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Gigi

Happy Thanksgiving, Give Gratitude in Abundance

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday 4 Comments

We are going to Reggie’s family for the first part of Thanksgiving, and then we are driving another couple of hours to my Mom’s to finish our celebration. I will make a long playlist for our ride. have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family and friends. A few meanderings from around the web…

Love this Thanksgiving Quote

 

Do you really want to do this?

Stay at home instead and spend some time doing something for your body, take a walk and reflect on the things you are thankful for that have no price.

Love this song, perfect for your Thanksgiving playlist.

Being a vegan does not necessarily assure that everything is healthy, you still have to watch what you put in your body, and stay away from foods in a box with lots of stuff you can’t pronounce. Read more here.

My daughter Amani lives in New York City, and attended college in Connecticut so she was always traveling during this busy weekend. So of course when I came upon this piece, it made me a little nervous.

Pretty table settings from HGTV

Pretty

Love this

Nice

We could do this in Cali

Funny piece about Thanksgiving conversation, What to talk about with weird, grown up cousins…

Enjoy your weekend,

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

 

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Gratitude: Gigi’s tips for having a good Thanksgiving

Posted on by Gigi in Holiday 4 Comments

Thanksgiving

This is one of my favorite holidays. There are no real expectations other than getting together with family and friends. We divide our time between my family and Reggie’s family, bringing some sort of vegan dish to both events. Here are some tips for making your day memorable.

1. Start you day with a workout. This is a day when the best of us have a tendency to go overboard. We like to start our day with  a “Turkey Trot”, most cities have them, just do a google search. A 5K is doable for the whole family, or do a run/walk around your neighborhood.

Turkey Trot

2. Be Gracious. This is not a time to complain about anything. Reggie and I are vegan and my family eats EVERYTHING ie. turkey, ham etc., a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, we just survey the selections and pick out the veggies we can eat, a sort of “don’t ask don’t tell” meal. We can have our vegan fare anytime.

Thanksgiving Dinner

3. Engage with your family and friends, turn the phone to airplane mode, and leave the other devices at home. Be present in the moment, catch up with those family members that you may not see as often.

No Cell Phone or Devices

4. Help The host, offer to wash dishes, serve etc. if you are hosting let your guest help especially if they offer.

5. Mingle with everybody.

6. Pack the camera but just take candids, this is not a time for arranged photos. Now that I consider myself a photographer this one really applies to me, I will take a nice formal pic of Reggie’s parents who are 85 years young, and my mom who just turned 81 the rest will be candids.

Photographer Gigi

7. Remember Thanksgiving is only once a year.

8. If you are driving somewhere, allow for traffic, everyone is going to somebody’s home, be safe.

9. Dress comfortable. Where a pretty flat, some leggings and a comfy sweater, something you can wear and curl up on the floor and relax in. If you are hosting have a pretty apron to wear, Anthropologie has beautiful vintage aprons.

aprons

Cute Look from Anthropologie

Thanksgiving outfit from Anthropologie

10. Indulge, Laugh and have Fun.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xoxo,

Gigi

 


Book Review #1

Posted on by Gigi in Books 9 Comments

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. –Richard Steele, Tatler 1710

Reading has always been one of my passions. It is one of those guilty pleasures that I take time out of my busy life to do. For many years I had a book club with a delightful group of women, we met bi monthly and shared a delicious meals together and had lively book discussions. Our club after a few years fizzled due to life changes, and conflicting schedules ie. soccer games etc.. I now am in another book club that was formed by a few ladies from my original club. Silver Sparrow was one of our selections a few meetings ago, my friend Angela reviewed the book, check it out.

Silver Sparrow

The Silver Sparrow is overall a very well written and descriptive novel. The story chronicles the life of two teenage girls with the some father. Each girl has a very different life however, as one girl originates from the father’s legitimate marriage and family, while the other girl comes from the father’s shameful illegitimate life. The story is told from each girls’ point of view contrasting their lives their struggles, and their relationships. The manner in which the book is written and the way in which the conflict is dealt with creates a more engaging and realistic novel. In addition, the time setting of the novel reflects the explanation of world events and situations during that time frame. This allows a reader that experienced these same events to connect to the characters on a deeper level. Likewise, a personal connection with the characters is further established through each character’s explanation of life situations and struggles. As the reader, you assume that you can distinguish between which character is right and which character is wrong. Yet, as the novel goes on, you begin to establish a personal relationship with each character that causes you to understand and relate to each feeling and emotion that the characters describe. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I would suggest it to anyone who takes pleasure in understanding social relationships and family dynamics.

