To Create

Amidst the craziness that is finals at Academy of Art University, I wanted to take a little moment and share a project I have been working on. I styled this set of images in collaboration with the extremely talented, Martine Pinnel {an AAU photography student} and model, Alyssa from City Model agency. These are the final images I am submitting for my presentation in a few hours and while I may be a bit bias, I think they turned out pretty spectacular. I love the juxtaposition of movement and stillness in each photo, mixed with the funked out Little House On The Prairie look we went with. It's so fulfilling being able to work and create art with savvy people, all the while exploring your talents. I dig it. 

A Little Extra Boost...

 I don't know about you, but these days a good ol' fashion Cup Of Joe just doesn't do it for me anymore. Between pursuing a degree in Fashion Journalism at Academy of Art University, interning at Ruby Press PR and juggling a personal styling business & blog on the side, my energy level doesn't match my go-go-go lifestyle. Sure, I have tried vitamins & herbs and don't get me wrong, those options are all groovy, but sometimes you just need a little extra boost. Enter, Hi*Ball Sparkling Energy Water. This SF based company has been around since 2004 although just recently they have re-designed their packaging {as mentioned here} and I have to say...it really is tres chic. I know, you don't usually describe cans of caffeine as 'chic' but look at this retro inspired packaging! Added bonus? You will always know when your beverage is ready for sippin' because the little “bubbles” on the cans turn blue when the beverage gets to a temperature of 45F. Take that, Coors Light! I was a fan of Hi*Ball Sparkling Water from my first sip, but now I think I may be bordering on an addiction to this seriously fashionable drink.

But hey, as they say..."It's good energy"!

*click here to find out where you can buy some good energy for yourself.

In a dream world...

This would be my house, always draped in balloons...

This would be my boudoir. Stark white, petal pink & shiny gold...

 

This would be the view from my balcony, sun shining everyday...

And this would be my positive thinking mantra, including cake everyday...

{images via, 1,2,3 & 4 }

Hog Island Oyster Co. Farm

Long weekends are the perfect excuse to pack up the car and explore local treasures. This past weekend, that is exactly what we did. After hearing about Hog Island Oyster Co. Farm on the Eastern shores of Tomalas Bay for many years, I was excited to finally make the drive from the East Bay to check out what it was all about. After a not-so-simple drive over {bay bridge closure traffic was insane} we finally made it to Marshall, CA. We immediately began indulging in raw and cooked oysters, local cheeses and of course, washed it all down with delicious wine + champagne. This little day trip was a sweet reminder why I truly love Northern California and how lucky I am to live in such a magnificent place. 

** 3 Tips On Visiting Hog Island Oyster Co. Farm.

1. Make Reservations

2. BYOB

3. Layers, Layers, Layers

Tuesday Tunes-Day Volume XIV ♥ Valentines Day Edition

There is no doubt about it...today, it's raining love! Well, figuratively speaking because unlike the last few days today is radiating sunshine! Whether you are a hater of Valentines day and think everyone needs to cool their PDA jet's, or you are a hopeless romantic, I hope you enjoy a day filled with love, sunshine, and courtesy of muah {and my good friend Jordan who sent me a lot of these great songs}...good beats! Here is the 14th Tuesday Tunes-Day playlist, brought to you on the 14th of February. xxo

♥ Foster The People - I Would Do Anything For You

♥ Florence + The Machine - Spectrum

♥ Aer - Feel I Bring

♥ Of Monsters And Men - Love Love Love

♥ Kimbra Goyte - Somebody That I Used To Know

♥ The Temper Trap - Fader 

♥ Florence + The Machine - Remain Nameless

♥ Andrea Bocelli - Besame Mucho

♥ Arcade Fire - No Cars Go 

♥ Of Monsters And Men - Little Talks 

♥ Brett Dennen - Desert Sunrise

♥ Eli Young Band - Crazy Girl 

♥ Rihanna feat. Drake - What's My Name?

♥ Kenny Chesney - Somewhere With You

♥ Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland - Promiscuous

♥ Peter Bjorn And John - Up Against The Wall

*Psst...Peep my playlist on Spotify here 

Crushin' at Forever 21

Happy February! I just wanted to share this fun little video from the Forever 21 Stockton Street Grand Opening event I attended earlier in January. I was thrilled when Forever 21 asked me to be a part of the celebration and join other San Francisco Fashion Bloggers to choose some of our favorite items throughout the store. I was definitely crushin' on some faux fur jackets & vests, 70's frocks, sparkly wedges and flats. I came home with two bags overflowing with quick wardrobe updates without breaking the bank, total score! Check out my little cameo in the video above and definitely make sure to stop by the shiny new store!

 

C O N F E T T I

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a plentiful and prosperous 2012. 

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!