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

Hollywood Bowl

Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web #11

Posted on by Gigi in My House, Web 3 Comments

This week zoomed by, it is all a blur. I spent yesterday cleaning out my garage, what an ordeal, how did I ever accumulate  so much stuff? Why have I kept every vase from every floral arrangement I have received for the past 25 years? How many sets of holiday lights does one family need? Throw pillows? 30 really? My scrap booking phase, mosaic phase, stenciling phase, floorcloth phase, “faux painting” phase, orchids phase, roses phase, home decor phase, floral arranging phase, succulent phase, my garage full of the support items of all these activities. Books and more books, my books, Amani’s books, Reggie’s books-box after box and yes these are just the overflow books, I have numerous in the house. Both of the kids pre–school papers, grade school, middle school, and high school memorabilia filling plastic tubs piled up to the ceiling. After pulling out everything onto my drive way, and neighbors asking me if I was moving, it came to me that I have a little bit of hoarder in me. I looked at the empty trash bin I ordered and begin to get rid of what no longer served me, it was refreshing to see the possibilities of parking a car in the garage again. Will reveal after pictures next week, although I worked all day and part of the night, I still have a long way to go.

interior

interior

What?

What?

After I relaxed for a minute I did a little peeking here and there on the web and here is what I found. Last summer I attended my first Trombone Shorty show last summer at the Hollywood Bowl, once this band came on the entire audience was up moving and shaking, I have been a fan ever since. Check him out:

Interesting article on the multiracial world we live in, read it here.

Stepping out–Designer Rick Owens recruits African-American sorority  girls to “step” in his show.

Saturday I will be attending the Face Forward Great Gatsby Gala, a charity that I am involved in that raises money to provide reconstructive surgery for victims of domestic violence. I was so happy to see this public service announcement that is on the subways in NYC.

domestic violence

domestic violence

And last but not least, trying to decide if I like these “new” athletic inspired shoes, I have not tried any on , but I must say they look comfy…even though I am a sneaker in the gym kinda girl…

Sneak Around...

Sneak Around…

502426913 502737145 502738985 502739057 502810122 Happy Friday Everybody XOXO, GIGI

Enhanced by Zemanta

Weekend Observations

Posted on by Gigi in Weekend Observations Comments Off on Weekend Observations
Gigi & kids

Gigi & kids

My family is a complete unit this weekend, I am cherishing the time for these moments will be rare for the upcoming year. My son will be doing his junior year of high school abroad in Italy with SYA.

SYA

SYA

We can visit him but he will not be able to come home, the program is a total immersion and SYA wants the students to come away fluent in italian.

 

Amani

Amani

My daughter is a “New Yorker” and is working a “real” job and taking science courses to strengthen her medical school application. I was always told that my family would grow up fast and to savior every day, and did it zoom by. Of course this weekend, our first together since Christmas, Amani heads out to Santa Barbara, and my son is with friends every waking moment, but I was able to corral them together for an evening.

At the last minute I got tickets from Gold Star, a great source for discounted tics, for August Wilson’s, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, directed by Phylicia Rashad. The cast was phenomenal, I am glad we were able to catch this production on the closing night at the Mark Taper. I have seen all of the August Wilson plays and I am still mesmerized as if I am seeing it for the first time.

 

Saturday night was a real treat, we went with friends to the Hollywood Bowl to see Andrea Bocelli, what a voice, an incredible evening under the stars. A surprise appearance by Fantasia, she did a wonderful rendition of Summertime. I love concerts at the bowl, so magical, and for me it signifies the beginning of the summer season. It does not even matter who is performing, it makes for a nice evening and I always see other friends, so it becomes a reunion of sorts.

Molly & Gigi

Molly & Gigi

Reggie picked up some goodies from Joan’s on Third, and Molly & Lamar brought a variety of treats from Olives so combined we had a complete feast.

Joan's On Third

Joan’s On Third

Still chipping away at Photoshop, I like the vibe of Julia Dean, and may take another class or two there this summer. Photoshop being a left brain program, I am slowly wrapping my right brain around it and a least getting a basic understanding of the program.

juliadeanheader

As time goes by, I am constantly reminded of the importance of family, it is difficult at times to arrange these gatherings, flights are never cheap any more, but I am delighted when we are all together. Sometimes we disagree, but at the end of the day we are always there for each other, and will go through whatever to support and help make their dreams realities.

Hope you had a good weekend as well.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

I Love the Hollywood Bowl

Posted on by Gigi in Concerts Comments Off on I Love the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl

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

Hollywood Bowl

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

Picnic

Picnic

Our picnic lunch was a delicious assortment salads.

Friends

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

Enhanced by Zemanta

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers:




Designed by: Kgrafix Creative Design