Friday, May 30, 2014

Surfing pic and beach babe! La Santa, Lanzarote

Last October me and some friends were in Lanzarote for a surf trip. We stayed in La Santa, in a nice house we rented just in front of "El Quemao" surf spot. During our stay we had massive waves, so we only surfed for a day.
You can see in this pic my friend Jone by the pool and behind her the fabulous views of El Quemao.

Happy Friday and much surf to you all!!

Jone soaking up the sun

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Selfie!

I know, I never showcase pics of me, but I think I'm gonna start from now.. I think is important to put a "face" of the one who's writing and trying to inspire you, so yes, I will try to showcase some pics of me from time to time..

This pic was taken in 2010 when I just arrived to San Sebastian by my friend Ellen, hope you like it.
I hope you get to enjoy your day, I had an excellent one surfing for a few hours, so im surfed out now!!

Selfie, in La Concha!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Inspirational Wednesdays: Lex Weinstein, a gypsea surfer and ocean inspired stylist

I’ve been following Lex Weinstein's blog for a while now. I personally don’t know a lot of women bloggers with an ocean and surf inspiration in Spanish, so looking here and there I found her. From the first moment I got fascinated by her story, and all the amazing travels she has done.

I wanted to interviewed her so bad because she is the perfect representation of the whole concept behind my blog about following our dreams, be courageous about it, and living our lives by design rather than by default. Lex exchanged the security of a typical work in an office to fully pursue her dreams with all the pros and the cons.

She was born in Virginia beach, VA and traveled pretty much all over the world, following her passion for “fashion stylist”. She actually won a contest for Reef not long ago, and now she’s doing some amazing projects for other people like Rhythm Australia, one of my favorite surf brands from some years now.

I hope we’re gonna meet in person in the future and I could take her picture in a sunny day, surfing and documenting "one day" with this great fashion styler.

All the pics used here are courtesy of Lex's blog, much of them taken by amazing photographer Carly Brown. Here we go with the questions!

-Lex, how did you passed from having a perfect nice job, to big adventurer and traveler? Do you recall a moment in particular? Did you have it always clear inside of you, or you had a moment of enlightenment in the middle of something? 
I always knew having a life revolved around work was not the life for me. I knew that no matter how much society engrains in us that the ultimate goal is to accumulate more stuff and find pride in a job title, my true calling was to find what made me happy and do it as much as possible. Then I figured out a way to make money doing it so I could continue to travel and inspire others to do the same. I've been doing it ever since. 

-How your family and friends reacted when you made this life changing decision? 
I'm so blessed to have a family who understands that I tend to live life outside the norm. They were very supportive of my decision and although at first they were a little worried about me, they've now recognized that no matter how unpredictable my life may be, I always find a way to make it work. 



Lex "stepint to the nose", in Australia
-How surf and ocean influenced you, following this path of adventure?
I've never lived more than 5 minutes from the beach so the ocean has had a massive influence on me since birth. I feel more at home in the ocean than anywhere else and my desire to travel to different coasts and surf all different types of waves has been a major catalyst for my adventures. I'm very blessed in that I have gotten to travel to some pretty exotic places in search of waves, it has introduced me to so many different cultures of which I never would have experienced. 

-What was the easiest thing to leave? And the hardest?
The easiest thing to leave was a life where I felt I was working incredibly hard for someone else's benefit and on someone else's terms. The hardest thing to leave was and is my family. I miss my parents, my niece and nephews so incredibly much. But I have to show them by example how important it is to follow your dreams, and I get to travel to places like California, Hong Kong and Japan to see them so it's not so bad :)

Lex in her travel to Hawaii
Lex, gypsy ocean style
-After the reef contest, could you say things went easier for your stylist career?
I wouldn't say it was easier but it gave me confidence, which is really the most important thing in attaining any goal. It was an experience that taught me so much and allowed me to see myself in that role and say "yeah, I can do this!

-What are you working on now and what are your plans for the rest of the year?
You'll just have to check out the blog to see what's to come -- but I have some really exciting brand collaborations, magazine editorials, and blog posts coming very very soon!

