It's always interesting to watch videos like this—ones that truly illustrate how ridiculous some things that people say are.
via Buzzfeed
geek on,
michelle
Geeking over: No Manches Clothing
T-shirts are the tortillas of our wardrobe. Stay with me! :)
They serve as simple staple pieces yet they can really make your outfit unique and memorable. T-shirts can also provide much-needed comfort while you're lounging around, or cleaning your house while singing Marco Antonio Solis songs. That said, you might as well have some culturally empowering options!
I had heard about No Manches Clothing before, but after I got this amazing Frida long-sleeve tee for Christmas (Gracias Ivan), I wanted to check out what else they had on their website.
I pretty much wish I had their entire collection in my closet, but here are my absolute faves for women, men and baby. If you need some cultura in your closet, I urge you to check them out.
First row: Educated Latina | Frida Long Sleeve | Hecha en Chicago
Second row: Mexican Gothic | ¡Toma! Onesie | Chicago Skull
Find them online, on Twitter, on Facebook or in person at 1800 W. 18th Street, Chicago.
geek on,
michelle
Get it girl: Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is the only Latina to win an EGOT — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. This past weekend she was honored with a Life Achievement award by the Screen Actor’s Guild.
Rita's always been the type of actor to not be afraid to tell it like it is — so I was not surprised hearing what she says about playing stereotypical Latina roles:
geek on,
michelle
One Yummy Minute in México
Full disclosure: I am one of those people that happen to like taking photos of food I eat when I'm out. I do it quickly, and I don't use flash, so I'm not apologizing for it! Let me continue to pretend I'm a foodie! :)
Combine my love of food and my love for México and you get this amazing video experience.
If I could shoot and edit and style a video about Mexican food, this is exactly what I would aspire to capture on film. The Perennial Plate ate all over Mexico and created this wonderful, delicious one-minute video, One Minute in Mexico. Watch and drool with me.
geek on,
michelle
12.12 - Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Growing up Mexican and Catholic, la Virgen de Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe was a significant and ever-present figure for my family. It's hard to explain what she means to me, over the years I've definitely drifted away from my Catholic upbringing. However, she has remained very special to me.
I remember when I was in 8th grade and ready for my confirmation sacrament. We all had to pick a name to "adopt." I told my Catechism teacher I wanted to pick Guadalupe, because I wanted to honor la Virgen de Guadalupe. I was promptly told no, that she had no idea who I was talking about, and that it didn't matter—since she wasn't technically a saint. I went home feeling defeated and disappointed.
Throwback Thursday! My Madrina and Tia Guillermina and me at my confirmation.
So I went to the library, did some research, asked my parents some questions and wrote a page-long essay on la Virgen de Guadalupe's story and why she was so important to Mexican Catholic culture. I brought the paper to my teacher and asked her to read it. She was either impressed with my efforts, or just didn't want to deal with me anymore, so she said yes. It worked!
I know—random story—but I'll always remember that moment. It made me realize that I would never give up on something I really believed in. Especially when it has something to do with my culture.
All it takes sometimes is some explaining. And speaking of explaining, I'll leave you with this wonderful article I read this morning, that brought me to tears.
How a father explains Our Lady of Guadalupe to his daughter
geek on,
michelle
The Mexican Indie Soundcase
... or why I love Carla Morrison.
This past weekend The National Museum of Mexican Art hosted a night of indie music performed by talented Mexican/Mexican-American artists. Now, normally an event like this would already intrigue me enough to buy a ticket. But a double-take showed me that Carla Morrison would be there. CARLA MORRISON. A.K.A. my musical obsession for the past two years.
For those of you saying, "Who?" Listen up. Literally.
Carla has one of the most romantic, heartbreaking, poetic voices I've ever heard. Just click here, I made a playlist for you. Start with "Compartir" and spend the rest of your evening curled up in the fetal position. Sigh.
Back to the Mexican Indie Soundcase. I got to check out Madame Ur y Sus Hombres and Jazmin Solar, who were awesome and making their U.S. debut. Carla closed the show and was incredible. I saw her perform live back in the summer of 2011, and she has definitely upped her concert game. She sang beautifully, and appeared confident onstage in her signature "disco pants." I also loved the stories she told about her songs and inspiration.
I took some video of one of my favorite songs, "Falta de Respeto."
I hope you give Carla a listen and fall in love with her music as I have. Wanna learn more about Carla? Here's her website.
geek on,
michelle
Fotos y Recuerdos: Selena
This exact poster is still hanging in my childhood bedroom.
