Jet Set Jiles

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  • Aunt Sheila’s Carrot Cake Cookies

    Aunt Sheila’s Carrot Cake Cookies

    So let me tell ya about my Uncle Moe and Aunt Sheila. They’re awesome parents. They managed to create idyllic childhood for their children in an age where children stop being children at younger ages each passing year. Not those Irving children in Grosse Pointe Michigan!

    And they did this in a 3d reality. Not the 4th or 5th dimension, mind you. It’s impressive.

    They did frequent family bike rides. Walks around the neighborhood. Game nights. Home cooked meals. Uncle Moe coached little league. Aunt Sheila baked the cookies. They are the personification of a Norman Rockwell paining in contemporary time.

    My Aunt Sheila makes these cookies all year long. But I associate them with Christmas. She always brings a big batch of them to Virginia for the holidays, along with some other yum yums!

    Aunt Sheila’s the baker in the family! But this year, we decided to give it a go too . . .

    Carrot Cake Cookies

    My Aunt Sheila makes these all the time. They're incredible!
    Print Recipe
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 batch

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
    • 4 T granulated sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 cup AP flower
    • 1 cup old fashioned oats
    • 1/4 tsp baking soda
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/2 cup grated carrots

    Instructions
     

    • preheat oven to 325°F
    • mix butter and sugar
    • in a separate bowl mix egg and vanilla then add to bowl
    • combine dry ingredients
    • add dry ingredients slowly into mixture
    • bake 12-15 minutes
    Keyword carrot, carrot cake, cookie
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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  • Caroline’s Crab Dip

    Caroline’s Crab Dip

    For over 60 years Miles’ dad’s side of the family has been having the big Family Christmas Party on the second Saturday of December.* A different person hosts every year. It’s typically pot-luck. He’s got a long line of relatives in Virginia and it’s typically a day trip for most of us.

    One year, after a cousin hosted, somewhere in Virginia we stayed at Caroline and Drew’s, my sister and brother-in-law’s place. We drove down with Miles’ mum, Eve, and this was a way catch-up and make some more Christmastime memories.

    That Saturday night, we were all sitting around the fireplace chit chatting. And Caroline and Drew brought out Hot Crab Dip and Cesar Salad. Small plates. Just enough. A nice compliment to what was earlier in the day a very heavy traditional American holiday buffet — ya know, turkey, ham, lots of rich side dishes.

    Somehow, this crab dip has become an après family gathering craving for me. It’s very rich. So a little goes a long way. We like it with thin Triscuit crackers. Here’s the recipe for your après gatherings . . .

    Caroline’s Crab Dip

    hot rich crab dip with parmesan and lime
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cans canned crab meat or equivalent fresh
    • 8 oz cream cheese
    • 1/2 t garlic powder
    • 1 T Worcester
    • juice of 1/2 a lime
    • 1 c shredded Parmesan
    • fresh cracked pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Mix cheeses, spices and lime juice. Lightly fold in crab meat.
      Press into a lightly greased baking dish (something about half the size of a standard rectangular casserole dish)
      Top with cracked pepper.
      Bake uncovered 30 min at 350. Top should be lightly browned.

    Notes

    We planned to make this Christmas night 2022. But we were too tired. So we made it the next day. It’s really rich. We ate bits of it for days. Next time I’d half it. 
    Our crab was sold in bigger containers, so we added . . . 
    4T Hellmans Real Mayonnaise
    3/4 tsp kosher salt
    1/4 tsp pepper 
    juice of the whole lime, vs half the lime
    Additional notes to my future home cook self:
    • Make sure cream cheese is soft at room temperature or use the spreadable cream cheese 
    • Mix everything except crab and lime 
    • Put lime directly on crab and then fold it into the mix 
    • We used a pie dish to bake it in
    • Next time I’d half or quarter it for the two of us. And use the leftover crab for a cold crab dip in the next day or two. 
    bon appétit
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    *A tradition like this with the same date every year, a bit away from Christmas day, is a great way to get everyone together without putting that “it’s so close to Christmas” and “I’ve got so much to do” pressure on things. Especially for families that are getting bigger, or the kiddos are getting older. Like I said, Miles’ family has been doing this for nearly 70 years!

    Also, having it catered and everyone throwing in $20 is also an idea that may be easier, especially when folks are coming from far away — if you want to keep that old-timey family pot-luck ‘everyone is contributing’ spirit versus one person financing and hosting the entirety of the soirée.

