All posts by Alicia

A Little Ink

Art & Culture, Travel & Miami

There’s something about the smell of antiseptic soap, ink, and alcohol. The combination of these scents always makes an impact on me upon walking into any tattoo shop – it never fails to make me giddy with nervous excitement, even if I’m just there for support. Walking into Phat Joe’s on Wednesday night made me nostalgic and wistful. Coupled with familiar faces and the promise of new artwork beaming colorfully from every inch of wall space, places like these tend to feel for me like a home from another lifetime.

Nicole was a bit anxious about this particular tattoo due to its size and permanent placement in a highly visible spot, but I know she felt more at ease once she was greeted by petite pixy Maytee Bringas, longtime artist and creator of Mayeville, a place for all things cute with just the right amount of cult edge. Maytee manages to make permanent ink application appear no more difficult than skillfully applying liquid eyeliner. She balances cupcakes and skulls in a way that just works and that’s just a girl after my heart.

Working in a tiny cubicle covered in Hello Kitty, Betty Page, and Mark Ryden, what felt like only a few “brushstrokes” amid a flurry of girl talk turned into the final product (pictured below) that made me have to resist lunging towards her and volunteering my own limbs for canvas.

I forgot to bring my camera along, but here are a few shots from my phone. If you’re feeling the urge for ink as badly as I am, consider Phat Joe’s on 84th Avenue and Bird Road.

   

Note: I was a little worried about the skewed perspective of my blog – specifically the disproportionate amount of bubbles versus ink. I hope to begin redeeming myself with this post, honoring my friend Nicole and her recent experience with talented tattoo artist Maytee Bringas at Phat Joe’s. I’m hoping to feature more talented artists, and keep praying that at least one of them will be working on me soon.

From Brujita to Bewitching

Art & Culture, Travel & Miami

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with the fabulous ladies of Terribly Girly as they turned an everyday “brujita” into a Barbarella-style witch in honor of Halloween. It took quite a bit of time and effort (more than I care to admit) to complete the transformation, but the end result was well worth it and strikingly different from anything we’ve worked on before (never been blond a day in my life!). I should have teaser shots soon, but here are a couple of (slightly blurry) images I was able to capture with my phone between champagne breaks and wardrobe run-throughs. Hope you like!

 

Handbag Heaven

Fashion & Beauty, , , ,

This one’s purely for the ladies (and any fellas who enjoy fashion). I am eagerly anticipating the official beginning of fall (September 22, by the way) and while that may only mean a change in color palette for those of us in Miami who are still suffering in 90° weather, it also means it’s time for fall fashion and a seasonal update in accessories, my favorite of which is a good handbag.

During my recent seasonal inventory, I attacked three large storage bins (much to the benefit of my teenage sister) and discovered quite a few treasures hiding in plastic. These have been accrued over the span of several years (some with tags still on them!). I’ve included my collection below for your viewing pleasure (purse porn, as a friend likes to call it) and wonder: does anyone else do this? Feel free to post yours and make me feel normal better. Hope you enjoy. I always do!

  1. L.A.M.B. Wristlet
  2. Gucci Mini Hobo
  3. Gucci Crossbody Bag
  4. Gucci Boat (Gray & Gold)
  5. Gucci Boat (Beige & Brown)
  6. L.A.M.B. for LeSportsac
  7. Gucci Piston Closure Wallet
  8. Black Quilted Wristlet, Forever 21
  9. Donald J. Pliner Mini Tote
  1. Express Metallic Wristlet
  2. Dooney & Bourke Tattoo Wristlet
  3. Gucci Pill Box
  4. Kenneth Cole Wristlet
  5. Nordstrom Wallet in Teal
  6. Louis Vuitton Monogram Wristlet
  7. Green Clutch (found at DSW)
  8. Black Coin Purse (Arden B.)
  9. Gucci Monogram Wallet

  1. Red Tote by Mark
  2. Black Clutch by Expres
  3. Black & White Satchel by L.A.M.B.

  1. Camel Backpack (Target)
  2. Vera Bradley Duffel
  3. Harajuku Lovers Duffel
  4. Christian Dior Boston Bag
  5. Gucci Bardot w/ Piston Closure
  6. Mustard Bag by Mark
  7. Black Mini Hobo by Express

  1. Gucci Tote in Navy & Red
  2. Michael Kors Wallet
  3. Michael Kors Hobo Bag
  4. Betseyville by Betsey Johnson
  5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Clasic Q
  6. Juicy Couture
  1. Gucci Classic Jackie Bag
  2. Gucci Wave
  3. Teal Bag (Urban Outfitters)
  4. Large Gucci Duffel
  5. Black & White Hobo by Bebe
  6. Juicy Couture Laptop Bag

The Couple That Blogs Together

Art & Culture, Life & Family

My husband, the webmaster/graphic designer/Rockband enthusiast/amateur chef/Peruvian wonder can now add blogger to his laundry list of talents.  The man is highly entertaining (not that I’m biased) and is already promising to deliver all sorts of awesomeness:

“Behold the glory of the Delorean. The single greatest memory of my childhood. The car from the movie from the decade that crushes all other decades…. And movies.”

