Merry + Bright

'Tis the season to, instagram the holiday happenings! I did it, you did it, shoot...even my 80 year old grandma snapped photos on her new iPhone and played with different filters. Needless to say, this whole instagram infatuation is spreading like wild fire. Champagne infused girls nights, tea with the Ruby Press team, A Christmas eve outing to a family friends lovely home, presents, and photos from Christmases past are included in this holiday collage. I hope everyone had a fantastically beautiful time whatever you were celebrating, and be sure to follow me here for a peek inside my little instagram world. xx ♥ Gigi

*Click images for an enlarged slideshow :)

Tuesday Tunes-Day Volume XIII.

As mentioned here, I have been working as a PR representative for Kim Tran, a level 5 designer at Academy of Art University as part of a project with my Fashion PR class. In an attempt to get to know my 'client' better and inside her artistic head I asked Kim what type of music inspires her as she creates her Senior Collection. I put together a little playlist, compiled of some 90's hip hop, UK based artists and other tracks that spark Kim's insanely creative mind and help her create one of a kind designs. I like to call it, Designer Beats: Kim Tran.

When I'm Small - Phantogram

Mouthful of Diamonds - Phantogram

You Are The Ocean - Phantogram

Bloody Palms - Phantogram

Tour Stories - Souls of Mischief

Postal - Souls of Mischief

Poets - Souls of Mischief

93 'Till Infinity - Souls of Mischief

Wildfire - Sbtrkt

Hold On - Sbtrkt

Pharaohs - Sbtrkt

Right Thing To Do - Sbtrkt

*Check it out, you can listen to this playlist on Spotify here. If you like it , keep checking back for more published playlists in the future!

Pretty Pinning

For the past few weeks, I have become increasingly obsessed with Pinterest {as if I needed another inter web distraction}. I know, I'm a little late to the party on this one but to be honest, until now I never really saw the appeal. As a lover of the old school collage & inspiration board I realize that it's sometimes hard to keep all that clutter in your life. Pinterest provides the perfect platform to curate boards filled with everything you love in the most organized and stylized way {read: no more boxes filled with magazine tear outs}. I decided to categorize all my favorite things into five collections. Gigi Ouf: AT HOME, THE PARTY, STYLE, DESTINATION & BEAUTY. This way, anytime I need image inspiration when planning a party, vacation, getting ready or decorating around the home, I know exactly where to go. Here are a few of my favorite 'pins' I have collected lately, if you like what you see you can follow my boards here! Happy pinning! 

{Behind The Scenes}: A Photo Shoot with Kim Tran Designs

Model, designer, stylist & photographer.

Throughout this semester I have had the absolute pleasure of working as the PR representative for Kim Tran, a level 5 designer at Academy of Art University. Just yesterday, with the help of Aveda hair & makeup, Star modeling agency, a team of stylists and photographers, I watched Kim's collection come to life. We shot 3 looks and they all turned out beyond beautiful. The energy in the  studio was intoxicating, everyone was on a natural high as we worked together to get that perfect shot for her press kit. I can't wait to share the professional photos but in the mean time, here is a little peek behind the scenes.

Aveda hair & makeup team + models.

Styling team, steaming away.

Jillian, working it out.

Kim Tran, designer.

Detail shot of the jacket.

Interior Dreams

Timothy Oulton is a master of reinvention, and his furniture designs prove just that. Founder and Creative Director of his brand, Oulton 'reinterpretes timeless, classic designs with a modern perspective, heritage and longevity form the core of the brand’s values'. “We’re the Rolling Stones of the furniture world,” explains Timothy, “It’s about taking something from the past and making it relevant.” I'm excited to announce that Timothy Oulton invites you to celebrate the opening of Timothy Oulton December 1st. from 6:30-8:30 at HD Buttercup, 290 Townsend Street, San Francisco. His designs are truly my interior dreams...

Dear Santa...

What is a blog without a Holiday Gift Guide? I put together this little collage of items I personally wouldn't mind finding under the Christmas tree, maybe you will dig some of these gifts too?

Left to Right : Harper's Bazaar: Greatest Hits by Glenda Bailey, Live in Love by Oscar de la Renta, Cate the Great Weather Boot, Diana Mini Gold Edition, iSound Ice Crystal Compact Speakers.

The Sun Never Sets on Ke11y

This is a photo snapped at Ocean Beach while watching Kelly Slater win his 11th world title. 

Her outfit was too cute not to share and attempt to re-create. 

See by Chloe button shirt, $350
Free People cutoff shorts, $48
Sam Edelman lace up boots, $251
HOBO slouchy handbag, $2,995
Copper jewelry, $47
Alexander Girard Sun Panel, $95

CARROTS

{Melissa & Catie Grimm}

Last Thursday, the crème de la crème of San Francisco’s fashion crop came out to celebrate CARROTS 4th anniversary at their 4,000-square-foot women’s wear boutique in Jackson Square. Decked out in the latest fashions, ladies and gents sipped on specialty cocktails created by Scott Baird and Josh Harris of The Bon Vivants for their soon-to-open bar, Trick Dog (coming 2012). I couldn’t help but think the bartenders flannel shirts and forest green aprons were a nod to Melissa and Catie (co-owners of CARROTS) Grimm’s family business, Grimmway Farms – the largest Carrot producer’s in the United States. Both girls are like your cool friend’s cooler friend, and their store oozes a similar cool factor and makes you feel like you are a part of the in crowd by just stepping foot inside. Filled with leather separates, beautiful coffee table books, ladies loafers, one of a kind jewels and sunglasses that could turn any outfit into a show stopper, this concept store is one of a kind. Designed by Will Wick and then-partner Gabriela Sarlo, CARROTS is a mix of Parisian elegance and NY edginess. The event was hosted by bloggers Taylor Sterling of The Glitter Guide, Samantha Rudd & Kendall Asmuth of Sequin Harvest, Erin Hiemstra of Apartment 34 and Caitlin Flemming of Sacramento Street. Also, designer Tess Giberson was on hand to speak with the guests and preview her fall 2011 collection. If you live in San Francisco and have not yet visited CARROTS, I suggest you make a trip to Jackson square to see it’s radness in real life. 

Mad about Mani's

{h&m dress and silk crop jacket, opi black cherry chutney & deborah lippman happy birthday glitter polish}

Here is an image from a post by friend and fellow fashion blogger, Amber of Amber's Notebook. I was getting a few inquires on her website regarding my nail polish color so I thought I'd share the hues over here! The dark color is OPI's 'Black Cherry Chutney' and the glitter polish on my middle and ring fingers is Deborah Lippman's 'Happy Birthday'. Thanks to those who complimented my crazy little mani. Get creative with your next polish choice and tweet me some pics! For more images and details on where I got the delicious champagne and caviar, check out the full post here!