Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel & Casino Puerto Rico

Pool area

We have many great hotels in Puerto Rico. Today I’m blogging about one that is 15 minutes away from my home, in Aguas Buenas. It is the Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel and Casino. We had to find a place for a photo shoot for the magazine Style & Mode, and wanted it to be a beautiful place because we were showcasing a model in evening dresses. I decided to contact the administration to see if we could do the shoot there and they were very gracious giving us permission to use the facilities.

I want to thank Griselle Vazquez, the manager, for her nice gesture, and Torrid for their beautiful dresses.

Shoot near the fountain- Ana wearing Torrid

We headed to the hotel with aspiring plus model, Ana García and photographer Ricardo Mercado. I was at awe when I saw the hotel. You leave the city and enjoy the peace of the country. This Puerto Rico Hotel offers what you want and need, whether traveling for business or pleasure and it is a short drive from downtown San Juan and a couple minutes away from major corporations.

Fine Dining at X.O. Bistro

You can play a few rounds of golf, lounge by the pool, or go to the Casino; being the perfect retreat. The food is also excellent! The people who work there are so nice, they gave us the royal treatment… We wrapped up the shoot and the pics came out beautiful, I gave you a preview of some pics I took. The rest will be in Style and Mode next week, looking forward to that!

Garden

If you are planning a vacation do not hesitate to stay at this great hotel, I definitively give it five stars…

Blessings to all...

Shoot inside the Hotel

Marta

My Baby's All Grown Up and Going to China: Shirley Ortiz

Ready...set...go!!! Our beautiful model Shirley Ortiz, a native from Guayama, Puerto Rico, will be leaving on November 23, 2011 to represent the Island at the Elite Model Look 2011 in Shanghai, China. Shirley is 18 years old and she was the winner of the Elite Model Look Puerto Rico; held during the opening of Puerto Rico High Fashion Week last October.

This beauty is 5’9, she is known for being humble, disciplined and a people person if you will!! She loves to dance, go out with her friends, listen to music and model. This is her passion! Shirley is very excited because this has been a dream come true for her. She knows the competition will be tough, but she believes in herself and is going to do the best she can to win the title.

She is being prepared by a great model agency named Unica; being in intensive training mastering the catwalk, photography, exercise, and personal care. Caridad Fernández, president of EMLPR said, Shirley has all the attributes to be in the finalists or even win the competition, although it is a tough competition...there are 70 countries that are going to participate! The competition will be held on December 6, 2011...looking forward to that!!!

Shirley, we wish you all the best! You can be sure that we will be cheering you on….and always remember, we will always be by your side even if you are thousands of miles away!!!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Shirley Ortiz oriunda de Guayama, Puerto Rico saldrá el 23 de Noviembre de 2011 para representar a la Isla en el Elite Model Look 2011 en Shanghai, China. Shirley tiene 18 años, fue la ganadora de el Elite Model Look de Puerto Rico que se celebró durante la inaguración de Puerto Rico High Fashion Week el cual se celebró el pasado mes de Octubre.

Esta belleza es 5'9, es conocida por ser humilde, y es muy disciplinada. Sus pasatiempos son bailar, salir con sus amigos, escuchar música y el modelaje, este es su pasión. Shirley esta muy entusiasmada porque este ha sido un sueño hecho realidad para ella, ella sabe que la competencia será fuerte, pero ella cree en sí misma y va a hacer lo mejor que pueda para ganar el título.

Está siendo preparada por la prestigiosa agencia de modelos llamada Unica, está en un curso intensivo de pasarela, fotografía, ejercicio y cuidado personal. Caridad Fernández, presidenta de la EMLPR dijo “Shirley tiene todos los atributos para estar entre las finalistas ó incluso ganar la competencia, aunque es una competencia fuerte, hay 70 países que van a participar.” La competencia se llevará a cabo el 6 de diciembre de 2011.

Shirley te deseamos todo lo mejor del mundo y puedes estar segura que tendrás todo nuestro apoyo ....recuerda que siempre estaremos a tu lado apoyandote, aunque te encuentres a miles de kilómetros de distancia!!!!

Bendiciones para ti….

Marta

San Juan Beauty Show

Entrance to the San Juan Beauty Show

Out of this world!! This is how I would describe the San Juan Beauty Show this year, celebrating their 15^th anniversary. I went with my photographer, Apolonia Vargas and my official Curvy model Ana García, to the event and we had so much fun! I met Victor Pino one of the organizers; a very gracious man and he gave us our VIP passes.

First we went to the Beauty Show itself. I was literally in beauty heaven. They had a full house as always. My first stop was to go say hi to my friend Millie Banchs, the make up artist to the stars. She was with Lourdes Chacon, a beautiful artist from the Island.

