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Gigi

Necklaces Jewelry Display

Posted on by Gigi in My House 3 Comments

In another life I am convinced I was a Christmas tree. I have always loved jewelry, and have been collecting all my life. I keep most of my jewelry in drawers. The problem with the drawer system, I can’t see my baubles, and therefore I tend to wear the same pieces. I’ve been searching for something to display my necklaces. While cruising in Cost Plus the other day, I stumbled upon this wire heart rack, in the art section of the store.

Wire Heart Rack

Wire Heart Rack

I picked up a couple and installed them on the wall and hung my necklaces on the hooks. I was pleasantly surprised with the result, I had an instant gallery display of my necklaces.

Gallery Necklace Display

Gallery Necklace Display

It’s nice to see all my necklaces in one place.

$39.99

$39.99 Each

It’s easy to try different combinations out when you can see everything at a glance.

Easy Accessorizing

Easy Accessorizing

Room to Grow

Room to Grow

My rack is sturdy, I could hang a few necklaces on each hook.

I love necklaces

I love necklaces…

Always keep your eyes open to the possibilities of what you can create. Take time to see things in different ways, you may surprise yourself.

xoxo,

Gigi

 

 


Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web…

Posted on by Gigi in Uncategorized 1 Comment

A few interesting posts and other tibits around the web:

Gigi’s listening to and loving him.

Salad Gigi loves to make.

Gigi is going to do this at her next soiree.

This is why we have to set an example for our girls.

Gigi’s is dreaming about one of these.

Every airport should have one of these.

Gigi wants to know where is Michelle’s bag?

One of Gigi’s favorite restaurants is at the top of this list.

Gigi could teach this class.

Gigi can’t wait to check this place out.

Gigi loves poetry.

Gigi is going to check this out next week.

Gigi’s walks away in these.

Enjoy

xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

 

 

 


Mr. Porter- Father’s Day

Posted on by Gigi in Shopping Comments Off on Mr. Porter- Father’s Day

Love these illustrations…Nice gifts for the Dads on your list…


Gigi’s Juice: Not gin and juice

Posted on by Gigi in Recipes 6 Comments

Green juice is a must–it is a perfect food that is a major part of my diet. It is full of so many benefits, unlimited flavors, colorful, and really good for your body. It is relatively easy to prepare, since fresh organic ingredients, are available at most grocery stores. Juicing has become very popular, there are numerous organic juice bars opening up, delivery cleanse juice programs, and of course the juice bars located in Whole Foods. I prefer to make my own juice when I can, but sometimes when I am out all day I do take advantage of various juice bars in the city. I started juicing three years ago, my friend Teresa was instrumental in teaching me everything she knew about juicing. I used to be a “coffee crack” addict, but after detoxing my “drug” of choice is a strong green juice.

GIgi's Green Juice

Gigi's Green Juice

Green juice is an acquired taste, when I first started I used a lot of fruit to cut the taste of the bitter greens. Now I use mostly greens with a little fruit. One of the things I like most about juicing is there is no way to make a mistake, you may not like the concoction you end up with every time, but your palate will begin to instinctively know what combinations you are craving. Juicing is also a good way to use your veggies and fruit especially if you have a tendency to over buy like me, you can juice everything before it has a chance to go bad. The only piece of equipment you need is a juicer, there are so many on the market and they have come down in price and the new models are easy to clean. I have a breville juicer. My first juicer was a Jack lalanne  that I purchased at Costco. Another popular juicer that a few of my friends have is the hamilton beach big mouth juicer.

My Breville Juicer

My Breville Juicer

When I began juicing, I had to come up with a little system. I needed to make the process unfussy with just a few steps which would allow me to be consistent. Juicing will never be as easy as popping a top off a bottle of juice on the shelf, but once you start you will never want prepackaged juice again. When I buy my produce I always wash it right away, and have it juice ready, like the juice bars do, chopped and ready to go. Save the plastic produce bags and use them in the container part of the juicer to catch all the pulp. Use recipes as a guide, and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.

My favorite recipe for a basic green juice.

  • 1 bunch of kale
  • 1 stalk celery
  • 2 green apples
  • 2 cucumbers
  • 1 small piece of peeled ginger
  • 1 peeled lemon
  • 1/2 cup of mint or parsley

Juice all ingredients through juicer starting with kale alternating with other veggies. Serves 2

Kale

Kale

I chop the stems off and chop the leaves a little.

Meyer Lemons

Meyer Lemons

Meyer lemons picked from my tree.