Guest Blogger Angie

Angie is my neighbor, walking/workout partner, fellow natural curly girl and friend. Angie will be sharing her curly routine in the near future, stay tuned.

Do you have an E reader? Or do your prefer books? I was a slow convert, but now I don’t know what I would do without my Kindle. With all the weight constrictions on luggage, I can now take as many books as I like when I travel on my Kindle. Also it is nice to read without disclosing what you are reading, you may or may not want the passenger next to you know that you are reading 50 shades of grey.  I now save my book budget and splurge on art books which I love, and download everything else.

What are you reading?

Xoxo,

Gigi

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”–Mark Twain 


Las Vegas: 48 Hours

Posted on by Gigi in Travel Comments Off on Las Vegas: 48 Hours

We got back from our Las Vegas road trip last night. The weekend started with a drive-arama on Friday. I drove to Cate School, to pick up my son Reggie, it is a beautiful drive but, 2 hours each way none the less. My car was in the shop so I was delighted when I was told I would have to have a loaner for the weekend. Yes! The Lexus SUV hybrid  equipped with Sirus radio made the drive a breeze, and it was so good on gas.

I’m a member of Jack and Jill, and our area workday was being held in Las Vegas at the Green Valley Ranch, a beautiful resort about 15 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Of course I registered late and missed the window for getting a room, so we stayed at the Signature MGM property in Las Vegas.

Signature MGM

After driving our 4 hour plus ride we arrived at the the Signature MGM, a non- smoking hotel with no gaming, which I loved. We were upgraded to a suite, which is always nice especially when we are traveling with our kids. Our room was on the 33rd floor with an incredible view, and two full bathrooms. This resort is perfect for families and the location is close to everything and the room rate was a little under 200.00.

Signature Bathroom

I love a spacious bathroom, with nice products, there was even a TV so you would not have to miss your favorite program.

view from our room

It was nice connecting with my Jack and Jill sisters from the far west region. My son attended the teen meeting and community service project. That evening the teens cruised the strip Las Vegas style in a party bus.

Gigi and Patricia

My son Reggie

Saturday evening husband Reggie got tickets to Cirque du Soleil Ka’. What a treat! The effects are lavish and the performers are unbelievable in the physical feats they are able to execute  so gracefully. Here is a peak at the show.

Reggie & Gigi

I wore my new top that I got last week at Zara’s in Chicago. It worked really well dressing up my black jeans, this picture does not show all the details. I will be wearing this a few more times this holiday season. Check it out here.

My Zara top 99.00

We slept in a bit, got a quick breakfast at the hotel before driving home. Although I am not a big Las Vegas fan, I can see the attraction, it is a big fantasy world full of excitement. There were so many people walking the streets, with super size neon cocktails, restaurants were busy, music blasting, and casinos full of people playing games hoping to win the big one. The drive is quick, and the flight is under an hour, I have never had enough time to explore the spas, but I hear they are nice too.

Gigi and Reggie                                                    

This was our last trip of the year. I’m looking forward to staying at home working on projects that are in various states, needing some attention so they can be completed and checked off my list.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

 

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Las Vegas

Posted on by Gigi in Uncategorized Comments Off on Las Vegas

Friends How Many of us Have them?

Posted on by Gigi in Well-Being 15 Comments

Friends how many of us have them

Friends

Ones we can depend on

Friends

How many of us have them

Friends

Before we go any futher, lets be

Friends

                                                                                                                                                                                Whodini

Friends

I read an article in the Sunday New York Times, a few weeks ago about how difficult it is to make friends as we get older. I reflected on my own friend journey as an adult, and thought about when did I meet most of them. When you really think about how many “new” friends do you have and how many friends do you have from childhood? Is this friend thing different for guys? Reggie has a few acquaintances, his reluctancy to come on board with technology has made communicating a bit of a challenge, he is starting to text a bit, rarely checks email, and goes on facebook occasionally. His friend circle consists of guys he sees on the basketball court, one running partner and one brother that he talks to on the phone quite often.

I on the other hand am very social and enjoy interacting with with my girlfriends. My friendships have shaped me into the person I am, helped me to grow and at times really tested my limits and patience. I met my friend that I have know the longest when I was 10 and we have remained in contact for more years than I care to remember. High school (see my post below) was a difficult period in my life, but thanks to facebook I have reconnected with many of them. During college a few of my long term friendships blossomed, women I am still close with today, one of which I met my husband through. Friends that I have 20 plus years of history with are like mini marriages, you have gone through so much together, the good and bad and the ugly. They know things about you that you don’t even want to remember, they met the “jacked” boyfriend that you were crazy about that newer friends just heard about.

