Mina

My cousins have been making fun of me for a while for dressing like our grandma. But now, I don't really care. I actually now believe that she is a style inspiration for me. Leaving aside the fact that she never wore skirts or dresses (that I remember), I love how she wore loud colors and printed shirts almost every day. She was a fan of animal print... She wore necklaces even if they didn't match her printed outfits, which I'm planning on copying. And I also love how she wore bright lipstick even if she was just going to be in her house.

I think my love for bright lipstick, and printed shirts, comes from her.

When she was growing up she didn't have much money, so she learned to sew and made her own clothes. She also made clothes for her sister and later in life, for my mom and aunt... And when I was little she even made stuff for me, like my first communion dress (which I did just to have a party and a dress, don't worry). I wish I had known earlier that we shared this love for fashion... Maybe she could've teach me how to make my own clothes. Or at least fix what I get at the Goodwill.

Just like me, she loved bright pink and presents.

I kept some things from her closet, real vintage. And I'm planning on wearing them. Even if my cousins make fun of me... But what I really want to do is live life the way she did. She's (along with my mom) is the strongest woman I've ever known. She lived by herself for more than 20 years, she rode a camel in Turkey and she never told my grandfather her real age. She even drank straight tequila up until when she was older than 70. Who wouldn't want to have her life?

Dancing with my uncle, knowing she didn't like to dance
I know she still enjoyed it.

I will miss her infitely, but I will honor her by copying her crazy outfits and matching lipstick. And I will try to be as happy and loving as she was. And also a little crazy and daring. Maybe even driving until I'm older than 80, or saying I'm 89 for more than 5 years, and definitely and most important, dressing the way I want wherever I am... Even if people make fun of me. And I know she would approve and tell me not to listen to anyone. Just like she did.

Our last trip together, last year in CanCun. And that's probably me in 70 and 35 years.