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Category Archive for Mexico + Central America

2011 PART 2: TRAVEL TV HOSTING IN TOKYO, MY OWN VIDEO SERIES FOR HUFFINGTON POST AOL, PRESS TRIP TO MEXICO.

Posted by La Carmina on December 30, 2011


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Let’s continue our walk down memory lane, and review the second half of a spectacular 2011.

Sebastiano Serafini and I were guests at Luisaviaroma, an event that brings fashion’s most influential bloggers together. Events included tea with Mulberry, a grand dinner surrounded by animal bones, and haute couture photoshoots in the streets of Florence!

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It’s hard not to love Italy. The food, the people, the fashion and architecture… If you missed it, here are all my Europe posts.

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A few more milestones… I appeared in Bust Magazine, and on the cover of Alt Noir. I’m on another magazine cover in 2012; can’t wait to spill the beans.

Travel blogger La Carmina visits the spy-themed Safehouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. bondage beds, spy-themed Safehouse, american Fashion bloggers, best blogs fashion style, top style blogger, leopard print dress, italian fashion, mod fashion, la carmina, lacarmina, real age and name, la carmina japanese, japan street style, press trips, travel tv host, travel journalist, tv presenter

Later that summer, a dream came true: I have a travel TV show on Huffington Post/AOL! In “Coolhunting Wisconsin,” I discover hip, weird, crazy attractions in and around Milwaukee — such as a spy-themed bar and retro love hotel. Watch the videos online.

Catfish and Rooftop get saline injected into their face on Strangers In Danger, Fuel TV, Discovery and National Geographic, Fashion bloggers, best blogs fashion style, top style blogger, leopard print dress, italian fashion, mod fashion, la carmina, lacarmina, real age and name, la carmina japanese, japan street style, press trips, travel tv host, travel journalist, tv presenter

In July, I jetted back to Tokyo to host and arrange the Japan episode of Fuel TV / Discovery’s Strangers in Danger. The BMX stars got saline donuts in their heads, among other daring tasks. (Are you exhausted from my constant traveling yet?)

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The following month, the pretty-boy and I were Guests of Honor at Ani-Jam convention. It was fun to meet all of you who came. I also had a Hello Kitty birthday party at Hollywood club Mr Black, which was featured in LA Weekly.

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Back to Tokyo again, to host/arrange episodes of Food Network’s “World’s Weirdest Restaurants,” and appear on NHK Kawaii TV.

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I spent Halloween and Day of the Dead in Mazatlan, Mexico — hosting a series about the dark arts and culture. All my Mexican coverage is here, and videos are coming soon.

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I haven’t even mentioned the various stops in LA and Vancouver, and my impending return to Italy in January for Firenze4Ever blogger conference…

All in all, it’s been my best year yet! I’m happy with how my work and travels have grown, as well as improvements to the site (loading time, photo quality and styling, etc). And it’s only going to keep getting better. Yarrr.

What are your proudest accomplishments from the past year? Favorite memories? What did you learn, or experience for the first time?

Album of the Day: The Birthday Massacre – Pins and Needles

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Filed Under Fashion, Huffington Post + AOL Travel, Italy & Western Europe, Mexico + Central America, Tokyo + Japan
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DAY OF THE DEAD PARADE, ART & MAKEUP: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, MEXICAN RITUAL. BREAD OF THE DEAD, CATRINA SKELETON.

Posted by La Carmina on December 17, 2011


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They call her La Catrina, or the elegant skull. She’s all bones, usually clad in a long robe and carrying a scythe. And this is her holiday: Day of the Dead.

On November 1st and 2nd, Mexicans honor those who have passed. But it’s not a gloomy holiday – quite the opposite. Day of the Dead is a vibrant celebration that shouts yes — the dead can dance.

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I had the pleasure of celebrating Dia de Los Muertos this year… in the historic district of Mazatlan, Mexico!

Horse cigar ring: gifted from Erica Anenberg
Dress: gifted from Sourpuss Clothing

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The ritual traces back to the Aztecs, who worshipped a god named ‘The Lady of the Dead’. In modern times, this ghoulish goddess is known as Catrina… And her image haunts every corner of Mazatlan.

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Night falls, and the darkest celebrations begin. Family members visit graveyards, sometimes camping out all night. They pray and share their favorite memories of the deceased.

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But I’m in the mood to dance. So I’m joining the Day of the Dead parade.

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Locals gather in Old Mazatlan for the annual procession. They’re put on elegant costumes and painted their faces like skulls. With folk music and firecrackers, the dead have come back to life.

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Lively, and slightly scary. (With my talented filmmaker, Melissa.)

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I saw many colorful altars to remember the dead. They’re decorated with real or paper marigolds, photos, favorite meals and objects. And, of course, sugar skulls – which have the name of the dead written on the forehead.

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There’s even a special food for the occasion: Bread of the Dead! Sold in Panama Bakery, It’s airy and sweet, and has a cross-bone on top. Don’t worry – it’s safe for the living to eat.

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When the party was over, I hopped into one of these pulmonias (open air taxis unique to Mazatlan). Time to crawl into my coffin!

Are you familiar with Day of the Dead? What did you think of the celebrations and visuals in this post? If you have questions, I invite you to leave a comment here or on my Facebook; I’ll be sure to reply.

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Filed Under Fashion, Mexico + Central America, Nightcrawling
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