Gigi’s Meanderings Around The Web #4

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Gigi in Uncategorized, Web Comments Off

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

If I Were A DJ Deqn Sue and Madison LST

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Gigi in Music 6 Comments

DJ Gigi

I have always loved music. When I was a teenager I remember I wanted to work in a “record store”, my mom shut that down immediately. Back in the day I used to make mixed tapes, hang out in record stores listening to artists that were not on the radio, go see live performances, and fantasize about being a DJ. Now I make playlists for my ipod, dabble a bit on spotify, and still listen out for up and coming artists. This past week two artists whom I have know longer than I care to admit released videos this week. So DJ Gigi would like to share them with you all. Deqn Sue I have know her entire life. When I met my husband he was holding 2 month old Deqn Sue in a baby carrier thingy on his chest. I thought to myself “Why is this man trying to talk to me with a baby?” Well baby Deqn Sue is all grown up. My dear friend Blaine, who is like a sister to me is Deqn Sue’s Auntie/manager. I love her new video and I hope you do too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mLrm1cuhWM&feature=youtu.be

Madison and Amani attended the same preschool, and we became close friends with the Stewart family. We even traveled to the South of France together. Time has zoomed by, and Madison has finished school and is a Ford model in NYC and an artist. He too just released a new video “Give Me The World”. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervV6GSpb90

Xoxo,

Gigi

I Too Want Flirtatiously, Fluttering long lashes. Lashfully

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Gigi in Beauty 6 Comments

Everywhere I go I notice so many women with beautiful long lashes, not necessarily the Kim Kardasion type, but nice enhanced pretty lashes. I too have always been obsessed with lashes, mascara making my list of items I would want if I was shipwrecked on a island. I use Latisse off and on, which by the way really works if you use it all the time. I know about the lash extension craze, but between hot yoga, masters swim workouts, and my love of steam rooms I did not think that was an option for me.This past weekend, I attended my high school reunion. I was looking forward to seeing my classmates and of course wanted to look my best. I decided to get lashes not the semi-permanat kind but some glamour lashes just for the weekend. I decided to go to Lashfully, a full service beauty lounge for lashes.

Lashfully

Friday I arrived at Lashfully at noon for my appointment with lash artist Yvonne. The ladies welcomed me and offered me a drink and explained the process.

Before lashes

I arrived with no makeup, and no creams etc. around the eye area.

The Lash Bar

I was seated at the lash bar, in the back they have private rooms for lash extensions, which can take a couple of hours to apply.

Lashes

My lash artist was very efficient and fast. Glamour lashes which last 2 to 3 days are 25.00 and well worth it, considering I have never ben able to apply them myself, without looking like a tipsy Las Vegas showgirl.

End Result

At first I felt as if my lashes were weighted, but that quickly went away.

Finished

I love my “new” lashes, my instructions were simple, no oil products, no water around my eyes for the first 24 hours and sleep carefully.

Lash Lounge

Lashfully 421 N. Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills 310 275 4622

What to Do and What Not to Do With Eyelash Extensions

Gigi and Friends-Red Rooster Harlem

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Gigi in Dining, My Life 4 Comments

Friday night I met up with my ski bunny friend Starla. She was a fabulous host and we had a memorable evening at Marcus Samuelsson‘s restaurant Red Rooster in Harlem. Amani and I started our trek deciding how to get from SoHo to the upper west side, of course she wanted to take the train and I wanted to take a cab. I still have not figured out how to get around with heels on etc. We were meeting Starla at 6:30 and of course everyone in New York must of been going somewhere, cabs were all taken. We were finally picked up by a renegade cab that negotiated a fee which was way to much according to Amani.

Red Rooster

Starla & Gigi at Red Rooster

I have always been a fan of Chef Marcus Samuelsson, one of my favorite cookbooks is The soul of a new cuisine: A discovery of the foods and flavors of Africa. I ordered the coconut rice & curry peas which was delightful. Most of the menu is an interesting take of traditional soul food with the Samuelsson touch. Every table was taken. I wore a red Prada dress I picked up last summer at the outlet. After dinner a couple of Starla’s friends joined us and we went downstairs to Ginny’s for drinks, dancing and good company.

