Sí a To-Do List No.04
Where to start: my friend’s sublime lakeside wedding, the best (pavlova) froyo, or the #Hannahversary bringing us full circle?
I’m figuratively coming off a high from last week, which involved lots of lengthy travel, happy tears, and a few spritzes. Reality has pulled me back to the city in the form of mid-term prep. But honestly, school is a privilege, even more so when you love what you do. Following my last exam, Miley Cyrus gave our childhood selves a special something — I’ll tell you all about it.
No.01 - Crista y Chacho
Life & Travel · Style & Beauty
I had the honor of attending my friend Crista’s wedding at Casa Palopó in Atitlán, Guatemala (their home) the weekend of March 19–21. Since then, my boyfriend hasn’t stopped telling me that I’m absolutely wearing “wedding goggles” — and he’s not wrong. Watching such a deeply in love couple enjoy the best day of their lives surrounded by their friends and family, made my heart feel like it could burst. Plus, we just had so much fun.
The weekend was filled with eclectic events, with every detail accounted for and executed to perfection — I expected nothing less from Crista, who went through the thrills of rigorous design training at Parsons with me. The little things made the difference: from the decorative paper fans and umbrellas for the Catholic mass, to the handwritten letters on every table setting. The big elements, however, will also be remembered fondly by many: the risky success of an open-air Saltburn-themed sunset welcome party following a thunderstorm, to name one. So many heartwarming scenes to highlight: celebrating the start of the weekend with a house DJ set overlooking the lake while in costume, running into Crista (accidentally) before she walked down the pebble-staircase aisle alongside her dad, and watching the couple’s sweet first dance at the reception.
And of course the beloved bride couldn’t have looked more perfect on her big day: From the elegant updo to the glowy makeup and the long-sleeve, open-back lace dress — the bar is high for whichever of our friends gets married next. (Kidding.) But what I’ve been telling everyone who will listen is how effortless and genuinely happy she looked all weekend, rain or shine. Now that, is unspoken bridal inspo: great energy. Their excitement, and ours, was captured on film by my ex-roomie Dana (shoutout to the camera-friend of the group), so you can get a glimpse of these magical moments.
Location: Carretera a San Antonio Palopó, KM 6.8, Guatemala - Casa Palopó (2026)
No.02 - Feel-Good Froyo + Pavlova
Food & Drink · Life & Travel
This might just be one of the best-tasting froyos I’ve ever had. From someone who craves it daily, that’s a bold statement. Let’s break our first MELI orders down for you to try: tart and strawberry swirl base, guayaba cookie, sliced strawberries, sweet condensed milk, and best for last: pavlova crumble.
Frozen yogurt is having a moment right now (especially in New York, on every corner, downtown and uptown), and I’m so here for it. Last Monday in Miami, my friends and I drove over half an hour just to try the trending treat of the moment: clean froyo that promises curated additions for every mood.
MELI keeps it simple with real ingredients, smooth yogurt, and thoughtfully sourced topping options that align with how we want to enjoy dessert: eat good, feel good. Not only is this new spot distinguishable by its rare topping selection, but bonus points are due for their funky, excellently executed branding across every touchpoint. Plus, “no added sugar, no regrets”, as they say. But even if it weren’t good-for-you: exceptional across the board.
Location: 210 NE 98th St, Miami - MELI Frozen Yogurt (2026)
No.03 - Add to Bucket List: Lago Atitlán
Life & Travel · Food & Drink
I’ll keep it short and sweet in case you get lucky enough to visit these beautiful highlands yourself. Lago Atitlán is the deepest volcanic crater lake in Central America, surrounded by 3 enormous volcanoes and the busy surrounding town of Panajachel. After a 3+ hour drive from Ciudad de Guatemala, we arrived at the charming Hotel Atitlán and were instantly greeted with traditional Guatemalan decor and a picturesque view of the volcanoes across the lake. The backdrop was stunning, to say the least, compared by many to Lago di Como in Northern Italy. Our experience was incredibly serene, made possible by the welcoming nature of every hotel staff member, and the kindness of every Guatemalan we came across during our 4-day stay. Waking up to a lake view from our room was a blessing in itself. We likely spent equal parts at our wedding events and enjoying the hotel poolside. If you’re in LatAm and looking for a relaxing escape, look no further.
Location: Km. 3, Carretera a San Andrés Semetabaj, Guatemala - Hotel Atitlán (2026)
No.04 - Happy 20th Hannahversary
Entertainment & Media · Marketing & Business
This is the life! I was not expecting the disney legend to do a rendition of the O.G record plus the beloved theme song in 2026, but it was exactly what we all needed. Time flies — can you believe it’s been 20 years? Hannah grew up, Miley grew up, and so did we.
