Embracing the Japanese Cholas
The Japanese chola look, inspired by East Los Angeles cholas, is a striking blend of street fashion, attitude, and identity. These Japanese women are intentionally embracing this style, even though it originates from a very different cultural context. Does this mean the Japanese cholas are mocking the plight of millions of Chicanas? Of course, many […]
Argentina Defeats Colombia to Win Copa America
Argentina defeated Colombia to win Copa América 2024, played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami last night. With a goal by Player Lautaro Martínez in overtime, Argentina won the game and defended their 2021 title. And, of course Argentinians all over the world are still celebrating today. “We were born to suffer! That’s what […]
Understanding Mofongo: Puerto Rico’s Unofficial Dish
My friend Rachel is no stranger to mofongo. As a Ecuadorian/Puerto Rican from New York, she says she grew up eating this Caribbean treat. She loves mofongo so much, that, when she visited me in Miami, she insisted on going to Monfongo restaurant in Little Havana. Yes, she opted for a mofongo dish instead of […]
If You Like Piña Coladas
If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain, then you’re in luck. It’s National Piña Colada day! And this year marks the drink’s 70th anniversary. So, go ahead. Escape work early to celebrate the creation of the frosty and creamy “strained pineapple” cocktail which exudes summertime bliss. If You Like Piña Coladas […]
The Emergence of Freestyle
The 1980s gave the world more than big hair and Blockbuster stores. It was also the decade that introduced music fans to freestyle, contagious dance music which followed the disco days of the 1970s. But, unlike disco, and its glitzy beats, freestyle blended electronic dance music with Latin rhythms. Yet, just like disco, freestyle left its […]
Embracing the Power of Latina Aesthetics
From Selena Gomez’s SNL skit about Cholas to CBS’s upcoming comedy featuring “The Chonga Girls,” Latina aesthetics are being brought into the mainstream spotlight. “It’s a whole aesthetic: dramatic cat-eye liner, matte foundation, pencil-thin eyebrows, and lips that don a dark and defined liner, often worn in conjunction with hoop earrings, gold nameplates, ornate acrylic […]
Celebrating National Anisette Day … and Abuela
It’s National Anisette Day. You know anisette, that sweet liquor that brings so many of us nostalgia and a touch of magic. When I grew up, my abuelita always had a trusty bottle of anisette. It was her go-to remedy for everything from colds to holiday cheer. And now it has its own calendar day. […]
How to Ask for a Drinking Straw (Without Offending Anyone)
If you’ve ever traveled through Spanish-speaking countries, you know that regional dialects can turn a simple request into a game of linguistic roulette. One of these slippery slopes, which I mistakenly stumbled upon, is what to call the humble drinking straw. Ask for the wrong thing, while miming what you want, and you might end […]
The Woman Behind “La India María”
She’s as popular today as when she was 50 years ago. Some say she’s Mexico’s greatest female comedian. She’s Comedienne María Elena Velasco, best known by millions for playing her iconic character, La India María. Her fame and international stardom is all quite a feat for a girl who was born in rural Mexico, far […]
Inside the Real ‘Cocaine Hotel’
I still can’t believe what they say about the Mutiny Hotel. To me, and my neighbors here in Coconut Grove, it’s just one of the handful of hotels we recommend to anyone visiting the area. It’s a block away from the water, and just steps away from popular restaurants and cute shops. But, the stories […]
Meet the Xoloitzcuintli: Mexico’s Ancient & Hairless Dog
It’s national “Take your dog to work day.” So what better way to celebrate this day than to honor the Xoloitzcuintli, Mexico’s ancient and hairless dog. Sure they were once pets that became food for the hungry Spanish settlers. But let’s not dwell on that sad part of their otherwise impressive history. Today, these hairless […]
Miami’s Hidden History: The Story of Plymouth Congregational Church
After days of being indoors thanks to the relentless rain and flooding, my daughters and I hopped in the car for a much-need paseo around our favorite Miami neighborhood, Coconut Grove. Known for its lush landscapes, the Grove, as we locals call it, never fails to surprise and inspire us city gals. Sometimes, if we’re […]