“Cat” , Gigi, Starla & Judith aka “Fashion Crone”

“Cat” and fellow blogger Judith joined us for drinks and dancing downstairs at Ginny’s. Judith has a fabulous blog called Style Crone, she was in NYC for a fashion show, read more about it here. When she walked in with that pink hat on, I knew I found a new friend. After our evening was over our transportation back to Starla’s was graciously assisted by “Cat” . BTW way the fellow that joined our picture, I have no clue who he is…

Gigi & Starla

Starla and I met at Jackson Hole last ski season and have become fast friends, already planning our 2013 ski trip to Aspen.

Gigi

Xoxo,

Gigi

Marcus Samuelsson’s 6 Best Things to Do in Harlem

More-New York State of Mind

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 4 Comments

To be honest, when I was in New York a few weeks ago, I was distracted with a medical challenge I was dealing with. I really did not take advantage of all the interesting things that New York city offers, but now that my daughter Amani lives there I will have many more opportunities to visit again.

Gigi and Hubby at Mondrian SoHo

Reggie joined me on the weekend and we drove to D.C. for a wedding, of course, Amani took advantage of having access to a car for the day. I did very little shopping, (a sign of my state of mind) just 3 pairs of flats from Vince Camuto and a cute bootie from Topshop (btw Topshop will be opening in the Grove early 2013). I’m really not a flat shoe kind of girl, but a few hours of walking around in my heels on the street, made me a new convert.

Vince Camuto sparkle pewter flat

Vince Camuto flat

TopShop Bootie

Once I had my nice comfortable flats, I walked around and observed this non-stop busy city.

Doggy ordering

This little guy was staring at the menu as if he was going to be ordering something.

Shoegasm

I often have shoegasms…

Pure Food and Wine

Gigi at Pure Food and Wine

Had a delicious gourmet raw vegan dinner at Pure Food and Wine.

Kittens

I’m a sucker for kittens, especially orphans. This was a rescue operation on the street that was looking for foster moms.

Uncle Paul & Gigi

I was born in New Jersey, yes I am a Jersey girl. My Uncle Paul my father’s brother still lives in Paterson, New Jersey in the house that I spent the first five years of my life. He is 85 years young, lives alone and is doing fine. I was surprised at how familiar everything was considering it was so many years ago that I lived there.

Mondrian SoHo

Isola SoHo

We had breakfast at Isola before we departed for our four hour drive to D.C.. I love this greenhouse inspired space, beautiful place to stop and have a drink or tea at the bar. I’m looking forward to my next trip to the city, which will be in April.

Xoxo,

Gigi

“Mickalene Thomas”: Origin of the Universe” Brooklyn Museum

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Gigi in Art, Travel 5 Comments

Amani and I went to the Brooklyn Museum to see the “Mickalene Thomas” : Origin of the Universe” exhibit. What a treat! Our day started with a taxi to Brooklyn to Amani’s “10 day” roommate Amie’s restaurant, Sun in Bloom Cafe, where we had a light vegan lunch, followed by a delicious apple spice vegan cupcake.

Sun-in-Bloom 460 Bergen Street, Brooklyn 718 622 4303

We walked to the museum taking in a little Brooklyn scenery along the way. The weather was warm and perfect for a stroll.

Brooklyn via my i phone

When we entered the exhibit we both were both overwhelmed with the large, vibrant, decorated, blingy, rhinstoned accented, masterpieces featuring African-American women. Mickalene intertwines classic depictions of women combined with images that remind me of blaxploitation characters from the 70’s, with references to Courbet, Monet, Manet and Duchamp. The show also features photography, film and interior vignettes that take the viewer thru her process of how the paintings come together and what her creative process entails. My little point and shoot camera do not do these pieces justice, which means that you need to check your calendar and check out this show. New York Times review.

