4th of July
Happy Fourth of July!
What I am looking forward to this weekend. Sometime at the beach, visiting my family, some yoga, a bike ride, spending time with our new kitten “Blue”, a tiny bit of work, and some time to do absolutely nothing, oh and watching fireworks. May you have a safe holiday with your family and friends as you get your sparkle on…
XOXO,
GIGI
holiday
At my age, it’s not baubles and glittery trinkets I desire anymore, nor the bags, well maybe a pair of louboutins occasionally, I crave longevity, well-being, peace and the ability to sprinkle joy wherever I go, leaving a trail of happiness.
This past year presented a few health challenges for my loved ones. I quickly realized how fragile we really are, and how daunting our own mortality is considering how one day can be life changing. Disgusting diseases are a part of life, I wish no one had to suffer, that there was some magic potion that could be a cure all. I try and purpose to follow a clean life style, but I’m not perfect and I know nothing is guaranteed.
This Christmas I will celebrate in a foreign land. For the first time I skipped putting up my holiday decor, it feels a little odd. I realized my ritual of going through my ornaments is what I miss most, I have collected them from our travels over the years and enjoy reliving those moments as I would place them on the tree. The four of us will be celebrating together in Italy making new memories.
I hope your holiday is shaping up nicely. Perhaps you are attending soirees or hosting one of your own. Remember to savor these special times with family and friends.
P.S.
Wear the good “shit” in the daytime–:)
Xoxo,
GIGI
amani & reggie
I love Thanksgiving! Growing up my fondest memories are of my mom preparing delicious food all day, I love the “smell” of traditional Thanksgiving dinner, even though many of the items I no longer eat, but the smell is ingrained in my memory and connected to pleasant thoughts. Thanksgiving is a holiday where no gifts are expected, just the company of family and friends.
Our day will cover a lot of miles. I will start off with a workout of sorts, before we embark on our Thanksgiving trek to visit our perspective families. Although I love shopping, I have no desire to go “shopping” at midnight or camp out for electronics. I want to savor the day and spend time with our families, and indulge in tasting tidbits at our various stops. I’m more interested in “shopping” for stronger relationships with my family and friends, spending time listening and strengthening weak bonds.
I am grateful for so much, regardless of what society says I should have or should be or should do…
WHAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR
1. My health- the older I get the more I realize what a blessing good health is.
2. My family- immediate-extended-adopted-and can’t forget my furry four legged ones
3. My home-a safe place to live, mortgage paid, lights, gas and water on
4. Food- organic food in my fridge and clean water-I don’t take this for granted
5. Transportation- a working car, gas to be the road warrior that I am.
6. The ability to forgive-love unconditionally, and admit my wrong doings.
7. the ability to find the good in everyone and be non-judgemental
8. Photography- being able to pursue my passion
9. Being able to be a hunter and gatherer of light and stop and recognize the beauty in everyday things.
10. Smiles and laughter
11. Time to relax and rest
12. Being able to travel and facilitate travel for my children
13. My faith in the world we live in and my personal faith
tg
Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXO,
GIGI
I’ll leave you with a little Thanksgiving eye candy…
tg
tg
tg
tg
tg
tg
tg
This time of year can be challenging, between holiday shindigs, indulgent dining, endless shopping and fraught family gatherings. Sometimes it can be really stressful, here are a few tips on making it through the next few weeks.
HOLIDAY SHINDIGS
Don’t over book, it’s OK to say “NO” there are only a few weekends and you can’t make everything. If you are hosting, plan your evening so you are able to have fun too, plan a menu you can execute effortlessly. Wear something pretty and festive.
INDULGENT DINING
Don’t over do it…and keep your workouts up, this is not the time to slack off, even though you are busy. Make good choices and watch the “drink” calories.
ENDLESS SHOPPING
Don’t get caught up in the hype. There is always a sale. If you are the type of shopper that likes to go to the large retailers for electronics- good luck to ya. I know many stores open at midnight on Thanksgiving, I like to enjoy the evening and not run out for a marathon shopping spree, perhaps its my age :). Focus on gifts that are gorgeous, personal, memorable, a little impractical and slightly indulgent. I love giving fragrant expensive candles, that I find on gilt.com, they are always well priced.
FRAUGHT FAMILY GATHERINGS
I’m convinced that everyone has a little “dysfunction” in their family, and it seems at the holiday “craziness” is magnified. Embrace everyone and their shortcomings and focus on the good in everyone. This year we will be making a few stops for Thanksgiving, if I were hosting I love pretty table settings filled with a little new, old, cheap, antique, expensive and colorful.
pretty
nice
Happy Monday
Xoxo,
Gigi
The holidays can wreck havoc on your body. With all the parties it is easy to over indulge on treats and to many sweets, and workouts can suffer due to shopping and social engagements. The next thing you know is that January comes around and everything is a little snug and you go in to “New Years” resolution mode, signing up for new gym memberships, another trainer and of course some sort of new diet. Why not follow a few simple steps and glide through the holidays like santa this season?
1. Watch The Sugar
Sorry, eggnog and sugary desserts are not your friend. Maybe limit yourself to Christmas day or Eve and only have something really extraordinary. Skip the Costco stuff…splurge on something homemade if you are going to have something- like grandma’s sweet potato pie.
2. Blame it on the Alcohol
If you partake use moderation and balance with lots of water, between the empty calories and the water retention the next day…you really have to be careful. Sip on one or two drinks the entire evening and have sparkling water and cranberry juice with lime in between or just plain water.