Gigi’s tropical green juice

  • 1 bunch of kale
  • 3 cucumbers
  • 1/2 pineapple or (more to your taste)
  • 1 stalk celery
  • 1 small piece of peeled ginger
  • 1 peeled lemon
  • water from one young coconut

Juice all ingredients through juicer starting with kale alternating with other veggies. Serves 3

Gigi's Tropical

Gigi's Tropical Green Juice

Fresh Juice

Fresh Juice

Cheers, Happy Juicing…thanks for stopping by. Share what combinations are your favorites.

Gigi

 

 

 

 


Pasadena Showcase House 2012-Greg Parker

Posted on by Gigi in Interior Design 2 Comments

I had the pleasure of touring the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House of Design and of course since my blog was just a thought then, I could not blog about the fabulous kitchen designed by my dear friend Greg Parker of Parker West Interiors. Greg and I met at the 1998 Whittier Design House where we were both doing a room. The following year our paths crossed again at the Pasadena Showcase House designer walk thru. I have been a member of Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (the volunteer organization that puts on the showcase house) for many years.  Greg was selected to do a space and has been doing incredible rooms ever since. He did the kitchen in the 2004 Pasadena Showcase House, and it was at that time that I decided that when I remodeled my kitchen I would work with Greg. I will share pictures from that project soon.

Greg Parker and I

Greg Parker and I

The pictures were taken with my little camera, so this is not an Elle Decor/Architectural Digest layout.

The island

The island

The island had built in refrigerated vegetable storage.

French Range

La Cornue Portuguese Blue French Range

The marble tiles above the stove have a picture of the exterior of the home.

Microwave Drawer

Microwave Drawer

I love this feature. We use our microwave on rare occasions, mainly when the kids are home and it is nice not to have it on the counter.

Details

Details

I love the details in the sink. The metal is a beautiful “hammered” texture.

Kitchen Desk

Kitchen Desk

It is so nice to have a work space in the kitchen.

Two Tables

Two Tables

I love this! One for the kids and one for the adults…

Breakfast Room

Breakfast Room

This is a close up of one of the two tables, this home had incredible views of the San Gabriel mountains.

Butler's Pantry

Butler's Pantry

This is something I would want in my dream kitchen. There is an additional dishwasher of course.

Pasadena Showcase house runs from mid April thru mid May. 2013 will be the 49th year of showcase, we are the longest running showcase house in the country. For more information about Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts. Click Here. Next year I will cover the project early.

Greg Parker can be reached at 626 403- 5008    Parker West Interiors

Gigi

 

 

 

 

 

 


Drive By- Blow Drybar

Posted on by Gigi in Hair 2 Comments

Today my daughter decided to drop in for an impromptu blowout at the drybar. I’m a curly girl now, but for many years I was a long-haired “straight” hair done weekly girl. A big part of my life revolved around a minimum three hour weekly ritual at the salon.

DryBar

Drybar on Sunset

These no cuts, no color, 30 minute blowout, salons have been popping up all over the country. We were not sure how skilled the stylists were with African-American kinky curly hair, but for a flat fee of $35.00 regardless of texture, length or thickness, there was nothing to lose.Cheery but stylish, a yellow blowdryer chandelier, champagne and cookies, fresh flowers and hair style menus, Devil Wears Prada playing on the flat screen, a steady stream of women all ages – all this makes drybar a winning concept.

Blowdryer Chandelier

Blowdryer Chandelier

Yellow & White Roses

Yellow & White Roses

Drybar Menus

Drybar Menus

The menu hair styles were listed as “drink” names. The Straight Up – Signature blowout: Straight with body, The Cosmo – Lots of loose curls,The Mai Tai-Messy, beachy hair, Southern Comfort – Big hair, Up-Tini – AKA an updo, The Manhattan – Sleek and smooth (Amani’s choice) are the main styles with a few others that are combos ie. Cosmo – Tai.

Blow dry-Amani

Blow dry Amani

Amani

Amani

Flat iron-Amani

Flat iron-Amani

Drybar uses Moroccan oil products and offers “shots” deep conditioners for $10.00. Amani did not have an appointment and waited 15 minutes before she was in the chair. They are open 7 days a week, nice option if you have a red carpet event on a Sunday. Most clients were done in 30 minutes, it took about 50 minutes to do Amani’s hair.  As I sat watching the process, an unsolicited client said to me, “Is that your daughter? I wish my mother had taken me to get my hair straightened, because I had the kinkiest, curliest hair ever!”

"The Manhattan"

"The Manhattan"

Drybar  310 442 6084        8595 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood

Hours Monday-Wednesday 8-7  Thursday-Saturday 8-9  Sunday 10-7

 

 


All Hail the King!