Nostalgia peaked during the 1-hour Anniversary Special. The blonde Hannah wig? Miley’s real hair today. It’s so moving to see how full circle Miley’s relationship with Hannah (and her parents) has come. Watching her wholeheartedly embrace and merge the character that shaped hers, and our own childhoods, is the greatest celebration of them all.
Though I try to stick to positives in my writing, I’ll make an expection from a marketing student angle (because Hannah Montana is everything to me). To address the elephant in the room: the absence of Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso (who played Lilly/Lola and Oliver, respectively). Even though we got some main cast appearances, the presence of this iconic duo would’ve taken this to the next level. I would’ve loved to see a more dynamic chat between the cast and crew over the interview-style. For the next anniversary: more behind-the-scenes realness, memories, and stories that made the show, the music, and the fandom what they were. Perhaps, a docu-series instead. And though Ticketmaster would crash for good: HM on tour. But onto the greatness, framing the specials around Season 1 and 2 (the superior era) and its iconic wardrobe, wigs, Malibu beach house setting were perfect choices. The press elements have also been well executed, both in timing and visually. To name a few activations, as reported on by PEOPLE BRANDS AND THINGS: Poppi, Maybelline, Starbucks, and Airbnb. We all know her voice has aged like fine wine, but the performance quality has also evolved to insane levels too. Cue show transition.
Next on my list (and I’ve been saying this for years), we need a Miley Super Bowl Halftime show. Make it happen! In the meantime, I’m re-watching the show and you should too — its funnier than you probably remember.
Source: Hanah Montana 20th Anniversary Special Trailer (2026) / Youtube
No.05 - Belah Beauty Essentials
Style & Beauty · Marketing & Business
Si eres Barranquillera, puedo decir con seguridad que probablemente tienes alguno de estos productos, irremplazables, en tu colección. If you’ve never heard of Belah Beauty before, chances are you have no ties to Colombia — and that’s okay, because I’m here to show you why this clean, cruelty-free, vegan makeup line is inevitable to indulge in.
I’ve been waiting for the right moment to talk about the 6 out of 8 products in their range I’ve tried and instantly become obsessed with. The truth is, there likely isn’t a perfect occasion, because it’s a testament in itself that I’ve used at least one of these every single time I’ve done my makeup since launch in 2023. Since the first liquid blush I was gifted (gracias mami), I’ve been blessed enough to grow my collection via more gifts at every launch. Funnily enough, I’ve never needed to repurchase. Besides their extensive durability, it’s important for me to describe how great the magnetic, mirrored packaging is. At Belah Beauty, every detail is thought out and carefully executed: from the outermost box layers to the applicators: each one beautiful and functional. At a granular level, key components across their line include orchid oil, shea butter, jojoba esters, vitamin E, and specialized formulas for volume and radiance — skincare-infuse ingredients designed for a natural, hydrating glow. From a business standpoint: world-building, strategic pricing and launches, and community overtook traditional marketing tactics. Online execution? So good that whenever founder Isabella Chams isn’t showing production BTS, their popular PR packages, or product demos to her 567k+ Instagram and 314k+ TikTok followers, the makeup simply speaks for itself.
Best explained on American The Art of the Brand podcast, Isabella unpacks the unintended benefits of past controversies, and how “relentless standards” transformed her and her husband Ricky Jaar’s company from a beauty brand into a cultural obsession well beyond Colombia. It’s a masterclass in building meaning that cuts through the noise, by pursuit of the best quality.
Though distribution is limited to our home country at the moment, I have no doubt that Belah Beauty has the potential to go global and earn its place on shelves and in routines everywhere. Enter their world, you won’t regret it.
Products: Belah Beauty Metallic Cream Eyeshadow (Golden Honey), Effortless Dewy Cream Blush (Açaí Burst, Pomegranate Pop), Ultra Creamy Sculpting Bronzer (Cappuccino), Pearl-Infused Liquid Blush (Berry Sprtiz), Ultra Shine Volumizing Lip Gloss (Amarena Gelato)
No.06 - Notes on Competitive Strategy at NYU
Marketing & Business
I’ve mentioned a few times already that I’m currently a full-time graduate student, so I figured I’d lay out some in-class conversations shaping my journey toward my Integrated Marketing MS degree. I come from a background in design, management, and strategy — my BBA is in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons School of Design, where I spent 4 years involved in cross-industry brand management and fashion communication. After graduating in May 2024, I spent a year working in paid media at Louis Vuitton, before what felt like another once-in-a-lifetime landed: continuing my education at NYU’s Division of Programs in Business. Needless to say, furthering my carreer here is a dream come true.