Millie Banchs and Lourdes Chacon

I visited many booths. The prices were great and the people...so nice. I especially liked the body painting. It was incredible! They had conferences about everything that had to do with beauty. I sat down for a while and listened to their lectures. They gave great tips! I also went to see the makeup competition. This year it was hard to pick a winner because they all did a great job. The models looked stunning.

Marta and Millie Banchs

We went to the green carpet event. They interviewed people in the beauty industry and local artists from the Island. I felt like I was in Hollywood! Then we went to the cocktail party before the fashion shows and the awards.

Interviewing Nelly Trinidad

I got to go backstage and say hi to designer Nelly Trinidad, as always so sweet and humble. She looked like a diva in her beautiful white dress. Her models looked incredible and her fashion show was amazing! To end the night, designer Carlos Alberto showed his collection...beautiful as well. The Latin American Awards were given out.

Guests at the Green Carpet

I want to congratulate the San Juan Beauty Show organizers, their show was amazing!!!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Fuera de este mundo, así es como yo describiría El San Juan Beauty Show de este año, celebrando su quince aniversario. Fui con mi fotógrafa Apolonia Vargas y mi modelo con curvas Ana García, nos divertimos muchísimo! Conocí a Víctor Pino uno de los organizadores, un hombre muy amable que nos dio la pases VIP.

Giving facials

Primero fuimos al evento y yo estaba literalmente en el cielo de la belleza con tantas cosas bellas que vi allí, tenían casa llena como siempre. Mi primera parada fue ir a saludar a mi amiga Millie Banchs, la maquillista de las estrellas, ella estaba con Lourdes Chacón, una artista bella de la Isla. Visité muchas estaciones de productos, tenian muy buenos precios y la gente, muy agradable. Me gustó mucho la pintura corporal, era increíble, habian conferencias de todo relacionado a la belleza, me senté un rato a escuchar sus conferencias, y dieron muy buenos consejos!

Apolonia and Ana at the cocktail

También fui a ver a la competencia de maquillaje, este año fue difícil elegir un ganador, porque todos hicieron un gran trabajo, las modelos lucían regias! Fuimos al evento de la alfombra verde, donde entrevistaron a personas de la industria de la belleza y los artistas locales de la isla, me sentí que estaba en Hollywood con tanto glamour!!!!

One of their gorgeous models

Nelly Trinidad and her beautiful models

Luego fuimos al cóctel antes de los desfiles de moda y los premios, fui a saludar a mi amiga la diseñadora Nelly Trinidad, como siempre tan dulce y humilde, parecía una Diva con su bello vestido blanco y sus modelos estaban preciosas, su desfile de moda fue increíble! Para finalizar la noche el diseñador Carlos Alberto mostró su colección, hermosa también y los Premios de América Latina fueron otorgados.

Body Painting

Quiero felicitar a los organizadores del San Juan Beauty Show, el evento fue increíble y un éxito total!!!

Bendiciones a todos,

Marta

San Juan Beauty Show: November 6-7

In Puerto Rico, people love anything that has to do with beauty; from fashion shows, to beauty contests to beauty shows. The most important Beauty Show of the Caribbean, The San Juan Beauty Show, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. They are going to have the Latin American Awards recognizing talent that have contributed to the Beauty Industry with the famous Red Carpet. It will be held on November 6-7 at the Convention Center of Puerto Rico in San Juan. Looking forward to that!!

The San Juan Beauty Show Inc. is an international company that was founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1997. As beauty industry developers they offer seminars, shows and services that contribute to professional growth. Their objectives are to reach and maintain a position of leadership in the industry by supporting activities, recruiting educators, and maintaining and organized show of international projection. I have gone to these shows and trust me they are incredible.

Nelly Trinidad and her model Andrea Nicole on their way to the Press Conference

The distributor, the exhibitor and the manufacturer work in an extensive environment that is favorable to advertising and business. Their achievements have been acknowledged by the cosmetologists from the Caribbean and Latin America who have attended their activity; which attracts over 67,000 people. Amazing! This year my friend, designer Nelly Trinidad will be showcasing her collection Le Petite along with the famous designer Carlos Alberto. I was asked to cover the event for Ruby Leonne by Victor Pino one of the organizers, a very gracious and professional man, I’m so looking forward to that. So stay tuned to my next blog, I will be blogging about everything that happened at this amazing show!!!

Blessings to all,

Marta

En Puerto Rico a nuestra gente le encanta todo lo que tiene que ver con la belleza, desfiles de moda, concursos de belleza y  eventos de belleza. El evento de belleza más importante del Caribe es El San Juan Beauty Show ycelebra su  aniversario número quince este año, van a tener los premios de América Latina reconociendo el talento que ha contribuído a la industria de la belleza y las artes con la famosa alfombra roja y se va a llevar a cabo los dias 6 y 7 de Noviembre en el Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico en San Juan, me imagino que va a ser espectacular!

Full house EVERY year!!!

