APR 24, 2016: SOUNDS OF CARTVGENA

As a special addendum to my trip to Cartagena, I worked alongside an incredibly talented friend of mine, Johhny Phive, to create an original soundtrack that would serve as a sonic reminder of my travels.

The title track CARTVGENA is a representation of the intermingling of Caribbean, African, and South American influences in this city's culture.

In all honesty, I could not be more thrilled at how lovely this collaboration turned out and I urge you all to check it out below and imagine whisking yourself away to a beautiful, tropical setting.

CARTVGENA EP

MUSIC BY J.PHIVE

ARTWORK BY LEIGH WANDERKID

ABOUT JOHNNY PHIVE:

Los Angeles based producer Johnny Phive, better known as 'J.Phive' adopted the styles of Dr. Dre, Dj Premier and J.Dilla at an early age. Although, being exposed to a wide variety of producers and super producers through the years, his early exposure to music has definitely paid off. There is no set genre when it comes to his sounds as it ranges from "jazz-hop" to "boom bap" etc. .

You can find J.Phive's music at:

soundcloud.com/johnnyphive

bandcamp.com/johnnyphive

FOR INQUIRIES:

johnnyphivemusic@gmail.com

APR 24, 2016: CARTVGENA

Last month, I was fortunate enough to travel to Cartagena, Colombia alongside a close friend of mine, Jonathan, whom I also had the pleasure of working with as my photographer and second set of eyes during this trip. (P.S. - You can find his stunning portfolio here.) We were there for a wedding, but we also made sure to include a bit of R&R in between. Being that I live in New York, early spring isn't exactly the warmest, so I could not wait to get a little time away in 80-degree sunshine.

Cartagena did not disappoint at all. As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I was greeted by a humidity that I've only ever experienced in the Philippines. But it was such a warm welcome and already I knew I would love this place.

The next few days were filled with fantastic activities, some organized by the bride and groom and others just a result of free time & curiosity.

On my first night in town, there was a chiva waiting to take a group of us on a tour of the city. For those of you that don't know, in this particular context, a chiva is a party bus adorned with lights and is often accompanied by live music, bottomless liquor, and is topped off with fried Colombian treats. The bus made 3 stops: one for us to dance, one for us to eat, and one to drop us off into a drunken abyss. Needless to say, my trip was off to an excellent start.

The next day, the bride and groom organized a day trip to Islas del Rosario which is about an hour boat ride away from Cartagena. The ride itself was so soothing, a few of us ended up napping on the way. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly smiles, palm trees, and crystal clear waters. There were a slew of activities available to us, such as kayaking and snorkeling, but I was there with one goal and that was to come back with some major bronze on my skin. Without wasting any time, I immediately parked it on a beach chair to soak in some sun. To pass time as I tanned, I pulled out an old favorite of mine that I'm re-reading, Tao of Wu by the RZA. Something seemed so appropriate about pairing this setting with this book. Most definitely set me up for some much needed self-reflection and tranquility.

(above photo by Jonathan Pobre // edited by leigh wanderkid)

(above photo by Jonathan Pobre // edited by leigh wanderkid)

The days to follow allowed for Jonathan and I to take some time to roam around and explore. We ventured into Getsemani to check out some of the street art that this neighborhood is quickly becoming recognized for. It's interesting to note that this neighborhood is adjacent to and looks much like the Old City, which is where we stayed, but had far less tourists/tourist attractions. So to me, it was much more peaceful and enjoyable. For a moment, we sat in a small square and watched as a couple of locals practiced their juggling skills. It seems like such an insignificant activity, but being so accustomed to fast-paced city life, I often forget how important stillness can be.

(above photo by Jonathan Pobre // edited by leigh wanderkid)

As we continued to explore, the inevitable happened and we got hungry. As someone who enjoys trying different cuisines, I couldn't wait to eat some of the delicious goodies in Cartagena. I probably ate about 15 arepas con queso in the short amount of time I was visiting. If you're looking for something to refresh you after walking around in that brutal heat and humidity, the regional drink, limonada de coco, is especially delightful. Essentially, it's a frozen lemonade mixed with coconut milk and I promise you, it's also 100% addictive.

