Safari: Unforgettable Experience

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Gigi in Travel, Uncategorized 6 Comments

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

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.

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

Fall To Do List…

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Gigi in My Life, Uncategorized 6 Comments

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

It’s Officially Fall!

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Gigi in My Life, Uncategorized 4 Comments

Fall

It’s officially Fall! I’ve been MIA for the past month, lots of interference, between my internet problem (now fixed via my new router), 95 plus degree days, and a social calendar on overdrive, it has been a real challenge.

My life is constantly evolving. My daughter Amani moved to New York, and I am helping her navigate the apartment hunting race, by being a reluctant guarantor. My son Reggie is settling into his sophomore year at Cate and has promised me that he will eat in the cafeteria and stop ordering pizza. Reggie senior is running, biking, playing basketball daily and still finding time to work.

I started photography school two weeks ago. I have always loved taking pictures, and had become a master of my Canon point and shoot. Prior to our South Africa trip I purchased a Nikon D7000 and was overwhelmed with all the options on this camera. (BTW South Africa pics coming soon) A big difference from my little point and shoot… The classes are interesting and I have lots of assignments to keep me busy. I am taking a variety of courses, everything from How to pose, ambient lighting, photo shop to boudoir photography. I had one mishap so far, in my attempt to upload photo shop to my mac, I decided to transfer some pictures to my external drive, in the process I deleted my entire library! Let’s just say every picture since 2002, 12 years worth of memories, which for me translated to about 19,000 pictures. I was numb, fortunately I found a place on the web Crown City Computer that was able to retrieve all my pictures. It was expensive (300.00), but worth every penny. Moving forward I will secure some sort of cloud storage in addition to another external drive to be stored at another location. I will be sharing a lot of my work soon.

xoxo,

Gigi

South Africa

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Gigi in Travel 6 Comments

South Africa

South Africa (Photo credit: United Nations Photo)

English: A photo taken of Rhinoceros eating in a national park in South Africa. Français : Deux rhinocéros Rhinocéros noirs broutent. Photo prise dans un parc national d’Afrique du sud. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gigi is on her way to South Africa. She will return September first and will share all of her adventures and findings.

Hillary Clinton Shakes Her Groove Thing. Dances in South Africa

Oprah-Embracing her Natural Hair

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Gigi in Hair 13 Comments

Oprah Embracing Her Natural Hair

Oprah Winfrey posed for the September cover of O magazine with her natural hair- no blow dryer, flat iron, press etc.. Oprah’s natural “do” is making headlines. Her hair looks fabulous! It is sad though, that an African-American woman wearing natural hair in 2012 would make the news. Some articles are discussing how “natural” is her hair -does she have a mild relaxer? I’m not concerned with if she did a braid out, twist out, air dry, I’m happy that a public icon would embrace her textured hair for the world to see.

As a natural curly girl, my journey has been a long one. I wore my hair relaxed and straight for most of my life. It was the standard that I grew up with, that long straight hair was beautiful and short kinky hair was not. I began to question that reasoning when I could not remember what my natural hair texture looked like. After my son was born I stopped relaxing my hair, and I have never looked back. What I found most interesting is that my friends and family were most concerned with my natural hair transformation. I had to explain that I was not making a political statement and that I was not against European inspired hair styles, I was just embracing my authentic self.

Gigi with flat ironed hair

Gigi rocking her natural curls

British Nigerian film maker Zina Saro Wiwa’s hair documentary “Transition” chronicles her journey to wearing her natural hair and the natural hair movement taking place with women of color who are now embracing their natural hair and all its glory.

Interesting article and video. by Zina Saro Wiwa

What are your thoughts on Oprah’s “natural” hair on the cover of her magazine?

xoxo,

Gigi

Happy Weekend

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Gigi in Travel, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Spectacular San Francisco Famous Downtown Landmarks Cityscape

Golden Gate Bridge

This weekend I am going to San Francisco with my “ski girlfriends”. We are going to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the De Young museum.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier — de Young Museum SF (Photo credit: mikl-em)

There are seven of us traveling to the Golden Gate City, we will shop, dine, explore, seek entertainment, and maybe practice a little yoga. I will share all my interesting finds next week.

