For my fellow Aquarius gang…

I’m an Aquarius girl, and that’s who I am. I dislike mundane, basic, and uninspired individuals. I seem to embody all the clichés associated with my zodiac sign: unique, with a touch of a god complex, original, and fiercely loyal to my friends.

Since childhood, I’ve been captivated not by brands, but by the individual style of people—the colors, shapes of their clothes, and every distinctive detail, be it an accessory, a fragrance, or simply an attitude. I consider myself a sort of flâneur among those who surround me, which is why, strolling downtown in my city is a joy. I love observing the textures, fabrics, colors of the streets, and the living fashion palette.

As I matured and involved with the fashion world, I discovered one of the most influential fashion icons of all time, Iris Apfel, who stated, ‘Fashion you can buy, but style you possess.’ It’s a thought that often crosses my mind: Is style innate or acquired?

I’ve delved into numerous books and articles on the topic of ‘good or bad taste,’ yet I find myself questioning how one can judge another based on their preferences in food, clothing, literature, manners, cinema, or even home décor. I’ll admit, that I’m guilty of constantly assessing everyone around me. While I try to stop this, this tendency seems part of my subjective mind.

From a young age, I’ve understood the significance of standing out of the crowd. My father, another Aquarius, is a Panama Hat lover who made the hat an indispensable part of his daily outfit. He gave me much of his knowledge about hats, and he always instantly recognized new trends and even designed some fantastic models and ribbons. So, what defines my aesthetic?

What are my thoughts on style? For me, wearing a hat gives me a sense of security and empowerment. There’s something about wearing a hat that boosts my confidence; I can’t quite explain it, but it’s an integral part of my life. While certain shapes or styles make me feel particularly good, I think I embody the role of an ambassador for hats wherever I go. So today, I want to make a sort of collage about the last colors I have used during the last months, as a signal of my different moods! Which one do you like most?

Sin categoría

My last week on Cuenca

My time in Cuenca has come to an end. I lived there for about 5 years, had the most beautiful days in this cold city, and made some good friends. Something that I learned was to leave the impostor syndrome that I had since university. I started to believe in my writing and the positive impact I have with my voice. As a copy editor and also a journalist, life surprises me with interviews of very interesting and game-changing people: some of them were writers, other architects, chefs, designers, biologists, etc. I learned to understand other perspectives and put some order to the immense river of words I had inside me.

During my last week in Cuenca, I decided to visit one of the most important events of the year: The XVI Art Biennale. All along the city, there were different headquarters with expositions and creations of various artists from around the world. At each venue, there was the opportunity to intervene in certain works and also play with the exhibition space. For this edition, more than 25 national and international artists participated with works that highlighted the various social problems affecting Latin America. Illustrations, sculptures, videos, photos, and various artistic creations proposed a sensory approach to the different points of view.

2023

A day in my chaotic and beloved city Guayaquil

There is a peculiar and undeniable bond between my friends and me because I feel I can´t live without them. I’m currently living in Cuenca, and most of them live in another city or other countries. Nowadays I’m used to talking through messages or video calls, but every time we meet, I think that I instantly live again. Two weeks ago, my best friend Leira came to Ecuador, and I knew it was a special time to walk through Guayaquil and visit the best spots.

So, we went to Panama street (one of the most tourist places there) and ate at the Central Restaurant, then we visited the Biblioteca de las Artes, a huge library with many books. As we were both Literature students, you will understand the fascination behind getting lost in that place. I must confess that in this building you will find undoubtedly one of the best views of the city and it is a very aesthetic place to take some photos.

After that, I visited with my dad two expositions at MAAC, one about the art developed in Guayaquil through one century and the other about some photos of the World Press Photo. We both have serious doubts about contemporary art, but at least we learned something new, we laughed and enjoy to look the different sculptures, paintings, and photos.

For this occasion, I wore my timeless classic Panama Hat with a special ribbon made in collab with a Japanese brand and a black dress with vans, I don´t think it was the right choice because the weather was very warm, but never mind it was a wonderful day. In the next few months, I will have to take different decisions, so you will receive very soon, exciting news about my future!

