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 ...
Sebastian Turns UNO – First Birthday Party
My beautiful grandson, Sebastian Darby - you may call him Bash - just turned one. Back in the day, the Cuban baby's first birthday party was something you celebrated in a big way. I sometimes wonder if, after that first eventful year, it isn't a great collective familial sigh of relief. First Year - DONE! Yes! High fives all around. He's alive ...
Cuban Coffee is Everything
I take it for granted that there will always be Cuban coffee in the house. In fact, I don't even give it a second thought. My grocery list always has "Café Cubano" in a regular position. Before you ask, yes, we do consume that much espresso, but that's not important right now. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that it's the same way ...
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 ...
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 – The Junket
Kurt Russell. Chris Pratt. Sylvester Stallone. There was a fabulous line up of starts at the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 junket. But these three own my heart. I'm not giving anything away here by telling you that Kurt Russell plays Ego in the new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. Ego just happens to be Peter Quill's dad. I'll review the film in ...
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 ...
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, Arturo Sandoval and his Big Band will be Decking the Hall - the Walt Disney Concert Hall - next week. Do you hear ...
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 ...
