GUADALAJARA & TLAQUEPAQUE TREASURES

 La Bienvenida a Nuestra Ciudad

f you haven't thought about making a journey to Guadalajara, you might want to add this city to your checklist.  Guadalajara was incredibly cosmopolitan and full of buildings rising up and beautiful people everywhere.  We were invited to a friend's birthday party and my husband, and I had never been so we decided to hop on Aero Mexico and have a little adventure.

We took off for a day to visit Tlaquepaque (tlaké pake) famous for its pottery and blown glass.  The main square in the city centre is El Jardin Hidalgo (Hidalgo Garden"), named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costlier, the "Father of Mexican Independence."  You stroll  down one street and each shop was more colorful and full of incredible hand made goods than the next.

Talented women were making any color, size or shape you would like.

Father Hidalgo was one of the heroes of the Mexican War of Independence.

Voladores de Papantla - An ancien Mesoamerican ceremoy/ritual still performed today. The ritual consists of dance and the climbing of a 39 meter pole from which the participants then launch themselves tied with ropes to descend to the ground while o…

Voladores de Papantla - An ancien Mesoamerican ceremoy/ritual still performed today. The ritual consists of dance and the climbing of a 39 meter pole from which the participants then launch themselves tied with ropes to descend to the ground while one remains playing a flute and drum. 

After the first part of the day shopping around and working up an appetite, we decided to stop  at Casa Fuerte.  Highly recommend from our local friends, and no reason in questioning that. It was quiet the preferred place.

Case Fuerte was open air, tranquil with a Latin jazz band  ( I was in Heaven) and we were ready to experience the full dining culture of Mexico.  I ordered a Don Julio margarita, my husband had a Spanish white wine and the chips and salsa were terrific. Just what we had in mind.

Camarones Tamarindo - Camarón, en salsa de tamarindo.  And it was delicious...

Chili Relleno en Nogada - Poblano peppers seemed to be a very popular dish.

The people were lovely here, so happy and you could feel they appreciated tourist and the locals.  The service was great, along with our food and drinks.

With our friends being locals we knew we were in for an authentic experience, and now... ready for round two of shopping. Gracias Casa Fuerte, for taking care of us.

Beautiful glass hearts in all sizes and vibrant colors.

Beautiful glass hearts in all sizes and vibrant colors.

We purchased these beautiful glasses, along with hand blown stir sticks, place mats, cocktail and dinner napkins along with this hand blown napkin holder.

Colorful  handmade placemats & napkins.

Colorful  handmade placemats & napkins.

HUI ZA CHE / TEQUILA REPOSADO /  gift from the birthday boy, made by his family.

HUI ZA CHE / TEQUILA REPOSADO /  gift from the birthday boy, made by his family.

Dia de los Muertos  / Day of the dead / 

Dia de los Muertos  / Day of the dead

Day of the Dead (SpanishDía de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and acknowledged around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.

Day of the Dead happens to be my birthday, so we couldn't resist beginning our collection.

Incredible, stunning furniture and light fixtures at IO Art Gallery.

Incredible, stunning furniture and light fixtures at IO Art Gallery.

How can you not appreciate an incredible Mariachi Band...

A goodbye wave from the Joven (young)  in Tlaquepaque

   "The world is a book, and those who do no travel read only one page."   Saint Augustine

MAISON SCOTCH MIXED W/YSL AND A SPLASH OF CHANEL

I love Navy for women. It's incredibly classy and looks so sophisticated for day or night.  Navy is one of those colors that inspires confidence and breathes success.  It's both friendly and powerful.  So whether you wear navy head to toe or just one item, you really can't go wrong. 

  We never know what's right around the corner.  Life can be full of surprises if we just allow.

What's great about this blouse is you can dress it up or down.  From lunch to dinner, this outfit kept on going.  Navy always looks classic and chic with white pants or a black skirt and, of course, blue jeans.  If you tend to get a bit chilly in the evening, you'll have just enough sleeves to keep you warm.  

Chanel Satin Clutch / YSL Heels / Hermès Cuff /

Make your day and evening great, feel proud and strut your stuff... you deserve it.                               

“The best protection any woman can have … is courage.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton