Gahden Pahty 2010

It has been a week since I returned from the desert and I think my PCDS {post.coachella.depression.syndrome} has finally subsided. Being that this was my first time to Coachella I wasn't exactly sure what to expect although now I realize it is truly one of those events you have to experience for yourself to understand how amazing it really is. Our trip started out Thursday night as we all {Justine, Lauren, Lindsey & Meagan} departed from the Oakland airport. I was surprised our flight was not filled with more Coachella go'ers, although we did run into our favorite womb mates & avid Gigi Ouf THE BLOG readers Mike & Andy who were also headed to the desert. After a few inflight cocktails and jokes on me not having a ticket {"What are you gonna blog about, the fence?"-MB} we made it to Ontario ready for a weekend of musical debauchery. 

Met up with my so-cal loves, Heather + Mary

The Albatross, most efficient way to make it from show to show.

Coachella is defiantly a place where people experiment with fashion. Finding a balance between practicality and flair can be difficult, mix some 100 degree heat in there and that can cause for some serious fashion challenges. I was so impressed at the fashion statements at Coachella this year, it ads another great element to a seemingly perfect event. This year was all about rompers, fringe, crop top's, bright colors, floral prints, cut-off jean shorts, american apparel jumpers & tons of jewels.

{Heather rocking her d.i.y fringe shirt. I am in a TART dress, LaGoldenOne headpiece, Forever 21 double finger ring, Urban Outfitters cheetah ring, Christian Dior Vintage Shades & Michelle Watch}

The Gahden Pahty, also known as the Beer Garden & our regular meet up point. Friday night as we were entering the Beer Garden to watch Jay Z, I decided it was MY Gahden Pahty. I spotted Paris Hilton from afar and proceeded to say, "Paris, thank you so much for coming to my gahden pahty" {in a full british accent} The rest of the evening we spotted festival go'ers like, Mischa Barton, Nicky Hilton, Josh Hartnett, Katy Perry & Dita von Teese in my gahden pahty. Turns out we had made our way into the v.i.p area and were unaware. Although once the H.O.V came on stage all eyes were on him.

Heather, Lauren & Lindsey  lovin' themselves some Passion Pit 

The Gorillaz featuring De La Soul...The most epic dance party and perfect way to end the best 3 days of my life {I know, bold statement} Coachella 2010 was indeed, above average. Who's ready for Coachella 2011?

Goin' Places...

I spent my day yesterday hustlin' around San Francisco. Started with a 10 am appointment in Barney's downtown with Johnathan (he is ahmazing, I recommend anyone in need of a good makeup artist go see him at the NARS counter!) Then with the help of my creative director/moral support the rest of the day was captured via iPhone in this little photo diary...

Trying to decide which baubles to wear! Coco says "When in doubt go sassy" So I did...I wore them all.

Getting my hair did by the lovely hairdresser hired by SF mag.

Pre-shoot {before hair + makeup} I didn't realize how nervous I would be. Typically I like styling my clients and being behind the scenes, not the scene.

At Jeff Singer's studio...check out his portfolio & website here. I was trying to master the "serious face" no way not me. Why was I being photographed? Keep an eye out in an upcoming issue of San Francisco Magazine :)

After the shoot my lovely friend Kristina had Justine and I over for some champagne on her roof in the Marina. It was a beautiful day so we kept the party going, heading down to Waterbar on the Embarcadero. 

Ended at the always delicious Slanted Door. Shaking beef, cellophane noodles,veggie imperial rolls, rice cakes, fresh squeezed ketle greyhounds..an end to a lovely day!

Best Summer Of A Girls Life

    

Zac Posen, famously known for his 10 year strong high end label has followed the footsteps of fellow designers by collaborating with Target giving the Posen look to girls everywhere. When asked where he got his inspiration for this line Posen states,

" I am inspired by all women, all of the time. My inspiration [for Zac Posen for Target] was   

the best summer of a girl's life. This collection is about having fun, being free—living, loving and embracing life."

On April 25th this line will be available at Target stores nationwide and online here. That's only 4 days until these ode to the 90's pieces will hit the racks and I have a feeling it will go fast so don't miss out! 

Tuesday Tunes-Day Volume VII.

