DIGITAL MAGAZINE [FALL 2022]

Liana:​ ​Being a proud Calgarian and a foodie yourself, spill the beans which hole-in-the-wall haunts are your favourites. 

Lynn: ​Not exactly hole-in-wall as I feel like many people know of them, but are not talked about enough! The Moose and Poncho - a humble eatery which has since opened in April 2019, brought authentic and traditional Mexican cuisine to Calgary. They remind me most of what I had in Mexico and the United States of America. I recommend getting any of their tacos, like Birria and Al Pastor. Gringo Street, an authentic Latin American restaurant located in the heart of Downtown Calgary's 17th Avenue is worth the drive. When you are there, you must order their pitchers with a delightful drink menu choice from so many margarita flavours. My personal favourite has to be their Spicy Mango Margarita. Do not forget to order their Prawn Anticuchos (grilled skewers) - served with marinated tiger prawns, arugula salad, and habanero mayo! 

Liana: ​What professional or personal challenges have you had to overcome to get to where you are as confident today?

Lynn: ​I think setting boundaries between your personal life and social media should be the first step, before posting on public platforms. I am not as open on social media. To some it might seem boring scrolling through only food-related posts; but it is what I am comfortable getting the message across that I love food - period!

Photographer: ERIC QUACH @silversaber_mediaco

Liana:​ ​This year, we did not miss hosting our annual FABEFO Bloggers Bash and Brunch with some of our #FABEFOFAM and a special guest-blogger, Naaz @justyourglam. Your thoughts of your time spent at Fonda Fora?

Reina: ​It goes without saying that months of love and planning always pays off. Liana knows how to organize a thoughtful event with the most inviting atmosphere, and I always feel very fortunate that I get to be a part of her community. Fonda Fora was the perfect place to hold the FABEFO Bloggers Bash and Brunch. The environment was warm, inviting, with the chic décor and elegant furnishings transporting you out of Calgary. The timing of the food was orchestrated perfectly. Everyone got their meals at the same time, and the presentation was well thought out. One of my favourite things about FABEFO events is being reunited with the rest of the #FABEFOFAM. From the conversations we have and jokes cracked, it was nice that we were fostering closer friendships.

​Liana: Given your years of experiences here in Calgary and having crossed paths with others through your philanthropic endeavour, as well as friends who are entrepreneurs or are career-driven; what advice can you share for women on cultivating the confidence to make their voice heard?

Reina: ​Surround yourself with a circle of friends who you would aspire to be, and bring out the best traits in you. Listen well and never be afraid to ask questions. The more you know and the more you learn, the more you will be able to speak on different topics. And for the days you need an extra burst of confidence, listen to 'Alien Superstar' by Beyonce!

Photographer: ERIC QUACH @silversaber_mediaco

Liana: ​What is your personal definition of the term being creative?

Eric: ​To me, being creative means making your ideas, especially the seemingly impossible ones, a reality in the truest form of self-expression.

Liana: ​Highlight three of your best photography works to date.

Eric: ​The most notable photography work that I have done that comes to mind is with Regrub. Not only was it an exceptional opportunity for me because Regrub is a Calgary-owned and renowned burger restaurant chain, but I also value the experience learned from the shoots I did with them. I specifically worked with their marketing team over the course of a couple weeks prior to the shoot, to discuss an on-brand vision for the final look of the photos. It was the first time I worked with other marketing-minded individuals as a contracted photographer. That had me quickly learn the ropes of their established systems, and create deliverables within weeks. Everything went according to plan, and I was contracted for another project not too long afterwards. 

Collaborating with Tedx as a photographer was my first public live event photoshoot ever. Not only did I learn to a great extent as a photographer, but I came out with noteworthy photos of amazing thinkers that have become good friends to this day.

Last but not least, working with Thabo aka K The Chosen has been a blessing. We met at the Ted Talk event I photographed, and his energy has a gravitational force that has artists surrounding him. Through him, I was able to have a number of opportunities to photograph concerts and live events. We also create incredible visual content every time we work together. These opportunities had me discover live event photography, which is my favourite kind of photography.

Liana: ​​What is the biggest lesson you have learned in working within your community?

Eric: ​The most significant lesson I have learned from working with others, or others asking to work with me is - always respect other people's time, especially when there is a dollar value behind it. 

