La Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo - Cover of French Vogue Magazine, 1939

I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you... -Frida Kahlo 

A few weeks ago my mom and I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico City to promote Ceja Vineyards at an international wine exhibition. As a travel aficionado, I was elated to visit the birthplace of the iconic Frida Kahlo. We jumped at the chance to visit her eclectic home and spent an afternoon catching a glimpse into her life. She lived, painted and eventually died at her home suitably called, La Casa Azul or The Blue House in Coyoacan.

Ever since I can remember, I have been intrigued and inspired by her work, her controversial lifestyle and complex marriage to Diego Rivera. Frida embodied a saint, muse, lover, mistress, bisexual, victim, and survivor. She was the very model of the bohemian artist: unique, rebellious, and contradictory. A cult figure adopted by feminists, artists, fashion designers and pop culture.

Here are a few of my favorite snapshots. Take a peek inside her incredible life…

La Casa Azul courtyard

La Casa Azul. Inside her home patio

Luscious gardens inside La Casa Azul

Self portrait of Frida found in her home in 2004

Frida's art studio desk and personal portrait mirror

Frida's colorful wardrobe - discovered in her home in 2004

Self portrait, "Las Dos Fridas" - 1939

Frida's kitchen. My mom  and I were in complete awe

Wedding portrait. Frida and Diego - 1931

Her bedroom & the place where she passed away

One of my favorite paintings, "Viva La Vida" -1954

Mexican Hot Chocolate

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Baby, it's cold outside...[/typography]

This post is dedicated to my abuelita, Mama Juana, for her passion, love and the delicious treats she makes for us.

My abuelita's introduction to this decadent beverage began in a little pueblo in Michoacán, Mexico where she used it as an easy, affordable and delicious way to feed her six kids {and counting} for breakfast. To this day, she will peek her head in our offices and eagerly ask me, “mija, quieres chocolate con pan?” and I will always answer her, “por supuesto Mama Juana.” Gosh, I’m feeling very fortunate at this very moment…

So what’s so special about Mexican hot chocolate? Well, you get the rich and bold flavors from the dark Mexican chocolate with just a hint of spice and cinnamon to trigger your senses. Go ahead, I dare you to try… Ole!

{Past and present abuelita. Isn't she stunning?!}

{Frothing the hot chocolate with a wooden molinillo}

{Ole! Le finished product}

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="20" size_format="px"]Mexican Hot Chocolate[/typography]

Directions:

Combine 2 ½ cups milk (about 5 ounces), one cinnamon stick and coarsely chopped Mexican chocolate, such as Ibarra or Abuelita, in a pot. Turn on the stove to a medium-high level. Put a wooden molinillo in the pot and begin whipping the chocolate by rolling the handle quickly back and forth between your palms {a whisk or an electric beater will work just as well}.

The movement is a little like rubbing your palms against each other to warm them in cold weather — only here the molinillo’s wooden handle is between them. After a few minutes of vigorous beating, dip a spoon into the mixture to make sure the chocolate has dissolved (they’ll always be a few bits of chocolate on the bottom) and the mixture is foamy.

p.s. Pair with a toasted bolillo {Mexican roll} to dip the bread in the chocolate and you’ll be in heaven!

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Happy Friday mis amores! xo[/typography]