Posted on by Gigi in Gift Guide 2 Comments
Gabrielle

Gabrielle

 

Happy to do a guest post for Gigi’s fabulous blog. Hope you enjoy my picks for Father’s Day and if your budget is tight, a hand made card from the kid’s always works.

 

 

 

1. The number one item on my list. The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln , Stephen L. Carter.

Stephen Carter is back!!!

 

2. This one is for Gigi. I know she is an animal print lover and this YSL leopard skin wallet is top drawer LUXE. Available at Mr Porter.

Petersen Automotive Museum

3. Get his engine revving with Masterpieces of Italian Design at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The exhibit opened February 2012 and will run through February 2013 with different Italian Designs rotating throughout the year long exhibit.

Seersucker Suit

4. I am a southern girl and I love a man in a SEERSUCKER SUIT. Spring/Summer, it’s the season…

Cufflinks

 

Monique Pean’s Woolly Mammoth & Black Diamond Cufflinks

Available at Barney’s

 

 

 

 

Ivory Medium Ring

 

Monique Pean’s Walrus Ivory Medium Ring

(What!, He can dream)

 

 

 

 

The Intouchables

6. The Intouchables – Two Thumbs Up!

7. And whatever game  is on.

Gabrielle

 


How to line envelopes with wrapping paper

Posted on by Gigi in DIY Comments Off on How to line envelopes with wrapping paper

There is something about walking to the mailbox collecting the routine bills, penny saver, real estate mailers etc., and then surprise- a beautiful invitation. In our social media world, we have all received some form of an email invitation. These are certainly convenient and fun and can be sent out in a matter of minutes, but nothing replaces a “real” invitation. A more formal celebration calls for a traditional paper invitation.

Why line?

1. Weight- A lined envelope feels heavier to the recipient and special.

2. Appearance- I love using liners to add another color, texture or sparkle to the envelope.

3. Simple- It’s Pretty!

I’m going to share with you an inexpensive way to line your own envelopes. I ordered invitations for my daughter’s graduation party from fine stationary and wanted to save a little (160.00) by lining my own envelopes.

my invitations

My Invitations

My plain envelopes

My plain envelopes

You will need scissors, glue stick, brown paper bag, and gift wrapping paper

Wrapping Paper

Gift Wrapping Paper

I found this paper at TJ Maxx for 3.99. I wanted something with a sparkle. I made a template by tracing the envelope on the paper bag and then I cut it out.

paper bag template

paper bag template

trace template on paper

trace template on wrapping paper

Cut out liners.

cut out liners

Cut out liners

Carefully insert the liner inside of the envelope, you may have to trim a little if the liner does not fit perfectly

insert liner

Insert liner

Once liner is inserted, fold envelope to form a crease, and then use glue stick to glue top part of the liner to the envelope.

voila!

Voila!

If you have a lot of envelopes to line, invite a few friends over to help and spend the time catching up.

Finished envelopes

Finished Envelopes

I picked up some wicked leopard print gift wrap and can’t wait to use it on my next project, I’m a leo and it would be perfect to line some note card envelopes or perhaps some invites for a little soiree.

Gigi

 

 

 

 

 


One for the Money

Posted on by Gigi in Gift Guide Comments Off on One for the Money
Graduation Cards

Graduation Cards

It’s graduation time and I have received so many announcements. I always give a monetary gift and a nice card. I start picking up cards in May to add to my collection. Each year I come up with a budget based on the number of grads, this year being an incredibly large group. There is always a spike in the years when my kids graduate. I come up with a scale starting with 8th graders, continuing on to those graduating from professional schools. I tweak the scale for family members and close friends, but I always acknowledge all. Denominations between $25.00 to $100.00 are appropriate, although most will be grateful  for any dollar amount. Giving a cash gift is perfect and it will definitely get used.

I’m also a fan of books for new graduates. Here are a few that I especially like:

10 1/2 Things No Commencement Speaker has Ever Said (11.75) , by Charles Wheelan

Personal finance in your 20’s for Dummies (10.39), by Eric Tyson

The Money Book for The Young, Fabulous & Broke (10.88) , by Suze Orman

Gigi

 

 


Summer soup recipes from the New York Times

Posted on by Gigi in Recipes Comments Off on Summer soup recipes from the New York Times

I make a lot of different raw vegan soups which of course are served at room temperature or cold. Summer is the perfect time for chilled soup. I came across this article in the Sunday New York Times magazine featuring twelve recipes. Enjoy!  HERE

Gigi


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