All Posts By Charlene Gonzalez

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Puerto Rico, a place I once called home for over 16 years. The allure of the tropical beach weather and the opportunity to indulge in my favorite places and foods drew me back to “The Isla Del Encanto”. During my trip, I not only soaked up on some much-needed vitamin D at the beach but also spent quality time with family and friends, creating unforgettable memories. And of course, I couldn’t resist indulging in the mouthwatering culinary delights that Puerto Rico has to offer. Join me as I take you on a journey through some of my favorite food spots on this tropical escape.

El Churry: A Hidden Gem:
One of my absolute favorite spots is El Churry, a food truck that serves the most delicious “tripletas” I’ve ever tasted. The combination of juicy meats, flavorful sauces, and fresh ingredients creates a culinary experience like no other. El Churry is a must-visit for anyone looking to satisfy their cravings for a mouthwatering sandwich.

La Taquiza: A Taste of Puerto Rican Fusion:
For the best mojitos and a unique twist on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, La Taquiza is the place to be. Their “serenata de bacalao” with “majado de malanga” is a personal favorite of mine. The blend of flavors and textures in this dish is simply divine. Pair it with one of their refreshing mojitos, and you have a match made in culinary heaven.

Unidos Korean BBQ and Ramen House:
During my trip, I decided to venture into one of my favorite culinary territories, Korean food.  So, I visited Unidos Korean BBQ and Ramen House for the first time…I never even knew they existed in Puerto Rico.  The experience was nothing short of amazing. The attentive service and delectable food left me craving for more. I was particularly impressed by their Korean wine, which added a delightful twist to the meal. This place is a must-visit for those seeking a fusion of flavors and a memorable dining experience.

Café Sinai: A Breakfast Haven:
To start my days off right, I made sure to visit Sinai Baja in Toa Baja for breakfast. Toa Baja was the town I use to call home and this charming spot quickly became a favorite, and I even developed a close bond with the owner. Every item on the menu is a delight, but their “maizena” holds a special place in my heart. It brings back fond memories of my childhood when my mom would make it for me. The warm and comforting flavors of this dish are simply unmatched.

Hera Tea: A Taste of Asia in Puerto Rico:
For those craving Asian-styled teas, Hera Tea is a must-visit. This hidden gem offers a wide variety of teas. The aromatic blends and unique flavors are a true delight for the senses. Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or simply looking to try something new, Hera Tea is the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings.

SR Paleta: A Tropical Treat:
No trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without indulging in the refreshing delights of SR Paleta. Their tropical popsicles are a true taste of paradise. From exotic fruit flavors to creamy delights, these popsicles are the perfect treat to beat the heat and satisfy your sweet tooth.

My tropical escape to Puerto Rico was a culinary adventure filled with unforgettable flavors and cherished memories. From the mouthwatering tripletas at El Churry to the fusion delights at Unidos Korean BBQ and Ramen House, Puerto Rico’s food scene never fails to impress.  Of course, I also had lots of mofongo, stuffed avocados and pan sobao. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply looking to indulge in the vibrant flavors of the island, Puerto Rico is a culinary paradise that will leave you craving for more.

Be Lovely, Be You

Charlene Gonzalez

Disclaimer: Everything expressed below is my personal experience and opinion. It is not meant to offend anyone or cause controversy but to hopefully inspire and to break stigmas. When I decided to create my platform Lovely Chicas besides wanting to inspire and empower women, I wanted a special space where I could be me and express myself through fashion. Growing up it was difficult, almost impossible to be myself, the reason being I was raised in an extremely legalistic Spanish Pentecostal church from the late 80’s until early 2000s.  Being Pentecostal was even harder for women because everything was considered a sin; we had to wear skirts because pants were considered a way to provoke men sexually. I was that church girl in high school with the skirt. The one who even in below zero winter weather wore skirts. Funny thing, even in my skirts I always made my outfits look fashionable. Makeup and jewelry weren’t permitted as well. The list of things that weren’t allowed was long. Couldn’t go to movies, couldn’t dance, couldn’t wear makeup, couldn’t get your ears pierced, couldn’t get tattoos, couldn’t cut your hair and the list went on and on.  Your salvation was literary based on your exterior appearance and if you didn’t follow the rules you were disciplined. They were extremely controlling, very separatist and believed only they would get saved. Let’s be real, we all face hardships and are battling through difficult situations. We don’t need the stress and suppression of being judged over human made dogmas. This religious culture marginalized women and was extremely sexist, I had to suppress so much and even grew up with an extreme fear of God. When the reality is that God is love. He is righteous, graceful, and merciful. I have come to know the true God who loves me for who I am not what I wear. God calls of to be free not chained to false beliefs that aren’t even biblical. The drama I lived through was horrible- everything was about judgement, criticism and gossiping. I was an innocent pure church girl and the way men who were leaders would try to destroy me was unreal. It was all a game of hypocrisy. There are so many things I could share but I prefer to keep them private. The situations I lived through left traumas in me that only God could heal. Sadly, there are many religions that have similar dogmas and marginalize women. Though, I do believe women should dress modestly because there is a fine line that shouldn’t be crossed. I can only pray these false beliefs and rules are broken as people discover the truth of Gods real love and freedom. So, having been obligated to wear skirts all the time I began to hate them. When I left that religion, I literally threw away my skirts. Now, in 2023 denim skirts reappeared and have become a fashion trend. I must admit I was very self-conscious about incorporating this style into my wardrobe again, but a Christian friend advised me to do it and make it my own. So, I did it and let me tell you it has been liberating. I reclaimed who I was and felt I broke off a lot of baggage from the past. Obviously, I made the look my own with some Pentecostal fire and a little spice.