Check him out at TonyEspinoza.com for your daily (or occassionally weekly) dose of web-based randomness.

Of Witches and Werewolves

Art & Culture

For as long as I can remember, Halloween has been my absolute favorite holiday. Witches and spirits are my sugarplum fairies. I can still remember the first Halloween when my mom actually let me have a say in which costume I wanted to wear. I was 3 years old and insisted on being a witch. And a princess. And Scooby Doo. So in true CAP fashion (that’s Cuban American Princess, by the way) I pulled off 3 wardrobe changes that day, including 2 plastic masks and 1 truly gorgeous couture Cinderella gown courtesy of my grandmother, who remains, to this day, my personal couturier. Not much has changed since then. I still anticipate Halloween the way kids dream about Christmas, and I still dress up every single year, even if it sometimes means just passing out candy in really expensive garb that will never see anything past the moonlight on my balcony.

Plans for this year (aside from a mandatory viewing of the premier for Walking Dead per my husband’s obsession with zombies) are already set and I am beyond thrilled to be officially booked as of today for a witch-themed pinup shoot with none other than Miss Valentine and her team of experts at Terribly Girly. I plan to document the whole thing, so check back in October for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make a girl look wicked. To book your own shoot and for a list of all other Halloween themes, head over to their blog, Girly Talk. Happy haunting!

Ceviche 105

Food & Drink, Travel & Miami

I am Cuban by birth, but Peruvian by marriage, and because of this fusion of cultures that occurred last November, I have been lucky enough to experience some of the tastiest and most culturally rich dishes this side of the Florida Turnpike. It tugs at my Cuban heart to admit this, but I’ve recently begun to discover that Peruvians basically invented food and everything that is good about it (and if you haven’t tried huancaina sauce yet, you’ll probably only feel like challenging this statement until you do). Today’s lunch at Ceviche 105 just solidified this sentiment for me that much more. Below, I present all the evidence you need. Check them out for yourself at 105 N.E. 3rd Avenue.

Fashion’s Night Out: 9/10/10

Fashion & Beauty

Fashion’s Night Out is back for a second appearance. What began as a collaborative effort between Vogue, retailers, and designers as a way to promote sales in a weakening economy in 2009 has become a highly anticipated event for supporters of the fashion industry and a great way to gear up for Fashion Week.

This year’s official date is Friday, September 10th from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. with events spanning across the globe in celebration and support of those who keep us looking good year-round. Though the main focus, complete with fashion shows and concerts, seems to be concentrated in New York, the rest of us can still get in on the action with a complete event listing courtesy of FNO. Also, be sure to snag a piece of the official FNO merchandise collection, including tees, hoodies and bags. Forty percent of proceeds will go to the New York City Aids Fund.

Miami girls, click on the links below for events in our city:

Miami Design District FNO Map (PDF)

Village of Merrick Park FNO Events

Neiman Marcus FNO Events

Nordstrom FNO Events

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Nordstrom Fits America

Fashion & Beauty, Shopping & Deals

 It’s hard to believe that Summer is almost over and September is well under way.  Just a year ago around this time, I was preparing for my bridal shower, a lingerie-themed soiree that my beautiful bridesmaids put together in the middle of one very stormy month (and all that that implies). I was lucky enough to be showered with well wishes and love from family and friends, but they were also kind enough to grant me my wish to support the NFA (Nordstrom Fits America) event by purchasing all of my racy, lacy, and downright tasty gifts from the charitable retailer.

I am encouraging all women to do the same this year and treat themselves to one, or two (or a few) new pieces in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Participating sponsors include a few of my favorites such as Betsey Johnson Intimates, Calvin Klein Underwear, and, of course, every girl’s little lifesaver, SPANX, but you can check out the full list of sponsors here.  Nordstrom and participating brands will donate $2.00 for each bra purchased, so do a little good and RSVP today. Please visit Nordstrom for more details. As the eternally wise and beautiful Audrey would say, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”