Lots of Luv for Tulum

Ever had so much to say that you don't even know where to begin? That 's what I've been experiencing as of late...I've been here in Mexico for almost one month now and it has been a whirlwind since the get go. So instead of trying to sum up everything and anything that I've experienced thus far, I'll first give a rundown of my "vacation" in Tulum. (Some may argue that my entire time here is a vacation, I would respond with a "enjoy the cold weather, suckers!")

Upon arriving in Mexico on September 1st, the plan was to take a quick, much needed vacation. I spent two nights and three days there and although it wasn't my first time visiting, I have to admit I fell in love with this oasis all over again.

Tulum is one of my absolute favourite places in the Yucatan Peninsula for multiple reasons:

1. It's not too touristy. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and even Riviera Maya have become way too overpopulated with gringos tourists and spring breakers for my taste. Being in Cancun/Playa del Carmen is pretty much the same as being in Miami, and no, I did not choose to visit good ol' US of A, I chose to visit Mexico. Everything in Cancun is in USD for pete's sake! We are in Mexico, try pesos. The beaches are overcrowded, everything is americanized and it's just not the type of vacation I'm looking for, personally.

2. And the tourists that are there are a different type of tourist.  You won't find the obnoxious americans, or rambunctious college kids in Tulum. What you will find are the hippies, the yogis, the Europeans, the calm, cool and collected tourists that are seeking an authentic and tranquil experience. In my opinion, it's great company to be in and I have met at least one insanely interesting person each time I've went.

3. The closest thing to virgin beaches you are going to get. Any beach that was any where near being a virgin beach has been commercialized and cut up (think Playa del Carmen). In Tulum you simply feel like you could possibly be among the first people there, I am so thankful that they have preserved it to this standard.

Although I could gush for days on how enamoured I am with Tulum, those are my without a doubt the top reasons for my infatuation.  The hotel we stayed at was called Luv Tulum, and I loved it.  It was one of many of the cabaña type hotels in the area. I loved the ecologocial style of the whole place, even though it was a little bit of adjustment to how I usually live. For example, there was barely any light to be found past 8pm, anywhere.  The website even warns "Please note that the hotel's use of low voltage electricity forbids the use of electric hair styling equipment." Goodbye curling iron, helloooo afro. It had approximately 10 rooms and a lovely little restaurant/hang out spot with panoramic views of the ocean. 

It wasn't the ideal climate while we were there, but honestly I didn't mind. September is the rainy/stormy season and boy, did Mother Nature ever rear her ugly head. One evening it was so rough I thought the top was literally going to fly off of our cabaña. That didn't happen but it did rain hard enough to go straight through it and create large puddles in our room, which was rather inconvenient. The best of the storm was the lightening. Experiencing this weather on the ocean brings it to a whole new level. One evening there was no rain, just constant lightening high in the sky over the ocean, that filled the entire surrounding area with an amazing rainbow coloured light show. Not only was it gorgeous, it definitely helped with that whole "no light after 8pm" thing. 

Despite the cloudy weather, Mother Nature did leave me with a nasty surprise The morning after leaving Tulum I woke up with one of the most painful, intense sunburns I have ever had. I'm talking lobster red, hurts to wear clothing burn. I couldn't go out in public for my first week in Mexico, let's just leave it at that. Always wear your sunscreen kids, especially if you are a ghastly white Canadian! 

A few snapshots of lovely Tulum 

                                   

A Different Kind of September

For me, September usually equals a new school year, (hopefully) new clothes, and the coming of the autumn season.

This September holds a different set of cards for me. I will not be returning to school, I will, gasp, finally be graduating. About time, eh? With the closing of one lengthy, diverse experience comes the beginning of a new one.  Although it may not be an academic adventure, I will be embarking on a different kind of quest this September.

Instead of breaking out my cozy sweaters and necessary knits in preparation for the transitional weather, this September 1st I will be heading to the land of eternal summer, a.k.a Merida, Yucatan, Mexico for an undetermined period of time.

Why, you ask? Simply put, because I can.

For the first time in my almost twenty five years on this planet I will be free educational constraints. For the first time I can do whatever  I want, versus what I assume that I need. And what I want, for the time being, is simply that. I want time.

I will be back in Canada for my convocation in November, for a few weeks. Don't ask me the dates because I don't know yet.  Maybe you think its careless, I prefer carefree. Not that I am free of cares, but I am free to do what I want when I want, and that my friends, is a glorious thing.

Ya, now that I'm graduating I could settle into a comfy, predictable government job. But instead of seeing oppression, I see opportunity. I quite literally have nothing holding me back. No student loans, no mortgage payments, heck, I don't even have a car. My largest and longest running responsibility and commitment has been my cell phone bill, and I hate to break it to you Telus, but after these 6 roller coaster years of our relationship I think it's about time we see other people.

So, as my life takes a turn for the uncertain, as does my blog. Of course the element of fashion will remain, you couldn't remove it if you tried. But my blog will now focus more-so on my experiences living, playing and working as a Canadian in the beautiful colonial city of Merida, Mexico.

Stay tuned for tales of tacos, tamales and tardiness. Nos vemos en Mexico!

Frida Frenzy

Since I've been profiling various Yucateco designers this month, I thought it would be most appropriate to feature one of the most influential Mexican woman of all time. She popularized the full brow trend, an abstract way of thinking and strength that would never be imagined possible for her petite frame. Yes, I am talking about the fabulous Frida Kahlo.