This wouldn't be a proper latina-centric blog if I didn't acknowledge the devastating day that March 31, 1995 was for me. I heard about Selena's tragic death on the radio in the car on the way to the mall with my mom. I was 11 years old and I will never forget the flurry of emotions that followed. Confusion, denial, then just pure grief. The only thing that helped was that I knew I wasn't alone. It was a comfort to know hundreds and thousands of fans just like me were mourning her too.
I grew up listening and dancing along to her music. I owned her cassette tapes and cherished them. Her lyrics were poetry to me, songs about heart break and love I pretended to know about. I admired her happy spirit and community involvement. I got bangs so I could look like her (Pro-tip: naturally curly haired bangs are not a good idea.) I was thisclose to going to her concert in Chicago in March 1995 but I didn't have enough money saved up for a ticket. I promised myself I'd go next time she came into town. She died 12 days later.
It's been 18 years since she died. I still tear up when I hear her songs and bawl when I see the Selena movie. I could go on and on about how much I loved her and was heartbroken that she was killed but for now I will leave you with one of my favorite Selena songs of all time.
geek on,
michelle
Tamal No. 5?
Photo: Chris Geovanis, HammerHard MediaWorks
I recently heard about a perfumer who wanted to represent the neighborhood of Pilsen through a particular scent - un tamal. Not your typical fragrance note.
I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. But after hearing an interview with Zorayda “Z” Ortiz on WGN Radio's morning show, I became intrigued. I need this in my life!
Through her company Zoils Oils, she made the 'Tamal' scent to celebrate the heritage of the neighborhood's Mexican community.
To me, the smell of un tamal is intoxicating. It's a scent that's definitely comforting and familiar. I just wonder if it's going to make me hungry all the time!
I'm going to try to get it once it officially debuts this spring and don't you worry - I'll be posting a review on it. Now, if this does well maybe Zorayda can take requests for other scents - Abuelita Chocolate, anyone? :)
Read more about the Tamal perfume here. FInd Zoils Oils on Facebook here.
geek on,
michelle
Inside Frida's Closet
In an effort to delay cleaning my own closet, I bring you a really interesting video I stumbled upon…
One of most inspirational mexicanas in history - Frida Kahlo - had an extraordinary signature style.
Watch what was discovered in her closet by the The Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City. Check it out below.
via abcnews
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michelle
Hecho en México
I don't think I need to tell you that there are many misconceptions about México. Whether its people who only think about it when it comes time to plan their spring break vacations, or those who are terrified to step foot south of the Rio Grande and encounter gasp - DRUGS, KIDNAPPING and MURDER.
Which is why it warms my heart that a documentary is trying to combat those views and negativity and show a side of México many have not seen.
The video description states: A celebration of Mexican identity and culture told through the music of some of the most iconic international artists.
Watch the trailer below featuring stars like Alejandro Fernández, Julieta Venegas, Diego Luna and many more.
Foto by geekylatina.
¡Viva México!
Foto by geekylatina.
I was lucky enough to participate in the Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade on 26th Street this year. Since I grew up in La Villita, it meant a lot to me to be in the parade I used to look forward to seeing every year. It's changed in many ways since those days, but something that has not is the spirit. Suffice it to say I got goosebumps at the very first grito of "¡Viva México!" and they never went away. This stretch of 26th Street holds many memories for me and I could not be more proud to have been a part of this significant event.
geek on,
michelle
P.S. Thanks to 95.5.fm El Patrón for letting me ride on their float that actually was a massive semi-truck!
Foto by geekylatina
The Mariachi Divas at Millennium Park
Every once in a while you need something to fill your internal tank of cultura. I never stop being proud of who I am and where I came from, but it's always nice to go to events that give you that extra boost of Mexican orgullo. Luckily, I live in Chicago and those types of events are plentiful.
Fotos by geeky latina
The National Museum of Mexican Art's 25th Anniversary celebration and 2012 Sor Juana Festival Kick-off concert featuring Mariachi Divas was on a Tuesday night at Millennium Park. I'm a sucker for mariachi music, but to see an all-woman mariachi band live was incredible and inspiring.
My husband and I grabbed some dinner to go and a couple of craft beers and settled in as we listened to amazing vocals and powerful lyrics. Hearing the Divas belt out songs usually sung by men gave me chills and made me proud to be a Mexicana. I couldn't help but tear up looking around at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and seeing so many Latinos singing along to the songs of my childhood. When the Divas really started rocking out, the aisles were full of people dancing and having a great time - very few people were still sitting down!
As you can see everyone is dancing the night away!
It was really a magical night and I hope they play at this venue again and others in Chicago so I can experience their wonderful performance again — and bring my family next time!
If you haven't heard of the Grammy-winning The Mariachi Divas, definitely check them out! You won't be disappointed.
Take a listen to some audio I captured that night below...
geek on,
michelle