    Happy Christmastime! 💕🎄😘

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  • Digital Nomads • Snowbirds

    Digital Nomads • Snowbirds

    We snowbirded for the first time earlier this year. And I guess since we’ve got an online presence as content creators who travel to re-grid the Earth among other things — we’re also digital nomads!

    Snowbirds. Digital Nomads. Grid workers. Missioned Souls. Light Leader/Keepers. Skeptical Husband. Furry Princess.

    Just a few of our many hats.

    We made a few mistakes. And we had lots of fun. Stay tuned for articles on what we nailed and what we could do better on! And might help our recently retired friends as they gather inspo from Miles!

    One thing we could have done way better on?! Packing the car. Bringing this much stuff is not fun! Not when you’re driving across the country and have to unload a decent amount of it overnight every night. Two wheelies and a stroller for Miss Mia is what we’re going for next time!

    Ok lovey-boos stay tuned for our digital nomad snowbird musings.

    😘 Gigi Marie, Miles, and Miss Mia

    p.s. I’m playing with pen-names while its on the blog versus a book jacket. Gigi Marie is the latest. I’ve also gotten Gigi and Mimi just on their own. Which Miles thinks are grandma names but I think they’re cute and chic! And I’ve got a fascinating story about how there is a Gigi that is actually an alternative me! So crazy cool! Stay tuned.

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  • Affirmation / Blessing

    Affirmation / Blessing

    Magic, love, blessings, play, leisure, luxury, abundance, and light are an effortless part of my everyday life. I am grateful for my many blessings. And I send blessings and love out to the world.

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  • Ted Lasso’s Affirmation Lesson

    Ted Lasso’s Affirmation Lesson

    Dr Sharon: You’re doing great, Colin. And I love your new mantra.

    Colin: I am a strong and capable man. I am not a piece of shit.

    Dr Sharon: You don’t need that second part.

    Colin is a strong and capable man! And Dr. Sharon’s right. You want to keep your affirmations positive. Even saying you’re “not” something is bringing the “not” thing into your awareness. Into your field.

    That’s a no no.

    We want the good stuff in our fields!

    Cut ties with any negative narratives you’ve had in the past and focus on saying nice things to yourself. And for yourself. Because you deserve it! You deserve it, just as you are!

    Some words could be:

    I cut ties with the me that thinks negatively about myself. I cut ties with the negative narrative. I cut ties with that former me.

    I cut ties with the negative narrative I previously wrote for myself. I cut ties with that former me. I honor you. And I bless you. But I no longer need you. I fully step into living in the present as the person I am today. Amen.

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  • Affirmation / Declaration

    Affirmation / Declaration

    Our first site-wide affirmation/declaration. I wrote this is Las Vegas when setting up our new website . . .

    Take your had to your heart and repeat: I breathe in light. I breathe out love. I am divine, sovereign, and joyful. Magic, blessings, luxury, and love are an effortless part of my everyday life. I chose to be a freaking fabulous human being, on Earth, right now, anchored in my serenity. It is the dawn of the Golden Age of Miracles, I am grateful for my many blessings, and I send love out to the world.

    Mwah! I love you.
    xxx • Gigi

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  • An Affirmation Prayer for Your Blessings

    An Affirmation Prayer for Your Blessings

    An affirmation prayer to bring in more blessings for the good of you and the good of the all:

    I hereby declare to the Universe that I am ready to receive the gifts, miracles, and magic meant for me. I am ready to receive my blessings for the my good and the good of the all. 

    And so it is. And so I am grateful for my many blessings.

    Amen.

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  • Memory Making — My Christmas Outings WishList & Plan (Washington DC Edition)

    Memory Making — My Christmas Outings WishList & Plan (Washington DC Edition)

    Bonjour mes amis and fellow self-care-ellas!

    One of the things in Nourish Noëlle (our Christmastime self-care journey) is to make a list of things that will light us up over the holidays. Not lighting up the hubby, kiddos, and extended family. But what will light YOU up.

    This is your cue to create a Christmas WishList — things you’d like to do over the holidays. Outings. Memory making.

    And please know that it’s not only ok but wonderful to paying attention to you, your needs, and your hearts desires. Remember you being happy brings happy to those around you too! It ripples. Just like a French pebble you’d find at Versaille dropped in the Ocean.

    It’s time to make your list. Check it twice. And repeat: I choose to create these memories for the good of myself and the good of the all.