What are your plans for the weekend? Take advantage of our warm weekend and go to the beach or take a drive along the coast.

xoxo,

Gigi

Gaultier at the De Young Museum

Gigi’s meanderings around the Web # 3

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Gigi in Uncategorized 2 Comments

A little of this and that from around the web.

Gigi is a member of Jack and Jill and on occasion has to dress in uninterrupted white. She was inspired by this pic of our first lady .

Gigi will admit it. She too sometimes is nosey and goes clicking around facebook in places she shouldn’t be clicking…Is all that coming to an end?

Gigi grew up carrying a “dime” for a phone call in a phone booth. Look at how this phone booth was repurposed.

Gigi is curious about what Russell Simmons yoga wear will look like. She loves any excuse to add to her yoga attire.

Gigi’s husband Reggie, loves yoga too, he tells her all the time how it helps his “game”. I guess a lot of “ballers” are reaping the benefits of yoga.

Gigi wonders at times is she addicted to the internet?

Gigi has a new camera, so she has been reading a lot about photography lately and came across this.

Gigi is really happy to be walking away is these, scored on sale at Saks!

Prada Sandal

Enjoy,

xoxo,

Gigi

My Devachan Curly Girl Cut

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Gigi in Hair 23 Comments

The challenge with being a curly girl is getting a haircut by a stylist who understands curly hair. Every since I read Devachan salon founder and author Lorraine Massey’s book, Curly Girl the Handbook I have wanted to go to Devachan. The only problem was that the salon is located in New York.

Cover of Curly Girl

I was thrilled to find out that Devachan opened a salon in Culver City. I called to book an appointment and was scheduled with Robert a senior stylist/educator from the Soho salon. Devachan is know for their dry cuts. Curls are cut in their natural form, one curl at a time. The stylist studies the clients hair and notes shrinkage pattens ie. in my case kinky areas versus loose curl areas, obviously when curly hair is cut straight all of the hair looks the same. I wear my hair curly 95% of the time so this makes perfect sense to me to cut my hair curly.

Before Devachan

This was my before picture, my hair was four days old. You can see that my hair if falling like a “Mop top” and is dry, from color and the elements. It is to heavy in the front and covers my face if I don’t pull it back. You can’t see it on this picture but my hair falls in the middle and is flat on the top. I can’t wait to see how Devachan will work with my hair.

Devachan Culver City

Upon arrival I was greeted by a fellow curly girl, given a pretty nude color robe, and a glass of herbal ice tea in a champagne flute. Robert examined my hair and began to cut it curl by curl. I felt very comfortable and did not have any anxiety regarding to much hair being cut.The atmosphere is spa like with neon green accents coordinating with the product line.

Post cut with Robert

This was right after my dry cut with Robert. Although my hair looks a little crazy here, I could tell I was going to be happy with my results.

cleansing station

This was really nice. Instead of being in a chair with your neck in a weird position you reclined on the bed underneath the canopy while your hair was washed, conditioned and styled. Everything was explained to me as I relaxed on the “shampoo bed”, how to apply product, which products I should use, and basically how to take care of my curls. Read more

I Love the Hollywood Bowl

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Gigi in Concerts Comments Off

Hollywood Bowl (Photo credit: srd515)

The Hollywood Bowl season is well under way. One of my favorite things to do on a warm summer night is to pack up a picnic basket and spend an evening under the stars listening to some of my favorite artists. I love the Hollywood Bowl. I have been going to the bowl for over twenty, maybe thirty years.

Reggie and I saw Fela Kuti at the bowl when we were dating, and I know that was 25 years ago. My college roommate Alana and I used to sell our counterfeit homemade buttons at the bowl. We took our son to see India Arie when he was about 6 or 7 and I remember we were sitting in a box in the center of the garden section, India was doing a beautiful acoustic set when my son shouted out in a loud whiny voice “She already sang that song”. Everyone in the area turned around and looked at us. So many memories from so many evenings spent at the bowl.

