Category — travel

Remember that POT restaurant post? The one with the amazing Korean dishes like BBQ Galbi and Kimchi fried rice? Well, that restaurant is located at the LINE Hotel, where the We All Grow Summit (W.A.G) is going to take place (I write all about the summit here). We’re very excited to have this conference at the LINE in Koreatown. It’s so important for us to show the different cultures of LA. The ones you don’t see on TV and hear about in music. When I first moved here, it was either the west side or the valley … and nothing in between. That is, until I started going to art shows around the city, which gave me a whole new perspective about this new place I call home.

The LINE is perfect for W.A.G. From the Sydell Group, Roy Choi, Houston Brothers, Sean Knibb and Poketo, the hotel defines collaboration and vision. Latina Bloggers Connect was founded on that principal – Community. Together, we support bloggers and brands in building authentic collaborations. When the two meet, lots of magic happens – stories are shared and long-term relationships are developed. And like LBC, the LINE is loud and proud about its cultural pride, diversity and roots. Every where you turn, you will be reminded of the area’s many cultures and urban subcultures illustrated by the strategically placed religious candelas, bowls of fruit, lollipop roses, tamarind sticks, stickers and bodega bowls of candy placed around the bar.

Then there are the outdoor areas like the Commissary, which is a greenhouse focused on fruits and vegetables and homage to all the people and families in Southern California who work on farms to bring food to the table. What’s there not to love about that?

Aaaah, the accommodations. These beautifully designed concrete rooms have a fantastic view of the Hollywood Hills and city sky line. With desks as headboards (which is an awesome use of space), it’s perfect for those, like us, who need our laptops to pay the bills. I’ve spent many nights during travel on the computer in an uncomfortable chair. I really like how you can face the sunshine while you get that to-do list done. Also, note the upholstered chair in a vintage Mexican serape. Another added touch that celebrates the cultures of the community.

You’ve probably seen this picture before. It was shot during my first visit to the LINE when Ana introduced me to the space to check out all the cool things W.A.G. guests will be a part of. This random picture is actually one of my favs, as it features art (Curtis Jere Birds In Flight) and my work (which also takes place on my phone)

Too bad the conference takes place in February or you would have found me by the pool the whole time. Surrounded by citrus trees, flowers and the Commissary, this might be may favorite spot in the entire hotel. The jury is still out on that one. I will need to test this out during warmer seasons.

And, finally, here’s part of the WAG and LBC team taking it all in by doing something we rarely do – Relax. Like I said, we’re excited (nervous, anxious) for the launch of this summit. Moreso, the opportunity to unite with old friends, colleagues and meet new talent and future partners. Great hotel for this kind of reunion. If you want more info, check out the LINE hotel site. Until the next post!

BELLAGIO

If you’re going to Vegas for the weekend (arriving on a Friday night and leaving Sunday afternoon) with a full Saturday to yourself but overwhelmed by all the Vegas dining options, here are three great places you should try: Bellagio for breakfast, Yusho for lunch and Heritage for dinner.

The Bellagio is a beautiful luxury hotel with an equally exquisite dining experience, especially for breakfast. I suggest you start your day nice and early and take advantage of their huge buffet, which incorporates several cooking stations and beautifully presented fresh fish, fruit and savory meats. Whatever your preference, you will be covered with Italian, Japanese, Chinese, seafood and American cuisine options … and champagne for that mimosa you will want to drink as you gaze at the gorgeous fountains outside.

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I took a bit of a blog break after Thanksgiving to organize a few things to help my work flow a bit better. Sometimes you have to step away from everything and be with nature to gain some perspective on those daily to-do lists that quickly become irrelevant once you unplug. We took a trip up to Big Bear for my beau’s birthday last weekend, and had an awesome time. It took me a while to come down from the high of a busy schedule to really take in the beauty of peace and serenity. It. Felt. Amazing.

We drove high up into the mountains, approximately 7,000 feet elevation, into crisp skies, plush trees and beautiful views. We stayed at the Sleepy Forest Cottages, which was perfect for two people looking to get away. The room had a fireplace and small kitchen, where we sat and had our morning coffee together before going out to explore, eat, shop, hike and ride horses.

If you plan on making a trip for two, I totally recommend the pancake stacks at Teddy Bear Restaurant and filet mignon at Evergreen Restaurant. I don’t have enough experience traveling up to the mountains so I can’t really suggest lodging but we really did enjoy Sleepy Forest. Nothing beat laying down by the fire at night before bed and getting up early to take on a few trails.

During our hike, all I kept saying to myself was I can’t believe I’ve lived here for several years now, and have never been to Big Bear. It’s so close and such a needed difference from the typical Los Angeles climate and landscape. Definitely plan on heading back this winter for a family weekend. My son loves the snow, and there were a few slopes I’d love for us to try! There are a few more places on our short travel list that I’m currently researching. There are way too many beautiful things in California to do, especially when you need a quick get away to clear your mind and relax.

This post is in collaboration with Dove and Latina Bloggers Connect. The whole story shared here is all my own.

