Blog

man wearing mexican sombrero hat viewed from behind, next to horses.
Sombreros: Shading Muchachos for Over 500 Years! (The History of the Mexican Sombrero)
I loved Speedy Gonzales as a kid with that "Arriba, Arriba, Andale, Andale" stuff! Little mouse with a really big hat that he never lost even when he was zooming... Read more...
La Lotería Ain't Your Grandma's Mexican Bingo!
La Lotería Ain't Your Grandma's Mexican Bingo!
I had seen those Mexican Bingo images everywhere. The Drunk, The Mermaid, The Crown, The Heart, etc. Cute and silly and there are a helluva lot of them. Except for... Read more...
Day of the Dead Symbols and Meanings: Marigolds, Skulls, and Papel Picado
Day of the Dead Symbols and Meanings: Marigolds, Skulls, and Papel Picado
Every fall, something magical happens across Mexico - and increasingly, around the world. Families gather, altars glow, marigolds bloom, sugar skulls smile, and somehow... the boundary between the living and... Read more...
The Virgin of Guadalupe Story: The Miracle That Endures
The Virgin of Guadalupe Story: The Miracle That Endures
Every December 12, millions of faithful pour into Mexico City, many crawling on their knees for the final stretch to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It’s not just... Read more...
mexico city angel independence statue
Mexican Independence Day: The Ultimate Guide to September 16th Celebrations & Authentic Decorations
I recently picked up a very old novel called "Captain from Castille", thinking I was in for some swashbuckling adventure. What I got instead was a brutal education in just how... Read more...
Nacho Libre: Wrestling with Comedy, Heart, and Mexican Culture
Nacho Libre: Wrestling with Comedy, Heart, and Mexican Culture
Why Jack Black's Stretchy Pants Comedy Became a Cult Classic That Still Slaps In the world of comedy films, few have the unique charm and quirky appeal of 2006's Nacho Libre.... Read more...
adults celebrating at a rooftop party with a rainbow pinata
Cinco de Mayo: The Real History Behind the Margaritas
The Actual Story of Cinco de Mayo The Real History Behind the Battle of Puebla — and Why Americans Celebrate It Cinco de Mayo has always been a great excuse... Read more...
Crafting Dreams in Mexico: My Feature in the 'Artisan Joy' Spotlight Series!
Crafting Dreams in Mexico: My Feature in the 'Artisan Joy' Spotlight Series!
Hola and hello! I hope everyone is staying warm out there in TexMexlandia!! This little announcement might warm your heart anyway: I was recently asked to interview with the fine... Read more...
The Guadalupe–Reyes Marathon: Mexico’s Most Festive Time of Year
The Guadalupe–Reyes Marathon: Mexico’s Most Festive Time of Year
The Guadalupe–Reyes Marathon is a fabulous example of Mexico’s uniquely joyful—and deeply religious and cultural—holiday season. Beginning on December 12th (Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe) and ending on January... Read more...
Dia de los Muertos - "I was not forgotten..."
For an understanding of the basics of Day of the Dead, please consider reading our Day of the Dead Symbols and Meanings blog post before reading this... For years, I've built a traditional Día de los Muertos altar to honor pets, friends, and family members who have passed, but 2023 was very different for me. I hate to start on a bummer note, but my dad died from a COVID-related/Parkinson's disease-related combo on October 27, 2022. Obviously, celebrating his life on November 1st and 2nd, 2022, felt like a bit... Read more...
Handmade pasta tiles with Allison Nevins of TexMex Fun Stuff.
Pasta Tiles Handmade in Mérida, Yucatán, México
Follow me to the most famous pasta tile factory in México. Mosaicos La Peninsular – These beautiful European imports became a Yucatecan tradition, and are now made by hand in Mérida,... Read more...
woman holding colorful huichol ojos de dios folk art
The Art and Meaning Behind the Huichol Ojo de Dios (God’s Eye)
Y'all probably know that I am a big fan of Mexican Pueblos Magicos and of Papel Picado. The one town that puts these together well is Sayulita, Nayarit just north... Read more...
My favorite amazing Mexico instagram feeds
Amazing México Instagram Feeds You Should Follow
Eighteen amazing México Instagram feeds you should follow have given me an escape from my 'shelter-in-place' lifestyle that feels like it's never going to end. Even though I'm sheltering in... Read more...
Mexican Milagros - We Could All Use Some Miracles Right Now!
Mexican Milagros - We Could All Use Some Miracles Right Now!
There I was, "trapped" in a Puerto Vallarta Airbnb during a global pandemic — sunsets over the Pacific, fresh guacamole, and absolutely nowhere to be. I know, I know. Cry... Read more...
What Day of the Dead Is Really Like in Mexico
What Day of the Dead Is Really Like in Mexico
What Day of the Dead Is Really Like in Mexico A Journey Through Día de los Muertos, Hanal Pixán & Halloween Traditions It was a balmy 86ºF November evening when... Read more...
Is Ernesto De La Cruz Real? The 3 Mexican Legends Behind Coco's Star
Is Ernesto De La Cruz Real? The 3 Mexican Legends Behind Coco's Star
Ernesto De La Cruz stole my heart the first time I saw his hot, Latino, animated self in Pixar and Disney's movie, Coco. I was preparing to move back to México... Read more...
Dance of the Flyers and Birdmen vs. MayPoling and Pole Dancing
Dance of the Flyers and Birdmen vs. MayPoling and Pole Dancing
The Dance of the Flyers (Danza de los Voladores) is NOT MayPoling (or A-Holing, like I first thought). Okay, it's obviously not A-Holing, but it rhymes with MayPoling and that's... Read more...
Mexican La Sirena Meets The Little Mermaid: Cultural Crossroads
Mexican La Sirena Meets The Little Mermaid: Cultural Crossroads
What’s the deal with mermaids in Mexican culture? Specifically, what’s the La Sirena Mexican Lotería meaning? This iconic Lotería card features a sultry mermaid belting a siren song — but... Read more...
What's the Deal with these Badass Mariachis?
What's the Deal with these Badass Mariachis?
Mariachis are a combo of Western movie outlaws, Mexican folklore and a little bit of rock and roll with polka and waltz mixed in. These musicians are always in groups... Read more...
My Lucha Libre Experience - Laughing, Crying & Screaming
My Lucha Libre Experience - Laughing, Crying & Screaming
Before living in México, this is what I knew about Lucha Libre: Big dudes wore masks and capes, flung themselves through the air and fake wrestled. I didn't have a... Read more...