We are holding on to the memories of summer and those Caribbean vacations we may or may not have taken this year via this DRY BLOOM BABY arrangement inspired by the playas de nuestras islas, from a Latina owned online flower shop - BLOOMED IN QUEENS! You’ll never guess who the owner is…yours truly, writer of the BLODEGA, Deilis! Inspired by my abuelita’s ability to create fashion ensembles with her sewing machine, fueled by my obsession with flowers & plants, and driven by my calling to work with my hands, BLOOMED IN QUEENS was born. Each dry & fresh floral arrangement is uniquely created and personalized for every customer. I want you to feel as if you’re taking a piece of artwork for your home but instead of paint, flowers are my medium. Currently delivering to Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx but don’t worry, we are taking this nationwide baby! Shipments to all of the U.S. coming in October! Living by our motto, como una flor, BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!

There is a saying that goes, “You have to know where you came from, to know where you’re going.”. A lot of what was taught to us in history class is not OUR history. In order to truly understand our culture, our triumphs and struggles as Latinos, we have to have an understanding of the events that shaped us. As Far As Anyone Knows podcast, hosted by the Latino dynamic duo of Minerva Angeles and Fredo B, is here to drop some knowledge with their mostly Latino history podcast. Keeping it light with their hilarious jokes and sensational chemistry, you’ll be instantly hooked and like us will set your podcast alerts for the next episode. A personal favorite was the episode on Mama Tingo, a badass Afro-Latina activist leader from Dominican Republic. Hit that suscribe button on Apple, Spotify, Audible or anywhere else you get your podcasts from.

Speaking of our history, we have an Oscar worthy film for you - Hotel Coppelia by Dominican director José María Cabral. This period piece which is set in 1965 during the Dominican Civil War in the Dominican Republic, artistically portrays the marginalized point of view of the daily life of a group of prostitutes working in a cabaret, who deal with both the take over of the cabaret as a base of operations for the revolutionary rebels & then the American troops who invade the country and occupy the building. You will be engrossed by each of the characters stories while seeing how this captivating story plays out. Check it out HBOmax.