Why I write…

Writing has always been a therapeutic form of creativity for me. I love words. I’ve been blogging online since 2007, documenting solo trips and my family’s adventures and experiences. I’m grateful that I can use this outlet for work and play, and share our stories with you. As a lifestyle writer, I write about what moves me… family travel and experiences, Disney magic, entertainment, entrepreneurship, DIY projects and consumer goods. And if you ever want to treat me, I love a good churro, caramel brûlée lattes, and peppermint milkshakes!

What I write about…

latest posts…

Track & Field Olympic Champion Sanya Richards-Ross chats at DDA about runDisney, Community and Dreams
Disney Dreamers Academy

Track & Field Olympic Champion Sanya Richards-Ross chats at DDA about runDisney, Community and Dreams

One of the many things that is awe-inspiring at Disney Dreamers Academy is the opportunity to learn and share about the various Disney franchises, like runDisney, and how they are making an impact on the community, and showcase inspiring participants like Sanya Richards-Ross. We learned about the upcoming Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend for 2024…

Magic Makers Coffee Chat: Arriel Biggs, Momager of Disney Dreamer Mikey Wren, Class of 2022
Black Disney Moms Disney

Magic Makers Coffee Chat: Arriel Biggs, Momager of Disney Dreamer Mikey Wren, Class of 2022

I was invited to cover the Disney Dreamers 2022 event as hosted media on behalf of Black Disney Moms (BDM). All opinions are 100% my own. I had the great pleasure of catching up with Arriel Biggs, Momager to Mikey Wren, a young entrepreneur and Disney Dreamer from the class of 2022. Arriel is also…

In Memory of My Lola
Journal

In Memory of My Lola

It feels so surreal that I recently wrote and shared the following memorial speech at my Lola’s funeral. I’m posting it here so the sentiments can be revisited, and for those who were unable to attend her services. I am the eldest grandchild of Evelyn “Eve” (Causing Balleza) Leaño Argarin, but to me, she was…

Disney teams up with World of EPI on a new line of dolls and toys!
Black Disney Moms Disney

Disney teams up with World of EPI on a new line of dolls and toys!

Penny Proud and and her crew is back! If you didn’t already know, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is streaming now on Disney+. I can’t believe the original series launched in 2001! Needless to say, it’s about time it returned. While I am not always up for remakes or reboots, The Proud Family is…

Disney Dreamers Academy Celebrates 15 Years and Welcomes the Class of 2022
Disney Disney Dreamers Academy

Disney Dreamers Academy Celebrates 15 Years and Welcomes the Class of 2022

Congratulations, class of 2022! Meet the current class. I’m excited to share that Disney Dreamers Academy (DDA), a four day educational mentorship program hosted by The Walt Disney World Resort (WDW) celebrates its 15th year of creating magic for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across the U.S. This year, the event will be…

Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max “The Hair Switch Project” Episode Reminds Me that My Black Hair is Beautiful!
Disney

Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max “The Hair Switch Project” Episode Reminds Me that My Black Hair is Beautiful!

I’ve gotta say it, Kourtney Richard wrote this one out of the park and the acting by these talented women came together beautifully, and the director, Morenike Joela Evans did such a phenomenal job bringing everything to life. I’ve only recently stumbled upon Disney Channel’s daughter/father comedy series, Sydney to the Max – somehow I’ve…

A Touch of Disney Event at Disney California Adventure Launches in March
Disney

A Touch of Disney Event at Disney California Adventure Launches in March

Breaking news!! Here in California we have been waiting for SOMETHING magical to reopen *cough* Disneyland Resort *cough* and we are taking anything we can get at this point. While the Downtown Disney District has opened and closed and reopened again during this pandemic, and Buena Vista Street opened during the holidays for limited outdoor…

Did you see? Disney’s Christmas 2020 Ad Features Filipino Holiday Traditions!
Disney

Did you see? Disney’s Christmas 2020 Ad Features Filipino Holiday Traditions!

The year of 2020 has been a rollercoaster across the globe. Listen, in a seemingly “normal” year, we all have our ups and downs, but in recent world history, the pandemic along with movements rising up throughout our Nation and across the world for justice, equity and human rights, for many of us this is…

Walt Life Delivers the Disney Magic to You
Disney

Walt Life Delivers the Disney Magic to You

Sooo, how are my Disneyland friends holding up? Are you all okay? We are deep in this pandemic and some days it feels like the magic is slipping away. If you’ve been around these parts long enough you know that I love Disney, but also enjoy visiting Disney Parks, whether I’m with my family, my best friends or by myself. This is the longest hiatus that I’ve had from Disney in ages (I don’t even have a Disney Store near me), and I’m getting a little nutsy!

When Magic Finds You
Business

When Magic Finds You

The universe has a funny way of showing you where you need to be, and sometimes how you get there might be unconventional and typically consists of twists, turns and yes, heartbreak and pain. At the first writing of this post in 2017, I had experienced a layoff. If you knew me then, you also knew…

How We Manage Homeschooling Five Kids Plus Some Options to Get Started in California
Lifestyle

How We Manage Homeschooling Five Kids Plus Some Options to Get Started in California

Well, we did it and took the leap this year, our journey to homeschooling has begun. I guess I shouldn’t say that it’s just beginning, because I’ve homeschooled our kids off and on since our eldest (now a Senior) was in Kindergarten, but this is the first year that we have ALL FIVE of them…

Are You Color Blind?
Journal

Are You Color Blind?

I’ve been thinking of conversations with people in my life about “living while black,” and to be honest, if another person tells me they don’t see me as black… That they don’t see my “color…” That I’m “not like other black people…” Or my favorite (insert eye roll) “you’re only half,” as if I am…

Freedom in Release
Journal

Freedom in Release

It’s been way too long since I’ve written from the heart, and I look forward to sharing more. I’m in the middle of rebranding the blog both in design and focus. It’s something I’ve talked about since the beginning of the year but just haven’t gotten to it. As our family’s life has shifted dramatically…

Five Reasons to Attend Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Disney Lifestyle

Five Reasons to Attend Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

  Disney + Food and Wine? Sign. Me. Up. Fantasia © Disney; Image via GIPHY It doesn’t take much to get me excited about visiting Disneyland Resort (DLR), but the notion of amazing eats and adult drinks has me absolutely elated. I didn’t have the chance to visit DLR for last year’s event, and sadly this year…

It’s the Climb
Lifestyle Travel

It’s the Climb

Family day trips are great, especially when you get to be out in the open, consumed by nature. Okay, that totally does not sound like me. I am not a hiker. I do not enjoy lounging in the forest. I appreciate it all from a distance, but it isn’t my “go-to” idea of F U N.  …

Finish off September with FREE Pancakes for the Kids & a Great Cause!
Lifestyle

Finish off September with FREE Pancakes for the Kids & a Great Cause!

The season of fall has arrived! I’m always excited for cooler weather and warm drinks like hot chocolate, especially with a nice fluffy stack of pancakes. My sister swears by Denny’s amazing hot chocolate so I am going to be trying it myself soon. I consider myself a hot cocoa connoisseur, so we will see about…

A Whirlwind Day at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration | On the Road at Disneyland Resort
Disney Lifestyle

A Whirlwind Day at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration | On the Road at Disneyland Resort

August 24th was an exceptional and magical whirlwind. I was invited to attend a special one day event: Disney Social Media Moms Celebration: On the Road at Disneyland Resort (you can check out the event using #DisneySMMCDLR). Just in time to experience the final weeks of Disneyland Resort’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration.  I love to…