My real life consists of making meals, doing laundry and dishes, changing sheets and playing with my grandson. During the summer we also entertain quite a bit and do the normal hot weather stuff, like swimming and taking treks to the beach. I still maintain that it's a charmed life, but it's a very typical life in our very typical bedroom ...
Cuban-American Life
I hope you enjoy my posts about my crazy and wonderful Cuban-American life.
“Feel The Ninja Within Ya” – The LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE
This post is in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures "THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE" is coming out in theaters Friday, September 22nd. Trust me when I tell you that you will want to see it immediately. But wait. Let me tell you about what I did last week. I get invited to some pretty fun events. And I also get to see some pretty sweet movies so that ...
Don Francisco’s Coffee Casa Cubana Is Like Coming Home
In the middle of the crazy that is Downtown LA, there is now a respite from city life. The new Don Francisco's Coffee Casa Cubana is the place you never knew you always wanted. (Well, I know I've always wanted a place to get wonderful Cuban food in Los Angeles, but that's not important right now.) I want to say right up front that this is not ...
Cuban Heritage Day was EVERYTHING
Cuban Heritage Day at Dodger Stadium happened and Los Angeles Cubans came out in force. Because it was a very full weekend, I'm still trying to gather my thoughts in a "Wow. Did all that just happen?" kind of way. I'm going to try to describe the weekend with a basic chronology and from my own personal point of view, starting with Saturday night. ...
Food From Around The World
You may be wondering what I do in my spare time. You know, when I'm not galavanting around Southern California dancing in a MiTu Abuela video with Elvis Crespo or seeing the latest Disney movies or throwing parties. I cook, of course. And eat. I even do some laundry. And as any foodie worth their salt (see what I did there? SALT!) I try new ...
Everything You Want To Know About Cuban Heritage, the LA Dodgers, and Willy Chirino
I had trouble coming up with a headline for this post because I have sooo much I want to tell you about. So bear with me while I give you all the "chisme" about our fabulous upcoming August weekend celebrating our LA Dodgers, our Cuban Heritage, Willy Chirino, and of course, our CUBANITY. First of all, you will want to know where to get tickets to ...
Put SeaWorld on Your Summer Bucket List
{DISCLOSURE: My family and I were guests of SeaWorld San Diego and were given a VIP tour of their amazing new attractions. All opinions that follow are my own.} We start making our Summer Bucket List around this time each year. The days are already growing longer and warmer and we usually like to do more than just the regular beach days. Enter ...
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 – Movie Review
A few years ago when the original Guardians of the Galaxy came out, I have to admit that from seeing the trailer, I didn't think I would like it. (I know. Don't judge me.) But if I've learned anything in all my years of reviewing films, it's that most times you can't count on the trailer to give you a complete picture (pun intended) of the entire ...
Cuban Heritage Day 2017 Promises to Be Awesome
It's happening again, mi gente. Cuban Heritage Day at Dodger Stadium is officially on the Dodger calendar for Sunday, August 27th, 2017. I'm so proud and delighted that once again I get to be a part of the Cuban Heritage Day Committee. (#winning) Because these are the best, hardest working, most fun people I've ever worked with. Because ...
As Seen On MBFCF… Santayana Jewelers Does It Again
First, a primer on Cuban women and jewelry. As a Cuban woman, wearing jewelry is very much a part of my Cuban DNA. Like my ubiquitous red lipstick, I don't can't go out in public without my earrings, necklace, and bracelets. (Yes, plural.) It started as a baby, of course, before I was old enough to walk I was wearing my 18k gold necklace with La ...
‘Chef’ Inspired Birthday Celebration
"You throw the BEST parties," she said to me, "Why aren't you sharing them on your blog?" It's true. Even if I do say so myself. I throw great parties. Actually, I have to say WE. I am pretty much just the idea person, and it absolutely takes a village to make my great ideas happen. WARNING: Lots of colorful photos and extensive party details ...
Celebrating a Life
I realize I've spent a bit of time now writing about how losing my mom, Luza has affected me. I'm not saying that apologetically. She was a tremendous part of my life and for so many years. And I have a lot to say on this particular subject, but today I want to share how we went about organizing a Celebration of Life. How do you go about ...
Selective Reality
It's not that we didn't know it was coming. I'm talking about my mom, Luza. She was, after all, 102 years old - going on 103, mind you. My sisters and I had often discussed things like, "this might be her last - *Birthday, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas." *(__________) fill in the blank* We started throwing her birthday parties when ...
Getting It Before Christmas
I'm a giver. That's just in my Cuban DNA. Maybe it's something in my personal genetic programming, but I have a hard time saying, "no." "Do you want me to do something that will take me lots of time I don't have?" "Yes. Of course I'll do it." I'm convinced it all started with my family of origin. Have you ever tried to say, "no" to your ...
Love My Skinny Latina
You know those people you meet online and instantly hit it off with? That's what happened when I had my first phone conversation with the lovely Ana "Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful" Quincoces. (That's just what I call her, but that's not important right now.) This was many years ago before she was a Food Network Star and the darling of the ...
The Smart Cuban’s Christmas Gift Guide
Who doesn't appreciate a little shopping help at this time of year? Of course, I know you can head down to the local mall and spend a few frustrating hours hunting from store to store to find just the right thing. Of course, there's always the issue of finding a convenient place to park and fighting the Battle of the Parking Structure. And this ...