One of my favorite places to eat, which admittedly is a spot that caters to tourists, is La Cevicheria. We loved it so much that we ended up back there multiple times and ended up becoming pals with the staff. So thrilled by our immediate loyalty, they generously offered us complimentary treats in appreciation for our patronage. As the name of the restaurant would suggest, the ceviche here is top notch! I ordered their combo ceviche which is a mix of squid, conch, and shrimp dressed in mandarin and lime juice. Typically this combo also comes with fish, but I made sure to request it "sin pescado", due to my allergies. By default, this is paired with saltine crackers, but I chose to accompany mine with a side of patacones instead and I am completely without regret. This dish was fresh and light, but still quite substantial and I still crave it on a regular basis.

(above photo by Jonathan Pobre // edited by leigh wanderkid)

(above photo by Jonathan Pobre // edited by leigh wanderkid)

Now, I did mention that the purpose of this trip was to attend a wedding and what a wedding it was. It took place at Casa del Conde de Pestagua, a colonial mansion from the 16th century. The ceremony was short, but still brimmed with endearing notions of love and warmth. Did I cry? Yeah, maybe. But I'm a sucker for a great love story and this one definitely falls into that category. What was most touching to me was when the officiant referenced the movie What Dreams May Come, in which Robin Williams has to travel through hell in search of his wife. He likened the movie to the journey of finding one's soulmate. Sometimes you have to go through hell in order to find heaven with that special someone.

After the ceremony, we enjoyed a brief cocktail hour where there was a lovely live band playing and an extensive spread of ceviches and other small bites. Shortly after, we continued on to the reception and danced our way into the night. There were so many memorable moments throughout, but there is one that I will never forget and that is the experience of La Hora Loca. As the evening was coming to a close (at least for the proper reception), the venue grew silent, and something was looming in the shadows. Suddenly, the bride and groom emerge in wigs and other brightly colored adornments along with a troop of kooky, costumed dancers. Shots of aguardiente started making the rounds to all the guests and just when we thought things were slowing down, the party got fired up again thanks to the infamous "firewater". It was truly an unforgettable experience and one that I will surely keep with me forever.

As with some places I've visited in the past, Cartagena has ingrained a fondness in me that I will hold on to for years to come. There is still so much I was not able to explore, but I am sure this will not be my last encounter with this breathtaking town. Until the next adventure, my loves!

(above photo by Jonathan Pobre // edited by leigh wanderkid)

xx

LEIGH

FEB 14, 2016: WEST COAST DELUXE

photography by Jonathan Pobre

Being a native of Los Angeles, but currently living in New York City, I'm constantly asked to describe the difference between both cities.Interestingly enough, when being asked to contrast my west coast and east coast lives, the number one point of comparison is food. Food like fragrance, can often trigger memory. It also tends to give you an edible snapshot of what the local culture is like. So whenever I'm asked to compare the California king In-N-Out to the New York giant Shake Shack, I always refuse to deem one better than the other because they represent two entirely different things to me.

In-N-Out, for me, is pure nostalgia. It reminds me of my childhood. Red palms on a white ground, that's iconic. From that classic, laid back, retro look of each storefront to the bare simplicity of the menu, there is no way I could compare it to anything else. I used to look forward to back-to-school nights when my school (public school, btw) would treat everyone in attendance to those delicious little burgers. I'm reminded of when my friends and I fucked around at the Plant in Van Nuys, hit the arcade, and grabbed a bag filled with melty double-doubles to sneak into the theater.  When my friends and I started driving and we'd go on day trips to the beach, we'd roll through the drive-thru before hitting the freeway."Are you eating in the car?," the cashier would ask. "Yes." You'd then take your order in a cardboard box w placemats to keep from spilling all that extra spread all over yourself. Even to this day, every time I visit, as soon as I land, I make sure to pick up a mustard fried cheeseburger with the bun extra toasted & fries well done. At the end of the day, In-N-Out is just no fuss, fresh, great quality food that is also affordable. It's easy and that's essentially representative of sunny SoCal living.

I know this maybe seems insignificant to a lot of people, but I wholeheartedly believe that food really can create a bridge to understanding your surroundings. That is why whenever I travel, I try to find out what it is that is considered THE local dish, the cornerstone of the culture. I think there's so much to be said in just one bite and that is exactly why breaking bread with friends and family is such a universal practice.I have a few exciting trips lined up for this year, one of which is with my good friend and photographer, Jonathan. I can hardly wait to share my experiences with you and I hope you all stick around for the adventures to come.