2023

I´m excited for the next year, so let´s keep moving forward!

Audre Lorde, a writer I love, says that you need to transform your silence into language and actions because if you keep your words inside, they will leave you dry and feeling worst. For the last two weeks, I have been thinking about grief, loss, and death.

I have not written anything since last year, because I was trying to process a lot of different situations that happened in December. I lost my German Shepherd, Princesa, due to her age, and this was extremely painful for my family and me. She was a vital member and during the 12 years we spent together, she was a therapist for my sister, a great company for my mother and father, a strong protector of my sisters, and the most beloved dog.

I didn´t want to make this article a sort of obituary, but when the idea of releasing something keeps popping into your head, you know you need to put your pain in words.

Princesa, we will remember your constantly moving radar ears, your long pink tongue, your brown eyes, your Cheetos-scented ducks, your white hairs over time, and all the love and protection that overflowed for us for more than a decade. ❤️ Thank you for teaching us how to love.

Above all, I learned many things in 2022. ❤️‍✨️ The last year split in two, I changed from a job that was draining me, I met wonderful people, I gave a small conference at a university here in Cuenca, I read a lot, and above all, I lived. Thanks to everyone who supported me when I cried (because I did cry a lot) with hugs, words, memes, podcasts, songs, or dancing with me. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and I don’t regret it.

PLACES

Hello, how have you been?

In Cuenca, I had some cold days, but the last Saturday we had a sunny day, so I explored the city with my sister, who visited me this weekend.

We walked near the Tomebamba river, passed over the bridge «Vivas nos queremos» and went to the park «la Madre».

I love this city, because of the great number of places you can visit. You will find in Cuenca many parks and a lot of places to rest. I had a lot of work lately, so as a way of self-care I decided to disconnect from everything on the weekends.

Some activities that I enjoy are reading, writing, going out for a breath of fresh air in the parks, buying myself a dessert, drinking a matcha latte, going out with friends, dancing, or doing anything else. I only try to respect my time and how I spent it because there is always the sense of being productive and having no rest.

Soon we will be in the last month of the year, and I´m really excited about all that I have achieved this year. I have many plans for the next year, but I believe you have to live one day at a time.

I also have been a little nervous, because I will have to make a conference about Literature in one of the most well-known universities here in Cuenca, but I´m feeling very confortable with the research that I make. Hope everything goes well!

PLACES

I´m back, yes, after several years…

I don´t remember the last time that I wrote an article for Panamaholic. Several things passed in my life, I left Guayaquil 3 years ago and began to live alone in Cuenca. Do you remember that I even wrote an article about this marvelous city? I also became a Literature teacher, but after many stressful situations, I declined and instead preferred to be a Copywriter and a journalist for a very important Magazine on design, culture, architecture, and gastronomy.

This blog was a sort of relief place for me, I wrote about many topics but there was a moment when the idea of writing it just didn’t make any sense to me and I left everything behind. My only thought was to move forward. So, at that time I focused on education and Literature, and I left behind any sort of relation with hats and fashion. I lost my path and had an existential crisis, everything seemed to be very monotonous and boring for me. Thus, I thought that I needed to change of place and routines, and decided to read more and teach everyone at the school in a better way. For me fashion was a tool of expression, I really enjoyed reading and learning about clothes and the style of people, but unfortunately, later I realized that I didn’t have any satisfaction with that, and became really sad. When I changed the environment, everything took its rightful place, and eventually, I started to think that maybe being a teacher was my purpose.

Then the pandemic came, and everything changed. Suddenly I realized that it was time to move to another job. Through the years, I realized something: Ecua-Andino is a vital part of me, even though I´m not longer working in the office with my family, I still appeared in the videos, I followed the growth of the brand and became excited when my sisters tell me any big news. After talking with my father, I decided to write again for the blog, as a way of contributing to all the love I have received all over the years.

