Just Read: Someday, Someday, Maybe


After binge-watching all seasons from Gilmore Girls this summer, I was still hungry for the simplicity and comfort of the show. The logical next step, of course, was to read Lauren Graham’s debut novel: “Someday, Someday, Maybe”. It did not disappoint. Not only did it have me laughing in my morning commute, but it also made me cry happy tears (thankfully not in my morning commute).

I absolutely loved being granted special access to Franny’s struggles and deepest thoughts. There was something so raw and special about seeing her fight to stay real, even when she was not aware of it. Lauren captured some truths about self-love and confidence that not too many feel comfortable sharing. We are all caught in the race of “Who is doing best?” or “Who is more successful?” that we rarely ever stop to think what does it all even mean. Franny was certain that everyone else was in on a “secret” that she had still to learn, when in reality, we all deal with the same issues, in one way or another.

I must admit, sometimes I get really tired of pretending and I’m not ashamed to say it. We all do it at some point and it can be as simple as putting up a good face at a special event, when you’d rather be somewhere else. I also find it hard to believe that all women love waking up every morning and putting on makeup. I personally hate it, but we do what we have to do, right?

Another element that I loved about the story was Lauren’s ability to transport us to New York in 1995. It was so refreshing to see how life was for everyone in this city I see everyday. No overpowering technologies or social media channels, more concrete plans, less distractions and more determination. Running into people on the street was always interesting, since you truly had no idea what they were up to unless someone told you. No social highlight reels thrown at your face to make you believe all of these fantasy lives wee see every time we scroll down.

I want to keep reading real, simple, raw and uplifting books. They just help keep everything in perspective when your life gets so consumed on the little things that don’t always seem so little.

Any recommendations?

Beyond the lens


I rarely post a picture of Puerto Rico in black and white because I feel like my little island is always screaming colors and igniting positive emotions. Still, I really like this edit of one of the shots I took during my recent trip home. It keeps things real, even if it’s a filter. Even paradise can seem black and white sometimes and even the most picturesque views can hide struggles beyond what your lens can capture. Brighter and more colorful days are in store for my island, that’s just the way it has to be. Even in this somber look, my island still looks beautiful.


(Photo and edits by Cristina Nogueras)



Is the grass really greener on the other side or is it just Instagram filters?

We’ve all heard that grass is always greener at the other side, whether you like that thought or not, you have to admit there’s some truth to it. It’s taken me a while to understand this concept and I still struggle with it. I like to tell myself that I look into other people’s “grass” for inspiration and motivation, to see the possibilities that can also exist in my life, but I don’t think that’s always the case.

Recently, someone I love very much shared a quote that once I heard it, made everything click into place. I liked it so much I even edited it below.IMG_9632This made so much more sense than the stupid grass people keep talking about. We get tired while comparing things that don’t even make sense in the first place and the sad thing is that deep down we know they don’t make sense but we think about them anyway. It’s like looking at Taylor Swift and thinking she’s so beautiful (nothing wrong with that!). If you had the amount of people she has to make her that beautiful you would be ruling the world too. I struggle just to brush my hair everyday, let’s be real.

We’ve lost a sense of what’s behind-the-scenes and what’s a highlight reel. We live in a world where sharing on social media sends out a false sense of intimacy. You can now see “celebrities” sharing their “intimate” cup of tea, which they are enjoying “casually” in bed with no fixes at all. Sure, we know that’s not how it rolls, but we still like to believe the setup. We see everyone seems to be running the world, but do we see them when they fall down, face obstacles or have a bad hair day? Rarely. (I woke up like this? Sure.)

Why do we feed of other people’s highlight reels? We have no idea what happens behind-the-scenes in the dark corners of their lives. Everyone has struggles, doubts and fears; people are silly to pretend otherwise.

I now realize that my behind-the-scenes footage, however crazy or average it may be, is what makes my highlight reel so much more genuine and exciting.

The best part? There’s still so much more filming left to do.

My Battle With Coffee

Photo & Editing by Cristina Nogueras ©

Photo & Editing by Cristina Nogueras ©

Hi, my name is Cristina and I’m fighting coffee addiction. I’ve seen loved ones suffer from caffeine deprivations and go through immense trouble to get a hold of coffee in the mornings. I’ve seen the sleepy eyes, the vacant stares and the tamed spirit that can only come from the absence of coffee.

I’ve never liked coffee. I think the first thing I ever ordered from Starbucks was a white chocolate frappuccino, just because it did not taste like coffee. How did I survive college? Diet coke perhaps? That’s still a mystery to me.

Now, in the real working world, I find myself fighting against the urge to get a cup of coffee every day. My reasoning?

  • It’s expensive to get the coffee I like (Not that I’m drinking gold, it just adds up)

  • I do not want to be addicted to coffee and then be unable to function without it

I think I’m losing this battle. I’m so much more productive and motivated when I drink coffee, I hate it. Why can’t I just wake up all sunshine and glitter every morning ready to hit the ground running? No, I have to depend on this warm and aromatic substance to fuel my system and power my brain. Then they have to come and make it pumpkin spice lattes and all these other alterations that make it actually wonderful to drink and so much more harder to resist it.

Is this it? Is this how I know I am now a real grown-up?