    Keep shining bright Noëllas. And as you do so, know that you’re giving others the permission and encouragement to light-up and shine bright too!

    I love you! 🌹

    😘 Gigi

    My eyes are closed. But that’s ok! I’d rather have the “flawed” pic of me to trigger the memories from a great night. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect! We’re at Myron & Judy’s Christmas Party for Miles poker buddies and their wives. Neat to be around his Wednesday night buddies!

    Oops. I almost forgot. This is my list of all the stuff I think it would be fun for us to do this year coinciding with our Christmastime gridwork in Washington. Even if you’re not in DC you’ll an idea of the process. . .

    Now from here, I’ll go over this list with Miles. Most of it he’s already heard of because we’ve already been talking about it! And I’ll see how he feels about it. And what he would want to add. Or possibly not do — after all as we remain lit we want to make sure others don’t feel dull or dim doing things they don’t want to do.

    So I will tell you Miles will add (Again, I know this because we’ve been talking about it!) . . .

    • The Scottish Walk — Iconic Old Town Alx Christmas Time Parade, bell ringing (yes, we ring the bell one o’clock at King & Lee where WhyNot? used to be), private parties hosted by friends all over town, the Oyster Roast at The Boat Club followed by →
    • The Parade of Lights — The Annual Holiday Boat Parade on the Potomac River with the boats decorated for the holidays visible from our Old Town Alx Neighborhood, as well as spots in DC
    • Waterskiing Santa — A Christmas Eve tradition we can watch from Nautical Jiles
    • More walks outside (ok not specific to the holidays in Washington but it’s really important to Miles right now!)

    Now pretty much everything on both our lists the other will want to do. Our interests are pretty similar. Our divine union is very strong — it is after all a major part of our soul mission to re-grid divine union on this beautiful blue planet, wayshow our beloved bliss, and share our codes for the good of the all!

    Ok. Yes. Now back to the lists. The possible exception on the xmas memory making lists for us would be a Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theater — just because we’ve seen it so many times not because it’s not great. So we’d probably rather spend that time on something else. Either another show. Or relaxing. Making time to relax is critically important to your self-care too.

    We’ll also look to see if something needed tweaked, for example, I’d add onto Miles’ more walks and say: go for walks in different neighborhoods to get some exercise and see the architecture and lights and soak in more of the season!

    Also, if there’s something Miles doesn’t want to do on my xmas memory making list, I’ll feel into if I wanted to go with a friend or experience it on my own. Doing things by yourself is a form of self-care too!

    Here we are in ugly sweaters. All three of us. Miles, Gigi, and Fefe (the Furry Princess’ dead sister). Watching Waterskiing Santa and his friends on Christmas Eve. Hosting a few peeps with some light hors d’oeuvres and drinks on Nautical Jiles.

    And lastly, we’ll have a lookey at the list to see if there is something we’d like to do with another couple, or a party of people, to bring a different element to the experience. For example, we’re going to watch the Parade of Lights from our boat. Nautical Jiles has one of the best views of the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights in all of Washington. So inviting friends to share that experience with us is a truly unique gift we can share with people we love. And what a special xmas gift to nourish someone in their holiday memory making.

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  • Nourishing Your Gratitude Practice

    Nourishing Your Gratitude Practice

    Gratitude is such an important element of your being. Put simply, the more grateful you are the more the Universe wants to give you.

    Think about gifting a $100 bucks to a special kiddo for Christmas. You went to the bank and got a fresh hundred, and found one of those money cards with a Christmas scene that looks like it”s out of the 1950’s. You write some sweet words. Pop it in the post. And nothing.

    No call. Not even a text.

    If Kiddo doesn’t say thanks, you’re not so moved to mail another $100 for Valentine’s Day. Same thing with the Universe.

    There’s always something to be grateful for. And a gratitude practice is so powerful. Writing down what you’re grateful for is wonderful. You could do it in your journal. On a calendar. On social media. Notes on your iPhone. In a cookbook. Wherever. Or even just in your mind.

    The more conscious you are of what you’re grateful for the more things that show up that will make you grateful! It’s a blissful cycle!

    Here’s some thoughts . . .

    I am grateful for my husband. 

    I am grateful Miles, the Furry Princess, and I are a happy healthy fun family.

    I am grateful for my fabulous home.

    I am grateful for my pretty things.

    I am grateful for running water.

    I am grateful for the people I love.

    I am grateful for my meditation practice.

