An Ordinary Day...

Wednesday, April 12th started off as an ordinary day. The alarm sounded off at 6:00 a.m. like it always did. Reggie did his work day morning ritual, showering, grooming, selecting a suit and accessorizing with the perfect accents for Read more

Why are some people mean?

Why are some people mean? I'm not talking about a little mean, but bazaar, go out of their way to be mean. Recently I've encountered a few mean people, I remind myself that these situations will make me a stronger Read more

Maldives

Our last trip of 2016 was to the Maldives. Last year was one full of excursions, We traveled to Cameroon, Paris, Bali, Hawaii, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Lake Tahoe, Atlanta, Napa, San Francisco, Dubai, and I must say Read more

Quote

It's okay to venture out of your comfort zone... Lately I've been doing it quite often. This weekend is going to be one of renewal, my personal Super Bowl. What are your plans? I will be working today and tomorrow. Happy Read more

Do you enjoy yourself?

Both of my kids are in New York, my son is in school in the Hudson Valley and my daughter is living in Brooklyn and working. So we are officially empty nesters, and have been so for a while Read more

Thanksgiving

Quote

Posted on by Gigi in Quotes Comments Off on Quote
Buddha Quote

Buddha Quote

The holidays have a way of bringing up all kinds of feelings. So when I stumbled upon this quote, I could not help but to think about how these principles are magnified at this time of year.

“How much you loved”, this one should be simple, but for many it is complicated. Love starts with self, and if you are having a challenge loving the one in the mirror, it is difficult to love others. The holidays have a way of mending hurt souls and bringing families together that may have had strife in the past. This past Thanksgiving all of my family was together, which was truly a miracle, we have certainly had our conflicts, but I was happy that we were all together and  to see my 82 year-old mother witness this, was priceless.

“How gently you lived” another one that should be simple, but is complicated as well. Our world is so crazy busy, shopping on Thanksgiving? Really? Trampling over other human beings to buy the latest game system, camping out in front of stores, I don’t get it…Each day I try to appreciate the simplicity of life. I’m not perfect and at times I too can get caught up in the rat race, but the older I get the more control I have over this behavior. I find it is much easier to exhale and move on, and focus on relationships and the things that have no price tag.

The last principle “How gracefully you let go of things that were not meant for you”  is the most difficult, because it conflicts with “love”, more than likely the thing you have to let go of was something you at some point loved, perhaps it was a husband, wife, significant other, or a friend. Most times depending on who initiated the “letting go” it can be a time of hurt and pain at the loss of the relationship. The holidays can be subtle reminders of time spent with that person, and depending on where you are in the healing process it can be difficult to be “graceful” when there are memories. I like to think that everything happens for a reason, even if at the time I don’t understand the “why”, but I try and concentrate on the good that came about because of the relationship and how it has contributed to the woman I am today. We have to have boundaries, and to the best of our ability surround ourselves with uplifting positive energy. I’m not saying if someone is not walking around “zen” like all the time, leave them alone, but you can be the catalyst for another person the inspiration for them, but just have a balance.

So my friends, go Love, Live and be Graceful!

Gigi

Gigi

Happy Monday

Xoxo,

GIGI

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What Are You Grateful For?

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday 2 Comments

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

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Happy Thanksgiving!

XOXO,

GIGI

I’ll leave you with a little Thanksgiving eye candy…

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Thanksgiving

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday Comments Off on Thanksgiving

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

pretty

nice

nice

Happy Monday

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

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Happy Thanksgiving, Give Gratitude in Abundance

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday 4 Comments

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

 

 

 

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Gratitude: Gigi’s tips for having a good Thanksgiving

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday 4 Comments

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

 


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