Posts from — May 2013

When I first saw these images, I can’t say that I immediately identified the works as street art at all. Maybe because I grew up with it (part of every day life if you grew up in the Bronx during the 80s) and it’s part of the fabric of my being. Except that during my travels on the D train, graffiti was not quite as beautiful. Well, then again, I suppose it depends on who you ask. I also didn’t identify these works as portraits either. Maybe because in my head a portrait (in the literal sense) would have the eyes exposed, engaging the viewer into the soul of the subject. Instead, the anonymity of the women juxtaposed with abstract forms and tags took me to the urban landscapes of my childhood, where eastern and western cultures co-existed into its own sub-culture that was just a normal part of life. The large scale pieces reminded me of the bills I would see on Canal and Delancey covered in tags and tattered – Exposing layers of glued paper during the times of a grittier New York. In a gallery setting, it’s amazing to see the beauty of it for what it is and really experience the stories told. I also realized that my years spent studying art history has caused a problem in my vision – I feel compelled to “identify.” Art is made so that the viewer can feel, recall and find their own way through the works, which is what Hush has set out to do by covering the eyes of the women. Doing this, takes away our immediate need to engage with the subject and instead leads our eyes throughout the entire canvas – It opens up an entirely different dialogue focusing on exploration and discovery.

If you want to check out the show, it’s hanging at Corey Helford from May 18 – June 15, 2013

(Pics are a combination of my own and Charm School)

When I arrived from Miami, I said “That’s it! I’m not traveling anymore until September.” There are a few engagements I’d love to attend in my old stomping grounds of New York City in the fall, and I rather save up all my energy until then. Lo and behold, I open my email, and see that James Turell is having a site-specific solo exhibition at the Guggenheim which will still be on view when I’m there (June 21–September 25). I would love to see this show in person. It’s exciting when a museum transforms their entire space. I worked at the Guggenheim as a lecturer during Brazil Body and Soul – an exhibition showcasing art work from Brazil starting with Baroque to contemporary works – and remember feeling like I walked into the 17th century (all the while counting my blessings that my version of a work day included such beauty). The museum housed a beautiful Rococo altar in the rotunda, which was dimly lit enhancing the structures grandiosity in size and revealing the untold stories with every intricate ornate detail.

The Turrell exhibition – and completely nothing like the Main Altar, São Bento, Olinda – will feature the installation Aten Reign (2013), which promises to be the most dramatic transformation the museum has ever conceived. The natural light that typically beams into the museum’s center space will tell a new story. The rotunda will be filled with modulating bright, intense color shifting from natural to artificial light, and designed to expose the materiality of light. Really? Light and tangibility? This is basically going to be a visual experience like no other. How can I not want to partake in such an experience?

I really hope all pans out and I can head over to New York in the fall. Definitely adding this to my “Must-See” list. But before I packing those bags, there’s a must-see Turrell retrospective at LACMA opening on 5.26.

During one of my mother’s recent visits to Europe, she picked up this beautiful quill and ink set for me from a boutique in Italy. She knew how much I would love something like this. She always thinks of me, no matter where she is or what she’s doing – even at my age, she’s never stopped trying to make things special in some way, big or small. In fact, my recent trip to Miami could not have happened had she not flown here from Texas to watch over my son. During her stay, she not only did all of the things grandmas do, but she worked tirelessly to make my home more functional and accommodating to my very busy schedule. She created a better organization system for my kitchen, cleared out my cluttered storage space, had my carpets cleaned, made better use of my closet space, and so on. She thinks of the things that matter, and does what she can to make sure that I feel loved and thought about.

Mom, thank you for your endless love and support. If you were here, we would have spent Mother’s Day having lunch together or shopping for shoes (our favorite pastime). There are also lots of art shows happening right now that you would have enjoyed, and next time you’re here we should spend more time doing that. I love you, and none of what you do goes unnoticed. You’ve left bits and pieces of love throughout my home, and you’re truly missed. Happy Mother’s Day.

This post is part of a sponsored collaboration between Mary Kay and Latina Bloggers Connect

Like I mentioned the other day,we have a fun and awesome collaboration going on with Mary Kay – They’re actually the sponsor for the Univision webnovela “Aranque de Pasion“, starring Kate del Castillo and Carlos Ponce, who my grandmother and I loved to watch during our novela evenings together. Novela nights with my grandmother are some of the best memories I have as a child. She was a devout Christian and amazing homemaker, but once the drama, affairs and slaps ensued, she was enthralled. As a child, I had no idea why the maid would give the camera the glare of death or why the “good looking guy” couldn’t decide between the “good looking blonde” or the “good looking brunette”. It was all a big web of intense drama and attractive people all romancing under sunlit skies, surrounded by plush palm trees while living in an architectural splendor that made me want to trade in my NYC brick facades for a Spanish villa. Everyone looked top-notch and perfectly groomed. In fact, it was my exposure to novelas that led me to become an actress later on (I talk a little bit about it here)

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I have officially embarked into the world of parenting a teen boy. It’s a new chapter filled with voice changes, self-expression and, wait, is that a mustache? My son is now interested in things like personal style, watches … and cologne. He likes a good suit and a nice pair of sleek shoes. He also loves sports jerseys, sneakers and jeans like any other kid. Except now, more thought is put into it.

As his mother, it’s super important to me that I give him his space to express himself and discover things that he likes. Have fun. Play around with looks, trends and those simple things that makes being a teen fun. If your son is transitioning from boy to teen, and you’re now being told to wait outside of the dressing room, I wrote a for this new chapter in both of your lives- I talk about everything from skin care and shoes to pants and hair. It’s a fun time, and I wish more stylish alternatives were geared to boys becoming men. But hey, that’s the beauty of blogs. Check it out!

So one of our clients over at LBC is Mary Kay – And since we started our awesome collaboration, I’ve had the privilege of trying many of their products (seen here and here). Recently, we’ve been working on their Latina Blogger campaign for the Univision.com webnovela, Arranque de Pasión (Mary Kay is a sponsor). As part of the sponsorship, Mary Kay has established some of the character “looks” of the novela. They also created a series of vignettes where celebrity makeup artists Luis Casco (who I’ve worked with before, and may I add, is wonderfully talented) and Mariela Bagnato will share tips on how we can recreate the looks. I was given the look you see here called “Beautiful at Night” – Which I will list product by product while recreating the look next week.

Tonight we (as in me at @ and me at – don’t ask how I can multi-task on Twitter) are hosting a Twitter Party with , , , , , , , . Our Special Guest – ! To join us all you have to do is RSVP You can win this look or four others, which run the gamut of natural and sensual to sexy and dramatic. Tweet you tonight!