Fati's: 6 Things I am Thankful For... (Final Part)

I hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving, I know I did! I'm still feeling stuffed from all the yummy food!

We went to my friend's house in Lincoln, NE which is not that far from Omaha, only an hour away.  When we arrived she had made the turkey and Southern style dressin', which is like stuffing but made with cornbread. My boyfriend and I double teamed it and made beef taquitos which were scrumptious. And at the end of night, we celebrated with pumpkin pie!

After our dinner we decided to go Black Friday shopping at Target. I don't really shop on Black Friday, so I was shocked and amazed at how HUGE the line was. It was pretty much like a club like, it started at the front of the store and cornered the building. Our mission was to try to get in line since my friend's husband was trying to get a TV. That wasn't happening, so we decided to try Walmart. 

To make this long story short...he ended up not getting a TV, but bought a video game instead, I bought a sewing machine for $50 from Walmart, and we went back to my friend's house to play a game called Buzzer. What an eventful night!

Thinking about these events, makes me think of everything that I am thankful for. Here are the last three things I am thankful for:

#4 Boyfriend

We are two random peas in a pod. You compliment me with your nerdiness in techy stuff and I compliment you with my artsyness. We may like different things and do different things, but at the end we always have fun. Thank you for always supporting me and my projects and for always giving me advice to better myself. Thanks for brightening up my day with your randomness and your smile. I am so thankful to have you in my life! Te amo.

#5 Art

(Sylvia Ji)

I've always had a thing for art! I remember in my junior year of high school I really got into graffiti art. I was never big on doing big pieces on walls and stuff like that but I enjoyed drawing on people's black books and learning about different writing styles. I get so excited when I see street art because it's interesting to seen an artist's mindset when they are painting, or drawing, or even photographing something they have brainstormed and finally coming to life. 

Art is a way to escape reality and enter an imaginary world filled with vibrant colors and weird structured figures and characters. I am thankful for art, because I can express myself and bring out my creativity. I am able to express my emotions on a canvas or paper and set my mind free.

#6 Life

(Marcus Aurelius)

Life! How can I describe life... 

It is something you appreciate every moment of every day. You appreciate, you thank it because it is that thing that keeps you going. It is meant to be enjoyed, to be loved, to be lived drama-free. Life= YOU.

 I'm not much of a religious person, but I pray and give thanks to God for my life, for everything that I have accomplished thus far, for my family and for everyone that I care about, and for always protecting me. Looking back at the good and bad things that I have done in my life, it makes me motivated to change as an individual and live a better life than before. It has made me appreciate people and the little things that life brings. It has made me the person I am today!

THE END.

Thanks for taking the time in reading Things I am Thankful For !! More fashion and artist interviews coming up next week! Stay tuned!

From LA, With Luv

Fati <3

Fati's: 6 Things I am Thankful For... (Part 2)

Yay! for Thanksgiving!!

It feels like only yesterday when I was thinking of things that I am thankful for. I mean in general there are many things we should be thankful for already right? But seeing how I am dedicating a week to giving thanks, why not share it with you all. 

#2 Friends

Friends are the hardest people you can find, but when you find them they are the most amazing people in the world and you just have to be thankful for them. The definition of friends may be different for you, but my definition of a friend or friends are people who stick around with you till the end and always find ways to comfort you. They are individuals who you can be silly with and not care of whoever is looking! They are people who will kidnap you from your house and take you to get ice cream or boba late at night.

Let the good times roll!

I give thanks to my friends for being such awesome people! We come from various diverse backgrounds but we all can relate someway, somehow. And we are weird, so that's pretty cool lol. Thanks for always making me laugh and enjoy the little things in life. I want to also give thanks to everyone that I have met in the past and present! You have all impacted my life in a certain way and I am glad we have crossed paths.

#3 (You all) The Readers

Before starting this blog I had a hard time thinking of what my focus was going to be. My lack of motivation kicked in and it never ended up happening. Thanks to my boyfriend, friends, and family I started it. And here we are now! 

This blog couldn't have been possible without your support. I would like to thank your for taking the time in visiting my blog and commenting on your favorite blog posts! I think without YOU, the reader, opinions would not be heard and things would always be boring because there is no flavor in the mix. Without you there wouldn't be numerous amount of blogs filled with comments, suggestions or advice. So, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

(photo cred. Pinterest)

From LA, With Luv

Fati <3

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!!!