When my kids were little we spent many a summer morning at the bowl’s music program for kids. I have also been fortunate to have had lunch on the Hollywood Bowl stage, as a member of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts.

Tonight’s program was a tribute to Ray Charles. A stellar line-up concert co-produced by Phil Ramone and Gregg Field. The 2012 Raelettes included: Patti Austin, Lynne Fiddmont, Siedah Garrett and Monica Maneini. Other performers included Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Martina McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bebe Winans and our host for the evening Tavis Smiley. An all star band with George Duke on piano, Dave Koz on alto Sax, two of my favorite musicians were playing with a host of other fabulous artists. The Count Basie Orchestra was in the house. The title of the show “Genius + Soul = Jazz”. What a night!

Hollywood Bowl

Beautiful evening at the bowl tonight. A perfect summer evening was had by all.

Picnic

Our picnic lunch was a delicious assortment salads.

Friends

Molly and Lamar, we always run into friends at the bowl.

Plan an evening at the Hollywood Bowl. The shows are rarely sold out and tickets start at $12.00. Maybe I’ll see you Sunday at Ziggy Marley.

xoxo,

Gigi

How Sweet it Is…

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Gigi in Well-Being 7 Comments

Are you confused with the various natural sweeteners? Many years ago I gave up the sugar substitutes in the little colorful packets. I still wanted to sweeten my tea and make desserts on occasion. So I was on a quest to find natural alternatives that would satisfy that sweet taste that I craved more than I like to admit.

Sweeteners 24 Diner Austin, Texas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These are the sweeteners you will find in my pantry.

1. Stevia is made from the leaves of the stevia plant. It has no calories, which is a good thing and comes in a powder form and a liquid. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar so a little goes a long way. Stevia is perfect for sweetening lemonade and ice tea. Stevia tastes like sugar, but I have found if you use to much it can have a bitter after taste. Another benefit it does not cause a spike in blood glucose levels and can be used in baking. Stevia can be found in most grocery stores and Trader Joe’s carries convenient travel packets.

Stevia (Photo credit: Fluffymuppet)

Stevia

2. Agave Nectar is made from the agave plant, the same plant that tequila is made from. Agave is 25% sweeter than sugar and dissolves well in drinks. I like to mix agave with stevia in my drinks, the mixture eliminates the bitter after taste I get sometimes when I use stevia alone. Agave is widely available and on occasion I pick it up at TJ Maxx for a discounted price. It is also now available in travel packets, I can’t tell you have many half full bottles of agave I have left behind in hotel rooms. Agave is not calorie free, matter of fact it has more calories than sugar, I always measure and use the least amount to sweeten avoiding pouring it from the bottle.

Agave attenuata (Photo credit: SimonM.)

Agave Nectar

3. Honey comes in so many varieties. I love to pick up honey at the farmers market. This sweetener provides a dose of antioxidants and can be used for various beauty treatments, such as hair masks and facials. I love the taste of honey in hot tea, especially orange blossom honey.

Honey

4. Coconut Sugar and coconut nectar are made from the sap of the coconut tree. Both of these sweeteners are low glycemic and do not cause a spike in blood sugar. You may have to order it online, right now I have only been able to find it in smaller health food markets. Coconut nectar is fast becoming the new star in the natural sweeteners. Oddly, it does not taste like coconuts, just a rich sweet taste that can be used in drinks, desserts and even as a syrup on pancakes.

Coconut Nectar

Although these sweeteners are natural, moderation is the key. If you are still using those “packets” try some of these natural sweeteners you will be pleasantly surprised.

What’s your sweetener of choice?

xoxo,

Gigi

Xagave’s Agave Nectar Now Available in Single Serving

« Previous 1 2 ... 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Next »

Related articles

Related articles

Related articles

Related articles

Related articles

Related articles

Follow