Blog

Puerto Rico 2015:Day 1: Arrival, Colon & Nuyoricans

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Client Photography, Milli Stephania, Travels

It’s 7pm, we are stuffed beyond explanation. But first, we arrived at our first Airbnb, safe and sound. The owner Monica is super chill and gave us a few pointers on where to go in the plaza. Chris and I headed to Christopher Columbus’s castle, which was huge but  non- the less beautiful. The view was exhilirating. The humidity wasn’t my favorite, but the breeze that was going on was absolutely perfect.
We walked, we walked a lot. My hair and I , we have parted ways a long time ago. We walked into a tiny restaurant called “Mojitos” and even though we didn’t have any, the piña coladas with rum were delicious. The mofongo was and on point and some special sauce that was with it, was soooo amazing. It was infused with garlic and lemon, I need to learn how to duplicate that now!

Chris is busy bonding with a Puerto Rican map and a flashlight, while I’m laying down rubbing my stomach, I’m so full, and it feels so good! It was time to head back out again. Dancing started late, but once it did, what a blast. We walked into a tiny lounge called Nuyorican Cafe, an over air conditioned lounge for a reason. Since we arrived a little early, Chris was freezing and I could tell he was getting grouchy but tried his best to hide it. I on the other hand simply ignored it and kept jamming to the salsa that was playing. The opening band was good, it had a bit of an island feel to it. But I was there for the salsa, I couldn’t wait for the other band to arrive. 4 Beers later, it was time to get moving.

Chris swears he doesn’t know what he’s doing, he’s a liar. After a while he started correcting me on how to turn the right way. Ew. Check him out getting all cocky.

Departure

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania, Travels

2/18/15- 11:13pm

I´m sitting here next to Chris. Our flight is tomorrow morning, we just finished packing our bags, and even though we´re sleepy, we´re too excited to rest. He´s on the phone speaking to Marcus, who´s busy giving him recomendations on where to visit, see and eat. We already have a crazy iteninary and it´s starting to get overwhelming with all the things we want to do. . . It´s exhiliarating.

2/19/15 – 7:30am

Waiting to Board, an hour and  half to go. This is our first trip together, alone that is. I´ve got my feet up, phones are charging and everytime we catch glimpses of each other, we start blushing and smirking. I adore it.

1:04pm

We´ve landed and Chris still insists on speaking english. I told him about that. His “idioma” (language) will be impeccable by the time we get back to NYC. Te lo prometo (I promise you). We´ve just picked up our bags from baggage claims and he´s already tempted to change into shorts. Our cab driver was super sweet and actually ended up being dominican. We all bonded talking about NY. At least that makes person number 2 picking on Chris because of his non speaking spanish skills.

Casi Casi Me Voy

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Client Resources, Milli Stephania

Hello my beautiful people,

Casi casi me voy = almost, I’m leaving.

The time is sneaking on me, I have one more day until I get to board the plane and start my travels. Ugh, Lord knows I need this vacation so much. I’m an adventurer at heart, and when I get to experience different cultures, and learn new things, my soul is instantly happy. I know I’ve been a bit pretty shy to say where I’m going, but no worries, I’m here to take all of that doubt away.
First stop, Puerto Rico. I have never been, and I think I’m more excited than my second stop, even though I can’t wait to see  my family in Dominican Republic. Upon my arrival in Puerto Rico, at least according to the plans I have in mind, The Electric Daisy Carnival is going to be a blast, even though I just found out it’s supposed to rain. boooooo…

That’s not going to stop me though, even if I have to dance in the rain with muddy toes and wet curls on my head, I’m going to have a blast.

I feel like the days have been going by so fast and so slow at the same time. Work, I’ve been counting down the days, when it comes to getting everything I need, I feel like I have no time to get it all done. Right now, I told myself I was going to take a trip to an artshow in the city, but honestly I don’t see that happening. My room has been turned upside from trying to find summer clothing, and I have dumped everything into an open suitcase, which needs to be organized. I need to make my list and check it twice, and I know my guy wants to go shopping tomorrow for some last minute tanks and essentials.

I on the other hand, wish I could get my hands on a new camera that I fell in love with and don’t seem to own yet… I just want to cry! maybe I’ll spoil myself for my birthday, hey, I deserve it.

Anyway, back to the itinerary, originally we were supposed to take the Ferry from Puerto Rico to D.R. but that ended up back firing, and it actually worked out for the better. If we were to take the ferry it would have been a 12 hour trip at a higher price, so we just ended up booking a flight which ended up being cheaper and just an hour to get to our destination. Win-win.

When I get to D.R. I’m excited to see my cousins, aunts and grandmothers. My cousin Coral justhad a baby girl, who is the cutest little thing.

February 27 is El Dia De La Independencia– Day of Independence, which means we’re going to be partying all day and drinking all night long, of course like any hispanic family does. But anywho, let me get going… it’s time to stop procrastinating and actually pack.

See you guys soon!

kiss kiss

Bacon & Bubbles

Posted on by Milli Stephania in Milli Stephania

Friends and food is always a good mix. Family and food is even better.

Chris picked me up at work, while I just finished googling where I could find a supermarket that is open late on a Sunday. Luckily for all of us I found a 24 hour supermarket  that was more than willing to fit my needs. I threw cubed steak, green plantains, avocados and eggs into my cart, everything else would have to come from home.

Karli, Marc’s girlfriend was visiting NYC on a business trip, and since she leaves tomorrow, tonight was the only chance we could have snuck some quality time together.  

While packing my bag at home, I made sure to season the meat, while Chris helped by shredding some cheese, that way when we got to their place, everything will be ready to cook. As soon as we arrived, we said our hellos and I jumped straight into the kitchen.

The place was beautiful, it was very minimal with exposed brick through out the apartment. I was in love.

Since Karli was in the mood for Dominican food, I was the closest thing she was getting. Especially since none of us wanted to even attempt to go outside in this freezing weather. I decided on making some mangu, so the plantains went straight into bowling, one of the things that take the longest to be done. Especially since you want them to turn a nice golden color since I was going to be smashing them a little later.

The brothers did what they do best, nothing. Even though they did offer.

Saturday Night Live 40 was keeping them pretty occupied so I wasn’t complaining. Especially since Karli and I took advantage of that time to do what us girls do best, gossip.

As much as he pretended to keep watching television, I knew he was being nosy everytime we were cracking up. Chris comes over and asks what we’re talking about, I laugh and tell him “you”.  Why lie? hahaha I tell him, this is how girls bond, talking about the stupidities boys do. He gives me a smirk and an eye roll.

Wine was served, and now that the steak that was wrapped in bacon and was put in the oven, it was time to bake the avocados as well. I broke an egg in the middle and then sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top. Karli help mashed the plantains, and while I served and made the plate pretty, I could now say dinner was officially served.

The men sat down and it was nice to just sit there, talking, drinking vino and getting fat. I like usual, am always the first one to finish my food, I’m like a garbage disposal, while everyone else ate like little birds. I got compliments, and I was happy knowing everyone else was happy. Once dinner was over, everyone gathered around the television, while I on the other hand was in awe of how deep the bathtub was, I prepared myself a bubble bath and decided to spoil myself.

Omg, I put on some Etta James, and my glass of wine disappeared in no time. Everyone was comfy, and I got a little comfier when I put on my onesie. Hey, I don’t play. I had a great night hanging out with Marc & Karli. She’s been trying to convince me in to going to L.A. and to be honest, I really don’t need much convincing, just a big wallet.

kiss kiss, Minx