Alas the day has come! Get ready to grab your fork and knives and sit around the table with friends and family and get a plate full of goodness. It's not only a day of delicious food but it's a day filled with appreciation and remembering why we celebrate this holiday.

Every Thanksgiving my family and I go to the local civic center in Santa Monica and we distribute food to the community. It feels good to contribute back and know that you are doing a good deed. There are many ways you can contribute. I know churches may be having activities or even a local non-profit like the Red Cross.You can also make food baskets or donate canned food for families in need. 

Speaking of food, one of the things that I miss from home is home-cooking. Instead of the old, traditional cooking of the turkey as the center piece, we make Pan con Pavo which is roast turkey with sauce. It is a Salvadoran recipe that will leave you wanting more. 

This is definitely something I need to learn how to make because it is DEEELIIISSSHH!!! If you have not tried this before, I suggest you should! Like my aunt says, "Don't say NO if you haven't tried it". 

Now that you know what my favorite Thanksgiving platter is...

What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Have a Happy, Jolly, Merry Thanksgiving!! Check out my next blog post for more of Fati's, 6 Things I am Thankful For!

Learn to make Pan con Pavo Recipe: http://tasty-bytes.blogspot.com/2010/11/pan-con-chumpe-salvadorean-turkey.html

From LA, With Luv

Fati <3

Fati's: 6 Things I'm Thankful for

(Image found here). 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

For many of you it's been an exciting week filled with shopping, preparation, work, or just getting everything ready for that big dinner you'll be having. Or maybe even doing some little Black Friday shopping.

But whatever it may be; through the hustle and bustle of our daily lives it's always good to stop for a second and think about what we are thankful for.

This week I decided to dedicate my blog to  Fati's, 6 Things I'm Thankful For.

The first one is:

#1 Family

(From the left: Sister, dad, brother, myself, & mom)

One of my biggest influences is my family. My parents come from two different cultural backgrounds, religions, & traditions, but like many, migrated to the US for a better life filled with more opportunities. I still find it interesting to learn about how my parents met and how their lives were back in their home countries.  Looking back at their personal experiences, I have learned to value my culture and my identity. My family has made me the mujer I am today and I am truly blessed.

 I want to give thanks to my family for always supporting me and for always giving me that extra push to try harder in accomplishing my goals. I give them thanks for always showing me the meaning of life through their perspective and for always teaching me how to survive in the real world. Although we may have our ups and downs but at the end of the day, it's that unconditional love that will never break us apart. 

What are you thankful for?


From LA, With Luv
Fati <3 





Effie-inspired. The Hunger Games

Effie-inspired. The Hunger Games by f-alliyani featuring a black palm tree

Balmain mini party dress
mytheresa.com

ITEM m6 black hosiery
$71 - nelly.com

Irregular Choice feather shoes
heels.com

KOTUR clasp purse
intermixonline.com

Gold tone chain link necklace
dailylook.com

Hair clip accessory
etsy.com

Thelermont Hupton black palm tree
$150 - madeindesign.co.uk

Thelermont Hupton wall mounted hook
$150 - madeindesign.co.uk

Chris March Big Fun Pink Afro Wig
target.com

Artist of the Week

(Photo Cred. Nancy Lastra)

Nancy Lastra

Vintage... What is vintage?

 Is it the Old Hollywood glamour that sparks your attention? or Could it be the bright red lipstick that makes you want to pucker up and smile? 

Los Angeles native and photographer of Nancy Dolls Photography, Nancy Lastra, gives us her own definition of what vintage means through her array of pin-up photographs that makes you want to travel back in time to the 1920's, 30's, 50's and so on. Through her experiences as a previous pin-up model, she always felt that women should "embrace their curves and love themselves for who they are". With her ambitious talent and her love of the mid-century, she not only captivates the beauty of the old eras but truly brings out the beauty in every woman. 

"Everything I represent is a marriage of the timeless beauty of Vintage". - Nancy Lastra

Model: Miss Bri
Photographer: Nancy Dolls Photography
M.U.A.H: Shirley Garcia

Here's an interview that I did on the lovely, Mrs. Nancy Lastra:

Me: What got you into doing pin-up photography?