For this occasion, I chose a hat that really represents me, the Ecuador hat. I asked my older sister to take pictures of me in the forest, near the Yanuncay river, one of my happiest places here in Cuenca. The photo is not professional, but I love the colors and how natural I look. In November, our football team is going to play at the Fifa World Cup and I´m really excited. So, let’s crossed our fingers and pray to be at least in the round of 16.

PLACES

Hola, sunshine!

Two weeks ago I lived a very big experience in company of one lovely journalist and also another very special photographer from Next Magazine. They came to our country because they wanted to follow my journey as a Panama hat blogger and see the entire process of our Ecuadorian hats. Even though I am not exactly a model, the entire week I changed my shy personality and I acquired that posture. I knew that I have to be not only a blogger but also the right ambassador of my own country, so the first day we made a lot of tourism activities such as park visits and streets stops. For them it was very important to choose the right spots for the photoshoot and they finally decided for the colourful houses of Barrio Las Peñas, that forms part of the old town of my city Guayaquil.

In the second day the photoshoot was pretty fun but also stressful; I had to change clothes very fast and also had my make up on point. We moved very fast through the city, because of the changing weather (we were still at the rainy season) but at the end of day we visited the two spots that I love in Guayaquil: Mono Goloso and Camellias Tea.

We travelled to the Coast on the third day and then immersed ourselves in the jungle of toquilla palms, the weather was very wet and hot, but every moment was worth it! The view of this very green and natural place where the pollution wasn’t invited, gave us a moment of self-concern of the natural fiber we were wearing in the top of our heads and its entire handmade process.

Many thanks Sophie and Shiloh for your kindly article and also beautiful photos! I hope to visit you one day in your own country and to be also your guest; you invited me so now I only need the time and the chance to travel. As my father said to you: we are no longer acquaintances, but friends…

As we said goodbye to them at the airport, I felt a little bit melancholic about their departure, but the invitation was made and immediately a phrase came to my head: “when you have friends all over the world, you have houses in every country! “

We went also to the stadium of my beloved football team, Emelec! The next article I´m definitely are going to talk about that special experience…

PLACES

The Holy Week is coming…

There is a week well-known and celebrated here in Ecuador that forms part of the cultural and religious heritage of the country, the Holy Week. There are a lot of special activities that will let you know more about our traditions and religious beliefs. In Ecuador, most of the population is catholic and the other half confessed that is protestant or don´t have any religious affiliation. The catholic population organize every year a huge procession between 7 churches, where they remember the holy sacrifice of Jesus Christ, make penitence and ask for forgiveness. The tour of «The 7 churches» is a tradition here in my city Guayaquil! In the photos below you can see three of the most emblematic churches:

«La Merced» church credits: André Loor @simpolei

In front of the «San Francisco» church… credits: André Loor @simpolei

In front of the Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral… credits: André Loor @simpolei

The Ecuadorian families are very concern not only of the religious activities but also about implementing some beliefs even in their food! As a child I remembered the picture of my grandma Zoila and father grinding the corn, while we wait to receive in our hands the final meal named “humita” (one of the traditional Ecuadorian foods during the Easter, they are made of steamed savory corn and inside of them you can find cheese, they are later wrapped in corn husks)

Another memory I have is that I started to eat “fanesca” because of my grandma Margarita (the mother of my mom), even though she is no longer catholic she kept that habit! In my city there are plenty of places for eating this popular meal, but I choose the Palace Hotel located in the very center of Guayaquil, because they have not only one of the best fanesca soups but also my beloved coconut lemonade, my top drink in the city!

Definitely the most significant dish is the fanesca matted soup. I found the perfect definition and summary of the recipe at the blog of another Ecuadorian food blogger named Laylita: Fanesca is made with salt cod, many different types of beans and grains – both fresh and dry, squash, spices, and many other ingredients. This soup requires a lot of prep work: the fresh grains needs to shucked and cleaned, the salt cod needs to soak for 24 hours, the grains and vegetables are cooked separately. (Source: https://www.laylita.com/recipes/2012/04/01/easter-in-ecuador/)

I only wanted to eat, but the photo needed to be taken! The delicious dish you see is the traditional fanesca. credits: André Loor @simpolei

For this occasion I was in a more classic mood! The weather in Guayaquil changed a lot; we are now in the rainy season, so at the beginning I had a bright sun and then the sky turned out to gray and start to rain. So my boyfriend took very quickly some photos, I really hope you enjoy it! He is a very talented photographer but I am a really shy model, you will notice that in the picture…l decided to match a bicolor dress (the flag of my city has both colors : white and light blue) with sandals of a blue color, a white Dumont hat and a brown leather bag. And then I stand in front of the three most emblematic churches in my city!

credits: André Loor @simpolei

HAT ART

It´s time to adopt!