I won’t get into specifics on my work today, but I’ll share 4 of the most recent, impactful guest lectures I’ve had a chance to attend through Dr. Jose Mendoza’s Competitive Strategy course — part of my second-semester curriculum, and one of my favorites I’ve ever taken. Each one revolves around the notion of competition: not for the sake of competing, but to win.
Mindell Klein (Blake Brown Beauty) - Competing to Win
Mindell is a passionate brand-builder who believes that magic comes in the switch from product to consumer-oriented. When a brand makes you feel something, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Her measure of brand health? Physical and mental availability — not just distribution, but making people think about you constantly. To achieve this, investment is necessary in the short, mid, and long-term games: visibility, distinctiveness, and fostering emotional bonds. What makes CPG memorable is just that: the connection you build with it. Besides sharing her extensive findings from re-positioning Colgate in the 90s to launching Blake Lively’s haircare brand in 2024 during a PR crisis, she advised us to remain curious and passionate, at all costs.
Kate Pomeroy (Pernod Ricard) - Competition Re-Framed
My favorite takeaway from Kate’s lecture, both in marketing and in life, is that when in doubt: consider a re-frame. We shouldn’t fear thinking differently — changing our frame of reference can transform our growth prospects inmensely. From a portfolio perspective, the key isn’t putting all of your eggs in one basket, but focusing on where you can win. From her experience in the spirits industry at Pernod Ricard, she explained how liquor suffers and thrives as culture naturally shifts. By mapping demand, we can see the impact of trends on where your brand has a “right to win”. Baileys Irish Cream, for example, can’t compete with tequila for a girls’-night-out need occasion — but has a clear job-to-be-done in the sweet treat space — and advertising should follow suit. When subverting a category, you’re in an evolving game. Food for thought: Netflix’s #1 competitor isn’t Hulu, it’s actually sleep.
Greg James (Havas Media Network) - Winning Through Meaning
My class was thrilled to hear firsthand from their CEO, Greg, about how this renowned agency specializes in building meaninful brands. “Meaningful brands aren’t build in straight lines”, they are often built at the intersection of non-linear creativity, strategy, conviction, that comes to life with storytelling. Their network is focused on 3 themes for 2026: growth, scale, and speed. A modern marketer has to be obsessed with tech and data. To compete today, you likely need an approach that is equal parts human and machine. But going back to the most important element of all, people, there’s 3 ways that brands win us over: functional benefits (does it work?), personal benefits (does it feel made for me?), and collective benefits (does it stand for something bigger?). We expect brands to empower us by showing up for us not only as consumers, but also as humans and citizens. To be unforgettable, shift from an interruputive nature, to an inclusive one.
Matt Pajak (Google) - Staying Ahead of the Game
Last but not least, Google’s Head of Industry Financial Services visited our class this week, and told us all about how to “stay ahead of the game”. Matt was inspiring in his angle coming from his background in tech and ad sales: adopt the “infinite” mindset. The ingredients? A just case, trusting teams, worthy rivals, existential flexibility, and the courage to lead. Even a trillion-dollar giant like Google sees the finite vs. infinite game paradigm daily: whether it’s customers fixating on the wrong metrics and hurting themselves, or the company itself facing pressure to chase quarterly figures at the expense of their broader mission. The challenge is balancing short-term wins with building the company’s competitive future. There is no perfect answer, but internal alignment will point you in the right direction: balance and strategic partnerships. Where there is core alignment, you and your competitors can grow together — and you can innovate faster when every player plays at their strengths. Businesses will come and go, but culture is forever: everybody needs to share their best ideas, all the time.
Source: NYU SPS DPB - Competitive Strategy with Dr. Jose Mendoza, Guest Lectures (2026)
No.07 - Is it Spring? Hugo Spritz How-To
Food & Drink
Fragrant and fresh, the Hugo Spritz is the superior hot-weather choice. Who knew that mint, elderflower, and lime combine into the most delicious concoction? I had my first (few) of the season over the weekend and thought back to last August, when we prepared these for all of my mom’s friends at her birthday brunch — and let me just say, they were instantly obsessed.
Following St-Germain liqueur’s recipe, making a round is simple, and it will give you cool points for its sweet taste and look. Apparently, the cocktail dates back to 2005, when it started winning people over in Northern Italy (which seems to be a theme this week). Today, the beloved drink can transport you to aperitivo hour from anywhere.
How-To (My Way): Start by filling your large glass at least halfway with ice. Add in a handful of mint leaves and pour equal parts (2 oz) of sparkling water and sparkling wine. Lastly, add 1 + 1/2 oz of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, gently stir, and top it all off with a lime wedge garnish. Mutiply and enjoy!
Source: St. Germain Liqueur (2026)
I’m out of time for now (never out of words), but one thing’s for sure: another good week is coming.