A Fashion Icon...Abuelita!
My abuela is my hero. Some of you may know that I am half Colombian and Italian. Although I was born here, I was raised very closely with Colombian culture. My abuela or Grandmother helped raised my brother and I as children. She was strict, but knew when to have fun. She gave us chores, but always rewarded us with ice cream after. I was so lucky to grow up with my grandmother because she is the strongest woman I know.Â
My abuela Emilia Pineda left Colombia in the 60s with my mom and uncle with nothing. There was bad blood in the family and Emilia knew she wanted to provide a brighter future for her children. She was able to build a home and life for her children, my mom and uncle, with barely anything. She still lives in the same apartment in Sunnyside, Queens where they first moved to in the United States. Currently, my grandmother is 95 years old! She survived a hip replacement and Covid-19 all within a few years of each other. She is truly the strongest woman I know.Â
Did I mention that she is a fashion icon? She has been rocking the beret and Sherpa jacket long before it became trendy this fall. Check her out on her 95th birthday this past October at her favorite restaurant in Forest Hills!
Love my grandmother with my whole heart. She is the reason I am the strong independent female that I am today!Â















