When you book that campaign pero they don’t really use your face…🙄🤪🤔🙈🤣 súper pleased with this booty shot tho 💁🏽‍♀️😎🔥
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But seriously it was soooo much fun to shoot with @hers great products and such a supportive team!! So super grateful 🙏🏽 plus I got to meet the fabulous @marquimode check out his shots for @hims you’ll find my fingers running through his hair 😍
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaW0TqhuJ6/?igshid=192l6bopjfdgf

My mom had just moved down to San Antonio, Texas with my dad, two sisters and half-brother when she found out she was pregnant with me. She’d set her sights on higher education and didn’t really want a fourth child. But she never thought twice about having me. I must have always sensed her desire to fly because I never left her side. They called me “la sombrita de mi mamá.” My mother’s little shadow.
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Feliz Día de la Madre to my mother, my muse—my tree of life. I will always find warmth in the cool of your shadow. Te amo. And to my beloved sisters who are mothers. You inspire me. Thank you 🙏🏽❤️
https://www.instagram.com/p/CABZuBoBkbr/?igshid=ra6884brh21l

It took me years to reconcile my identity as an alcoholic, particularly as a woman of color. Coming from a family and a community for which addiction and alcoholism are still regarded as a moral failing, this is a radical act of survival and self-acceptance.
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Popular trends in the sobriety movement say the label is harmful but I have found it empowering. I’m honored to partner with @sadgirlsclub to discuss my journey to reclaim the label, recover from addiction and finally fucking love and accept myself 🙏🏽❤️
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Join us today at 3pm! We’ll be chatting LIVE! And click the link in my bio and in my Stories to read my essay on SGC ✨💃🏽😎
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_AjcwtjOKg/?igshid=1uv8xcqwl6qer

Growing up my mom cleaned houses and took care of rich kids. I would always go with her de metiche. Pretend I lived in these big beautiful mansions—be super nosy and go through all their stuff. And although I was always a little klepto I never stole from her clients. I didn’t want to get her in trouble. I only stole from people who hurt me. It was my way of evening the score. Or stores where I knew I could get away with it. I was a small-time thief.
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The first time my mom caught me stealing candy from the grocery store I was like 4 or 5. She drove me back, made me return everything and apologize to the manager. She thought the shame would scare me straight. But I had to learn on my own that taking from others gave me nothing.
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The ritual of cleaning however stuck from the beginning. The soothing repetitive nature of tidying up really resonated with my anxious temperament. During #quarantine, I’m finally able to live my dream of cohabitating with a washer-dryer (borrowing from my sister). Cooking, cleaning and taking care of our family alongside my mom every day has been comforting. We’re hearing from many of her friends that as people/parents are staying home, they are no longer being called into work or paid. I absolutely believe that we need to adhere to social distancing but if you are a salaried employee and nothing is changing about your income, please maintain that same consistency with the people who hold you down (nannies, caretakers, housekeepers) and depend on the salary you pay them —without health benefits, 401k’s and expense accounts. I know that this would greatly assist so many families 🙏🏽❤️
https://www.instagram.com/p/B99PcwMhkuE/?igshid=1w1ur6mth1es5

According to astrologers we’ve been dragging ass for a month because of #mecuryretrograde (which is how I justified wearing this outfit every day last week 💁🏽‍♀️) Yesterday, the full moon FINALLY redirected Mercury (algo así) and major progress was predicted…pero like, literally everything is being cancelled bc of COVID-19. So, either pandemics do not appear in the stars or #astrology is bullshit. Either way I quit reading horoscopes. Can’t live my life like this y’all. This shit is crazy 🤪🙄🙈😎 #viralhumor
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9kXrlOBb-H/?igshid=16vesawbm91n8

I knew what I wanted to be in 6th grade. I loved writing. I was on the school paper. Everything changed this year and I didn’t have the tools to cope. I stopped dreaming, and started surviving.
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I’m thinking of all the incredible womxn in my life today. Most of all I’m thinking of this little girl. Honoring her. Waiting for her outside the door of this classroom to ask her how the test went, and promise I’ll be there for all the ones to come.
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#internationalwomensday
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fbYULB2tn/?igshid=120foisix9tgq

Sometimes Freddy will hang my towel over the rod as I shower so I don’t have to reach out into the cold to grab it. He helps me lotion the small of my back, where I can’t reach. And he always takes the opportunity to cop a feel, compliment my body, tell me he wants me. He rearranged the furniture so we could have the chair at the window beside our favorite books. A place to read in the sunlight. He buys me blackberries when they’re low…before we run out. He knows they’re my favorite. While we were in SF for our anniversary he booked this photo shoot with one of our favorite photographers @lexmexart ❤️ She encouraged us to try the airplane ☺️🤪😂
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Freddy and I don’t sleep on the romance of our daily lives. We don’t wait for a holiday. Besides my dad is always the first to wish me a Happy Valentine’s Day—first call of the day ❤️ cutest ever 🥰 @pursuingarete
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8kDukFhy8w/?igshid=17rx2nwark5qv

