Mexico City Archives - Nina on the Moon

"La Casa Azul" Museo de Frida Kahlo: Frida’s Jewelry, Shoes, Accessories and Beauty

The exhibit, “Appearances Can Be Deceiving” in La Casa Azul, Museum of Frida Kahlo is a curated selection of Frida’s personal dresses, jewelry, shoes, accessories and even beauty items.

As a young girl, Frida suffered from Polio, which affected her right leg and eventually stunted it’s growth. She also suffered from a severe spinal injury (from a bus accident), which in turn led to many surgeries throughout her life trying to correct it and she had to wear a cast/back brace. She also had her right leg amputated right below the knee, due to gangrene.

“Appearances Can Be Deceiving” displays how Frida’s vibrant fashion style celebrated her culture while disguising physical conditions. Frida wore traditional Tehuana clothes (long dresses, skirts, blouses) and in-depth shoes to disguise the physical issues.

From what I learned while touring La Casa Azul, Diego Rivera (Frida’s husband) had locked Frida’s closet doors and banned entry to anyone, after he passed away, he had left one of his close friends in charge and made sure that the doors remained closed. His reasoning was that he didn’t want Frida’s personal belongings to be mistreated/damaged. Anyways, his friend decided that Frida’s closet was to be opened, only after she had died. She passed away in 2002, and the Museum of Frida Kahlo decided to open Frida’s closet doors years later…and it is only until last year that the public has been invited to browse some of her personal items on display in the exhibit, Appearances Can Be Deceiving.

I can only imagine how excited and emotional the individuals who sorted through Frida’s closet were. There was clothes, jewelry, love letters, sketches, perfume and even a bottle of Revlon nail laquer. Imagine being able to not only touch her personal belongings, but SMELL her essence? Must have been an out of this world moment.

I am thankful that I was able to feel her presence while exploring her home, La Casa Azul. Appearances Can Be Deceiving is a once in lifetime experience and is on display until November 2013.

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Carnitas Loros Ferr 1 in Mexico City, Mexico

Before heading into Diego Rivera’s Museum, Anahucalli, Gabriel and I asked some of the locals where we could find some GREAT tacos. The majority suggested we try Carnitas Loros Ferr 1 down the street.

Whenever we are in Mexico, Gabriel has to have tacos de buche, so he was thrilled to see that they were offered at Loros Ferr 1. You can just see how pleased Gabriel was with the arrival of his delicious tacos de buche. And just incase you were wondering, buche is “pork stomach.” Good buche is tender and only slightly chewy, which this was!

I went for the typical tacos de carnitas and they were delicious! Of course, I added my favorite taco toppings of pico de gallo, salsa de aguacate and freshly squeezed lemon. Oh yes, the tortillas were freshly HAND-MADE!!!!

The service at Carnitas Loros Ferr 1 was great, staff was courteous and food was delivered quickly.

HAVE YOU TRIED TACOS DE BUCHE?

CARNITAS LOROS FERR 1

Museo 123, Coyoacan

Mexico City, Mexico

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"La Casa Azul" Museo de Frida Kahlo: Diego Rivera’s Bedroom

Last week I shared some of the photos I took of the kitchen and dining room in La Casa Azul (click here to see). Today I present to you some of the photos from Diego Rivera‘s personal bedroom in La Casa Azul. Yes, although Frida and Diego were married while living in La Casa Azul, they did sleep separately.

The first thing that I noticed when I walked into Diego Rivera‘s room was the pair of signature denim overalls hanging on the wall. I was able to close my eyes and envision him wearing them while painting one of his many famous murals. His signature overalls and hats also reminded me of the Portrait of Ignacio Sanchez, which is an oil on canvas he completed in 1927. I felt his presence.

I carefully examined the small bedroom and spotted a miniature of Diego Rivera‘s death mask on top of the cabinet (pictured in photo #2, far right). I also noticed that there were couple of Pre-Hispanic pieces on that same cabinet, which is nothing compared to the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of pieces he collected

Do you have a favorite painting/mural by Diego Rivera?

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"La Casa Azul" Mueseo Frida Kahlo: The Kitchen and Dining Room

Cuando tuve el privilegio de conocer La Casa Azul, el hogar de Frida Kahlo senti una fuerte energia que me inspiraba mas con cada pazo. Cuando caminaba por los cuartos y pasillos senti que la tenia a mi lado guiandome. Y cuando estaba viendo sus maravillosas obras de arte juro que la tenia frente mi, pude sentir su fuerza, su amor y su dolor. Fue algo fuera de este mundo poder convivir con ella en su hogar donde realizaba sus sueños.

La verdad es que en cada rincon de La Casa Azul puedes sentir a Frida Kahlo. Si no as tenido la oportunidad de visitar La Casa Azul, Museo de Frida Kahlo, espero que puedas disfrutar de estas fotos que comparto. Bueno, y si si has tenido el privilegio de conocer La Casa Azul, espero que estas fotos te traigan buenos recuerdos!

Posts anteriores sobre LA CASA AZUL:

Click AQUI para ver las pinturas en cuartos 1 y 2.

Click AQUI para ver fotos, retablos y pinturas de Diego Rivera.

Pies, para que los quiero si tengo alas para volar– Frida Kahlo

Aqui les muestro algunas de las fotos que tome de el comedor y cocina en La Casa Azul.

