The year of the Family

2011.

A year I knew would be about transition but never imagine it would be about Family. This year in the mist of me fighting for my own survival in this economic depression...I re-discovered what Family is about and learned to embrace them in my deepest darkest moments. In previous years I carried their problems and was too prideful to let them in my personal life..........I have managed to bring my family back together in a non-conventional way but in the end we are still together.........loving, supporting and caring for each other.

Rebuilding the love and trust that I cherished with my father and my brother……….has helped them love, forgive and appreciate each other. We have all changed so much in the years of our separation…….we each have suffered great depressions, we have fought and lost many personal battles against life and love  but we also survived on our own. We return as warriors ready to protect each other at no cost.

You talk about the loss of communication due to cyber worlds……….but I can tell you it has also brought us together. In a non-traditional family story.

For many years I resented the fact that I didn’t have the chance to grow up with my cousins in Mexico but today I feel like I am part of their lives more than ever. I see their everyday, the growth of the family and I share with them my daily secrets. Regardless if it’s my father in the other side of town, my brother down past the Trinity River, My cousins in colonial Puebla  or the Vidrio’s in Jalisco……..I feel connected to them all.

Claudia coming up to Fort Worth this past summer was one of my best experiences this past year. She was great company and we had wonderful time learning about each other. I was glad to show her my day to day life………one that is so different than what could have been if I would have stayed in Mexico.  I’ve always wanted to my cousins to see what my life is like because they only know me Natalia the “visitor” in their own city but never Natalia the person with a life. Jajajaj The only other cousin that knows that side of me is Norma but she came down when we were teenagers and well my life is different since then. Claudia came at a perfect time in my life too………she was like my career angel. She is very wise, smart and knowledgeable in this particular area. I can’t wait for her to come back. I am also looking forward to my cousin Norma to come down from Florida and spend some fun time with her!!!

Natalia's Top List of 2011

Here are a few Top List for 2011.
Some are Top 5....Some are Top 10.........(one is Top 6)
This is about my 2011 Journey. The lists start out silly and some what materialistic but ends with a realisation of what I want for 2012.

Top 5 stores in DFW

1.       Express in North Park (D)

2.       Lucky Brand in Uptown (D)

3.       We are 1976 on Henderson (D)

4.       Milagros on Foch Street (FW)

5.       Nine West University Village (FW)

Top 10 Beauty Product

1.       Neutrogena Make-up remover

2.       Pantene Detangler Anti-Breakage

3.       Pantene  Breakage Defense Anti-Cassures Shampoo and Conditioner

4.       Walgreen Apricot Scrub

5.       Aussi Catch the Wave Mousse+ leave in conditioner

6.       Mary Kay Mineral Powder

7.       Mary Kay Concealer

8.       Bath and Body Japanese Cherry Blossom HandiBac

9.       Express lip Gloss Nude

10.   Bath and Body Bee Kissed Shea Butter Lip Balm

Top 10  Frequently Played Songs

1.       Back it Up- Caro Emerald

2.       Firework- Katy Perry

3.       Beautiful Day- U2

4.       Mr. Saxobeat

5.       El Ultimo Trago-Buika

6.       Business Time- Flight of the Conchords

7.       Amiga Mia-Alejandro Sanz

8.       Partir de Cero-Ana Tijoux

9.       On and on – Erykah Badu

10.   Waca-Waca- Shakira

Top 5 Restaurants in DFW

1.       Taverna- Downtown FW

2.       San Miguel – 7^th street

3.       Sushi Axiom- 7^th street

4.       La Duni- Dallas

5.       Bolsa- Oakcliff

Top 5 Favorite things

1.       Inspiron laptop

2.       Bamboo tablet

3.       Ipod touch

4.       Rogue Nissan

5.       Swatch Watch

Top 5 Accomplishments

1.       Establishing a healthy loving relationship with the men in my life…my brother and my father!

2.       Getting certified by the State of Texas as an Art Educator

3.       Traveling Over-Seas

4.       Using my 3 years of high school Italian vocab!!!

5.       Combining my love for art and managing people in Artes Alley.

Top 5 Most Influential people

1.       Ted- Tall, Elegant and dedicated!  Unconditional to those near and dear to him, a great eye for detail and true beauty.

2.       Anette Soto- Strong, Powerful, Gorgeous, Compassionate, Latina Leader and Fun, Fun Fun!!

3.       Haidy Leal- Young yet Enriching Soul always Present in the Moment, Full of Life, Trusting and Sexy!

4.       Jorge Varela- Optimistic, Determine Personality, Compassionate Soul, Business Sense, and balancing act between Work, Family and Fun.

5.       Mr. Munoz- Over the top Sarcastic Sense of humor, great sense of style & music, and ambitious work & play schedule.

