SUNDAY BITES 025
What The Artist’s Way taught me, why I’m mad at America (but still love it), and the case for horny bras + grilled corn
Happy Sunday, everyone—
You know when a specific book starts showing up everywhere? Like, you hear someone mention it, and then suddenly it’s in your algorithm, on your friend’s nightstand, and whispering to you from a random bookstore shelf? That’s how The Artist’s Way found me. And I believe in signs—when the universe starts nudging, I try to listen.
So, here I am. Week 1. Re-energized? Maybe. Blame it on morning pages (aka the daily brain dump this book demands), but honestly—they're cathartic. Like sweeping out cobwebs in my head. I’m seeing things more clearly just by clearing out the noise.— have any of you done it? send succes stories tips and secrets my wau.
We had a tiny 4th of July BBQ at home and it was so cute. Mini burgers, spread boards, esquites, popsicles—total summer vibes. Not to brag (okay, maybe a little), but I think I’ve officially perfected the esquites. The secret? Grilling the corn on the Big Green Egg until it's slightly burnt. Add mayo, sour cream, cotija, Tajín… et voilà. Always a crowd favorite. And if I can do it, so can you.
The holiday got me thinking about the idea of America. I moved here for college, wide-eyed and idealistic, believing in the whole “land of the free” thing. A place where you could speak your mind, reinvent yourself, exist fully and freely.
Honestly? America has the best marketing in the world. But over time, that shiny promise started to fade. The country feels heavier now—more divided, more chaotic, more uncertain. Everywhere you look, it’s complicated. You start to wonder if the dream was ever real, or if it was just a well-crafted illusion meant to keep us reaching for something that was never really there.
At one point, we talked about moving to Mexico. And my husband said, “It’s not like Mexico is that much better.” And he’s right. It’s not. Peru is not any better, and as much as I love Europe again- It’s just a different set of problems. But it made me realize—why do we expect more from America?
I think it’s because we believed in it. Because we want to believe in it. It’s like that quote—“you only get angry at the people you expect better from.” My mom used to say you’re often the meanest to the ones you love the most, because that’s where you feel safest. Not sure if that was meant as a justification for some questionable behavior (or just another Latinism we grew up swallowing whole), but I think there’s truth in it.
Maybe we hold America to a higher standard because we love what it could be. And it hurts more when someone—or something—you love lets you down. We critique because we care. We question because we once believed. And maybe we’re still trying to believe.
If you haven’t listened to my conversation with Katrina, do yourself a favor and put it on. PART 1 & PART 2
The part about how to show up for friends going through infertility? It cracked something open in me. And what she said about getting comfortable in the gray—whew. We’re so obsessed with destinations in this culture, we forget how to just be in the process. Katrina said it best:
Okay. Be proud of me. I worked out twice this week, which is honestly the most I’ve exercised in years. I used to be a Pilates-every-day person in NYC. But then we moved to LA… then Covid… then two pregnancies and a weird kind of happiness that somehow stripped me of the desire to move my body.
Now, yes—I lost the weight thanks to Mounjaro—but I look like a flaccid malagua. So here we are. I need strength. No excuses.
Menopause is coming. And, let’s be honest, I’m vain—I want to look hot in a bikini. I want to be toned, strong, sexy, confident. Even if I end up having another baby—because I know it’s easier to stay strong than to start over again later.
Hold me accountable? I’m great at starting things… not amazing at sticking to them.
Pool season is officially here, and this swimsuit is 100% making an appearance—on me and probably in every photo.
Also: I found a chic sanitizer wipes dispenser from BIOM (did not know such a thing existed), and now it comes everywhere with us—the car, stroller, Atlas’s art corner by the pool. Game-changer.
Oh, and this green? This perfect shade of green? Dries Van Noten, of Course. Picture it with leopard. Or red. Or brocade. Help me justify this one. (Girl math, activate.)
SALES I’M LOVING:
ALEX MILL – Their basics are so good. Currently eyeing:
FRAME – These shorts are in my cart. Will report back.
AGENT PROVOCATEUR – It’s time we all enter our horny era in style.
CO – This outfit has lived rent-free in my mind since it dropped. It’s the perfect summer set. Might be time to commit. Also: how cute are these ballerinas? Leandra Medine just made the case for black ones this week, so… obviously its a sign.
DISCOUNT CODES:
MILKTEETH – ZILLIONTRILLION15 (through July 31)
U BEAUTY – FUENTE20
MERLETTE – VDLF15
CO – VICTORIA15
Ok that’s all for today. love you all.
Besos,
Victoria
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For more questionable takes and semi-useful life insights, come hang out on Instagram—follow me @victoriadela_fuente for behind-the-scenes nonsense, and while you’re at it, give Zillion Trillion a follow too. Because let’s be honest—your feed could always use one more mildly chaotic account.