No matter what I went through and though I disagree with many Pentecostal beliefs I am grateful I was raised in the Christian faith and was led to have a relationship with God. I am fully transformed by Gods love and grace. I no longer hold onto the beliefs nor traumas of the past. I’m so glad I put all that behind me and live with another perspective.  Within the negative there was a lot of good because I made lifetime friends in the church. Our best times were at the youth camps. To this day we still guide and strengthen each other. If you can relate and grew up in a Pentecostal or similar religion, I’d love to hear your perspective and story. Be Lovely, Be You Charlene Gonzalez

Self-love has become a viral subject….it seems everyone talks about it. Personally, I’ve always been an advocate for self-love because its has been key to being a better person. Honestly, when it comes to self-love it’s harder said than done. It’s not something that happens overnight. It took me years to fully love and accept myself. Self- love is a journey, and we must commit to practices that help nourish that love every day. Working on loving ourselves is essential so that we can overcome our limiting thoughts and live a life that truly shines. Practicing self-love allows you to be good to yourself and in the process become a better human being.

First thing to understand and internalize is that God loves you and no one will ever love you like He does. He doesn’t care who you are, what you’ve done or accomplished. He loves everything about you. Allowing God to love you and opening your heart to His love is essential in your self-love journey. God wants you to love yourself. Loving yourself does not mean you’re narcissistic. God does not want us to go through our lives filled with hate, anger, disappointment, low-self-esteem, or insecurities.

Another important point is to eliminate the idea that you have to be perfect. Perfection is overrated, besides NOBODY is perfect. Ditching the idea of perfection is very important in the practice of self-love. Also, understand that society has built unrealistic expectations and standards. You are unique and irreplaceable don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else.

Stop being so tough on yourself. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We all have an interior critic that wants to make use feel worthless and insecure. This even prevents us from living up to our potential and fulfilling our purpose.

In your self- love journey think about the purposeful life God wants you to live where no shades of self-hatred exist. In your journey always remember that you are important and very loved.  

Be Lovely, Be You

Charlene Gonzalez

I’m officially a New Yorker, again. If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, you know that for the past 16 years I had been living in Puerto Rico but in January 2022 I decided to move back to my hometown in New York.

Moving was the hardest decision of my life though I’m more than confident of the decision I made. I lived my life in PR since 19 to 36 years old. That’s a lifetime of experiences. Though, since January I had been living in New York for a year I had not gone back to Puerto Rico to finish the moving process which included shipping my belongings and selling my car. Honestly, I was truly prolonging this process because its not like I’m moving to another state, I’m literally moving across the ocean. I was so worried about everything I had to do and pack. I owned a lot. I’m a home décor and fashion lover not to mention the 10 years of being a blogger and influencer in which I worked with hundreds of brands and was constantly gifted products. I literally had 3 full closets of clothes, over 130 pairs of shoes in addition to tons of beauty and makeup products. My solution was to donate 75% of my belongings. I’m still surprised on how I accomplished it but I managed to pack my life into 6 boxes.

The moving process was bittersweet, so many emotions were involved. Not to mention saying goodbye to family and friends. Many don’t know because I’ve always loved to keep my life private but even while having a busy career in blogging and social media, for many years I also helped care for an aunt who was very sick. Saying bye and closing that chapter was very hard but it was time to fully focus on my life and goals.

As the flight took off on my way back to New York I saw Puerto Rico grow smaller in the distance behind. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions and couldn’t help cry leaving behind 16 years of memories, experiences and many loved ones. While the tears blurred my eyes all I could do was feel grateful. Grateful for every good and bad experience that has made me the strong and powerful woman I am today. Though life has led me through a new path and I’m starting from zero I’m not scared because God id in control. This new chapter of my life is fully guided by God.

Thank you, Puerto Rico, for all the blessings you gave me. Hasta luego mi isla preciosa.

Be Lovely, Be You

Charlene Gonzalez