Friends

Moving on to adulthood, living in LA, working various jobs, living in roommate situations, I picked up a couple of  more lifers, some of which currently live in different parts of the country, but friends non the less.

Once I got married and my daughter was born my circle was filled with other stroller pushers. Between mommy and me groups, spouses of Reggie’s colleagues, social clubs, Jack and Jill, mothers from school, friends from interior design school, sister-n-laws, and neighbors, there was a friend explosion. I made the most friends during this period. Soon my children were developing their own friends and sometimes mothers that I bonded with, my children now were not as close with those kids, causing for some awkward times. And kids can be so honest with “I don’t like her, mommy!”.

Young Friends

Currently I am fortunate to have a sisterhood of women in my life who I admire, who inspire me to be my best, women who it is okay to agree to disagree. Like all relationships sometimes friendships are challenged, or interests change and the relationship slowly fades away. You may have to reflect when a friendship ends, and say that friend was in my life for this reason and I am grateful for the moments we shared. The glue that holds my friendships together vary like night and day, some love shopping, some never shop, some live each day to workout, others are weekend warriors, some are active in their churches, and others can’t recall the last time they have been, some are married, some are not, some have children, some eat ribs and some eat carrots, some ski, and some do ballroom dancing, some do yoga, we are all different, but we enjoy each others company just the same. I love my friends, I would be lost without each and everyone of you.

Cartoon

 

Do you find it difficult to make friends as an adult? I would love to hear your friend stories.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

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My Style #1

Posted on by Gigi in Fashion, My Closet, My Style 2 Comments

Gigi

I am an equal opportunity shopper, everything from couture to TJ Maxx, Target, vintage, mixing expensive with cheap, old with new, wearing evening during the day and yoga cloths at night are a few of the things that make fashion fun, breaking rules and finding your style. I love shopping in my closet and discovering a new way to wear an item. Shoes are my weakness, I think this stems from having to wear corrective black and white oxfords until the age of 10, I’m making up for all the summer sandals and dress shoes that I missed out on.

Gigi Style #1

Dress and purse from Antropologie, Jacket from TJ Maxx, Azzedine Alaia shoes, bracelets from David Yurman, J Crew, and birthday present and Ray Band glasses.

Details

Interesting article on “power flats” in the WSJ, read it here. Tell me what you think.

 

I really want to get into wearing scarves, here is a good video with examples of how to wear a scarf.

Last but not least if you are following my hair routine this is the same “do” day 8.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

 

 

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Gigi’s Perfect Almond Mylk

Posted on by Gigi in Recipes Comments Off on Gigi’s Perfect Almond Mylk

Raw Almonds

Homemade Almond mylk is so good and easy to make. I love using it for smoothies and in my tea, it is so much better than the box kind.

What you will need:

Vitamix

high-powered, high speed blender, I use a vitamix

nut milk bags

nut mylk bag get one here, or cheesecloth

soaked almonds

2 cups of almonds, soaked overnight and drained  ( I get mine from Trader Joe’s)

4 cups of filtered water

1/4 cup of agave or honey

vanilla bean

1/2 vanilla bean scraped or  1 teaspoon of  vanilla

lecithin

1 tablespoon Lecithin

2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil

pinch of salt

In blender, blend all ingredients for about 2 to 3 minutes making sure the nuts are throughly blended and the mixture is creamy. Strain the mylk through the nut bag or cheesecloth over a bowl. Taste and adjust mylk for sweetness and enjoy.

everything in the blender

Almond Mylk

I love making shakes with almond mylk, these are two of my favorite recipes.

Mexican Chocolat shake

2 cups of almond milk

1/2 vanilla bean scraped or one teaspoon of vanilla

1-2 packets of stevia or sweetner of your choice

1/2 teaspoon cinnammon

1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 cup cacao nibs or cacao powder

pinch of cayenne pepper

pinch of salt

Blend about 30 seconds

BlackBerry Smoothie

2 cups of almond mylk

1/2 vanilla bean scraped or one teaspoon of vanilla

2 cups of fresh blackberries, or strawberries or any berry of your choice or frozen berries, I prefer fresh, but in a pinch frozen is fine

Blend for about 30 seconds

 

Breakfast–Blackberry Smoothie

Almond mylk will last about 2-3 days in the refrigerator, if you have any left freeze in ice cube trays and add to smoothies. Unlike animal milk, almond mylk contains no cholesteral nor lactose about 90 calories per cup

Enjoy,

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

 

 

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Life Check-Abnormal Mammogram

Posted on by Gigi in Well-Being 8 Comments

Breast Cancer Awareness

About a month ago I had a serious life check. My routine mammogram went awry, I went from receiving the “see you next year” form letter to the “you need to come in for a sonogram” and depending on how that goes a needle biopsy. Holy shit. Talk about fear factor, the panic that quickly sets in ,when life as you know it is challenged is daunting. My tear making mechanism was working overtime. Never having any health challenges before, combined with losing my brother three years ago to colon cancer and my paranoia of needles, I was a basket case. I knew how devastating cancer could be, I had also lost my father to throat cancer and my mother is a thyroid cancer survivor.

