Mexico In My Pocket

Hola!… I had the best day ever today 🥰

Since becoming a mom, it’s been a long time since I’ve done something for myself.

Finally, today was that day…

I headed to the and saw “Frida and Diego: The Last Dream.”

I have always loved both Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, which I’ve learned is not that common.

Most people take sides. Some love Frida. Others diminish her work and praise Diego.

I love them both equally — but not for the reason you might think.

Yes, their art is captivating, and they both tell powerful stories.

But as a Mexican-American woman who grew up constantly hearing people diminish Mexican culture, I love them because of the work they did to champion Mexicanidad.

“Mexicanidad” — which translates to “Mexicanness” — was a cultural movement that began after the Mexican Revolution, celebrating Mexican identity and Indigenous culture in response to the Porfiriato, when European trends were considered superior.

Diego and Frida collected artisan craft — alebrijes by Pedro Linares, Trees of Life by Modesta Fernández Mata — and they consistently celebrated the beauty of Mexico and its traditions by depicting calla lilies, huaraches, sarapes, cacti, and more.

Some of this advocacy through art has been misconstrued as “Frida Kahlo style” because of her global rise in fame.

But that’s not exactly true.

Frida Kahlo’s clothing, jewelry, and home decor were not “her own style” — they are centuries-old Indigenous pieces that she wore intentionally and collected to honor her Mexican identity and her mother’s roots.

If you ever get the chance to visit her home, La Casa Azul, or Diego’s studio in Mexico City, pay close attention to what they collected.

Look for papier-mâché alebrijes and Lupita dolls, Trees of Life from Metepec, handcrafted floral candles… and don’t miss the signatures of the artisans who made them.

I always get giddy when I find a piece by Pedro Linares or Modesta Fernández Mata.

More on this topic soon…

Xo,
Luisa

Over the past few days, I’ve been rereading messages from past Oaxaca trips, and I wanted to share a few of them here.

What people always come back to isn’t just what they saw — it’s how they felt.

The time spent inside artisan workshops, the meals shared together, the friendships that form over the course of the week.

This trip is designed to be slower and more intentional — so you can actually experience Oaxaca, not just move through it.

We have 2 rooms left for June, and I’ll be closing this trip on April 15 so we can begin preparations.

If you’ve been considering joining, I’d love to have you 🌸

Comment “OAXACA” or send me a message and I’ll share more details.

📷: The One with Wanderlust