Lex X Rhythm
Lex, phostoshoot in Venice X Satta Skateboards
Lex X First base


Monday, May 26, 2014

Sneak peek: Surfer diaries, Imanol Yeregi


These days I'm working with this very talented surfer Imanol Yeregi from Zumaia, in a full reportage we're preparing together.
Here's a sneak peek of last week photo shoot. I was struggling very much with the conditions but I caught a good ones.. much more to come!

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Estos días estoy trabajando con Imanol Yeregi, un pedazo de surfer de Zumaia con el cual estamos preparando un reportaje juntos para una serie llamada “Diarios de un surfer"

Aquí una pequeña probadita de la sesión que hicimos la semana pasada. La verdad batallé mucho con las condiciones pues la luz no era muy buena, pero al final pude sacar algunas tomas interesantes... más fotos próximamente!

 








Sunday, May 25, 2014

Week suggest: Sunday Market

About two weeks ago I assisted to the Sunday Market. A little urban market organized two sundays every month in Bilbao and San Sebastian.
This is a very cool initiative that aim to support small brands and business in local to gain exposure and sell their products.

I think is a great opportunity for networking in general, so I think I'll give it a try next time.

These are some pics I took from the 5th May session in San Sebastian

Cookies and tea London inspired
Tea and happy things
Tribal style clothing
Vintage bijouterie
Beautiful prints and collage business
Cookies everywhere
Levi's vintage shorts
Vintage phones
Nice handmade bags for the summer


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Running La Concha

For today's TBT, this pic I took at La Concha, San Sebastián in 2010 with my old analogue Minolta in a beautiful summer day. Shooting in film is just a great thing to do. I don't do it very much as today this kinda thing is a little bit like a "luxury".
Even though, every time I can, I go out with my old friend and I shoot one roll or two. I just love the effect of what the old lenses can do for your photography.

Happy thursday, it's almost the weekend!

Runner at La Concha

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Inspirational Wednesdays: Interview with Nathalie, owner at MALEKAI ultimate wellness business

Nathalie is an experienced project manager born in Holland but raised traveling the world with her family. She moved to London to study and then worked for a number of global clients in the communication industry, from creativity agencies to NGOs like Oxfam.  She is also a certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher and qualified Masseuse.

I met her during my stay in Nicaragua and became good friends with her. We share a lot of things in common like our fascination for the ocean, traveling and connecting with others. We both come from publicity agencies backgrounds, but we want to do something greater and be able to work and share our passions.

I did a photo shoot for her new business “MALEKAI” in Maderas, and interviewed her for your weekly dose of “Inspirational people” like every Wednesday.

Here we go!:

- Nathalie, what was your inspiration for becoming a Yoga teacher being already a successful project manager?
I started my personal yoga journey 15 years ago in London. I was working long hours in a high pressured job and was looking to do something that helped me stay both fit and release the stress from work. I joined yoga studio in London and after my first class I was hooked. After many years of yoga as a student, I wanted to deepen my practice so I started looking at different yoga teacher training courses. I eventually decided to study Ashtanga Yoga in India. I’m a big believer in life-long learning and even though I have established a career as a project manager, I’m always looking at ways to learn more skills and grow as a person.

Nathalie just glowing in Maderas Village 
All concentrated giving her Ashtanga Yoga class 
- How did you decided to create MALEKAI?
I decided to create MALEKAI during my first world travel trip. I was practicing my daily yoga on a small island in Fiji, where I was approached by two travellers who asked if I could teach them. At that time I was not a qualified teacher (and told them this) but was happy to guide them through their first yoga class. They really enjoyed it and wanted to come back the following day. They did and this time they bought two new friends, by the end of the week I was teaching a small group. Initially I was providing free classes, but people wanted to give a small contribution. Donations ranged from pineapples, coconuts, bananas, hugs, accommodation and some cash. My yoga classes eventually help me fund my stay on the island for two weeks. By then I started to realize that I not only enjoyed being a yoga student, but also loved sharing it with others. During my visit to Bali, I booked a 2.5 hour long Balinese massage & spa. This was total bliss and it motivated me to learn more about massage and wellness in general. I have always been into fresh and healthy foods and I enjoy creating simple and nutritional dishes. It then came to me to bring together the three things I’m passionate about - Yoga, Massage & Healthy Foods – and offer an ultimate wellness experience. By this I mean helping people feel amazing inside and out!