3. Workout through the holidays do NOT forfeit your WORKOUTS
It is so easy to skip workout this time of year, you may have guests staying with you, or shopping that interferes with your gym time. Even if you have to modify your plan do something at least 30 minutes daily. You will feel so much better!
4. Think about what you are plopping in your MOUTH
Make wise choices. You can do a lot of damage standing and indiscriminately plopping things into your mouth. Wear something fitted so you will be reminded and balance your selections with some veggies.
5. Chocolates –you know the kind-the ones in the nice gift boxes
Just regift and give them to your nice post-person or the dry cleaner person–do not open. You don’t want to have a few boxes under your “belt” this season.
6. Eat at HOME
Eat something sensible before you go out, you will be full and less likely to over indulge.
7. Make time to JUICE
Juicing and veggie based smoothies are a perfect way to make sure you are giving your body good nutrition to make it through the season.
8. GET YOUR SLEEP ON!
Get your 8 hours every night! This is really important, there are studies that link lack of sleep to weight gain.
9. “YOU” TIME
Make time for a massage or a moment at the spa, use that gift certificate that you have been saving. This is the perfect time to take a break for you.
10. SMILE and BE HAPPY
Smile and have a good attitude, it’s only a few weeks…
Wishing you a fabulous holiday season!
Xoxo,
Gigi
Here are some picks for the gadget lovers on your list…or maybe a gift for you.
I retrofone i phone dock 200.00
I absolutely love this i phone dock, I think because it reminds me of the phones I grew up with. Get it here.
Nutri Bullet 119.00
This would come in handy for whipping up a quick smoothie in the morning. My daughter would love this. check it out here.
i phone Book Charger
I really like this. I hate clutter on my nightstand. Get it here.
TIKKA PLUS 2 29.95
This is perfect for night hikes or working on the electronic equipment in the TV cabinet, I could use this when I have to reboot my cable to get my internet up. TIKKA PLUS2
MiFi 2200 Network Extender 99.00
How many times have you been waiting in the airport and paid to join a network for 14.95? This little gadget would pay for itself very quickly. MiFi 2200 Network Extender
Altec lansing iM227 Orbit Speaker
This would come in handy for a workout in the park with a friend, I could take this on a photo shoot, at the beach etc. Get one here. for 24.99
Gorilla Torch
Another handy item, how many times have you been outside and needed some light…you can wrap the legs on a tree, or a fence, get one here.
Polaroid Camera 159.99
This would be a fun little toy, especially at a party. Polaroid.
Rabbit Electric Wine Opener
Another good party item. Electric wine opener.
Happy Shopping!
Xoxo,
Gigi
.
We are going to Reggie’s family for the first part of Thanksgiving, and then we are driving another couple of hours to my Mom’s to finish our celebration. I will make a long playlist for our ride. have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family and friends. A few meanderings from around the web…
Love this Thanksgiving Quote
Do you really want to do this?
Stay at home instead and spend some time doing something for your body, take a walk and reflect on the things you are thankful for that have no price.
Love this song, perfect for your Thanksgiving playlist.
Being a vegan does not necessarily assure that everything is healthy, you still have to watch what you put in your body, and stay away from foods in a box with lots of stuff you can’t pronounce. Read more here.
My daughter Amani lives in New York City, and attended college in Connecticut so she was always traveling during this busy weekend. So of course when I came upon this piece, it made me a little nervous.
Pretty table settings from HGTV
Pretty
Love this
Nice
We could do this in Cali
Funny piece about Thanksgiving conversation, What to talk about with weird, grown up cousins…
Enjoy your weekend,
Xoxo,
Gigi
Thanksgiving
This is one of my favorite holidays. There are no real expectations other than getting together with family and friends. We divide our time between my family and Reggie’s family, bringing some sort of vegan dish to both events. Here are some tips for making your day memorable.
1. Start you day with a workout. This is a day when the best of us have a tendency to go overboard. We like to start our day with a “Turkey Trot”, most cities have them, just do a google search. A 5K is doable for the whole family, or do a run/walk around your neighborhood.
Turkey Trot
2. Be Gracious. This is not a time to complain about anything. Reggie and I are vegan and my family eats EVERYTHING ie. turkey, ham etc., a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, we just survey the selections and pick out the veggies we can eat, a sort of “don’t ask don’t tell” meal. We can have our vegan fare anytime.
Thanksgiving Dinner
3. Engage with your family and friends, turn the phone to airplane mode, and leave the other devices at home. Be present in the moment, catch up with those family members that you may not see as often.
No Cell Phone or Devices
4. Help The host, offer to wash dishes, serve etc. if you are hosting let your guest help especially if they offer.
5. Mingle with everybody.
6. Pack the camera but just take candids, this is not a time for arranged photos. Now that I consider myself a photographer this one really applies to me, I will take a nice formal pic of Reggie’s parents who are 85 years young, and my mom who just turned 81 the rest will be candids.
Photographer Gigi
7. Remember Thanksgiving is only once a year.
8. If you are driving somewhere, allow for traffic, everyone is going to somebody’s home, be safe.
9. Dress comfortable. Where a pretty flat, some leggings and a comfy sweater, something you can wear and curl up on the floor and relax in. If you are hosting have a pretty apron to wear, Anthropologie has beautiful vintage aprons.
aprons
Cute Look from Anthropologie
Thanksgiving outfit from Anthropologie
10. Indulge, Laugh and have Fun.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Xoxo,
Gigi
Follow
