Get To Know The MBG Team
When your team is extra AF! Meet the fierce women who bring MBG to life and passionately curate content that prioritizes women of color. We're thankful for our readers who are following us on this journey as we strive to bring you a collective of all things mind, body, soul.
Yanira Garza,
Beauty & Style Editor
Image Source: Brissa Hanzel, Breeze Art Creatives
1. Describe your style?
Modestly sexy, classic but a bit rockera.
2. What's the last item you splurged on?
Well, I have been on a thrifting kick this year so I haven't splurged in ages wardrobe wise but I did buy myself a bottle of champagne to celebrate me just because.
3. What is the best gift you've ever received?
My children.
4. Go-to Starbucks order?
Grande mocha latte, no whip, no sugar.
5. What tv show(s) are you binge-watching now?
Every Thursday night I watch Will & Grace. It was funny then, it is funny now. I'm also obsessed with any true crime show. In my mind, I am a real detective and can solve any mystery, except of course where socks go when they disappear in the dryer.
6. What is one thing you wish you were better at?
Organization. I wear many hats so I can be pretty forgetful at times and somewhat overwhelmed. I've done the KonMarie method at home (not entirely because I have children) and I have more energy and focus. I could be better but Rome wasn't built in a day.
7. What's your favorite way to unwind?
Horizontal meditation, also known as a nap! But jokes aside, I do like to meditate and try to do so most days before bed.
8. What song always puts you in a good mood?
Right now anything by Sabrina Claudio is a feel good for me. But the one song that can put a smile on my face even when I am in a bad mood and embarrasses my oldest when I dance around to it is Justin Timberlake's "Can't Fight the Feeling". Clearly, I am not the cool mom but whatever.
9. Favorite place to travel?
We took a family trip to Paris in 2015. It had been a dream come true. However, we traveled to Barcelona at the end of that trip and we couldn't get enough of the Barrio Gotico. I thought Paris would still have my heart but I left it in Spain.
10. What's the first thing you do in the morning? Last thing before bed?
First thing I do in the morning is make coffee. Last thing before bed, if I don't meditate, I am most likely browsing home decor blogs on my phone while under the covers. Horrible habit but I enjoy it.
Shidume Lozada, Social Media Manager (IG)
Image Source: @Shidume
1. Describe your style?
Hm.. I like wearing solid colors and do some pops of color. Loose fit, made with cozy, soft materials.
2. What's the last item you splurged on?
A Dyson fan/heater/air purifier.
3. What is the best gift you've ever received?
When I was 11, my parents got me a yellow Gameboy. I don't remember being excited about any other gift, as I was about that Gameboy.
4. Go-to Starbucks order?
Tall hot chocolate, no whip, only one pump of cocoa.
5. What tv show(s) are you binge-watching now?
I just finished Stranger Things in two days.
6. What is one thing you wish you were better at?
Public speaking.
7. What's your favorite way to unwind?
Hanging with my husband.
8. What song always puts you in a good mood?
'El Yerberito' by Celia Cruz.
9. Favorite place to travel?
Barcelona.
10. What's the first thing you do in the morning? Last thing before bed?
Last thing before bed? First thing- look at IG or the weather. Last thing - drink water.
Jessica Mann, Health & Wellness Contributor
Image Source: Brissa Hanzel, Breeze Art Creatives
1. Describe your style?
What style? Haha, I'm guilty of taking the easy route of yoga pants, zip-up hoodies and a mom bun. I'm a huge fan of comfort. I think I'm going to need an MBG make-over!
2. What's the last item you splurged on?
Not an item per se, but I last splurged on a trip to Lithuania for an entrepreneurship program I was accepted into.
3. What is the best gift you've ever received?
My children.
4. Go-to Starbucks order?
Absolutely not a Starbucks fan. I love making my own delicious, home-made teas to drink in the morning.
5. What tv show(s) are you binge-watching now?
I just finished The Queen of the South (American series), Ingobernable, and Season 2 of Stranger Things.
6. What is one thing you wish you were better at?
Self-care! I know how important and crucial it is. I'm a worker bee and with a large focus on my family, I don't take the necessary time to take care of myself.
7. What's your favorite way to unwind?
A (ridiculously) hot, relaxing bath, with a few drops of lavender essential oil, my favorite bath products, and a good book.
8. What song always puts you in a good mood?
Marc Anthony - Vivir Mi Vida.
9. Favorite place to travel?
Hands down, Costa Rica. I've traveled to many countries and Costa Rica is a second home for me. I been there four times and even lived there for three months with my daughters.
10. What's the first thing you do in the morning? Last thing before bed?
Check my email and social media. Last thing before bed? Pray, Meditate, Vision.
Cynthia Chavarria, Contributing Writer, “
Ask Mi Comadre”
Image Source: @chicity_cyn
1. Describe your style?
My style... hmmm I struggle with that one. I love looks that can go from casual to a date night just by changing up your shoes from a pair of Adidas to a cute pair of heels. I love love love La La Anthony and Adrienne Bailon's style!
2. What's the last item you splurged on?
Chicago Cubs season tickets.
3. What is the best gift you've ever received?
Every birthday my Dad sings to me his version of "Happy Birthday To You"! Best gift ever!!!
4. Go-to Starbucks order?
Grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
5. What tv show(s) are you binge-watching now?
This is Us, Insecure, and Jane the Virgin.
6. What is one thing you wish you were better at?
Styling myself.
7. What's your favorite way to unwind?
On my couch with a bottle of wine, sushi from my fave sushi spot (Sushi Thai), in my jams, with my sherpa blanket watching my DVR'd shows.
8. What song always puts you in a good mood?
Rebirth of Slick by Digital Planets.
9. Favorite place to travel?
San Antonio, Texas.
10. What's the first thing you do in the morning? Last thing before bed?
Check the weather on my phone, Chicago weather is crazy unpredictable. Last thing before bed? Make sure my alarm is on.
Gabriela Garcia, Founder & Editor-in-Chief
1. Describe your style?
T-shirt and jeans, comfy and eclectic. I love jewelry and love to accessorize with unique pieces.
2. What's the last item you splurged on?
An upholstered headboard for our king size bed.
3. What is the best gift you've ever received?
The help I receive from my "village" when I'm feeling overwhelmed with the kids, work, and the household. It means so much to me and helps keep my anxiety at bay.
4. Go-to Starbucks order?
During winter months, it's a white chocolate mocha. During summer months, it's an iced chai latte.
5. What tv show(s) are you binge-watching now?
Stranger Things, Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, Portlandia, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and Dateline - but only when Keith Morrison narrates.
6. What is one thing you wish you were better at?
Mental strength.
7. What's your favorite way to unwind?
Watching tv with my husband sprawled out on the couch, preferably with him giving me a foot rub.
8. What song always puts you in a good mood?
Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes, Redbone by Childish Gambino, Sweet Dreams by Beyoncé, Under Pressure by Queen, and Mr. Brightside by The Killers (my karaoke go-to).
9. Favorite place to travel?
Anywhere with my husband. We are good at finding adventure anywhere - from exotic locals to small town U.S.A.
10. What's the first thing you do in the morning? Last thing before bed?
First thing, press snooze. Last thing - after browsing Pinterest for an unhealthy amount of time, I check in on my kids and make sure they're covered under their blankets. I can't fall asleep without checking in on them. I'll continue to do it even when they're teenagers!