- How traveling encouraged those decisions?
I have travelled since I was a child and have been lucky enough to have seen and lived in some incredible places in the world. My travels, both then and now are my main source of inspiration behind MALEKAI. Experiencing new cultures and connecting with like-minded people that are passionate about living a happy healthy life.

Meditation phase
- What has been the best part of working on and for MALEKAI?
The best part is being able to create and share my passion. I don’t see it as work, more as an extension of who I am. It has also given me the opportunity to live a more balanced life. Currently I freelance as a project manager for a few months and then take a few months off travelling and focusing on MALEKAI. Yes, feeling blessed.

- What do you want to achieve with this side of your professional life?
The aim is to be 100% MALEKAI and turn it into a successful business venture, offering one-to-one consultation but also 1 or 2 week wellness retreats in Europe, Asia and the Pacific. My years as a project manager have been valuable in shaping how I run MALEKAI. As always I’m constantly looking at how I can grow, but also want to encourage and inspire others with what I do.  

Massage session
Balinese massage
- What are your plans for this year and next?
This year I launched MALEKAI in Nicaragua, where I teamed up with Maderas Village at Playa Maderas, near San Juan del Sur teaching yoga and offering Balinese massage therapy. This summer I’m bringing MALEKAI to Europe, running massage clinics at Surfana Surf & Music Festival in Holland and then working in collaboration with a TFR Surfhouse in Hossegor, France. At the end of the year I will be heading back to Bali to set up new and exciting ventures.

- Could you share with us some inspirational thought or moment that helped you create your “MALEKAI”?
I always tell people to “follow your heart”, this thought has guided me over the years. Life is what you make of it!

Malekai's cards and Bougainvillea

Training with yogi sister Aga

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Santa Teresa surftrip romance

During my stay in Maderas, me and some residents of the Maderas Village had the opportunity to scape to greener lands and we decided to go to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
At the moment the weather in Maderas got very cold due to the windy season and we needed to scape from the little soap opera of our very own paradise.

After a little bit more that 7 hours we got in Santa Teresa, a real jungle paradise on earth with an endless beach, great atmosphere and green everywhere.

Here's the documentation I made of one week of romantic sunsets and great people around.

Phillip Crosby's portrait

Entrance to paradise

Under the trees, is time for a surf!

Groundhog surfer

Colors and friends

Phillip writing postcards for his "Oregon to Patagonia" project

Just enjoying the sunset

Sexy shorts

Nice after surf sunset

Friends

Santa Teresa romantic scene

Moon and trees

Nice motorcycle

Evan trooping back to hostel

Monday, May 19, 2014

Monday quote, being a fully responsible woman!

This Monday I decided to use a very strong image for illustrate a very strong thought about being a responsible woman.
Some of us we are just trying to go through this life avoiding as much problems as we can. Is not bad, though! But as I always say, all the extremes are bad, and sometimes you just have to go to war.

I think as an occidental woman you have the freedom and all the opportunities to be who you want to be even if others don't like it. It is important to appreciate this fact, coz even though it is given to us by default, there's other women in the world that don't have this same privilege.

So I don't think we should'nt waste it with a lazy attitude. I think is our "duty" to enjoy our privileges, respect ourselves and don't let others do our thinking.

After all, like Audre Lord said: "When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak."

Have a good week you all beautiful women!


About the pic:
Dani, this strong 21 y.o "Swiss" in this picture, was one of many inspiring women I met in Maderas beach.
When I  met her, and her friends I instantly thought "wow, I wish I'd be this rad at my 20's" So full of energy, confidence and wisdom. She already traveled half of the world and started with her sisters a rad clothing line named "Hey Mr. Jellyfish". I'm a fan of these kids!!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Week suggest: Bigott concert!

A couple of weekends ago I went to Bigott's Concert.
I was positively surprised by this bearded man's music being so good and sticky! His psychedelic-folk gets you to the bones and once you start dancing you can't stop.

This man from Zaragoza has it all, and even more; he has a great band behind him. His bass lady really got my attention rocking it so bad ass style on stage. Ah! I love so much these talented women!

Here's some of the pics I took and  one video. Check out one of his concert if you can, you will have so much fun guaranteed!