Here’s one of my most symbolic pictures to date taken in 2010. Standing on a runway with a vibrant red wool coat, it represents the time I finally conquered my fear of flying. OK, wait. Before I continue, let’s define the word fear. I conquered my “I am never flying. Heck no. Post 9/11 phobia. Did not fly for 10 years” type of fear, which is not to be confused with the anxiety I feel when we hit turbulence. Long story short, in 2008, after much contemplation, I finally got on a plane to Texas (my mother lives there). In 2010, I took another leap and went back to Texas. That day marked the beginning of many journeys I would take. Since then, I’ve been back to NYC (four times) and visited Chicago, Louisiana, Florida (three times), Michigan, Texas (two times more), Washington DC (twice), San Fransisco, Georgia and Tennessee. Those trips were huge for me. Every time I get on a flight, I feel stronger. Every flight I take is my spotlight moment, and when I land I feel proud of myself for not letting this fear stop me from seeing new places and experiencing new things. Now, make no mistake as I mentioned before, I do not like turbulence. Once the plane shakes, I break into a sweat. But so worth it, as you can see by these pictures.

Now what does a fear of flying and Dove have in common? Anxiety makes me sweat. When I sweat, I need deodorant. When I’m flying, I always carry one with me. Dove sent me their Clear Tone Skin Renew Deodorant right before my recent trip to Georgia. I was a bit nervous because I was flying a very bare bones plane from an airline I had never heard of before. I also made the mistake of reading Astrology Zone two hours prior, which warned about October being a disastrous month. What was I thinking?

Before this collaboration even happened, I was already going to share the goods with you all if Clear Tone could actually make its way through the challenge of a long flight to the east coast. Well, it did. I also like that it was very gentle and didn’t irritate my skin. It’s perfect for traveling, especially of you’re going to an event or have a presentation. I was actually flying to Georgia to a conference but I was also speaking on a panel so it was important for me to arrive looking and feeling fresh. Clear Tone worked really well, and I’m so glad it came in the mail when it did. I would love for you to try it. Better yet, how about a year’s worth of Dove products? And while we’re at it, how about a gift card to Rent the Runway for an upcoming special occasion?

Three winners will receive a one year supply of Dove Clear Tone Pink Rosa, a Dove Hair Daily Moisturize Shampoo, a Dove Hair Daily Moisturize Conditioner, a Dove Style + Care Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum, a Dove Style + Care Nourishing Amplifier Mousse and a $100 gift certificate to Rent the Runway. If this sounds good to you, all you need to do is tell me your tips for luminous skin (even under pressure) in the entry box below. Giveaway ends November 15th. Winners will notified no later than November 18th. Good luck!

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There’s Ana looking to see what else can we achieve and conquer. And that’s me, certain we can do it all. As much as we work — even on days where we just can’t keep our eyes open anymore — we love what we do. We are just two girls with a vision. Always inspired. We love community. We are passionate. We are moms. Friends. And some say, we even look alike. I guess that happens when you’re around someone so much in person or through text, Skype, email and air planes. Lots of bonding takes place (even without speaking) on a 5 1/2 red eye flight to NYC from LA after trying to complete a 5 day work load in 3 days.

We attended the #LATISM13 conference at the Waldorf Astoria, where we worked, hung out, barely slept, tweeted, instagrammed, interviewed, Facebooked, photographed, hugged everyone and ate, ate and ate some more. But before we treated ourselves to pastas, pizzas and desserts, we spent much of our time with one of favorite clients Johnson & Johnson. As part of our collaboration with the brand, Ana interviewed Univision’s Dr. Juan River and Raquel Garzon, who actually made me rethink the way I do things when she said that when you’re multi-tasking your IQ drops 10%. That explains a lot! I’ve tried cooking and working at the same time, which almost always resulted in burned food and unfinished posts. One thing at a time if you want to do it right.

We loved seeing everyone and taking in the city as much as we could. And as usual, we laughed, we cried and inspired one another. And speaking of inspiration, you didn’t think I would go to NYC and not sneak into a museum? I had very limited time but I decided to swap lunch for Picasso. I will get that live this week! Until we meet again, New York!

(In the pics: Daily, Denise, Kathy, Divina, Nicole, Melissa, Maura, Danielly, Silvia)

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What a lovely stream of pure peace. The pictures alone have a calming effect on me and remind that I need to take moments out of my day to just be still. Relax. Breathe. These were taken on my last day in Florida at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Del Rey Beach. And although the humidity was unbearable at times – I was happy and grateful to take the day to enjoy a more non-Miami nightlife experience, which had been the case for about 5 days straight. Don’t get me wrong, I was all about the Eden Roc on South Beach but there’s only so much of that I can do until I need to sit in peace and reflect. I find Japanese Gardens to be the most soothing for my restless soul. They make me realize how fast we’re all moving and just how much noise exists in our minds. They connect me back to nature and myself. They inspire me to add more earth and water elements to my home, to create more, to meditate more, eat better and rest more.

I really can’t start each post with an apology for disappearing. I need to just do it. Get it together. And write. Truth is, it’s been really, really busy and the thought of sitting in front of the computer longer than I already do seems like a daunting idea. When I’m off, that’s it. I’m off. But I love blogging. I love photo editing. I just really need to figure out a balance that will work. I love documenting my life and writing. And because of that, I’ve been cheating on my blog with Instagram. One requires commitment and nurturing. The other is quick and easy. Just saying. But it’s been perfection for the month of April, which has been jam packed with work, travel, teen mom happenings … and romance.

I think this collage sums it up well – A trip to South Florida (which I will – I promise – blog about) and back to LA. All in the company of great friends, new ones, someone very, very special and my other love Instagram. To join the love-fest or partake in my self-indulgent debauchery of images, you can find me at .

(Photo: View from the Eden Rock, Miami Fl/ Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach Fl/ The Huntington, San Marino CA/ Venice Beach CA/Chandelier glitz at Pop Champagne, Pasadena CA)