El San Juan Beauty Show Inc. es una compañía internacional que se fundó en San Juan, Puerto Rico en 1997. Estos desarrolladores de la industria de la belleza  ofrecen seminarios, espectáculos y servicios que contribuyen al crecimiento profesional. Sus objetivos son alcanzar y mantener una posición de liderazgo en la industria mediante el apoyo a las actividades, la contratación de educadores y el mantenimiento y la muestra organizada de proyección internacional. He ido a este evento y es increíble!

Designer Carlos Alberto

 Sus logros han sido reconocidos por los cosmetólogos del Caribe y América Latina que han asistido a sus actividades, y que atrae a más de 67,000 personas! Mi opinión es que su gran trabajo en equipo ha sido el éxito por todos estos años. Este año, mi amiga, la diseñadora Nelly Trinidadestará presentando su colección Le Petite junto con el famoso diseñadorCarlos Alberto. Victor Pino me pidió cubrir el evento para Ruby Leonne, el es uno de los organizadores un hombre muy amable y profesional. Así que estén pendientes a mi próximo blog, les estaré contando todo lo que sucedió en este grandioso evento!!!

Bendiciones para todos,

Marta

Halloween Puerto Rico Style

Trick or Treat? Oh….how I remember and love those words.

I love Halloween, it reminds me of the happy times I had trick or treating when I was a kid. Being raised in the States, Halloween was always so much fun. I would go all over the neighborhood with my sister and friends trick or treating. Our neighbors would decorate their homes to receive us.

Costumes at Gay Party in San Juan

 I always remember one house. The couple would dress up as witches and do a magic show before giving us candy. I can remember it like it was yesterday and many many years have gone by. Then we would come home and sort out candy with my Mom and Dad. What wonderful carefree days they were. 

Model Lisamaris Rosado

On the Island, kids also go trick or treating. Some parents take them to the mall to trick or treat, because they feel it is safer. Now grown ups...that’s another story. Do these people love to party on Halloween or what!?!?

Drag Queen Luly Haddock 

There is a great Halloween Party that is held in San Juan. It is hosted by the Gay Community and it is amazing. Sometimes my kids go to them and I have seen pics that are incredible. They take this very seriously and their costumes are out of this world! On the other hand religious groups are not so fond of these parties, but to be honest, I think if you don’t harm anyone and just have fun that is perfectly fine. We are living through tough times and it is fun to escape to Fantasyland just for a couple of hours to forget all of our worries. I asked my Curvy Girls from the Island to send me pics of their costumes and I have posted some for my friends in the States to see that we love to party on Halloween…..….Enjoy!!!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Me encanta cuando llega Halloween, me recuerda mi niñez, criadaen los Estados Unidos Halloween era siempre tan divertido, mi hermana y yo íbamos por las casas de nuestro vecindario, los vecinos se lucían decorando sus casas, había una pareja que se vestían de brujas y hacían trucos de magia antes de darnos dulces, luego volvíamos a casa para que mis padres clasificaran los dulces, era todo tan sano en esa época.

Model Rosa M. Rivera

En Puerto Rico Halloween se celebra pero, muchos padres optan por llevar a sus hijos al Centro Comercial a buscar dulces porque se sienten más seguros, ahora si, con los  adultos es otro cuento. En San Juan la comunidad Gay lo celebra por todo lo alto, mis hijos han ido, las fotos son increíbles, ellos toman esta celebración bien en serio y las actividades se hacen sin ningún contratiempo. 

Model Susan Santana

Muchas religiones no están de acuerdo con esta celebración pero es mi sincera opinión que si no le hacen mal a nadie se puede celebrar, estamos viviendo una época difícil y escaparnos al mundo de la fantasía por par de horas nos hace falta!  Este año le pedí a mis chicas con curvas fotos de cómo celebraron su Halloween y las quiero compartir con ustedes….que las disfruten!!!

Model Isaura Garcia

Bendiciones para todos,

Marta

Nelly Trinidad: Breaking New Ground

Today I’m going to blog about a fashion designer that's caught my eye here on the Island. Her name is Nelly Trinidad. I saw one of her fashion shows and she used a curvy girl. I loved this because it is not common for them to walk the runway with thin models.

Nelly Trinidad

I contacted her and she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. She told me she was forced to take sewing lessons by her mom when she was 13 years old with Carlota Alfaro, one of the best designers on the Island, but she did not like it at all because she wanted to go to Beauty School!

She put up a sewing shop at her home and sewed non stop leading her to a physical meltdown. Nelly fell into a deep depression for three years, and with the help of her family she got better. 

An interview for WAPA-TV

Later on she realized that being a fashion designer would be her destiny. Her husband, Abimael, bought her a fabric store and things changed around. 

