VOLUME 3 - ISSUE 23: December 29, 2025

Cerâmicas na Linha in Lisbon, PT

I love these plates that I purchased in Lisbon and found that this store was my favorite experience because I purchased such a high quality product for a great price. I can’t wait to go back to Lisbon and buy more ceramics bowls and plates. I was able to check out a lot of great vintage and boutique shops as well but this one store stood out a touch more in comparison to the others I was able to go to this year.

I picked two places in this category because you can have great food at any price point. I ate some incredible meals so tbh this was a lot harder this year in comparison to last year.

I’m still telling people to go to Takayama in Kyoto while also figuring out when I can go back there and these two restaurants below!

Tacos del Valle in Mexico City, MX

This is a fast casual resturant in Mexico City, food came out quickly and the service was lovely as well. Appreciated that I was able to try a variety of things and definitely want two of the tijuanitas (pictured above) when I return.

Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi in Washington, DC

The food was delicious and the service went above and beyond. I love an extra dirty martini with blue cheese olives and the restaurant was able to make it happen by going to another bar within the hotel. Truly appreciated that being done as I love the thoughtfulness of checking with another bar before going with my second option.

Favorite Book

I read less books than I did last year, and have 5 ½ books that I still need to read that I purchased this year before I go ahead and purchase a new book. My favorite book this year was a really hard thing to figure out and it’s actually the last category I’m deciding on. After thinking on it I believe that The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl is my choice. It definitely spoke to me as someone who felt at an impasse a few years ago and wasn’t sure what was going on in my life and how to fix it.

For going out, I know that sometimes you don’t want to be at a bar or you don’t drink alcohol so including my favorite for both in this section

Going Out

The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA (nearby Pasadena, CA) 

I went to The Huntington Library three times this year and each time I felt like it was my first time here as there is so much to see and do that you may not even see a fraction of it in one visit depending on what you decide to do. Thinking of becoming a member depending on how much travel I wind up doing next year.

Quill Bar in London, UK

The drinks were great and loved the care the staff puts into what they are creating in this space when it comes to cocktails. Also, the ambience and decor of the place is cooky yet cool which makes for great conversation with the staff and who you’re with as well.

Staying In

Movie - Sinners

TV - Alice in Borderland 

I’ve done reviews on both so that’s why I’m just listing them here

I was able to see so many shows at art galleries this year that I’m unable pick my favorite regarding that. For museums, there was one that stood out the most. That was museum was …

Bourse de Commerce in Paris, FR

I loved this museum as it was curated in a way where I was like wait there should be more as I was wanting to spend more time in the space. The museum layout is done pretty well too and didn’t feel too crowded most of the time while I was browsing in the museum. When I have a museum in 10 - 15 years from now this will be one of the museums I take inspiration from.

Favorite Album

This was hard because I listened to so many great albums. For this year, I had to go with the facts and my most played album was Bad Bunny - DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS followed by Beyonce (no surprise) with Renaissance and Cowboy Carter rounding out the top three. I love that Mr. Bunny went home and wanted to not only celebrate his Puerto Rican culture but also not dilute it to appeal to the masses. Either you got it or you didn’t and he was okay if you didn’t.

Songs

Apple Music | Spotify

I listened to over 4,000 songs and 182 made the cut of songs I could play on repeat so much they would drive someone else crazy. Of those songs 141 are from this year (so far because 2025 isn’t over yet). Twenty five different genres with songs in Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese.

FYI — The Apple Music playlist is the best one as I use Songshift to transfer to Spotify and not all of the songs made it over.

FOLM

I’ve worked out with a lot of great people at various studios but this is the one place where every instructor I’ve taken (Anna, Cindy, Madisyn, Ava and Ali) has been great. The classes will challenge you but in a practical way. FOLM offers pilates, barrelates, yoga and strength training so it’s a one stop shop. I also love that we use the wunda chair and other apparatuses within the space and not just focus on reformer work.

This studio opened up in August of this year and the energy and clientele that workout here is already a great group of people who I enjoy interacting with. When I bring friends here, they all comment on how much they enjoy the space and the workout class.

Figuring out my favorite beauty product when it comes to skincare was not issue because it’s InnBeauty - Extreme Cream. It’s a product that I find to be very similar to the very pricey Bader Rich Cream for a fraction of the price that you can use all year long.

Cécred’s Restoring Hair and Edge Drops are my best haircare product. It isn’t a cheap item but it truly works. I (and my hair stylist) have noticed a difference from when I first started using the drops. FYI — This product works on all hair types.

Honorable Mentions: Josie Maran Body Butter, and IS Clinical Active Serum

Barrio Alto Hotel

I booked this hotel based on a recommendation from Alex the travel agent I work with when it makes sense. Overall this is a boutique hotel so the rooms are smaller but the hard product and service are A+. From the moment I stepped in until when I left the hotel, I enjoyed every moment of my stay here. I also appreciate a good turndown service and loved the items I received as it wasn’t just food products and was a variety of items I received during my short stay here.

I appreciate everyone that subscribes to receive my curation of things I want to share with you in all the categories. What’s even more fun for me is working with the guest columnists as I want to highlight others as well.

Here’s a recap of everyone who contributed this year. Thank you again to all the guest columnist!!

• Zuzanna Ciolek - LA Art Week

• Whit McClure - What’s Inspiring Me Outside of My Flower-Filled World

• Barbara Wallace - Things That Hold Me Together

• An Interview with Tanja Caldwell

• An Interview with Jenn Daniel

• Marissa Commins - Beyond The Michelin Stars: What Marriage to a Chef Really Looks Like

• Christal - Finding Your Signature Scent

• Rafael Mendez - Crouch - The Mix

and if you want to see guest columns from 2024, go to mewdbymikala.beehiiv.com and search guest columnist and they will come up too