The “Secrets of Success” I’ve Learned From My 84-Year-Old Mother-in-Law
Here are some of the guiding principles or “secrets of success” that my 84-year-old mother-in-law has taught me about living life to the fullest.
Read More
Stories
Mar Yvette’s personal essays, reviews, interviews, and latest articles.
Spending Holidays Without Family: Why We Love Our New Tradition
It's not a tradition we planned on, but as fully remote workers with no kids or pets, we're loving the spontaneity of going wherever our mood takes us.
Read More
We Bought Delta One First-Class Tickets from LA to London — It Was Worth Every Penny
I'm a nervous flyer and my husband is big and tall, which means long-haul flights can be especially uncomfortable. That's why on this trip, we splurged.
Read More
From CA to MI: Our Annual Cross-Country Road Trips Are Full of Surprises
Going on a yearly cross-country road trip to see my mom-in-law was not something I had ever planned on. But now it has become a favorite tradition for me and my husband.
Read More
We Planned a 30-Day Trip to San Sebastian, Spain, But Left After 10 Days
We planned a month in San Sebastian, Spain, drawn by its food scene, Basque culture, and seaside charm. Instead, we cut our trip short and packed up after 10 days. Here's what happened.
Read More
Here’s What 7 National Park Trips With My Father-in-Law Have Taught Me About Life
My husband and I have traveled to seven national parks with my father-in-law. These trips have taken us across breathtaking landscapes, but their real impact has been on our relationships.
Read More
My Husband and I Take Cemetery Walks and It Has Changed Our Lives
My husband and I enjoy walking through cemeteries. Some think it's morbid, while others don't see the point unless it's for visiting a deceased loved one. Here's why we love our cemetery walks.
Read More
First Impressions: My Travel Journey From Paris to Bordeaux
I've just taken the train from Paris to Bordeaux. It’s the first time in a month that I'm not in the City of Light, and I'm both elated and deflated. But what will I discover in the south of France? Here's what I discovered on this journey.
Read More
Toulouse Named Best City to Visit in 2025, But I’m Not Rushing to Go Back
During our adventures in France, my husband and I visited the "Pink City." Even though I enjoyed its rosy-colored buildings and youthful vibrancy along the Garonne River, I'm in no rush to go back.
Read More
My Husband and I Are the Original “Love Is Blind” Couple Going Strong After 20+ Years
Is love blind? In a world that emphasizes physical appearance, it's not common for people to fall in love (and get engaged) without seeing each other. But that's exactly what my husband and I did.
Read More
How the Death of a Loved One Changes You
Years after my Dad died, I still find it impossible to grasp the permanence of this reality. When you experience the death of a loved one, you not only lose the person, but you also lose a piece of who you were before the loss.
Read More
My Dad Died: A Daughter’s Reflections Nearly Two Years Later
It's hard to believe my Dad died. The initial shock and emotional fog of my Dad's death have subsided, but grieving is a journey that I'm continually working my way through — and there is no finish line.
Read More
Vegan Dining: Plant Power Fast Food Restaurant in California
You don't have to be vegan to enjoy burgers, fries, and shakes at Plant Power Fast Food. This small SoCal chain is where you can get some meat-free fast food that won't break the bank or your animal-loving conscience.
Read More
Vegan Dining: Donna Jean in San Diego
When you're looking for a comforting homemade meal that you don't have to cook yourself, Donna Jean is just the place to go. This San Diego spot is a great choice for plant-based eats in a charming, cute indoor/outdoor space.
Read More
Vegan Dining: Double Zero Venice (Closed)
If the thought of artisanal-style, plant-based, wood-fired pizza makes you giddy with glee, then you'll understand the excitement my husband and I felt when we headed over to Double Zero in Venice on opening night.
Read More
The Beauty of Equity: Lancome’s #WriteHerFuture Campaign
Lancome's #WriteHerFuture campaign is proving that true beauty goes well beyond the surface. I spent an afternoon learning about the brand's new partnership to raise awareness about female illiteracy.
Read More
Black-ish Wardrobe Stylist Stanley Hudson Gets Real About Success & Tragedy
Fashion designer and "Project Runway" star Stanley Hudson has lived a life that is as real as it gets. As he told me, making one's dreams come true can come at a serious price.
Read More
Godfather of Street Art Ron English on His Surreal New Creations
I'm taking you behind the scenes with Ron English, the godfather of street art and a trailblazer of pop surrealism who paved the way for the likes of Banksy and Shepard Fairey.
Read More
A Night at Lisa Vanderpump’s Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar in WeHo
Even if you don't obsess over the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," you probably still know Lisa Vanderpump. I attended her Friends & Family Night for the opening of Tom Tom in West Hollywood.
Read More
Disrupt Aging: Why Getting Older Doesn’t Suck
Whether you’re in your teens, 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond, the reality is that we all are getting older. I think the real question is: Are we getting old? Here's why getting older is not what you think.
Read More
I Love You, Dad: A Tribute to My Father
My Dad passed away. I knew it would come one day, just not so soon. But rather than focus on the pain and the profound void, I choose to celebrate my father and what he meant to me and all those who met him.
Read More
The Henry in West Hollywood Opens
It looks like Robertson Boulevard is finally getting some life back! The Henry is a welcome (and welcoming) all-day addition to the famed shopping stretch. Located on the ground floor of the Robertson Building across the street from The Ivy (remember that place?), The Henry is luxe yet laidback, lush and absolutely lovely. Oh, and it's huge! Do yourself a favor and go check this place out for yourself. But first, read on for a sneak peek...
Read More
Test Drive: Two Days in LA with the 2019 Infiniti QX50
I was recently invited to Infiniti's Global Media Drive to be among the first to drive the all-new 2019 Infiniti QX50 while having the ultimate LA driving experience. The premium mid-size SUV was making its world debut and I would be among the first fortunate few to get in the driver's seat. (Yes, being a member of the media has its privileges.) Needless to say, it was a driving affair to remember.
Read More
Crustacean Beverly Hills Reopens
Hello, gorgeous! Long a celebrity favorite, Crustacean Beverly Hills has finally reopened after its nearly one-year remodel and it was certainly worth the wait. The stunning new space is a study in understated elegance. And, with new vegan options like a hearts of palm "crab cake," kung pao eggplant and more, the menu has been updated as well to better serve all palates. (Yes, those famed garlic noodles are now offered in vegan and gluten-free versions!)
Read More