In all of my busyness lately, I almost forgot this month is Hispanic Heritage month! (shame on me) Better late than never I suppose. In honor of this month, I thought I would share a few of my favorite fellow Hispanics (in no particular order):

Carolina Herrera

Hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, classy and chic Carolina Herrera is one of my all time favorite fashion designers. Starting her fashion empire in 1980, Carolina has been named one of the best dressed women in the world (what a title to hold!) and was responsible for many of Jacqueline Kennedy’s most fabulous looks.

Cesar Milan

Who loves dogs more than I do? The answer just might be Cesar Millan. Born in Culiacán, Mexico, Cesar is best known around the world as “the dog whisperer.” I can’t get enough of his television show. Miles and I once watched eight episodes in a row on board a Jet Blue flight. One day I hope to get my parents’ three evil chihuahuas on an episode. (¡Ayúdeme Cesar!) Until then, they’re getting his book for Christmas. Favorite Cesar Millan t.v. moment? His appearance on South Park!

Guillermo del Toro

Director, producer, screenwriter, designer and genius makeup artist, Guillermo del Toro’s brilliance is never ending. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Guillermo is best known for his incredible film Pan’s Labyrinth. Personally, my favorite film of his is El Orfanato (he was the producer of this project.) If you haven’t seen it, SEE IT! It’s both terrifying and touching. I can’t wait to watch it again come Halloween. On second thought, maybe I won’t. The basement of my apartment is, as a friend of mine would say, “El Orfanato-like” and it’s taken me nearly a year not to think about it every time I’m down there. Scary!

Dora The Explorer

I was so excited when I first learned about little cartoon Latina Dora Maquez, aka, Dora the Explorer. It would have been nice to have Hispanic cartoon characters to look up to as a little girl but, as I said at the beginning of this post, better late than never. What I love about Dora, aside from her adventurous spirit, her love of travel and her adorable friend Boots the monkey, is that she takes time out of her busy travels to teach her tiny viewers words in Spanish. What I’m jealous of? The fact that every time she and boots successfully accomplish a task, she has her own personal fiesta trio that appears to congratulate her with their music medleys. Where’s my personal fiesta trio?!

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Maybe things have been rough in this country for the past eight years or so but, on the flip side, what a great time we are living in when a Hispanic female is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court! Born and raised in The Bronx of Puerto Rican descent, Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic (male or female) to ever serve on the Supreme Court. What I admire about Sonia is her resilience. From my own personal experience, it’s not easy being a Hispanic woman in this country. To see what Sonia Sotomayor has managed to accomplish thus far in her life fills me with inspiration and hope. No matter your political affiliation, you have to admire the glass ceiling Sonya has managed to shatter.