Top 5 Embarrassing Moments in 2011

1.       Amsterdam after the “XXX” show on the street train.

2.       Amsterdam at the Anne Frank Museum.

3.       Amsterdam at every bridge and canal.

4.       My birthday party…….”it’s my party I can leave if I want to”

5.       It was a Tuesday night in December….7^th street area in Fort Worth………in my new car.

Top 5 Best Things I did for myself

1.       Joined LA Fitness

2.       Got a New Car

3.       Created a clean and peaceful studio

4.       Removed unhealthy individuals and situations from my life

5.       Taught myself to knit on a loom……..it’s so peaceful!

Top 5 Lessons learned in 2011

1.       Best Gift in Love is Forgiveness.

2.       Let the doors close in your face...........there’s another way in…just wait and see.

3.       Let yourself fall completely “Rock Bottom”……..then see yourself blossom into the beautiful butterfly you are and use those wings to fly high in life.

4.       Let Karma, the Universe and God to take care of those who have hurt you and watch them come back with their tails between their legs.

5.       People and Things come and go but Family will always be Family.

Top 6 Saddest Moments in 2011

1.       When I found out the job I wanted was given to someone else without the Principle’s say.

2.       When I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me…the befores ,the afters and the in-betweens of this short unhealthy relationship.

3.       When I got on the airplane in Paris.

4.       When the school year started and I still didn’t have a job.

5.       When I found out my Abuelita Paquita passed away.

6.       When I found out Serapio Herrera passed away.

Top 5 Beautiful Moments

1.       When I got my Bachelor Diploma in the Mail as well as my Certification.

2.       Metro in Paris…..running to catch the next train……….listening, watching and hearing musicians playing in the underworld.

3.       Eating a hotdog at the Jardin du Trocadero, Paris.

4.       Eating Nutella and Banana Crepe with a Coca Cola outside the Centre de Pompidou watching a little black boy tap dancing.

5.       When I realized that my past lovers are in my past.

Ultimate lesson learned in December 2011.

I am not ready to be in a relationship because I feel there is so much I need to accomplish on my own and there are some hurdles I need to tackle on my own without involving anyone into my fight for what I truly want for myself. I am going to be selfless for once and accept this journey alone.

Once I feel I have reached my ultimate goal then I will search for the ideal partner. Meanwhile………

I WANT TO HAVE FUN………..I WANT TO REACH FOR OPPORTUNITIES NEAR AND FAR……….I WANT TO PLAY……………I WANT TO DANCE………………I WANT TO ENJOY MYSELF……………….I WANT TO SCREAM AND LAUGH AND JOKE AND FIGHT  FOR MY LIFE…………

FOR MY OWN SURVIVAL

Stephanie Longoria- Longoria Designs

   I meet Stephanie Longoria back in September at the Dies y Sies de Septiembre event by ADLR. At that time I was just volunteering to help Mark Alcala with calling out the Loteria Cards at the kids activity center. That night I ended up behind master of ceremony with Jorge Varela the Executive Director  of ADLR.
   I arrived early that day thinking the event was starting early and even told Jamie Tovar to arrive early to set up his spray paint gun table and help out with anything Mark might need. Originally the event was going to take place in the Mercado Plaza but the rain got (mainly Stephanie) real good. We all rushed to help her set up inside the Galeria and the event turned out great! I was really impressed with the Longoria design work and with the set up. Come to find out Stephanie studied Media at UTA and this is actually what she does for a living. Her husband Aaron is also very talented! Aaron has created our new Artes Alley Free Standing Signs. Together they show their talents and work great together.

   Stephanie has been very active in the behind the scene of Artes Alley since she joined in October. Helping me establish a professional contract, terms and conditions agreement and overall sending me artists, bands and ideas for future art shows. Stephanie is very active in the DFW  Arts & Craft Shows and she brings all experience in the world to Artes Alley by staying positive, encouraging and being active in our meetings, on Facebook and at the events.

  This morning Stephanie Longoria announced her new and exciting project working with a large company called Sourpuss Clothing in which she will be making ornaments that she sews herself. Great job Stephanie for all your hard work and determination! We are so blessed to have you as a strong and supporting member of Artes Alley!!

Stephanie is owner of XY Factory http://www.xyfactory.com/
Stephanie helps her mom with her etsy account www.NewAgain.etsy.com
Stephanie has her own etsy account www.LongoriaGirls.etsy.com

Javier Trillo-Yaotl

   This blog is not a Fashion Blog nor a Brand Blog. This Blog is about the Man behind the Brand Yaotl and how his professionalism and determination has opened so many doors to not just him but to an artists community within the DFW.

