What Are You Grateful For?

Posted on November 28, 2013 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

Happy Thanksgiving!

XOXO,

GIGI

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

Thanksgiving

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Gigi in Holiday Comments Off

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

Gratitude: Gigi’s tips for having a good Thanksgiving

Posted on November 21, 2012 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

Thanksgiving dinner

What Are You Grateful For?

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