Din, Une Tres Belle Negresse

Qusuquzah, Une Tres Belle Negresse #2 2012

Mickalene Thomas Painting

Gigi & Amani

One more thing-Amani took this picture of me in front of the museum, and my friend thought it was very “Off the Wall”, I must say I see what she means…

Off The Wall

michael-jackson-off-the-wall-original-cover

New York State of Mind:Mondrian Hotel SoHo

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 8 Comments

Gigi Goes To New York

scene 1

LAX airport terminal, about 8:30PM, a healthy amount of people waiting to use the self-check in terminals and drop bags. GIGI, an attractive 40ish woman arrives with three bags. She is carrying a stuffed Tumi carry on, a roller backpack (mac book pro, ipad, nikon d7000) and her black Marc Jacobs Stam bag. She needs to check in the carry on but realizes if she waits in the line she will not make the flight, she has less than 30 minutes to get to the gate. She decides to go for it and forgo checking in her carry on bag. She is greeted by a TSA agent who is not happy.

TSA agent # 1

You have 3 items. You have to check one in.

Gigi

No, not really I’m going to put my purse in my backback, just getting out my ID and boarding pass, sir.

TSA agent #1

(rolls his eyes) and reluctantly lets her through

Gigi

(struggling with the roller backpack, now on her back, Tumi carry on, purse, wearing a coat and a scarf now breaking out in a sweat–not cute. She is greeted by a long line of frustrated travelers waiting to be screened. She checks the time and realizes she is going to have to cut the line in order to make her flight.

Hi, excuse me, my flight is departing in 15 minutes. excuse me, thank you so much, excuse me, oh so sorry, excuse me.

TSA agent #2

(blank look on her face-it has been a long night)

Gigi

Hi, my flight is departing in 15 minutes, is there a way I could go to the front of the line? Please? My daughter is alone in New York and I have to get there so I can help her. I can’t miss this flight. PLEASE?

TSA agent #2

(motions to other TSA agent to let Gigi to the front of the line)

Gigi

Frantically takes out her plastic bag, mac book, removes coat, scarf and shoes, loads up the plastic bins, gets x-rayed, retrieves her items, puts shoes in backpack and runs barefoot to the gate which of course is at the end of the terminal. She is the last person to board the flight. The flight is smooth and on time. She arrives and is transported to the hotel where she is dropped off, and is pleasantly surprised by this beautiful arched entry way .

Entry to the Mondrian Hotel

In the evening the tunnel was lit with white lights. The hotel has a vibrant blue decor.

Blue Lobby

The restaurant was my favorite space. I love the greenhouse concept combined with the pretty chandeliers.

The Restaurant

Bar Area

Glass on Glass

Happy for an early check in.

Hotel Room

Shower

Bed

The blue theme was throughout the hotel. I wondered if I could do my own space in one color…

Hallway

Details

Gigi in New York

I will share more about my New York state of mind this week. Overall it was a nice trip, and I see why my daughter is happy to live in this fabulous city.

XOXO,

GIGI

Raw Vegan Foodies-Dream Comes True-Matthew Kenney’s New Restaurant M.A.K.E.

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Gigi in Dining 2 Comments

M.A.K.E. Lasagna

My friend Teresa aka “Raw T” turned me on to raw vegan food many years ago. My concept back then of raw vegan food was a bunch of different salads with a variety of dressings, fruits and veggie juices. Pretty boring, I thought to myself. Of course that was so far from the truth, raw vegan cuisine is quite complex, full of flavor, and most of all so good for you. My first experience tasting gourmet raw vegan food was in New York at Pure Food + Wine, the first raw vegan upscale restaurant, co-owned by award winning chef and author Matthew Kenney. The food was delicious and beautiful. I picked up a cookbook from Pure Food + Wine and started preparing some of the recipes. My collection of Matthew cookbooks grew and became my go to for raw vegan recipes, so when I found out that Matthew was opening a new restaurant and culinary school in Santa Monica I was thrilled. Teresa and my friend Juliana are studying at Matthew’s school, so of course they informed me of a special “soft” opening, which I was fortunate to attend. It was a delightful evening filled with delectable tastes. M.A.K.E. dishes use only the freshest produce and never anything processed, which really makes a difference. Every bite of the lasagna was a burst of flavor–you cannot duplicate this with tomatoes from Ralphs.

