Posts from — December 2012

The memories I have of my “Grandma Cheli” could easily turn this post into a book. Making pasteles, watching novelas and opening her fridge to find two homemade rice pudding cups (one for me, one for her) waiting for us are just a few things I will never forget. She was no different when my son was born. Although she had already been diagnosed with cancer, she still cooked up a storm, decorated her home and made sure to give my son everything from cuddles, tickles to her infamous bottle of milk with “un poquito de cereal.” I miss those moments.

I’ve never made ride pudding (arroz con dulce) from scratch but in honor of my grandmother and in collaboration with the American Cancer Society’s A Healthier Holiday Table campaign, I did a healthier version of this sweet treat of delight. I have a bad habit of craving something sugary before bed, especially during the winter. And if you read my Nutrilite post then you know I’m completely changing around my eating habits in 2013. Arroz con Dulce – in all its decadent glory – isn’t exactly what I would call “healthy” – But I found a recipe (Sweet Coconut Rice Pudding) which included a few substitutions and I gotta tell you – It’s good! I found the recipe at The Healthy Dish – It’s dairy free, cholesterol free and vegan. Oh, and the ginger and cinnamon aroma is enough to make your heart dance.

I hope you will join me in eating healthy and getting active this year. Did you know that eating a lot of fruits/veggies and exercise can reduce your risk of several types of cancer? Too busy? Check out these tips. Here’s to a healthy and a prosperous new year!

Every time I look at pictures of NYC, Frank Sinatra plays in my head. Doesn’t happen when I’m there, especially when I’m stuck in midtown in a rental, at a light, with no hope of getting to my destination. Pigeons walk faster. Who rents a car in New York?! Or … in my cousin’s words “What the heck is wrong with you? You can’t take the train?” But more on the pesky habits I’ve picked up in LA another time. Not only did we celebrate 85 years with the Rockettes, my son and I walked (yes, walked!) all over town. He always leaves with a better understanding about the way I grew up, and why I don’t spend 15 minutes chit-chatting or paying compliments before delivering a point. Really, there was no time for that. And, as it stands, can’t say I’ve mastered the art of having a pre-conversation.

Let’s move it people! I have a Kangocho coffee from Kenya waiting for me at Intelligentsia! All four of you, move out of the way! (I’ve noted by the strange stares that his hustle & bustle talk doesn’t translate well in Pasadena. I smell a 2013 resolution, maybe??)

FAO Shwarz, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Tree and the beautiful window displays made for a wonderful mom and son afternoon. Hot dogs were also invited. It was a happier day than the one spent at the Freedom Towers a few days prior. Visiting reminded me of my years at the World Financial Center. My first job. I was a front desk receptionist at a banking firm. It’s what I did while I worked on my arts education credentials. As I walked around the area, I felt an overwhelming amount of sadness and pride at once. In fact, I didn’t fly for years after 9/11. This was the first time I ever flew alone, and to NYC at that (my son was in Philly with grandparents).

My visits to NYC are always a mixed bag of emotions. Needles to say, it was a perfect way to end 2012.

There’s nothing like Christmas time in NYC. I’m back in LA but reminiscing about the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. It was so much fun being there with my son and sharing the things that will forever live in me as a proud New Yorker.

From Broadway back to Hollywood, Mary Kay’s Hollywood Mystique Collection has been the perfect go-to makeup this season. I made sure to pack the radiant red nail lacquer and their bold red lip shine. I didn’t have the luxury of time – Visiting family, working and wanting to take my son everywhere doesn’t allow for much primping. But a little red goes a long way to keep things fun and glamorous!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

(Sweater: Banana Republic. Shoes: Zara. Makeup/Nail polish: Mary Kay)

(Editor’s note: Wishing I had been at Art Basel this year, I asked Filmmaker Andrea Franco to share her awesome images and tell us about the happenings.)

I had the opportunity to visit this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach last weekend. I lived in Miami from 2001 until 2007, and have seen this art fair change and grow into the most prestigious art show in the United States. Now, the streets of Wynwood’s art district are flooded with colorful graffiti art such as Shepard Fairey’s work in the Wynwood Walls, and all of the old clothing warehouses have been replaced by galleries, stores and great eateries.

This year, I stumbled upon many Latin American artists showcasing their works, represented by different galleries and some even putting their art on the streets. At the Convention Center, where the main art show for Art Basel is held, I found great works by Peruvian artists Jose Carlos Martinat, Giancarlo Scaglia, and Jerry B Martin represented by Revolver Galería . In Martinat’s piece Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, Yesterday and Today, a desk owned by Walt Disney was replicated and completely disguised by stacks of paper printouts of different images depicting a darker side of Disney: worker’s strikes, hidden documents, war instruments and censored images. As an audience, you could choose to take any of these any paper images with you, so that towards the end of the show the desk would be revealed.

At Pulse Miami, I found the work of Yvonne Venegas, sister of the talented Mexican musician Julieta Venegas. The photograph Nirvana, from the series Maria Elvia De Hank, shows a bored little girl all dressed up, seated at a fancy dinner table, resting her head on her plate. The series was done in the course of four years, where Venegas was able to document the family of Maria Elvira De Hank, the wife of former mayor of Tijuana, Jorge Hank Rohn. She not only gives us a view of the extravagant life of the wealthy in Mexico, but also of its shallow and contradicting reality. To find out more information, check out the Miami Art Basel page.

List of images of artists’ work from top: Natalia Arias, Alvaro Verduzco, Miguel Angel Rojas, Maria Martinez-Cañas, Yvonne Venegas, Jose Carlos Martinat, Marcos Ramirez Erre, Denise Diaz, Pablo Lehman, Alessandra Rebagliati, Nicole Franchy, Alejandra Laviada, Arian Dylan, Shepard Fairey, Maria Builes.

(Written by: Andrea Franco)

This past year has been filled with many unexpected turns and blessings in disguise. My life has changed tremendously – personally and career-wise. Needless to say, the transitions in all aspects of my life have turned my eating habits into one-big-mess. I mean, why beat around the bush? In one year, I’ve gained 35 lbs. And exercise? When I can squeeze it in. I know. Excuses. Excuses. Time is definitely a factor but I know in order to keep up with what I do, I need to take better care of myself. Last year, I set work goals, and am proud to say I achieved many of them. My health goals should be no different.

I was beyond excited to be invited to NYC by Amway’s Nutrilite to learn more about fitness, healthy eating and the importance of supplements. I also moderated a Twitter party along with several fabulous bloggers – Filled with #PackMoreHealth ideas for 2013 by Nutrilite. We also spent an afternoon with , who taught us the art of mixing colors in dishes for added flavor. He prepared Swiss Chard Tacos with caramelized onions, fresh cheese and red chile. I definitely took away ideas for adding more spice to life with herbs, spices and condiments. Now the time factor? The simple answer to that is plan, plan, plan. I cannot realize at 5pm that it’s time to cook dinner. It’s way too easy to just make some pasta or get take out. So guys, here’s to a new year and new eating habits. Uh oh! It is now in writing!

Before you go, make sure you check out – And a huge thank you to Amway and the New York Smyth Tribeca for being so accommodating and just plain old awesome. To see more pics, check out the