Frida both confuses and amazes me. Her story is one of despair, pain and heartache, and she was clearly way ahead of her time. Her mind frame and way of thinking were so unique, so refreshing, when you hear her coined terms and phrases you don't automatically question it. She turns your questions of why into, well, why not?

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?"

"I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best."

“I drank to drown my sorrows, but the damned things learned how to swim.” 

“I don't paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality.” 

“I paint flowers so they will not die.”

Obviously I have a thing for Frida. I didn't always feel that way, to be honest I barely knew anything about her until recently. My best friend is a huge fan and admirer of hers, and since I am certain that her judgment is of the highest caliber, I myself wanted to see what all the fuss was about. All I knew was that when I saw a painting of a woman with a grimace and unibrow, it was probably her. I've been meaning to catch the flick detailing her story for quite some time now, but haven't seemed to find the time.

Cue to present day Ottawa. Today in our nation's capital, with wind chill, it is supposed to feel like -42.  As a girl who just got back from Mexico, with sinus problems and a bum foot, there was no way I was braving that today. Yesterday was (only) -23 and I thought my face and feet were going to fall off.  Today me and my clogged up sinuses stayed in. While doing some oh so interesting readings for school, I was flipping through channels and settled on an episode of Style Star for background noise. Today's style star was the voluptuous vixen Salma Hayek. After watching her style story, I was inspired to finally take the time to watch Frida. After googling "watch Frida online free" and having the very first link work (that NEVER happens), I took that as a sign that yes, today would be the day!

The movie Frida is one of despair and depression, heartache and hope, and innovation. It leans towards the artsy fartsy side (its a movie about two artists, what do you expect?) and is a tad dark. But in all honesty, that is life isn't it? Real life isn't the romantic comedies that feature Ashton Kutcher, nor the Batman or X-men action dramas. Real life is hard, and its difficult and yea, sometimes its a little dark. Frida was bedridden (due to various severe injuries from an accident at a young age) for a good chunk of her life, but this never deterred her from pursuing her dreams and painting.

Frida clearly has a set style. She goes through a phase of downplaying her femininity and at times, even went as far as to dress in men's clothing, which, in her era (and location), I'm sure was QUITE scandalous. She eventually reverts back to her full, floor length skirts (which I found out was actually a ploy to hide her legs, as one was thinner than the other due to polio) and perfectly braided coifs. Even as she travels to Paris, she still dresses as if she were on a Mexican ranch and I love it. I honestly can't think of many other icons that stay so true to their styles.

Anyway, enough of my raving. You should check out the movie, as it probably details the story a heck of a lot better than I ever could, and in the meantime I leave you with some of my favorite shots/paintings/photos of the legend known as Frida.

What is your opinion of Frida Kahlo?

Marvellous Mayan Jewellery

One (of the many) things I love about Merida is the abundance of things to do/see here. Although I've been here 4 separate times, every trip provides new places, things and people to visit. One of the newest additions to "La Ciudad Blanca" is the Mayan museum. Last time I was here it was being constructed, and this time I actually got to visit the finished product.

Formally known as Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, the museum is conveniently located next to one of Merida's main malls, Gran Plaza, and obviously I knew very well where that was. Last Thursday we hit up the museum with a diverse gang that included, 1 Canadian (myself), 3 Americans, and 5 Mexicans (4 from Yucatan and 1 from Zacatecas).

To keep all of this fashionable, I thought I would share some pics I snapped at the museum of ancient Mayan jewellery.

P.S: Note the ear plugs for stretching, I guess the Mayans were hipsters!

Baby's first Movember

That time of the year that most women dread, and most hipsters await, is almost upon us my friends.
That is right. It is only days away from what was previously known as the month of Novermber, Movember.

If you haven't yet noticed that the population of moustaches residing on mens' upper lips multiply heavily in November, then I would like to introduce you to Movember. Movember started in Australia and it's goal is to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, particularly prostrate cancer. The pink ribbon has been around for breast cancer for ages and is widely known across the globe, but there wasn't really anything targeted towards men, and that is where Movember comes in. The deal is, you start November, oops Movember, off clean shaven, and you continually grow and groom a mustache until the end of the month while raising funds and awareness.

Here are the rules!

Alright, now that you are in the know, I have to share with you...my boyfriend is going to be participating in Movember for the first time EVER! That being said, I have to confess, he is not Canadian, he is Mexican. Contrary to popular belief, no not all mexicans have moustaches. At least they don't if they are under 45 years old. Movember isn't yet all that popular in Mexico. As a matter of fact, I don't think they have really even heard about it. My boyfriend hadn't until I had brought it up.

This means that he is VERY brave to be participating. In Canada it has become the norm to see our men walking around like 80's rock starts for the month of November. It is to be expected and accepted. In Mexico, not so much. I think what he is doing is very noble and he is going to be able to create a huge amount of awareness because I have no doubt at all that EVERYONE will be asking him "Why on EARTH do you have a moustache?" If they didn't know about Movember before, they will now!

Maybe I am being a gushy girlfriend but I really am so proud of him. It's easy (well, easier) to grow a moustache or do something abnormal in a society that has come to accept it, but he will be doing it somewhere that has no knowledge of this cause and I am so proud of the awareness he is going to be able to raise. Maybe next year he will be able to come up with a whole team!

I will be posting the progress of his moustache (it should come in pretty quickly, he is mexican after all) and if you would be so kind as to donate you can do so on his MoBro page here (Roberto's MoBro page).

What about you guys? Are you participating in Movember? Any Mo Sistas out there? Let me know your thoughts!