About LA VIDA

Letty Isabel

Leticia Isabel Velazquez

She/Her

LA VIDA was inspired by this crazy rollercoaster called LIFE, and all the things that we’ve been lucky enough to find that make us feel like our truest selves. It was created for purpose; to create, uplift and share pieces of ourselves within our chosen communities.

ALL ARE WELCOMED!

Growing up in a Mexican family in California, in the 90’s with 12+ siblings and different homes, well let’s just say there was NEVER a dull moment. We moved around a lot, had to figure things out a lot, but we never really had to do it alone because there was so many of us. We had our struggles like most families, but we made it by together and if we’re lucky, we’ll continue to grow together and keep this dynamic bond we have. The Mexican Brady Brunch is what I call it haha! I’m grateful for the messy, memorable childhood we had, the good, the bad, the stuff I’m still figuring out; it made me who I am today and I like her. As an adult, I continue to grow closer to my best self, to my culture, and creating my own traditions without fear of expectations of letting people down.

I had decided for many years that LA was just not for me, that I needed to build my life somewhere a little greener, a little more secluded, and a little more magical. With help and support from my familia, in 2016, I moved myself from Los Angeles to Portland to fill my cup with music and food and all the trees I could possibly hug! It was intimidating and although I still dearly miss my siblings and friends, I never really felt like ME until I made the move and started living a life I dreamed of. I’m a viejita at heart, and am happiest living in a place with real seasons, spending quality time with my pups and just being able to enjoy our casita that we work so hard to have. I am so proud of myself for this journey I took, and am now finding my voice to welcome others into this journey and hopefully share our love for food, getaways, music, all while longing for a better future. In the past couple of years that I’ve been working on this blog, I’ve learned that the world has never felt so scary; with ignorant politics, so much loss of life, and fighting everyday for the most BASIC of human rights, it’s easy to feel disconnected and helpless, but I know now that’s why we aren’t meant to do this all alone. I lost a piece of myself when my sister passed away from cancer at the end of 2021, which made me feel even more disconnected to reality than anything in this world—which is probably why this has taken me so long to release into the real world!! But I’m here now, with support and love and knowing she is here with me everyday, rooting for me, living within me. I am here now and I am not alone.

I hope this blog can inspire us to find our hearts when we feel lost, to reach out when we feel hopeless, and allow ourselves to go through the motions of life without pressure to fit into a mold that does not bring us peace. I hope to stay inspired by the brave souls that bring light in a world that feels so heavy and I hope this inspires you to be your true self and stand up for what’s right - as long as your heart is in it. I am so very grateful and excited you can join me on this new journey, cheers to LA VIDA and everything that makes this very short life, so beautiful and so precious.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

-Letty