-LEIGH

FEB 8, 2016: SHORTY LET ME TELL YOU 'BOUT MY ONLY VICE

Having been raised in a semi-traditional Filipino & Catholic home, this part of the year always triggers some sense of self-reflection due to the beginning of the Lenten season. While I've never been an extremely religious person, there has always been something about Lent that has struck a chord with me and to this day it is the only part of Catholicism that I will, without fail, willingly participate in.

Growing up, I definitely took it less seriously and as a result would do one of two things:

• I would either pick something to sacrifice so trivial and minute that it really didn't make any impact on me.

-or-

• I would just go halfway into the season without picking something and then pick something that I wouldn't end up sacrificing anyway.

However, as I've gotten older, I've come to realize the importance of this sacrifice, at least in my own life. This isn't just some random restriction implemented by a religious organization. This is a form of meditation, self-discipline, and (as I mentioned previously) self-reflection. For the last 6 years, I've found myself listing out areas of my life that needed improvement along with certain vices that enabled these areas to go unimproved.

In 2010, I gave up social media. My end goal wasn't to quit social media altogether in the long run, but the end result left me feeling less dependent on it. Fun fact: a few years later in 2012, I deactivated my Facebook and while some people question this decision on a regular basis, I still maintain that it was one of the best things I could do for myself. There's no need for me to be connected to people in that way. If I want to catch up with you, I will, intimately and intentionally.

Last year (2015), I gave up red meat, which is something that Catholics typically sacrifice every Friday of Lent, but I went the entire month and a half without it. This was especially challenging for me because anyone that knows me knows that my weakness is a medium-rare ribeye. While I still won't ever deny a great steak, this period of abstinence left me feeling refreshed, energetic, and craving more balanced meals.

So with Mardi Gras happening this Tuesday, the pressure has been on for me to decide what it is that I will be sacrificing this year. For those of you that know me personally, you may know that I already went alcohol-free in January. To my surprise, it was much easier than I anticipated, but it did open my eyes to just how many of my social engagements involved the consumption of alcohol. Luckily, I am surrounded by some of the best people on Earth because I received such an overwhelming amount of support and encouragement. Not once did I feel like I couldn't go out in fear that I might cheat. In fact, I actually ended up partying much more than I normally would around this time in NYC. Had I not done this last month, I probably would've picked this as my sacrifice.

Instead, I am choosing another substance that has begun to overrun my life and that is caffeine, coffee to be specific. Years ago, I was not a coffee drinker in the least bit and now, I'm up to 3 cups of coffee a day during the work week. Sure, that pales in comparison to some, but for me, it's a sign that I'm not only starting to become dependent, but I'm also turning desire into habit. My end goal this season is to find ways to combat this need for caffeine with more positive and productive alternatives. I'm hoping to develop a more regular sleep schedule, alter my diet, and not sweat things that are out of my control.

I'm nervous, but confident that I can get through this season successfully. Whenever I feel a moment of weakness, I like to remind myself that it's always much easier to continue living without questioning anything or setting intentions, but easy doesn't always offer the most fruitful results.

Now whether any of you are Catholic or not, I hope that some of you will be interested in participating in this practice with me. Leave a comment below if you are and let me know what you'll be sacrificing this year.

Good luck and good vibes!

-LEIGH

FEB 1, 2016: LEI: SHE / ME

This isn't my first post on here, but because I haven't fully unveiled this to anyone until now, this will serve as our introduction to each other. I am Leigh (lay) and this is my blog.

I'm a 20-something year old California transplant currently residing in NYC. I play the role of a designer by day and live as an extraterrestrial in my spare time. I'm driven by beauty and this is in large part due to the fact that my ruling planet is Venus. But of course, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am not here to dictate what beauty is to you.

A heap of lovely ideas have been floating around in my mind lately and in time, I will share them on this platform. I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by truly wonderful and talented minds and they have all been gracious enough to help me execute these ideas. I am especially honored to be able to call these beautiful souls my friends and I can't wait to introduce them all to you.

So, with that, please stick around. Tell a friend. Grab a drink, grab a glass. But unlike Kanye, I promise I won't grab your ass...

...unless you want me to. ;)

-LEIGH