My Latest
A non-chronological collection of selected bylines that I’ve shared on my Instagram
How Mariachi, a Mexican Wedding Standard, Is Evolving for a New Age
I am deeply moved to see this months-long passion project of mine currently grace the front page of the @nytimes Vows section. To be honest, the heaviness of the world has been weighing on my heart so much lately. But writing about love — and weddings, in particular — continues to be an essential source of hope for me. Each story helps reaffirm my belief that love is the singular antidote to any darkness we may be going through. Thank you to the many couples and experts who were instrumental in bringing this story to life. Por la cultura 🇲🇽
Tefi Pessoa’s Immigrant Parents Didn’t Understand Her Career — But It Paid Off
I profiled @hellotefi for @r29somos. Our conversation was incredibly wide-ranging and there was so much I didn’t get to include in the story, but what did make it in speaks to the essence of who Tefi is. Her candor and sense of humor, I think, really shine. Thank you @raquelreichard for the assignment and @yarasimon for your thoughtful edits.
Meet the Latina Entrepreneur Behind the Go-To Nail Salon for D.C. Insiders
I am so thrilled to share my debut for @allure! Just like the best stories, this story came about in a truly organic way: through my own personal (and somewhat desperate) search for a new go-to nail salon. I’ve had one too many bad manicures in my lifetime, so when I first stepped into @nailsaloon’s Capitol Hill location in 2021, I didn’t have high expectations. But I left a true convert, and I immediately understood why it’s the nail salon for D.C.’s power class. It was such a pleasure to speak one-on-one with Andréa Vieira, the inspiring Latina entrepreneur behind nailsaloon. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in bringing this article to life, including my editor @diannamazzone for her insightful notes; @jcruel and @kara.mcgrath for their nudges to pitch; and the team at @mokimediapr for arranging the interview.
Reconnecting with my roots on Día de Los Muertos
Last year, I traveled to Guadalajara for a crash course on tequila, from harvesting agave plants to the days-long fermentation and distillation process. My trip happened to coincide with Día de Muertos. It was my first time in Mexico during this culturally significant holiday, and I immediately felt a profound closeness to my Mexican heritage and identity. I unlocked a deep appreciation for how we honor and find beauty in all things, including — and perhaps especially — death. Thank you to my friend and editor @shayla.martin for commissioning this personal story that’s part essay, part travel itinerary and my very first piece for @Tripadvisor.
Julie Chávez Rodríguez Is Carrying on Her Family’s Legacy of Public Service
As a longtime reader of @thecut’s “How I Get It Done” column, it’s quite momentous that I was asked to write one! And I couldn’t have asked for a more interesting and impressive subject: Julie Chávez Rodríguez, who’s running the reelection effort of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and is the granddaughter of the pioneering labor-rights activists Cesar Chávez and Helen Fabela Chávez. During two interviews over the course of two days, I spoke with Chávez Rodríguez about the demands of a “pretty much 24/7” job, why women of color should reconsider “good” advice, her family’s legacy of public service, and much more.
The Lively New El Presidente Brings a Taste of Mexico City to Union Market
Maybe I’ve been watching too much The Bear lately, but I love the frenetic energy ahead of a restaurant opening. So much planning and preparation goes into this single moment and it’s thrilling to see all the pieces of the production come together. Not to mention… I. love. FOOD! For @eater_dc, I got an exclusive first look at El Presidente, the Mexico City-inspired restaurant making its Union Market debut with dinner service starting September 6. From Oaxacan tostadas to hamachi aguachile to a massive mariscos tower, this spot is bound to help expand the culinary horizons of many guests. Link in bio.
How Aubrey Plaza & Jenna Ortega Helped Deadpan Latinas Feel Seen
Whatever you do, don’t tell me to smile. In this hybrid personal/reported essay for @r29somos, I explore what I’m calling “emotionless resting face,” being dubbed “mysterious” even among a group of strangers, and the rise of the defiantly indelicate, impossible-to-read Latina.
A tinder Match leads to wanderlust and a weed wedding
Love stories are what got me into storytelling. From the classic fairytales to the golden age of rom-coms in the ‘90s and 2000s, I grew up on stories about the wild, unexpected, and deeply romantic (and risky!) things we’ll do all in the name of love. So writing for the esteemed @nytimes Vows section still feels completely surreal. While I’ve previously dispatched reports to the Field Notes column chronicling current trends in the wedding space, this is my first Mini-Vows feature for the section. A pure love story! Constance and Keith contacted me a few months ago, sharing that my NYT feature on the rise of weed weddings (published December 2022) had inspired them to host one of their own. Humbled and honored, to say the least. And now, you can read all about their epic cannabis-themed nuptials in today’s newspaper, online and in print.
TRADITIONAL FILIPINO WEDDING GOWNS GO MODERN
Another story that’s been months—and, if I’m being honest, years—in the making, now out in the world at last. I’ve been following designers like @jillianjoyhc (pictured here in a lovely portrait by @maytruong_photography) and @silviyana.co for quite some time. Their work is not only beautiful, but it has the power to help bring Filipino brides closer to their heritage through fashion. Grateful for the opportunity to share this story that’s incredibly dear to my heart in the @nytimes.