Rainbow Carrots, Cashew Yogurt, Cumin Crisp

M.A.K.E. restaurant and Culinary School is located in the Market area on the top level of Santa Monica Place. I love the combo of retail therapy combined with fine dining. 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica reservations 310 394-7046 open 12-9 Monday thru Sunday plenty of parking in the structure www.matthewkenneycuisine.com I will certainly be a regular at M.A.K.E. hope to see you there–Gigi

Santa Monica Place

Gigi, Matthew and Teresa

: Open Kitchen

Culinary School

My Husband Loves Sanaa Lathan…

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment, theater 2 Comments

By the Way, Meet Vera Starks

: Sanaa

Sanaa

: Sanaa

Ever since “Love and Basketball” Reggie has been fond of Sanaa Lathan. So when I received the Geffen Playhouse notice for “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”, I purchased tickets right away. Playwright Lynn Nottage (one of my favorite playwrights) does not disappoint. It is the story of Vera Stark, an African-American maid who works for Gloria Mitchell, a soon to be expired actress who is known as “America’s Little Sweetie Pie”. The play takes place in the 30’s, the sets are very old Hollywood glamour. The story follows the two women as they land parts in a film where Vera is now an on screen domestic helper to her boss Gloria. The play creatively combines film footage of the movie “The Belle of New Orleans” in which the women are featured in an over the top finale. The second act is set in 2003 with a panel that is having a lively discussion about what ever happened to Vera Starks. Sanaa in the second act portrays Vera, as a sassy Las Vegas lounge singer. The play deals with the blatant racism that was throughout Hollywood, and shows the limitations that African-American actors faced in the 30’s. The cast was fabulous, I highly recommend taking the time to see this production. We had a delightful afternoon and my hubby was all smiles after seeing Ms. Lathan.

Gigi & Reggie

“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”

Where: Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, LA

When: 8PM

Tuesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8PM Saturdays, 2 and 7PM Sundays. ends October 28

Tickets $47-$77 Rush tickets are avail call the theater for details

Contace (310) 208-5454 or www.geffenplayhouse.com

Running time 2 hours, 15 minutes

Beautiful Weekend

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Gigi in entertainment, My Style 3 Comments

My Casbah

This past weekend was magical. I hosted a moroccan themed soiree for my J&J group. We had a tiny budget to work with, so I had to come up with some creative decorations to transform my home into a “casbah”. My husband Reggie being a true renaissance man, made panels for the porch, and a large slipcover for an outdoor cushion I scored at Coast Plus for pennies. Orange, Pink, red with a touch of blue were the colors of the night. I was thrilled when we found this sheer gauzy orange fabric at Home Fabrics & Rugs in Cerritos, I knew it would be perfect for the porch. Target had loads of Halloween decorations, so when I spotted these orange sparkly light balls I snatched them up not sure what I was going to do with them. Reggie figured out a way to hang them, so we put three of them together to make a nice chandelier, combined with the blue holiday lights I put on the railing it was really pretty. This was my favorite spot.

Love the Light

The Pillow Lounge

Outdoor View

I organized a detailed potluck sign up list, (yes-potlucks can work) that consisted of bite sized hors d’s oeuvres, mini desserts and libations. We had everything samosas, meatballs, crab cakes, veggies, mini cupcakes, cookies, strawberries, sangria, cosmo station, champagne, and a variety of good wines. I went to the LA Flower Mart Saturday morning and realized that I should go a regular basis. It took less than 30 minutes to fill my car with fresh blooms. I love walking around and seeing the assortment of flowers that are available, and the prices are really good. The sunflowers were $2.00 a bunch.

Flower Mart

Flowers

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