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 ...
The Wonder That Is Sea World
{DISCLOSURE: My family and I were guests of SeaWorld San Diego and were given a VIP tour for one amazing day. All opinions that follow are my own.} I had forgotten. Just over an hour's drive from our home lies beautiful SeaWorld San Diego. It has been so many years since we'd taken our kids to SeaWorld that I had forgotten the beauty and the ...
When It Rains…
I should preface whatever it is I'm going to write next with these words: IT NEVER RAINS IN CALIFORNIA. Seriously. When it does rain here, we hunker down and stay home. We don't know how to drive when weather happens. We don't know how to act. I'd be hard pressed to name any friends of mine who own a raincoat. No rain. It's California. We don't ...
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 ...
Like A Christmas Club, But Better
Because we just finished celebrating Christmas and it was so very lovely (I'll blog about that later), I have had this thought rattling around in my brain and I'd like to share it today.Back in the day, my first “real” job was at a bank. I remember feeling so very grown up when I learned how to balance my bank account to the penny every month. ...
Deck the Hall With Arturo Sandoval
I often say that there's nothing better than being Cuban at Christmas. Click here to read 10 Things That Are Awesome About Being Cuban At Christmas for the definitive proof that I'm right. I was delighted to learn that El Maestro, - the Walt Disney Concert Hall - next week. Do you hear that, LA? That's the sound of some Latin Christmas Magic ...
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 Me, Love My Tech Christmas Gift Guide
{This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Amazon and #WeAllGrow Latina Network. The opinions and text are all my own.} It's no secret that I'm a lover of all things Cuban. But did you further know that I'm a lover of all kinds of techie devices? My daughter, Lucy just moved to Austin and we were able to text with her and ...