I'm feeling like a bit of some throwback 90's with a mix of new jam's is the only thing that will get me through this week. I say "will get me through this week" because I am impatiently awaiting Thursday as I will be flying out to the Desert for, yup you guessed it; COACHELLA!!! My friend Ryan gets a kick out of the fact that I roll around in my VW bug drop-top blasting rap music like its my j.o.b and dubbed me "gigi rapsupahstar" as I have mentioned here and here. I embrace this persona and fully intend to bring her out this week. Hope the weather in the Bay Area clears up a tad so I can indeed drop da' top. I'm spending my day today with Julie, one of my clients who's daughter is getting married SATURDAY!  Yes, it is a little last minute although she doesn't like the first dress she picked out so we will be scouring the department stores and boutiques until we find the perfect one for her! Wish me luck :) 

{me, circa 2005 on my way to Santa Barbara for my sophomore year of college}

Nothin' On You - B.o.B 

Airplanes - B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams

Hit 'Em Up - Tupac Shakur

The MC - KRS One

Shoop - Salt n' Pepper

Let's Talk About Sex - Salt n' Pepper

Whatta Man - Salt n' Pepper

Let Me Blow Ya Mind - Eve Feat. Gwen Stefani

Touch The Sky - Kanye West 

Nuthin' But A "G" Thang - Dr. Dre

Crush On You - Lil Kim

{UPDATE: WHEN I SAID I AM GOING TO COACHELLA I MEANT THE FOLLOWING : I HAVE BOUGHT MY FLIGHT TO ONTARIO, RENTAL CAR, PLACE TO STAY & FESTIVAL OUTFITS ALTHOUGH I WAS WAITING TO GET MY TICKET THERE BECAUSE I HAD BEEN TOLD IT WAS "IMPOSSIBLE" TO SELL OUT! NOW THEY ARE SAYING THERE ARE NO TICKETS AVAILABLE! SOS! ANYONE HAVE OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS A TICKET TO SELL, PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!}

Mile High & Beyond

This Easter I spent the weekend with my Mom, Dad & Brother in the beautiful state of Colorado. My dad has been living in the Mile High City working on a project and has loved getting to know a new area. After a quick stint last year {when I lived in Denver for about 5 months} I realized as it is a beautiful and up in coming city, California is my home. We spent our time shopping, eating, drinking, skiing and relaxing the weekend away! As I had mentioned in a previous post here I left my camera in the limo after a trip up to Napa so bare with me - these photos are courteous of my iphone. 

My mom and I arrived to these delish cupcakes, cookies & beautiful tulips from my sweet dad

Spend Good Friday shopping at the Cherry Creek Mall a few blocks from our house. My mom picked up this adorable trench at Michael Kors. I am planning on "borrowing" it sometime very soon! 

Dad got this ultra trendy shirt at Nordies

Packing up the car - Headed to Breckenridge 

Brother Bear & I walking around the town

We stumbled upon the Breckenridge Beer Festival and met characters like this guy {Thanks for letting me snap a photo with you!}

Stopped for a snack at the Crepes á la Cart. The girls in that were in front of us had been waiting for 45 min for their crepes. We lucked out and got there at a perfect time - we waited 10. I opted for the Nutella + Strawberry, it was divine

Enjoying some wine + cheese in our condo

Adam and I going incognito on the slopes 

Monday morning sunrise drive back to Denver, an end to a beautiful trip

Ask Gigi

{it's more fun when you blog in fur}

Over the past few months I have been receiving questions + suggestions from friends & followers on topics they want me to blog about. I thought it only necessary to post them publicly so everyone can hear my response's as most of them are great questions that most can relate to! 