Photographer: LIANA @fabefo_com

Liana:​ ​This year, we did not miss hosting our annual FABEFO Bloggers Bash & Brunch with some of our #FABEFOFAM and a special guest-blogger, Naaz @justyourglam. It is actually your first year joining us at this brunch, too. Your thoughts of your time spent at Fonda Fora?

Rayna:​ I am so grateful to have been a part of this year's Bloggers Bash & Brunch for the first time. This event gave me a huge opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, especially since I am not used to elegant dining settings. Fonda Fora is a gorgeous restaurant, and the brunch menu certainly matched. All of the dishes served at brunch were flavourful and creatively crafted; including the appetizers - Masa Fries and Sope, as well as Churros for dessert. My personal highlight was the company! It was such a funtabulous time to bond with everyone from our #FABEFOFAM, and Liana's invited guest blogger - Naaz. The memories from this brunch will be forever carried with me!

Liana: Being on a public platform such as Instagram and socializing with others at events or media invites, describe how much has that cultivated confidence within yourself?

Rayna: ​Being on Instagram has helped massively with my confidence and self worth. I am naturally a very introverted person, and can be quite awkward when speaking my thoughts. Since I have started blogging and writing, I have learned how to speak up for myself and to use my words in an effective way. This confidence has led to me feeling more comfortable in socializing at events, opening doors of opportunities and friendships. This confidence has also transpired to my school life, and at dance. 

Liana: ​Is there an everyday activist, role model, or mentor - who resonates with how you have cultivated your confidence? 

Rayna: ​I do not have one specific person or role model that cultivates my confidence, but rather multiple people. Everyone who are mainly my teachers and friends from dance, has helped me to build my confidence this far in different ways. My dance teachers have guided, and boosted my confidence with my passions. My dance friends have given me the motivation and courage, to put myself out into the world, too. 

Photographer: ERIC QUACH @silversaber_mediaco

Liana:​ ​An overview of FABEFO Bloggers Bash & Brunch, which you co-hosted recently?

Bernice: This year, the Bloggers Bash & Brunch was held at Fonda Fora. I had the pleasure of co-hosting the event alongside LIana. The outfit theme of this event was bright, bold and beautiful which highlighted bright pink, yellow and orange hues. I enjoyed the hearty plate of Huevos Racheros - which was served with three eggs, frijoles de la olla, fried tortilla, salsa roja, herbs and queso fresco. If you personally do not like frijoles de la olla (beans in a pot), then I would suggest the other brunch menu options such as the Yoghurt Parfait or the Breakfast Sandwich, which some #FABEFOFAM and Naaz had.

All of which was thoughtfully selected for this event, including appetizers such as Masa Fries - nixtamalized masa fries, chipotle aioli, queso fresco, lime, chile powder and Sope - nixtamal masa, seasonal veg mix, poblano, house fermented crema fresca, salsa cruda, queso fresco and cilantro. For dessert, we shared Churros - served with passionfruit, white chocolate ganache and cinnamon sugar; accompanied by beverages such as Mimosas!

Throughout the brunch, we enjoyed an ice-breaker game. Questions included "What animal best represents you today, and why?" to "What is something you are looking forward to, and why?". As you can see these are not your typical ice-breakers. Liana had curated two questions per guest, and each guest had to provide their own answers. Through the series of questions, we were able to get to know each guest more.

Photographer: ERIC QUACH @silversaber_mediaco

Liana:​ ​​Is there a role model, who resonates with how you cultivate your confidence? 
Aleena: ​ ​Confidence is described as being socially self-assured, and being able to successfully become a lawyer would be a game-changer for me. The role model that I look up to would be Camille Vasquez, the American attorney known for representing actor Johnny Depp in the defamation case that he brought against Amber Heard, his former wife. It is a fact that women in the legal profession face numerous challenges such as gender bias, stereotyping, the glass ceiling, unequal pay, sexual misconduct and more. Therefore seeing someone, especially a woman of colour, being promoted to firm partner based on their remarkable work, is genuinely inspirational. 

Liana: ​What social causes do you care about? 

Aleena: ​​There are various social causes that I care about. However, mental health awareness is the most important to me. Personally as a person with anxiety and depression, I understand first-hand how hard it is sometimes to get out of bed, be happy with oneself, and actively seek a helping hand. Due to the misconceptions and stigma about people who struggle with mental health, many people suffer in silence and do not seek treatments that can mediate their condition. I want the readers who are going through similar conditions to know that there is nothing to be ashamed about and there are resources you may seek for help.

Photographer: ERIC QUACH @silversaber_mediaco