Her models at South Fashion Week

There was a casting for Puerto Rico Next Fashion Designer and she went showcasing her collection Petite. It was a hit! Last month, she participated in South Fashion Week. I saw the designs and they were beautiful.

Nelly and her models at a charity event

Nelly does a lot of charity work and in December she is going to have a fashion show where the proceeds will go to battered women on the Island. Loved that! She tells me she wants to do a fashion show with Curvy girls...loving this idea also. 

Nelly with Neysha Martinez Orengo, the curvy girl she used in her Fashion Show in Puerto Rico Next Fashion Designer.

This amazing woman is so humble telling me she does not want fame or fortune, she just wants people appreciate her designs and enjoy them. That is her greatest triumph. You can be sure I will be going to her December fashion show for battered women and blogging all about it!!

Blessings to all!

Marta

Marta's Vacation

If you want to relax, have fun and be pampered for a week what should you do is take a cruise..of course you will not regret it.

I went with my family on a Carribean cruise last week and it was a great experience. We sailed on the Carnival Victory, visiting the Islands of St. Thomas, St, John, Barbados, St, Kitts and St, Maarten in that order.

The tours we took were the one’s that showed us the island. The tour guides were great; explaining everything with detail.

Apolonia and Ana in St. Thomas

In St. Thomas, they took us to the Rum Factory and let us have a sample of each Rum. Well...I tried all the samples and everything was a bit blurry after that. I took a taxi back to the ship because I was literally in a daze. Won’t do that again!

Amber Fountain in St. Thomas worth 2 million dollars

The second day was at sea and it was Captain’s Night where everyone got dressed up, went to the formal dining room and had a great meal. Our waiters were great and the food was amazing.

In St. John, we were taken to another Rum Factory, but this time I just had one sample of Rum. I learned my lesson. We were also taken to an Old Colonial House. Simply beautiful!

Artist Reggie giving a demonstration

I liked the Barbados Tour. They took us to Medford Mahogany Creations. Reggie was the artist. He is so talented, I actually bought one of his creations.

Music in Barbados

Dining room in Colonial home in Barbados

St Kitts was so much fun, we took a train ride all around the island and everytime we passed people they would wave to us. Very friendly.

Train Ride in St.Kitts

The last island was St. Maarten. This island is beautiful. Celebrities like Diana Ross and Chuck Norris have homes here and the views are breathtaking.

Fine Dining

If you decide to go prepare yourself mentally for food 24 hours a day and photograhers popping out from everywhere to take your pic.

I also recommend the comedy shows; they were great especially a comedian named Happy Cole, very talented.

St. Maarten

Well all good things come to an end, but you can be sure that will not be my last time on a cruise vacation, God willing. So remember when you plan your next vacation think about crusin, believe me you will have a great time!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Puerto Rico High Fashion Week Wrap Up

Covering Puerto Rico High Fashion Week for Ruby Leonne and Style & Mode was an unique experience.

I went on Saturday with aspiring plus size model Ana Garcia, wearing a beautiful dress from Torrid, and her friend Apolonia. It was the finale and some of my favorite designers were going to be showcasing their designs.

 I arrived there and went to the press table to get my ID. I still couldn’t believe I was covering the most important event of the year in fashion on the Island. I sat down with my photographer, Javier, and I was literally in Fashion Heaven.

Jose Raul Collection

Magalis Garcia Collection

The first fashion show was with Jose Raul, Magalis Garcia and Jaer Caban. Their collections were unbelievable. I was transported to Paris feeling I was in one of their great fashion Shows. Yes it was that good!! Then Lisa Thon showed her collection. Everyone was at awe...simply stunning.

Lisa Thon

Jaer Caban Collection

Eddie Guerrero Collection

To finish the fashion shows, Eddie Guerrero showed his collection. He had some musicians playing African music and his collection was inspired in this theme. Very exotic! It was a great way to finish the show.

I also visited The Shop, saying hi to Marilyn Arroyo, owner of Plump Couture. She was looking beautiful as always. I went to a great boutique named Bounkit and the jewelry was absolutely stunning.

Ana wearing Torrid with Caridad Fernandez PRHFW President

While visiting the Shop I saw Caridad Fernadez, the PRHFW president. She was so accessible to everyone. She took a picture with aspiring plus size model Ana Garcia and that was the highlight of her evening.

The Shop

What I liked most is that people from all walks of life attended this magnificent event. I talked to a lady who lives in the projects and she was there because the prices were affordable to all, I had so much fun with her telling me she took two busses to get there and was proud of this! 

Designs

 Caridad Fernandez said once that this was an event for all the people of Puerto Rico and she was right. I saw so many girls in this event, thin and curvy and they all looked great. I hope one day I can cover a Full Fashion Week in Puerto Rico because there are so many beautiful curvy girls that want to be given the chance to do the same things as the thin models, who knows what can happen, life is full of surprises!!

Blesssings to all,

Marta