COMEDOR:

COCINA:

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Hooters in Mexico City

After a long bus ride from Guadalajara we finally arrived at Mexico City at 6 in the morning. We stopped into Samborns for some breakfast before we continued our journey of finding a couple important offices in the City…oh boy, we walked around like chickens with our heads cut off for about 10 hours, without stopping for tacos or huaraches. So by the time we arrived at our aunts house it was 5pm and we were STARVING….y que tocamos la puerta y nadie contesta, not even the lady that helps around the home.

We were so hungry we dragged ourselves (and our luggage!) a couple blocks to the first restaurant we encountered…HOOTERS. Like I said, we were desperate…

I had never been to Hooters before, so I admit that I was a bit intrigued to see how big the hooters were hahaha. Anyways, we were quickly seated and the chicks were all googley eyed over my husband…didn’t let that bother me, I guess that’s one of their specials of the day?

What did we order?

2 Hooters Burgers: These burgers were disgusting and the only reason we ate them was because we were SO HUNGRY we couldn’t send them back and wait for another. The patty was very bland and dry. Burgers did not come with fries, but a TINY spoonful of potato salad (that was also disgusting).

Curley Fries: Nobody can serve bad curley fries,right? WRONG. Our curley fries came cold and hard as if they had been out all day, bleh. I also think it’s such a RIP-OFF that your burger does not come with fries!!!

Nachos: The worst nachos i have EVER had in my life. Gawsh, just thinking about them makes me want to vomit…I mean just look at that picture. The nachos were stale, the ground beef was bland and tasted awful. The cheese, looked like slices of Kraft Singles that were just thrown on the top. We didn’t finish this plate…

Not only was the food HORRIBLE, the service was just as bad. The servers were not interested in customers, but each other as they frolicked around playing with each other’s hair and flirting with the manager. The food took approx. 25 minutes to get to our table, and the servers never asked us once if we were enjoying our food. They probably know better than to ask that, right? And to top it all off, we’re pretty sure everything was popped into the microwave to warm up, I mean “cook.” The only good thing about our visit to Hooters were the hoo..pints of beer we drank. Hahaha

Save your taste buds, stomach and wallet! Yes, wallet too because Hooters is expensive for a burger kinda joint. $150 Mexican pesos for a burger with NO FRIES or salad? Come on…

Sucursal San Miguel

Insurgentes Sur No. 2018
Col. San Ángel.
Entre Miguel Ángel de Quevedo y Altavista.

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"La Casa Azul" Museo de Frida Kahlo: Family Photographs, Diego Rivera and Retablo’s

Two weeks ago I shared a little bit about my first experience at La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s home (click here to read first post), today I am going to show you a few of the photographs I took in rooms three, four and five of La Casa Azul.

Room three is absolutely breathtaking. It’s full of Kahlo’s family photos, her parents, her sisters, and of course her love Diego Rivera. There are also some of Frida’s sketches and a paper mache set that she made.

Room four is dedicated to her amor eterno Diego Rivera: his sketches, paintings and even blueprint and photographs of the museum/home he as building “Anahuacalli.“

Room five is dedicated to Frida’s “Retablos.” From what I have read, Frida and Diego had hundreds of Retablo’s displayed throughout their home. A retablo is a painting that includes three basic elements:

A scene depicting a tragedy or someone with a grave injury/illness,
A Saint or Martyr that intervened and made a Milagro (Miracle),
An inscription describing the tragic event and giving thanks for the Divine intervention.

Retablos

Note: I did pay 60 Mexican Pesos for a photography pass, which allowed me to take photos throughout La Casa Azul.

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"La Casa Azul" Museo Frida Kahlo: Room #1 and #2

Third time’s a charm…

I had always wanted to go to el Museo de Frida Kahlo on our previous trips to Mexico City, but for one reason or another, it never worked out. So, it was a DREAM COME TRUE when we finally went to Frida Kahlo‘s home, “La Casa Azul” in November 2012.

As soon as we drove up to La Casa Azul, I couldn’t believe it! Everything I had seen and read in books was right before my eyes. And I got a rush of excitement and energy that I could’t contain, I was BEAMING, smiling from ear to ear! I was eager to dedicate a whole day to feeling Frida, to walk through her home and astounding garden I had read so much about.

The first five rooms in La Casa Azul are dedicated to Frida Kahlo‘s paintings, sketches, personal/family photographs, Diego Rivera, and ofrendas (devotions). The following images are from the room #1 and #2 in La Casa Azul.

It was an amazing feeling to be in the presence of Frida Kahlo…

[Above: Frida and the Cesarean Unfinished]

[Above: Don Guillermo Kahlo, Frida’s dad]

[Above: Portrait of a Girl Unfinished]

[Above: Self Portrait Unfinished]

[Above: Frida’s Family Tree Unfinished]

[Above: Viva La Vida Watermelon]

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Coyoacán, Frida’s Barrio #MexicoMonday

[Above: Fuente de Los Coyotes]

Coyoacán, is a beautiful Historic borough in Mexico City. It is where you can find La Casa Azul, home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. You can also find Anahuacalli, the museum that Diego Rivera’s designed, which houses his personal collection of Pre-Hispanic art and much of his amazing work.

I love Coyoacán because it is bursting with history, culture, tradition and great food! Plaza Hidalgo is at the center of Coyoacán, it is a garden/park with Municipal building, Parish San Juan Bautista, Cafe’s, Restaurants and the Mercado Artesenal Mexicano (Flea Market).

Gabriel and I usually start off with taking a stroll in Plaza Hidalgo, then we head on over to the Mercado Artesenal Mexicano for some vintage and one of a kind goodies. After a couple of hours of hunting for unique things, we grab some food at one of the many restaurants. After eating our meal, we always grab a cafecito at a cafe!

Have you ever been to Mexico City?