Q : "Can I suggest a new blog topic? “What to pack when going on a Caribbean cruise” This is totally selfish as I would love your tips before mine on Jan 2!" - Claire Morton 
A: Hi Claire! I know this is VERY late {I was traveling throughout Egypt/London when I got this question and had limited internet} so I apologize for the tardy response, I hope you had a fabulous time & maybe you can use this information for your next trip! I have only been on 1 cruise, and it was along the Nile River in Egypt so I might not be very qualified to answer this question- although I would pack as though I was going on a beach vacay. 
Essentials : 
1. Bathing Suite, I LOVE this Ruched Halter Top Bikini & with a Caribbean tan this white suit will look phenom.
2. A great cover up that double's as a cute lunch by the pool outfit. Like this adorable Shoshanna Psychedelic Floral Cover Up.
3. A hat is a must to protect your face from the sun. Check out this hat from my Girl From Ipanema post. 
4. SUNSCREEN, I am a huge fan of the entire Bain de Soleil line. They make an spf with a sunless tanner that is activated by the sun. It's a no fail way to a great safe tan. 
5. My beauty regime changes drastically when I vacation by the sea. I try to limit the amount of makeup I wear & products I use to this Nars bronzer in Laguna , Stila's convertible color in Petunia , mascara & John Frieda's Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea Spray for a perfectly texturized wave. 
6. Either a great book or a journal for an activity to stimulate your mind. I suggest any of these books from my post, Fashion Fashion Read All About It. 


Q : "Hey Gigi, it's Britt from Paris way back when...
ok so I am traveling (backpacking actually) through China and Thailand this summer. I was wondering if you had any beauty/style tips on something as rough as backpacking... I also thought maybe it would be a cool travel edition of your blog - shoot me some suggestions if you do bc you are just miss fashionista! Thanks xox" - Britt Roberts 
A: Britt, SO GOOD to hear from you. Well I will assume your travel adventures will be quite different from our strolls along the Chans de Lise, night club hopping & early morning breakfast's at cute Parisian café's, right? As I have never been backpacking before, I enlisted my good friends who have spent some time traveling throughout Southeast Asia to help me out with this post. They recommend these items : 
1. Baby Powder : with the heat and humidity this will be your best friend. 

2. Acquaphor : the save the day salve. 
3. Light clothing...less is more. I would recommend sun dress's. comfortable and travel well.
4. A great face moisturizer with an spf. I always recommend the No.7 line from Target.
5. As far as beauty products, stick to the ones I mentioned above in the beach vacay post question! 
Have a wonderful time and post pictures soon! xo

Q: "Geeeg! I LOVE your blog. It's definitely become a favorite among us girls. Will you do something on sunglasses and face shape? I want your opinion." - Lindsey Kimmel 

A: Linds! I am so flattered you like my blog. As far as sunnies go, there is the rule that you identify your face structure whether it be oval, round, square, heart shaped and look for sunglasses in the opposite shape. I find this true to an extent, although my favorite pair of shades happen to be circular oversized Gucci's with gold + tortoise and I classify my face shape as round/oval. As far as trends in sunglasses go, don't follow them blindly. Not only will you be wearing a pair of sunglasses that won't flatter your face shape you will most likely spend way too much money on a trend that will eventually die out. Sometimes its a best friend who will be the best fashion expert, my suggestion is to bring someone with you when you go out shopping. Someone who you trust will give you their 100% honest opinion. 

Q : "Next time I am in San Francisco can you take me jewelry shopping? I just realized that I need help! Where are some good places you shop in Tahoe? You are always decked out, love it!" -Lauren Brown from LoveandPhoto

A: Miss Lauren, accessorizing is my middle name. I have a infinite obsession with anything gold, shiny & oversized when it comes to jewelry and items with those descriptions tend to cost mega bucks. I love scouring through the stuff at Forever21, H&M and of course the flea market! { you can see some of the stuff I scored here and here} Of course, the price points at those stores are extremely reasonable which is a true reflection of its quality. I find each piece lasting about 6-8 months before it is completely un-wearable and then I go out and splurge on another lot of baubles. If you want to up the quality a bit, I look at Kenneth Jay Lane & House Of Harlow for vintage inspired pieces & the Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James collection is a silver lovers dream. As far as shopping in Tahoe, your best bet is probably from your computer...you call me whenever your in SF and we will go find you some jewels!