Pink In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Right away I went into research mode and started reading everything about breast cancer, I found comfort in reading breast cancer survivor blogs, story after story of courageous women who beat this disease. Until you are confronted with a potentially catastrophic diagnosis, the thoughts that invade your mind, are debilitating. What about my family? Friends? The “what if” s filled my head like a hard drive almost full, about to crash.  I would find myself subconsciously reciting The Act of Contrition, a little catholic prayer I used to say in elementary school. btw I have not been a practicing catholic for over 35 years.

needle breast biopsy

The day of my biopsy was the most frightful day of my life, between the procedure, the 24 hour wait for the results and the thought of what would happen next, I was SCARED. More than any of my top 10 list of my most frightful experiences.

1. More than when I got hit from behind by a big rig and I was in my little convertible BMW

2. More than childbirth, (and that was scary)

3. More than an icy black run with my intermediate skiing skills

4. More than swimming in the open ocean with the sharks

5. More than a colonoscopy

6. More than my first brazilian wax

7. More than any “risky” behavior I may have had in my entire life

8. More than sitting in the deans office being asked to leave college

9. More than being attacked in New Orleans

10. More than IRS cleaning out my bank account

So my husband knowing I was more at risk from passing out from the procedure due to my level of fear, gave me some sedation so I could relax before the biopsy. So imagine this, I’m in the waiting area in my gown thingy, waiting to be called by the tech, the drug is working and I start doing yoga in the middle of the floor. By the time I was called I was in another world, all I remember was that I walked into the room and I sat on a table and then I woke up the NEXT morning in my bed with a ice pack and a bandaid on my left boob. My husband told me that when I came out that I told him I wanted to go to “high tea” and he took me to  Chado Tea Room in Pasadena and I ordered Mauritius my favorite tea, of course I have no memory of this what so ever.

Our bodies are so fragile

The next day I did my usual routine, Reggie left the office early so he could be would me when I made the phone call to find out my results. After going through the voice messages and pressing the correct numbers, I reached the nurse who gave me the news that my biopsy was benign. Frozen for a moment, then the tear mechanism started again, and a sign of relief came over me like a gentle embrace. This experience made me realize how fragile we really are, and that each day is special and should be enjoyed to the fullest. I’m thankful for my results, but I know when faced with an obstacle our bodies will amaze us with the strength they have to fight.

Pink Eye

Treat your body well, love your life and get check ups-early detection is part of the cure. Strive toward a vegan life style, exercise daily and take time and  eliminate your stress. Make time for those important people in your life, don’t keep putting things off until tomorrow and put a smile on your face daily.

Xoxo,

Gigi

 

 

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48 hours in Chicago

Posted on by Gigi in Travel 6 Comments

Chicago

This past weekend, we flew to Chicago for 48 hours. Reggie attended the AAO meeting, which of course was a perfect excuse for a quick get away. Here is what we did…First we packed some California sun and sprinkled it all over Chicago so we could have  unseasonably mild weather, perfect for strolling Michigan Avenue. With no agenda other than Reggie attending his courses during the day we had a weekend full of spontaneity. We landed about 4 on Friday after a pleasant flight on Virgin America, our favorite airline.

O’Hare Airport

We checked into the Avenue Crown Plaza  hotel, dropped our bags, and quickly found our way to Karyn’s take away, where I had a delicious green smoothie. While we were there a woman walked in and recognized Reggie and I from Facebook, the power of social media never ceases to amaze me.

Reggie cruising the deli case

That evening we met friends at Karyn’s on Green. Karyn Calabrese is a phenomenal vegan chef, I had her food almost four years ago and never forgot.

Sexy 65 year-old Karyn Calabrese

Gigi and friends, Agape, Imani and Koya

Saturday Reggie went to his course and I walked around and explored the area.

Carriage Ride

I decided why not, take a horse drawn carriage around downtown.

 

Gigi At MOCA

Love this exhibit  at MOCA, the lit  massive MOTHERS sign rotated slowly, a nice lady took this shot of me at the right moment.

Barney’s

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