Nowadays there are plenty of celebrities and other famous people with an entire nature and animal awareness. They claim through their social networks the importance of not shopping but adopting a pet! A significant number of them post almost every week a picture of the beloved member of the family. As an example we can find on the Instagram of the singer Miley Cyrus, the multiple images of her entire adopted pets or also the Australian Shepherd dog that the actress Amanda Segfried rescued:

There are a lot of animal shelters all around the world, that takes care of abandoned or bad-treated dogs and cats. In Ecuador for example we have the “Rescate Animal”, “Arca”, “PAE” or “Fada” foundations, where many volunteers move heaven and earth to obtain collaborations and donations.

Last year in Ecuador we have an event that moved every one of us in multiple ways! The earthquake of the 16th April, leave not only many losses and damages , but also a lot of pets without protection. The Rescate animal´s foundation started a campaign to give all this loving pets a new home!

Ecua-Andino released four years ago, an entire collection focused on them; the name was “Pet Art collection” and was dedicated to all this beloved members of the family who takes care of ourselves and give us their company 24/ 7 hours a day! The company was aware of the importance of adopting, so they started last year an alliance with this foundation, where every person who adopts immediately received one hand painted hat. That stimulated many to not only gain a brand new hat, but also to keep this beautiful memory of connecting visually their pet with an accessory in their heads!

In this month the foundation made a special work day for any people who wanted to adopt . They received one iconic Ecuadorian hat!

The experience was really marvelous and it was pretty relaxing and calming to see a lot of dogs moving freely by the place.

credits: Simpol ei

HAT ART

A blue butterfly named «Luz»

The people who are really close to me know that I started to read influenced by my grandpa’s figure. He had a very big library where I could take any book! During my childhood and adolescence I also received a lot of books with a special signature “para la chinita lectora (for the Chinese reader)” When I graduated of the school I knew that all I wanted was to study something related with the words and fictional worlds.

Last year my father showed me the beautiful song “Mariposa Azul” of one youngest Ecuadorian singer and composer based in New York City named Luz Pinos. In her early years, Luz grew up exposed to a lot of South American pop and traditional music. Since the age of 3 she was singing and dancing to every song she ever heard. She followed her passion and graduated as a contemporary dancer in Guayaquil, Ecuador then decided to move to NYC and persue her carreer as a profesional singer. After finishing her degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music Luz found her own original sound and way of turning her personal stories into, compositions influenced by Ecuadorian and South American rhythms. ( taken from: http://luzpinos.com/)

When her grandpa passed away she decided to made this beautiful song about him, the moment I heard the song it I was immediately touched by her softly voice and the meaning behind every word of the lyric. Later we had a meeting with Luz and then started the collaboration between Ecua-Andino and she, the resolution was that for every special people she knows she will gave them a marvelous hat with a painted blue butterfly on it.

She presented her last single “Mozo” in Guayaquil and was a totally success, you can see here pictures of the event and a recompilation of her entire presentation. I attended her intimate concert and the connection between Luz and the audience was pretty magic! I´m sure she is a totally rising star!

Luz and I posing for the picture

PANAMAHOLIC

A booklover writing about Panama Hats

For my fellow Aquarius gang…

My last week on Cuenca

A day in my chaotic and beloved city Guayaquil

I´m excited for the next year, so let´s keep moving forward!

Hello, how have you been?

I´m back, yes, after several years…

Hola, sunshine!

The Holy Week is coming…

It´s time to adopt!

A blue butterfly named «Luz»