Q : "I want to hear all about Gigi's fav SF stores! Keep up the good work girl love your blog!" - Jessica Tree 
A: Jess, lucky for us San Francisco is home to some of the best shopping ever! In an attempt to not drown you with information i'll limit the shops to my top 10. 
1. Bloomingdales - for the ambiance + selection.
2. Barney's - for the over the top customer service.
3. H&M - for the racks and racks of stocked shelves with fashion forward items that can instantly update your wardrobe.
4. American Apparel - for the staples. 
5. Michael Kors - for the price point friendly "I just hopped off my private jet/yacht" look.
6. Macy's - if you can stand the awful service, the shoe department is insane. 
7. Lohemann's / Nordstrom Rack - if you have time to rummage through the racks, you can find smokin' deals.
8. My Boudoir on Fillmore - for your intimates. 
9.  I love the art gallery's for inspiration and contemporary boutiques in Hayes Valley
10. On Sacramento street there are shops like Fetish where you can envy the Jimmy Choo sandals and Prada heel's, as well as Brown Eyed Girl where they sell killer swim suits. Its a deluxe shopping avenue. 
{Hope these tips help and PLEASE don't forget to Follow my blog with bloglovin }

BFF Friday!

{Fashionista's in their own regard, these two have a unique personal style that I dig} 

This BFF Friday is dedicated to my favorite pair of Best Friends. I first met Miss Heather MacDonald & Mary Bell in 2004, our freshman year of college as we were set up to be suite mates in Santa Barbara. Heather & Mary had grown up together and decided to move to SB after High school. Months before we were to move in we chatted over the phone & bonded over the new Ashley Simpson cd that we all loved {ha}. We were SO {young} & excited to meet on move in day although after some confusion in the dorm's we didn't end up being suite mates and instead just neighbors. Mary and I drove the same car, our Saab convertible and Heather and I had an alarming amount of the same clothes, it was clear we were going to be great friends. Throughout our freshman year, the three of us really grew up together. Living in a new city away from home, I was so lucky to have such close girlfriends who made the transition so smooth. The following year Heather, Mary, Julia {my cousin} and I decided to get a house together, The Pueblo at 6636 Del Playa and we sure did paint that town red. After 2 years, Heather transferred to USC and Mary to Cal Berkeley. Till this day we all stay very close, Heather visited me while I was studying abroad in Italy & when Mary went to Cal she would come to my house for sleepovers weekly. I live for the weekends we all get together, whether its in Los Angeles or San Francisco we never fail to re-live our glory days & have a ridiculously good time! In 13 days we will be reuniting in the desert of Coachella for the music festival! Love you both, thank you for years of laughter & friendship. xo 

{Mary, Heather, Julia & myself in Lake Tahoe Summer 2008}

Spring Has Sprung, Let's Clean!

Recently I have slightly abandoned my blog because my schedule has been insanely busy. Between new work opportunities, concerts, Napa weekends & school I haven't had time to sit down and recap on all the fun things I have been up to. Not that you need nor want to know my where-abouts at all times, the last few adventures were highly blog worthy & I promise once I get my camera back from Gustavo {the limo driver} I will update!  Currently I am in Denver en route to Vail & Breckenridge for Easter skiing with my family, then i'm off to Boston to visit Alex {featured on a bff friday here}! I am SO excited, It will be my first trip to Boston & I miss Alex & the rest of my Boston loves dearly. Wooo Spring Break 0'10! {laughs} 

{My client Elizabeth letting me capture our day of organizing + putting outfit's together}

   I have been knee deep in clothes lately as I spent the last week with my lovely client Elizabeth. I have been working as her stylist for the past few years and during that time we have transformed her wardrobe into a magnificent array of fabulous outfits. Although we organize her wardrobe season after season, a little spring cleaning can never hurt any closet. Everyone finds ways to justify why they need to keep those dated heel's or the pants they "swear by next summer they will fit into" which inevitably calls for an unorganized chaotic closet filled with clothes you never wear. Elizabeth and I spent hours salvaging clothes she never wore by finding new outfits that they went with and we ditched + donated a huge hunk of her dated items. The best part about purging is making room for new stuff! We spent a day in San Francisco shopping and found some adorable new clothes...Sometimes it's hard to be inspired to do this on your own {even Oprah thinks everyone needs someone to help you} ...so that's where I come in! Id love to kick-start your spring cleaning process + help transform your closet as well ;) 

{email me at gigi.ouf@gmail.com & tell your mom, dad, sister, cousin & friends!}

Just a few of the recent additions to Elizabeth's wardrobe : 

Diane von Furstenberg 'Marroca' Top

MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Gansevoort' Platform Sandal

Michael Kors Chain Bracelet Chronograph Watch

Joe's Jeans 'Sammy' Roll Hem Stretch Denim Shorts

Steve Madden 'Chainge' Sandal