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

friendship

NOTES on FRIENDSHIPS and OTHER SITUATIONS

Posted on by Gigi in friendship, Thoughts, Uncategorized 1 Comment
Friends

Friends

I used to think commonality was the key to a lasting friendship. I believed that some how “like” interests were a sort of permabond adhesive that nothing could dissolve. Granted many times similar interests are what attract us to another person but being able to reveal your true self with no judgement is really important for longevity. Relationships are so complex and those that stand the test of time don’t happen magically.

sadness

In my many years on the planet I have had my ration of break ups, and they are never easy, especially if you are the break-up-ee as opposed to the break-up-or. All breakups are difficult whether it is a lover, husband, friend, or sometimes even a family member. No one likes to feel rejected, and most of the time regardless of the reason someone walks away feeling this way.

Zapatos

shoe friends…

I will soon celebrate 24 years of marriage on July 23, I have been married long enough to witness many divorces, engagements, marriages, long term dating situations, 2nd, 3rd, 4th marriages, a few “love at first sight”, online dating unions, some successful blind dates, and some awful breakups. For me time was always the best healer of a broken heart, moving forward and remembering the good experiences that brought you together, instead of focusing on the negative factors and trying to figure out the “why”.  My marriage is constantly shifting, every 5 or so years our family dynamic changes, a child goes away to school, a child comes back home, career change, financial problems, extended family situations, health challenges, menopause, man-o-pause, any given period some challenge presents itself and we have to work together to find a solution.

GIGI FEED BODY & SOUL

GIGI FEED BODY & SOUL

I read this piece “Break Ups” on Cindy Fernandez’s blog. In the piece there is a passage by Oriah Mountain Dreamer that really spoke to me. The author says:

“I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it. “

Read the entire piece here.

I have so much admiration for Cindy, whom I met a couple of years ago, she changed my yoga “relationship”,  transformed it from an occasional workout to a lifestyle. I was enlightnened, humbled, inspired and most of all challenged, all at the same time. I always left her class in a state of pure bliss, “open to infinite possibilities”. I miss her so much.  My yoga journey is still in its infancy stage, I enjoy my  tiny breakthroughs here and there.

558634_3815716349898_1591086403_n

She has since relocated to San Francisco, spreading her yoga love all over the bay area, check out her schedule here.

What’s your take on friendships? Breakups?

Xoxo,

Gigi

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CHAOS

Posted on by Gigi in My Life, Uncategorized 2 Comments

 

lily

cha·os  (ks)

n.

1. A condition or place of great disorder or confusion.
2. A disorderly mass; a jumble: The desk was a chaos of papers and unopened letters.
3. often Chaos The disordered state of unformed matter and infinite space supposed in some cosmogonic views to have existed before the ordered universe.
4. Mathematics A dynamical system that has a sensitive dependence on its initial conditions.
5. Obsolete An abyss; a chasm.

Originally I had a different post planned for today, something light and “happy”, but as I was driving home chatting with my girlfriend, our call was interrupted by another call from her sister, of course we quickly released the line as we were talking about frivolous things. Within seconds my phone rang again and my friend screamed “MY BROTHER DIED” and before I could respond the call dropped. I immediately thought about when I lost my own brother a little over 3 years ago, and all the complexities of losing a family member suddenly, a complete state of chaos. Death brings out so many emotions in all of us, relationships are compromised, you learn a lot about your family, sometimes you see a side you don’t even recognize.

Tomorrow I will be back, with a “happy” post. I know everyone says this, but don’t take your family and friends for granted, our lives are so fragile and anything can happen to us at any moment. Take time to tell your loved ones how you feel about them, if you are having a conflict try and resolve it.

Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to stop by my blog, and I love all of you…

Xoxo,

Gigi

sadness

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Hollywood Glamour

Posted on by Gigi in entertainment, Uncategorized 2 Comments

I love all the award shows, the red carpet, gowns, jewels, hair, and make-up, all of it excites me. I attend a few formal events, so I always keep a look out for  gowns on clearance. Here are some of my favs from the Golden Globes.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry

Halle never disappoints, and I love florals.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba

Love the color of this gown.

images-14

Strapless dresses, great motivation for pushups…

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington

Love this nude dress and of course her hair! Makes me want to go straight for a minute.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer’s gown is interesting, I would love to see it in person.

Can’t wait until the Academy Awards.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

 

 

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CHRISTMAS EVE

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday, Uncategorized Comments Off on CHRISTMAS EVE
"Main" Tree

“Main” Tree                                            

My family and I will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas quietly together. It is my favorite time of year, I love creating memories, which now have now become traditions. On Christmas Eve we make a trek to the westside for last minute shopping and or looking and then we have dinner together. Christmas morning I make brunch and we exchange our gifts and later on we drive to Riverside to my mom’s and have dinner with my extended family. May you have a glorious day with your family.

Merry Christmas!

Xoxo,

Gigi


LIFE

Posted on by Gigi in Quotes, Uncategorized 2 Comments

Today is the first day of the rest of

your life! Forget about yesterday and

the day before–Go forward with

purpose.

 

rain check

Gigi is working a a big photography project that is due today. I will be back with a delicious post tomorrow.

