PHIA’S PLACE
Phia’s Place is my corner of the world where I give myself free creative expression to explore all of the things that bring joy to my everyday life! This often times looks like creative writing, photographing a new recipe I developed, styling home goods I thrift, exploring a new book I’m reading, and more. At Phia’s Place, everyone and everything is welcome. There is always room at the table. I hope you join me!
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES 2023: BERLIN, GERMANY
There are not enough words to efficiently describe the experience I had traveling with the Wayfaring Band, a Denver-based non-profit focused on disability justice and anti-ableism education through inclusive travel and programming, to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) in Berlin, Germany. I traveled with the band as the “Artist-in-Residence”, a role that requires an artistic ode or tribute to the experience after our travels were complete.
Chef Edwin Sandoval, also known as “Chefecito”, is the well-known keeper of Xatrucho, one of Denver’s most prominent spots for Latin-inspired cuisine. Sandoval’s expertise derives from many years of back-of-house hustle in restaurants varying from Gastropubs to New-American cuisine, which stimulated his calling into the world of culinary arts. Sandoval’s vision exists at the beautiful cornerstone of his love of cooking and his pride in his roots.
XATRUCHO: LATIN-INSPIRED CUISINE
I truly cannot think of anything better than the perfect beach day in Costa Rica. For obvious reasons, I find Costa Rica to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world, especially the beaches. The Central-American rain-forested country is the homeland to not only a vast variety of flora and fauna, but also to my father and ancestral ties.
ESSENTIALS FOR A BEACH DAY IN PUNTA LEONA, COSTA RICA
Calderon was born (1958) in the hills of San Jose, Costa Rica, in one of the most populated barrios, “Hatillo”. After spending the first 36 years of his life on Tico soil, Calderon moved to the United States with his former wife, Beth. 29 years later, he continues to pass his Tico roots and traditions down through the next generations.
CARLOS CALDERON: KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE
At this point, you’ve heard of a “Tomato Girl”, the hyper-specific aesthetic and social media core that seamlessly marries the worlds of fashion & foodies. From wearing linen pants on the Amalfi Coast to gingham print in your backyard garden, Tomato girl summer is in full swing - and I want every part of it.
TOMATO GIRL SUMMER
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