[California] Sausalito Sunsets & More Rosé

August 25, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

During my recent trip to California I got to visit a lot of fun and interesting places, one of my favorite was the city of Sausalito. After spending the earlier part of the day at Muir Woods (more on that later), we were taken to this lovely waterfront town. I love the water and although I can appreciate the beauty of the mountains and forests, there’s nothing like being by the shore.

I immediately knew I wanted to spend more time exploring my surroundings, but knew we had a ferry to catch back to San Francisco. Relying on just online reviews and outside seating, we decided to have dinner at Salito’s.

Knowing that it was our last day in California, we were taking it all in. Everybody seemed happy and without a single care in the world. Except maybe the couple next to us, they were clearly on a first date and it was so fascinating to watch them both react to each other. No, I was not creeping.

That, my friends, is Salito’s crab alfredo. Not bad at all, although I must say, their mussels and sauce was delicious!

Note on those sunglasses, got them in California, love the reflection but totally lost them. They must be in some unpacked bag in my room right now, but that may not be the case. I’m not so concerned about the money (they were super cheap), I am saddened more by how well they photographed. Check us out on the shot below!

After dinner, we still had some time before the ferry departure. I saw people drinking by the water and I immediately knew where I needed to be. Turns out, this place called Bar Bocce allows you to eat and drink by the water in a very casual and comfortable setting. I only had drinks, but people around us were enjoying some very delicious pizzas. Note to self: return to this place with a blanket and a big appetite.

This is me at Bar Bocce’s backyard. That face says: “I love my wine, I love this place and yes, I know it sucks that I have to leave”. It’s like you can already see the inevitable sarcasm in my eyes, right?

Waiting for the ferry was not bad at all. Perks of waiting for the last ferry? You get to see the sunset as you leave Sausalito behind. You can also attempt, for the one hundredth time, to take the perfect picture of the Golden Gate Bridge.

[California] Magic Grapes

August 4, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

First day back in New York after a week in California. My biological clock is a little off, my bank account is recovering, my phone is overloaded with photos and my mind has a million thoughts spinning around.

California is a beautiful state, I especially loved wine country. Shocker, right? Besides the obvious magic grapes that grow all around, there’s a little extra something to this place. Something so special, that now I’ve added owning a vineyard to my life goals. This might be tough, as I plan to retire in a beach house, but I’m sure I can work something out.

Looking at this photo again, it genuinely makes me happy. Beyond the simplicity of the fruit and the delightful contrast, these little grapes will one day, turn to be someonelse’s happiness. Maybe it’s a birthday toast at a BYOB restaurant or maybe it’s that special comfort you need after a rough day at work. Either way, these grapes only mark the start of a journey to who knows where and that, my friends, I think is pretty cool.

Wordless Wednesday: Adoquines

July 22, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

Catching the colors of Old San Juan while capturing that warm light of a late afternoon. Old city of wonders, with la Fortaleza creeping its blue on the back.

Photo by Cristina Nogueras

Beyond the lens

July 17, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

I rarely post a picture of Puerto Rico in black and white because I feel like my little island is always screaming colors and igniting positive emotions. Still, I really like this edit of one of the shots I took during my recent trip home. It keeps things real, even if it’s a filter. Even paradise can seem black and white sometimes and even the most picturesque views can hide struggles beyond what your lens can capture. Brighter and more colorful days are in store for my island, that’s just the way it has to be. Even in this somber look, my island still looks beautiful.

(Photo and edits by Cristina Nogueras)

Wordless Wednesday: City Delights

May 6, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

I love being able to casually walk around New York City with deadlines, worries and pending items on my mind, only to be amazed by buildings like this one. Almost like it came out of nowhere, demanding my attention.

Wordless Wednesday: Simplicity

April 8, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

“There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity, that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.” – Dallin H. Oaks

Photo by Cristina Nogueras ©

Boston: Seafood & Sea Life

March 15, 2015November 22, 20151 Comment

Who decides to visit Boston during a blizzard? Well, this lady over here! Nothing says romantic Valentine’s Day weekend like a frozen face, right? Thanks to some nonrefundable tickets, I went from bitter cold New York to over the top freezing Boston. I had a really good time, there’s something about being stuck in one room that makes you appreciate your company even more. There’s not a lot of people I would want to be stuck with during a blizzard, thankfully my boyfriend is one of them.

I’ve been to Boston like 10 times and even spent a summer there, I’ve always loved it. This time, we started things off a little bit more touristy than usual and I was ok with it. Union Oyster House is America’s Oldest Restaurant and there’s a reason it’s still up and running, it’s actually really good!

I obviously went with the classics. Started out with a Oyster House Clam Chowder (which I believe is the same thing as a New England Clam Chowder) and finished it up with a delicious Lobster Salad Roll. I can’t help but get a taste of summer each time I have meals like this. It makes me think of dinner by the water, salty hair after the beach, sunglasses and happy days.

We also tried out Legal Seafoods… delicious! We had the shrimp coconut as a starter and honestly, they might have been the best ones I’ve had so far. They were also gluten free so my friend who can’t have gluten was also able to enjoy them with me.

Then the snow started and the fun ended. Just kidding, we went out anyways and had a delicious dinner at Lineage Restaurant. I must say, our cab did slightly crash into a pile of snow on our way back, it was scary.

Best part about a blizzard? Room service! Worst part about a blizzard? Room service!

When you have 2/3 meals through room service you know that your final bill is going to hurt. In my defense, everything else was closed.

I love nature and as much as I know that an aquarium and a zoo are not natural, I can’t help but still enjoy visiting them. It’s unfortunate that these animals are never going to experience real life, but if a visit to an aquarium or zoo is what it takes for someone to be inspired, care a little more about these creatures and somehow contribute to the greater cause, then I guess it’s worth it.

I think that it’s pretty cool that even though it was freezing outside, these little creatures can have their little piece of paradise stay intact.

Don’t worry little fishy, I’m counting down the days for summer…

Wordless Wednesday: Lost Feather

March 11, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

A feather in the ground looks broken, lost and pointless. Showcase it against an amazing background and watch it come to life. How humans can live without nature is beyond me. Concrete jungles are fun and exciting, I get it, but I can’t stay away from these colors for too long. My mind and soul crave green, even if it’s a walk through the park. You know you may have been living in a city for too long when you get excited about a little pretty feather.

Wordless Wednesday: Adoquines

February 25, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

He patiently waits while I capture all the corners of the streets of Old San Juan, guarding my camera bag like a good sport, happily contemplating the beauty of this island we now get to explore together.

[Old San Juan] Castillo San Felipe del Morro

February 11, 2015November 22, 2015Leave a comment

I was listening to Ricky Martin’s new album on Spotify today (you know, as you do on your average Wednesday) and although I wasn’t quite blown away by the album, a special track really hit the spot. “Isla Bella” (which you can listen to here) is a song for all of those Puerto Ricans (like me) who are currently living away from the island but miss it sorely and attribute who they are to their roots.

I love New York, I do, but when you are from a place like Puerto Rico, it’s really hard to compare. There’s a reason why we love to brag about it, it’s really paradise and I am beyond proud to call Puerto Rico by true home.

Anyways, let’s not get too nostalgic over here, I shall be back soon enough.

Why not take this chance to share some more pictures from my last trip to Old San Juan? Go ahead, you say? Thank you.

All these pictures are from el Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, more commonly know as just “El Morro”.