Nancy: I love the beauty of it. It was the fashion that got my attention and the effort [that] women put into looking glamorous all the time back in the 1950's. The hair, the makeup, and the wardrobe were always so perfect! I just love the confidence that [it] brings out in a woman when I do pin-up photo-shoots.

Me: Do you find the vintage era to be influential?

Nancy: Yes definitely! It's a very classy look and at the same time sexy. I feel like this look makes you look confident and also bring out your inner beauty. I have family members wearing hair-accessories in their  hair and rocking the red lips now and they look fear-less and I love it! I brought that to the family I love that I influence people to be confident and sexy and to love themselves. 

Me: How do you distinguish yourselves from other artists?

Nancy: To me pin-up is a lifestyle. I love the culture that brings what our beauty icons went through to become our idols. I love the beauty of it! I have a passion for it [and] I want to relive the 1950's in my photography [to] show the beauty of a woman in  the photo. 

Model: Billy Nova
Photographer: Nancy Dolls Photography
M.U.A.H: The Billy nova

Me: Do you think photography help's with accepting one's self image?

Nancy:  I have worked with many women and honestly [at the] end of the day what they tell me is, Thank You for bringing the inner beauty that I never thought I had. Specially women that had kids and they don't feel like they're sexy  [them]selves. I've seen women cry, because they thought they could never be sexy again. That's when I realized I have a talent that can make someone feel beautiful. [It] is a skill I know I am blessed to have. I DO NOT use Photoshop and people get really surprised when I tell them that I will not Photoshop anything. There are women that tell me to fix their stomach, their nose, fix their arms, and I tell [them] okay and when I show them their [edited picture], [they're] in shock when they see the picture and I let them know that all I edited was the colors. No nose or flatten[ing] their stomach. They cry because the person they see in the photo is really them and it's just a wonderful feeling! 

Me: What does vintage mean to you?

Nancy: Vintage represents the high quality of a past time, being the best of its kind.

Me: What is some advice you can give to mujeres or to anyone on accepting themselves?

Nancy: Follow your own heart, create your own style and be your own person. Because we are all unique and beautiful in our own way! People will judge you and put you down but it doesn't matter because there life lessons we only get ONE life let's make the best of it!

Model: Ms. Andrea- Pink Bow Magazine
Photographer: Nancy Dolls Photography
M.U.A.H: Shirley Garcia

You can follow Nancy on her photography page on Facebook at: 

https://www.facebook.com/NancyDollsPhotography

Instagram: nancydollsphotography

Interesting in doing a photo-shoot? Shoot her an email at: nancydollsphotography@gmail.com 

From LA, With Luv

Fati <3

A Little Something to get your Weekend Started!

I hope you all are having a great week so far! The weekend is almost here! I was looking at my calendar today and the month of November is flying by. Thanksgiving is pretty much already here and then it'll be Christmas! Pretty exciting times people!

 Seeing how it's Thursday and all, here's some funky music to get your weekend started! Let's take it back....back in time....

 Throwback Thursday!

(Cutie Pie- One Way)

 

 

(Atomic Dog- George Clinton)

 

 

(Can't Touch This- Mc Hammer)

 

 

 

(Freakazoid- Midnight Star)

 

 

From LA, With Luv

Fati <3



My Style Monday



The Messy Bun

(Photo cred: Jamie Stevens)

I've always found it hard to pick a hair-style, especially when I'm rushing for work. Since my hair is curly, I never know what I wanna do. Do I wanna straighten it or give it some more curls? After much debate, I always end up going with my "go to" hair style, The Messy Bun. 

I don't know what it is about this type of hair-style, but it's one of my favorites. I think it's because its easy to do and you can rock it with anything, like with a dress or even a denim jacket. One thing that I noticed is that depending on what you wear, your hair gives your outfit a certain look. A definition. 

What's your "go to" hairstyle?

Here are more photos on how you can wear your messy bun!

For more easy to do hairstyles check out: http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/gorgeous-and-easy-5-minute-hairstyles/4/

From LA, With Luv
Fati <3

Artist of the Week

 

(Photo by: William Pitts)

 

Lesley Perdomo

 

Whether it be sketching out a design for a chalk art festival or just hanging out in good ol' Venice Beach, California, Lesley Perdomo  has evoked many audiences with her giant chalk art pieces and her artistic flair. As a self-taught artist, she was introduced to the world of chalk art in 2005 and since then has found it to be something that she really enjoys and has been a growing passion. I had the chance to interview this amazing artist and learn more about her eclectic world of art.