    I am grateful for a flushable toilet in my cozy home. 

    I am grateful for my Gucci boots and matching handbag.

    I am grateful for Miles taking me to a delicious dinner at Filomena’s. I’m grateful we Ubered so I could enjoy some nice red wine with my Italian dinner. I’m grateful to see all the Christmas decorations. And to enjoy a romantic Christmastime stroll with my hubby in Georgetown! And I’m grateful we decided to finish our date with sexy nightcaps at the Four Seasons.

    That last one was a great evening we had last Christmas. Memory making at it’s finest. And really spontaneous too as our xmas plans changed last minute last year. We weren’t even supposed to be in DC. Anyhow, Fabulous Christmas date! Fabulous food. Fabulous memory. Oh, yes, and I loved our outfits too.

    So you get the idea! What are you grateful for?

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  • Over 44 Self-Care Ideas to Light Yourself Up Leading to Christmas

    Over 44 Self-Care Ideas to Light Yourself Up Leading to Christmas

    Bonjour mes amis!

    So in addition to our daily non-negotiables, here is a list of some more self-care ideas to nourish your soul this very merry season.

    I’ll be sharing more on social media to elaborate on these things. But I wanted you to have a list to get you going. I’m planning on scheduling the big outings for myself on the calendar — museum trips, spa days, restaurant reservations. Plus parties, outings, and “obligations” (we want very few obligations — obligations drain us, obligations dim our light, obligations shake your peace, and obligations contribute to the ick on the planet).

    After mapping out the big stuff. I’ll pepper in little, simpler, or more low-maintenance acts of self-care. That said, it’s pretty easy for me not to have to be that structured. Miles is retired, we don’t have human children, and a lot of other obligations that many people have. Just please plan-out as much or as little as you need to to fulfill your self-care daily!

    Nourish Noëlle is your bespoke Christmastime self-care journey!

    Also, bespoke is a key word here. If a pedicure is something that doesn’t bring you relaxation and joy but instead you begrudgingly sit through them just because you like your toes to be painted. Then you’re checking a different box. It’s not the self-care-relaxation-happy box. Make sure you do something else that day that lights you up!

    Here’s a list of self-care ideas in no particular order. Bonne chance! 😘 Mimi

    Say affirmations

    Do a guided meditation 

    Cut flowers

    Arrange flowers

    Read a book

    Go to a museum

    Go for a walk in nature

    Look at a picture book (i.e. cookbook / art book / etc.)

    Look at a book you’ve already read (i.e. cookbook / art book / etc.)

    Mis en piece 

    Mis en scene 

    Bath 

    Sauna

    Intense workout — really sweat 

    Serene walk in nature

    Roll your face

    Exfoliate your face 

    Hair mask

    Manicure 

    Pedicure 

    Massage 

    Facial 

    Brows & Lashes

    Waxing 

    Facial mask

    Set intentions 

    Say affirmations

    Practice non-judegement

    Get the house cleaned

    Declutter 

    Create hot spots holders

    Prepare nice meals

    Make plans for things you want to do

    Audit your under garments

    Buy new panties and bras you feel great in

    Curate outfits that are perfect for you

    Cut cords

    Work with a light code

    Pray

    Vision board

    List hearts desires

    Journal 

    Light incense 

    Write, read, create, paint, puzzle 

    Breathwork 

    Ok. I thought of more. Here goes . . .

    44 ⤴

    Thi Chi / Qi Gong

    Yoga

    Streatch

    Walk or run outside

    Massage

    Unfollow people 

    Sacred shower 

    Sacred bath

    Spa-tify your bathroom

    Smudge house 

    Cleanse entryway

    Smudging spray 

    Go for a drive

    Go park somewhere pretty and sip on some coffee, tea, or water in the car

    Learn something new — a language, crocheting, horseback riding, napkin folding, you name it!

    Make a list of things you want to do for / over the holidays that light you up.

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Pip Pip Cheerio!

Did ya know “pip pip” mimics the double honk you’d here on a motorcar in the early 20th century? It's an upperclass British coloqualism for farewell.🎩 I learned that because we're Downton Abbey superfans! And Miles and I visited Highclere Castle — the real life Downton in Yorkshire.📺 It was one of the best days of my life! Full of intention, serenity, gratitude, luxury, playfulness, and beauty.🧚 Pure magic!🪄 Just like life is supposed to be.♥️

I love you! Pip pip. 😘 Gigi