up on a merry go round that won’t let me off. A little bit of what has been going on the past five weeks, 3 friends departed the planet, 3 friends who were in my age bracket. I know that one day we will all depart this earth, but are you ever ready death? BTW I hate F—ing Cancer.

A few weeks ago I met a new friend, her name is Hanifa. Back story I’m part of Face Forward, an organization that provides medical services for women who have been victims of domestic violence, we provide pro bono surgery to women and children who have been disfigured as a result of domestic violence. Our latest patient Hanifa is from Uganda she is an acid attack survivor. She has such a positive outlook and an incredible spirit considering the ordeal she has been thorough. Check out this video about her journey and mission.

I also went on my annual girls ski trip. We spent a week in Aspen and had a ball. I am finally a strong intermediate skier! We had a blast and I can’t wait until next year.

Aspen Trip 2015

My self portrait project is going really well, each week I take a picture of myself with my “real” camera, ie. staging the lighting, scene and mood. I am learning so much about myself doing this project, I am forced to really look at myself inside and outside.

self portrait #1

self portrait #2

self portrait #3

self portrait #4

self portrait #5

self portrait #6

Oh speaking of photography I attended a lighting seminar is Las Vegas. I am determined to learn my craft! There is so much I want to know, nonstop learning.

My son has been home for spring break so I have been doing my uber driving duties, he is planning on getting his license before he goes back to school, keeping my fingers crossed.

And lastly I did the swim leg in a relay triathlon. No, I have not been training per se, but it was short and sweet and I was happy to do an event, did not realize how much I missed doing them. So I am looking for another one to sign up for.

So now that you have the highlights of my last 5 weeks- How are you? Do you feel overwhelmed? How to you balance when your merry go round is spinning out of control? Please share…

I’m going to make my tea and honey…

Xoxo,

Gigi

Face Forward

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Gigi in Events 2 Comments

Gigi @ Face Forward Gala

Saturday Reggie and I got to escape our valley abode and travel west to Santa Monica and join our friends at the 4th annual Face Forward Gala, the theme “A Gatsby Affair”. The gala did not disappoint, everyone was decked out in their interpretation of 1920’s glamour, a silent auction with a bevy of items, an exciting live auction, beautifully decorated ball room, exquisite centerpieces, delicious meal, hosted by Sara Rue, performances by Stacy Francis and Macy Gray one of my favorites performers.

Face Forward was established in 2007 by Deborah Alessi and her husband Dr. David Alessi, to provide pro-bono physical and emotional reconstruction for women and children victimized by domestic violence. I have attended the gala every year, this being the first time on the committee. It was nice to see all the hard work come together on this magical evening.

Dr. David Alessi & Deborah Alessi

One in a least three women in the world are victims of domestic abuse, which means all of us know or indirectly know a woman who is being physically abused, it may be a family member, co-worker, neighbor, teacher, friend, church member, domestic abuse has no boundaries.

At a young age I was the victim of domestic violence by a “boyfriend” , I remember being ashamed and having no one to talk to, the abuser was constantly threatening me of more consequences if I told anybody. Finally one day I “snapped” and pulled a butcher knife on him, and for those brief moments I knew I was capable of causing severe bodily harm ie “killing a M-F”, fortunately for me that was the last time I ever saw that ass hole and I never was in another relationship like that again. So of course this charity is close to my heart because I knew I could have been one of our patients.

Gigi, Greta & Michelle

Gigi & “Bear”

One of the things I love most about galas is getting dressed up, I’m a girlie girl at heart. So I was excited about the 1920’s theme, a new ensemble was not an option so I was up for the challenge of shopping my closet. So of course I was happy when I found a BCBG dress that I picked up at the outlet, and I paired it with a Tracy Reese top I got about 5 years ago, threw on a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti’s, converted an Anthropologie head band with a $5 hair thingy from my local Halloween pop up store and I was good to go.

Now my hair, that was another story, I knew I did not want to sport my “big” hair, so I decided to experiement, so I washed it, added a lot of tresemme natural conditioner and detangled, followed by deva one leave in conditioner, curl junkie styling creme and a generous amount of eco protein styling gel , sat under the dryer for about 30 min to set it and then pulled it back into a low side bun using a donut thing to shape my hair which worked perfect.

I’m already looking forward to next years Gala.

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

domestic violence

I need some tea and honey…

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