 

(Photo By: William Pitts)

Me: So not a lot of people know about chalk art, can you define chalk art?

Lesley: Professional chalk artists are called Madonnari and that’s because back in the day when the soldiers came back from the war in Italy, and a way to give thanks they would write some things by their doorstep, something saying thank you Madonna for bringing me home. Lots of the local artist kind of started catching on that and they would draw these beautiful Madonnas with their chalk all throughout the city and that’s how they would make their living off of the tips that people would give them.

 

Me: What introduced you to it?

 Lesley: I got introduced to chalk art back in 2005, with my good friend Julio Jimenez, he was my art buddy at that time. The very first chalk festival we went to was in Mission Viejo and we did every mistake possible. We went completely unprepared... We went with an idea of what we might draw but again we went unprepared totally naive to the whole experience, didn’t even take kneepads, didn’t take sunblock, so the first day [we were] completely discouraged...

 

Totally brainstormed, signed up for the next chalk festival which was in Pasadena and we ended up, winning best 3D piece at that festival, so that’s how I got introduced to chalk art. I was complete novice to it and didn’t know but the more that I’ve been doing chalk, the more the I’ve been learning about its traditions.

 

Me: Out of the pieces you've done which one is your most memorable? 

Lesley: The second chalk piece that my friend and I ever did, I’d say that was one of the most memorable ones, because we really put our heart and soul into it and we won something that was just so great . We felt like we conquered it. It was a 3D piece [of a] girl laying down into a pool area. We finished it like super quick and we busted out some really great tricks and techniques and… More than anything I just remember the feeling of it. It was just a great sense of accomplishment and you can say that was a big turning point. I knew chalk was something that I wanted to do. 



(Photo by: William Pitts)

Me: What are some of the struggles that you have faced as an artist?



Lesley: Oh, there’s lots of different struggles, well I know one is say maybe just making a living off of it. I am horrible at pricing my work. 

Me: I know you mentioned this for your chalk art, but have you displayed any of your art in exhibitions or collaborated with other artists in the area?

 Lesley: Yes, actually, out in Long Beach there’s this really, really cool gallery its called The Liberty. Its this beautiful gallery and we have shows out there. Its just the perfect opportunity to show your work there and so that’s been the most recently art show that I’ve displayed my stuff.

 

Me: If you were in a deserted island and had to bring one thing, what would it be?

Lesley: An endless supply of coffee. If I can have my coffee I can start my day.

 

(Made by: Lesley Perdomo)

Check out more of Lesley's work and see where she will be "chalking it up next" on her website: http://www.lesleyperdomo.com/default.html

 

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perdomodesigns

 

Happy Thursday!

 

From LA, With Luv

Fati <3

 



Grease

Grease by f-alliyani featuring a loop rug

White tee
openingceremony.us

Dr Martens slip resistant footwear
zappos.com

Ray-Ban half-frame sunglasses
net-a-porter.com

Hat
littleburgundyshoes.com

Jean.Machine J.M-4 Slim-Fit Corduroy Jacket
mrporter.com

Levis Vintage Clothing 1947 501XX - Raw
$285 - superdenim.com

Bonobos The Anchor Chief
bonobos.com

Imperial Pocket Comb
$7.95 - endclothing.co.uk

Red stool
$285 - alexanderandpearl.co.uk

Loop rug
bolia.com

For the LUV of Vintage Fridays!

Halloween isn't over yet. Today at the office we had a costume day! I decided to wear my navy blue with white striped dress and an anchor belt. Can you guess what I was??

(Photo cred. Thee Boyfriend)

What I like about this dress is that I not only can use it as a costume but I can wear it to a fancy dinner or to walk around the city. I can combine this dress with some white or black heels or even blue and white striped wedges.

I also combined this outfit with this earring which I used as a pendant. I thought this was really cool because it had a lot of detail on it and also because it was the only one I found, so I had to have it. Although this is a bit heavy to wear on your ear, it makes a great addition on your outfit. I really enjoyed wearing this today.

Costume day at the office was a ton of fun. Everyone put together their own outfits and it was just cool seeing the creativity. I hope there are more dress-up days soon!

For LA, With Luv

Fati <3