WITH THIS WEED, I THEE WED
I’ve been wanting to write this story for a long time. There were moments I was convinced it wouldn’t see the light of day. I thought maybe I should just put it on the shelf, along with all the other half-formed story ideas I think of but that never find a home for one reason or another. I started pitching in May. It took three months to get commissioned. This article is among my most heavily reported pieces to date — I interviewed more than a dozen sources; spent endless hours in the early morning and late at night researching, writing, editing. I poured absolutely everything into this story. And now, here it is, out in the world at last. I hope you enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed bringing it to life.
Robin Arzón's Eyewear Collab Features This Subtle Nod to Her Latinx Heritage
If you've never taken a class with the charismatic @robinnyc, her tendency to speak in mantras might catch you off guard. But the head instructor and vice president of fitness programming at Peloton has such an inspiring career journey, she can't help but encourage others. "It's all possible," she told me. "What if we put energy into believing rather than worry? What if we started asking ourselves, 'What's right with me?'?"
The '90s Styling Tip Emily Ratajkowski Borrows From Princess Diana
I had a lovely chat with @emrata about designing the perfect sneaker with @superga_official, how motherhood has changed her personal style, and the ‘90s fashion trends she always returns to.
How Selena the Movie Shaped Selena the Legend
For my @wmag debut, I wrote about SELENA the movie, 25 years later. Honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to a film and an icon that have meant so much to me.
Black History Now: Rep. Cori Bush Isn’t Here to Play Nice
I spoke with @RepCori about her first year in office, the midterms, and knowing when to take a stand. More in my latest for @byshondaland.
Head Turners: Jordan Casteel Is an Artist for This Generation
For @byshondaland, I spoke with @jordancasteel, who’s lauded for her expressive paintings and ability to capture the extraordinary in seemingly small, quiet moments. Her approach is reinventing contemporary portraiture and reshaping long-held notions around who could be — and should be — an art subject.
Sunday Funday: A Perfect Day in Washington, D.C.
What a joy to write about my perfect D.C. day featuring some of my favorite local spots and haunts, including @easternmarket_dc @clothesencountersdc @capitolhillbooks @wineandbutterdc @smithsoniannmai @purplepatchdc @sunscinema and @elbebetacos. Thank you @afarmedia for this actual dream assignment! The District is one of the destinations included in AFAR’s “Where to Go in 2022” list and I hope that my dispatch illustrates why.
growing up with adele
What makes Adele so resonant? Perhaps it’s that all this time, we’ve been growing up right alongside her, stumbling our way through love and loss. For @harpersbazaarus, I wrote a very personal essay about my own experience and what I’m taking away from 30, her new album.
How Romeo + Juliet Shook Up Shakespeare for a New Generation
“Romeo + Juliet” turns 25 today. For @harpersbazaarus, I wrote an ode to the film that forever changed Shakespeare and that, a quarter-century later, feels more relevant than ever.
Selling a childhood home is never easy — Especially When You Have Immigrant Parents
For @apartmenttherapy, I wrote about the unique challenge of talking to your parents about selling your childhood home. When you come from a family of immigrants, the process gets… complicated. I don’t write many personal essays anymore so this was a delicate, special story to share, especially in the middle of #FAHM 🇵🇭
What Happens Next In The Fight For Voting Rights? Meet the Women Working to Protect a Crucial Right
For @voguemagazine, I reported on the increasingly precarious state of voting rights in the United States and where we stand for the 2022 midterms and beyond. I spoke with some of our generation’s most influential voting rights activists, including @arndreaking_official @mslatoshabrown and @nseufot404, who shared their insights about the urgency of the moment we’re in now and where we go from here.
Where Are All the Wedding D.J.s?
When your story is on the front page of the Love section in The New York Times! Wow… what a dream come true. I remember exactly where I was when I came up with this story idea, where I was when it was commissioned, and now where I was when it was published. So thrilled to be back on the wedding beat for @nytimes @nytimesfashion.
Simone Biles Is Redefining Greatness
For @instylemagazine, I wrote about Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from competition at the Tokyo Olympics, the perception of greatness, and knowing when to put yourself first.
The Devil Wears Prada and the Myth of the One and Only "Big Break"
The Devil Wears Prada turns 15 this week. I revisited the film and wrote this essay for @harpersbazaarus, in which I examine the relationship between ambition, women, the workplace, and the myth of the big break.
The Enduring Power of Moulin Rouge!, 20 Years Later
Very honored and elated to share my @harpersbazaarus debut! I examine the lasting cultural impact of everybody’s favorite musical romp through 19th century Paris, otherwise known as Moulin Rouge! The lavish film was peak summer 2001 and now, 20 years later, I must say I sometimes long for that era of limitless potential and unabashed hopefulness. If only we knew how good we had it!
Allyson Felix Looks at Life Beyond the Olympics
One of the coolest parts of my job is interviewing living legends. And to me, it doesn’t get more legendary than @allysonfelix. Just last week, the track star qualified for her fifth (!!!) Olympics in a row, all while bouncing back from a traumatic childbirth experience. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with Allyson on two occasions, first for @bustle about her collaboration with @athleta and next for @byshondaland about what her life might look like after Tokyo. Head to the link in bio to read both!
Allyson Felix On Exercising With A Mask & Designing For Athleta
One of the coolest parts of my job is interviewing living legends. And to me, it doesn’t get more legendary than @allysonfelix. Just last week, the track star qualified for her fifth (!!!) Olympics in a row, all while bouncing back from a traumatic childbirth experience. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with Allyson on two occasions, first for @bustle about her collaboration with @athleta and next for @byshondaland about what her life might look like after Tokyo. Head to the link in bio to read both!