Last night was fabulous 💁🏽‍♀️ I was having a moment ✨ 💃🏽😎 The only sad is that the stamp covers the essential piece of the look 😿
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#atlantalovesML #nyfw
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MF9tNHkR6/?igshid=ub39a8r8dcqr

To be honest, I never read Cisneros or Alvarez. They weren’t taught in my school. I didn’t seek out Latinx literature as a young adult. I didn’t even consider pursuing my passion for writing into a career until a few years ago. I started reading Diaz, Limón, @nascenters…I’m meeting my heroes now and today was one for the books! La chingona número uno @alt_myriam_gurba666 came to New York with #dignidadliteraria to take on Flatiron/Macmillan and I’m so honored to have witnessed, supported and met one of my heroes. Check out my stories for all the tea from the entire group and nyc lit leaders like @_lasantera @labrujanyc !!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HyZBwhyS2/?igshid=1ldd1rxtes067

I met my friend and brilliant artist @lucia_hierro_ at a panel discussion two years ago. During Q&A I asked why she felt there weren’t more brown artists. “There are,” she said. “Go to DR. They’re doing it. Making art, music, writing books…we’re just not talking about them.”
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I thought of my friend’s words as I read the author’s note at the close of Jeanine Cummins’ fourth novel. “I wished someone slightly browner than me would write it,” she said. Which by all interpretations is meant to say that we, “the brown faceless mass,” aren’t doing the work?
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As a Latina, a brown woman and a writer I can assure you we are doing the work. We are imagining, researching, writing, pitching, pleading to be published, read, paid.
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Recently while working on a project FOR Latinx I was accused of reverse racism when I asked my white boss why there weren’t more Latinx on staff. “I feel like you’re attacking my white writers,” she said. I’ve been told to remove facts and details from essays because “it’s a lot of trauma for one piece…ugh,” 😖🤢 and time after time white men in power have demanded, “Make me care. Why would I want to read this if I’m not Latino?”
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And yet every time I run into a fellow (white) writer he says, “It’s a great time to be you, huh? You must be getting published like crazy!”
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The fact is I’m not. My chances are slim and narrowing each day. But being a writer doesn’t feel like a choice to me, so I choose to stand with the infinitely talented community of POC writers and artists demanding to be seen and heard. Thank you all for your inspiring work. Adelante!!
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And please check out my stories to hear from all the powerful voices leading this imperative conversation! Especially @alt_myriam_gurba666 who according to my local bookstore is leading the charge 💪🏽🔥😎💁🏽‍♀️💃🏽 At the risk of sounding hella thirsty I must say this woman is my hero 🙌🏽
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7pBu-BBE1x/?igshid=1qvd74it4nr0d

Finding a man/partner is not an accomplishment. But breaking the cycle of abusive and toxic relationships I was stuck in, is. Today, Freddy and I are celebrating 1 year together. Who knew a DM slide would prove to be so much more?🥰 Thank you for being so brave, vulnerable and open-hearted, mi amor. I never have to hide or pretend. I know I am safe in your sight.
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Te amo @pursuingarete ❤️ proud of us.
#anniversary #centamlove #latinos #love (at Mission District, San Francisco)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7W8Mv8hLtr/?igshid=1cex6j461zq2w

Suddenly feeling like I totally missed out on my #quinceañera moment 💁🏽‍♀️💃🏽😎 (at Cafe Atelier)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7MR7jthzql/?igshid=7h1lx5asvj3f

I post about my workouts, specifically @bodyart.nyc a lot, and that’s because understanding what’s challenging my body will often reflect what I’m struggling with internally—seeing it physically manifest really helps me get it. And most times the solution is applicable in all circumstances.
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Last week I noticed a lack of focus and wobbly balance. Today, I kept forgetting to breathe. When the exercise became stressful, I’d inhale, but continue with the movement—I wouldn’t release the toxins. I couldn’t exhale. I’m sharing because I want to be more aware of this. I want to let go of the shit I don’t need. I want to allow my breath to flow freely. Remind myself: you can do it.
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I’m also curious to know what shows up for you during workouts?!
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📷 by @daphneyoureephotography
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tPmACB-Im/?igshid=u7w580axbyp6