Javier came into Artes Alley group through the invitation of Bobby Cerda back in mid October. At the very first Artes Alley meeting at the Rose Marine Theater Javier was the first one to turn in his Signed Contract and Twenty Four Dollars and four Quarters to get his November's booth.

At that moment it hit me this is really going to happen, he just gave me his money, his trust and he believes in Artes Alley. The event has never been done before, I've never organized it before, he doesn't really know me. I watched myself take his money and think what do I do with it now?
 jajajajajaj
It was like watching someone give me a baby that needed a diaper change and I was in shock......trying to play it off like no big deal. Then a few others followed his lead and signed their contracts and paid then & there. A week or so had passed and we needed flyers and the original design I received was not approved by the ADLR staff it just so happened that Javier called me to ask about specific vendors spot. I shared with him my need for a flyer, he jump at the opportunity and delivered by Monday morning.
In mid November's meeting Javier was the first artists to turn in the  inventory spreedsheet for his work to be sold in the December show. I was concerned that the artists would have problems putting things in writing but once I saw that Javier had no issue and went right at it I knew I was not asking for too much. In every decision that we have made for Artes Alley Javier has been very supportive and active. He has been a pleasure to work with and because of his determination on being part of Artes Alley it has given him a Great Stand with the group and ADLR.  Professional Supporting the Arts also featured him along with Gypsies with Keys and Carlos Davila in their November Mixer. Javier had the opportunity to talk about his brand and make a few sales to PSA members. In the future Javier will be making all of our Artes Alley Flyers and a few designs for advertising purposes.

His brand has come a long way and is being featured in a Fashion Magazine.
http://fkn-famous.com/2011/11/fashion-yaotl/


We are proud of having Javier Trillo as part of Artes Alley Group and as a reliable Friend!

Art is in the Air.............

   Artes Alley's December Show is just about 24 hours away and at yesterday's meeting at M lounge we discussed Saturday's weather. I was really nervous all day about the meeting due to the fact that we had been discussing in our private Artes Alley Facebook Group the high possibility of rain for Saturday. I know the artists have been working hard on preparing for the December Show but the last thing I wanted was for their beautiful art work to be ruined by rain and even more so than that their energy to be crushed by mother nature. The last minute change of venue for the meeting didn't help my nerves nor theirs but they were understanding (those who attended) and just went with the flow of things. As the hour approached and the the emails, text and calls about not being able to attend the Mandatory Meeting poured within the few hours remaining for the now new location meeting.

   In my quiet exit from the original location towards the familiar and pleasant feel of Foch and Cockrell Street..........I discovered a new to me but established independent store called Milagros. At that point it was an hour and a half before the meeting  and I needed to get distracted from the caos and the quiet and loving energy from this store was just what I needed. I made a new friend...........the owner Margeret has a such a wonderful loving energy to her that it reaches beyond the store's walls. It was my very first time in the store and I was so surprised that I had never walked in before......giving that I go to the Aisle Art Supplies a few times a year, M lounge a few times a month, Mi Familia Restaurant every few years, Bikram Yoga when it was open but not into Milagros. I even know the Colombian Lady that sells her amazing shoes and bags at Milagros but never once had I stepped foot inside this magical store.

  Margeret and I shared many stories about buying, promoting local artists, Museum Shops, Markets, Fair Trade, Artists Mentality and so much more in such a short period of time. As she attended her customer I walked around and found many beautiful, unique and interesting items. I picked up a small metal wishbone for my husband ;) and a pack of Forte teabag plates and made my way back towards Margeret. In the time we spent talking, I asked her for advice and I was able to find balance again and was ready to face the music.

  Right at 6pm Javier Trillo walks through the door and that's when I know everything is going to workout just fine.  Shortly after a few of the new artists came through the doors Chelsi Harris, Oscar Vasquez Torres, Jesse Cardoza, Erika Duque and Jaime Tovar. Gabriela Lomonaco and her daughter Frida, Stephanie Longoria brought our new very cool Artes Alley Sign and our Amazing MC Ricardo Rojas & Volunteer Stacey Garner joined us too.

  It turned out to be a small but good meeting. Hearing the artists concerns about the weather, turnout and their art work made me realize we are all on the same page. Regardless if Artes Alley happens in December or not we have a pretty strong core of artists that are positive, supportive and active. We all pretty much want the best for Artes Alley, and each other.

Later that evening I was interview by Cynthia Barraza on her podcast show Whats Up CindyB http://whatsupcindyb.podomatic.com/
Cynthia and Sean have been extremely supportive of Artes Alley from the beginning and they are planning on attending this Saturday December 3rd for another round of interviews.

This morning checking on Facebook..........I came across two great post from Stephanie Longoria and Javier Trillo which have inspired me to write this and other blogs today.