Xoxo,

Gigi


Searching

Posted on by Gigi in Quotes, Uncategorized, Well-Being Comments Off on Searching

Better to start up a thousand wrong roads that to spend your life going nowhere because you know the way~Robert Brault

Each one of us is searching for something. May it be a job, home, relationship, new outfit, body, happiness, a destination, approval, sanity, youth, or maybe you are just searching for your keys. Searching is a part of our lives, part of the journey that keeps us moving forward with a purpose.

Right now I’m searching for balance in my life. I tend to have to many things going on at the same time, which makes it difficult to complete projects. Everyday is a “search” day for me, either a workout, a photography project, a meal to prepare, a pair of shoes I’ve misplaced, the book project, and always a dreaded piece of lost “paper”, either a receipt, bill, coupon, invitation, statement, etc..

Searching is a critical part of achieveing our goals, whether it’s a personal goal or professional, we start with a search of some sort.

Google

If only it was as simple as “googling” a topic and finding a million hits, our life search would be so easy. Some searches are more difficult than others, like those of us who may be searching for “youth” which is slipping away so quickly compared to some who may be searching for directions. Regardless of what you are searching for, I came up with this list they may help you on your quest.

1. Don’t believe or be discouraged by the “haters”.

2. Take the time and make a list of the steps needed for your search.

3. The future is yours it has not be revealed, therefore anything is possible.

4. Yes. You can “search” for happiness-change your existing state, figure out how to move forward, get rid of the negative things in your life.

5. This is your search, not anyone else-you are on your own timeline.

6. Let your search lead you to the “best” you.

7. Be an example and help others with their search.

Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.~Robert Brault

 

 

Always loved this song.

searching…

 

What are you searching for?

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 


Las Vegas

Posted on by Gigi in Uncategorized Comments Off on Las Vegas

Gigi’s Meanderings Around The Web #4

Posted on by Gigi in Uncategorized, Web Comments Off on Gigi’s Meanderings Around The Web #4

A little of this and that from around the web…

I’m taking a photoshop class and this you tube sums it up…

Another reason I am taking photoshop check this out.

I had no clue that Lenny Kravitz was an interior designer, I’m impressed .

Neiman Marcus & Target December 1, just in time.

http://youtu.be/B759bNVL8_0

I love this song…can’t get it out of my head.

Charlotte Olympia Leaf shoe

Scored these at Neiman Marcus Last Call-doing the happy dance additional 30% off all designer shoes…I love beautiful things, but I rarely ever pay retail. I have learned that everything eventually gets marked down. My friend Vince at Neiman Marcus Last Call Ontario Mills always lets me know when the good stuff arrives. Check him out the next time you are in the Inland Empire. Ontario Mills 1 Mills Circle Ontario 909 919-2748 M-S 10-9 Sun. 11-8

Neiman Marcus Last Call Ontario Mills

This weekend I will be in Santa Barbara. Have a wonderful weekend.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

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Safari: Unforgettable Experience

Posted on by Gigi in Travel, Uncategorized 6 Comments
Safari Family

Safari Family

My family and I vacationed in South Africa this past August. We traveled to Johannesburg, Cape Town and to Kruger Park where we did a safari. I have always loved wildlife and going on a safari was truly a dream come true. We stayed at Little Jock, a lodge located in Kruger Park. Little Jock has three rooms,  we occupied two, for four adventure filled days. The main property, Jock safari has twelve rooms and is located 1/2 mile away. Both lodges are well appointed and the rooms are cozy and comfortable. The food was really good, we informed the lodge in advance that we were vegan and the chef prepared delicious vegan meals for us. All of the meals including drinks were included in the price.

Jock Safari Lodge

Jock Safari Lodge

The days were nice and the evenings were really cool, there were heavy blankets in the jeeps for each person. At night the temperature dropped down to about 45 degees. The winters reminded me of our winters in  Southern California.

Bathtub

Our bathroom

Our Bedroom

Pool Area

Our day started at 5:30 am with a knock at our door from Ranger Pete. The game drives were from 5:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:00pm to 7:30pm in the evenings. I never tired from the drives, each one was unique and we were fortunate to view lots of animals up close. My favorites were the lions, There were two lionesses and six cubs that we observed daily. I was amazed at how close we were able to get to the lions. The game viewing was incredible, I felt like we were part of a National Geographic special.

Lioness and her Cubs

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Fall To Do List…

Posted on by Gigi in My Life, Uncategorized 6 Comments
Sunflowers

Sunflowers

I work really well when I make lists. There is something satisfying about checking off an accomplished task. Here is my Fall to do list.

1) Host Moroccan theme soiree for my club, with all the trimmings.

2) Be consistent with my site and post daily. 

3) Plan my holiday card and figure out my concept early.

4) Plan a natural hair curly/kinky girl get together-product swap party.

5) Start a movie club, since I can’t seem to commit to book club, and I LOVE films.

6) Clean our garage so we can park one car inside.

7) Ride my bike.

8) Eat Raw Vegan at least 5 times per week.

9) Work on a few small interior projects ie. find a bench to redo for my entry way.

and last but not least…

10) Drop those 10 or so pounds that can interfere with the difference from feeling great to fabulous!

xoxo,

Gigi


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