About me:

My name is Ybor, I was born in St.Croix(Next to island of Puerto Rico) however grew up in Tampa, Florida. I was inspired to be a Stylist from my mother who had her Boutique Salon back in St.Croix. My dad was a police officer and entrepreneur. I did not want to be a police officer, rather was more observing and inspired by one of my uncles who was a banker, but somehow my interest all have to do with art. My sister was the one who became the officer. My life was evolving as an artist at a young age when I would walk the famous Italian street called La Setima or what is today's 7th Avenue in Tampa, Florida. It only had a small men's boutique/Max Argintar's, The famous Columbia Restaurant circa 1905, The Tropicana, many Hand Cigar rolling boutiques, lots of empty boutiques and shops, closed down teater, now the Ybor Ritz. And out of them all i frequented the Cafe's & my favorite bakery called La Segunda Central...I would go get fresh, "warm" baked Cuban bread there for my family on Saturday & Sunday Mornings. I grew up on Cafe Con Leche , Deviled Crabs, ofcourse Tampa & Ybor city is known for Deviled Crabs & for the nasty smelling,but world famous Cigars. All this Italian, Spanish, Cuban Culture was just becoming me, the Puerto Rican culture was just gaining the spotlight afterwards brining their parades culture, music and foods to the area. This Tampa Bay area is just a world of cultures put together. The beaches in Florida kept my water sign going. Clearwater Beach sure gave me memories both in the day and in the night. I graduated from Hillsborough Senior High School. Attended International Academy of Design,for Fashion Design. Erwin Tech Cosmetology program and Manhattan Beauty College for Cosmetology.Took classes in Jewelry Design in Scottsdale at Metals Edge. I am once again entering the hairstyling world here in Phoenix Arizona. It is a big change from the beaches and rivers of Florida to the hills of this once desert now a big City called Phoenix. I am enjoying the different cultures over in this area. Making new friends from here and who come here to share life and culture like the Americans, the Native Americans, the Mexicans and other cultures who make up this metropolis. I enjoy overlooking the city from South Mountain. It has great views of the whole city from the West Phoenix to Scottsdale. The Sunsets there are so beautiful. Again, I soak up the surroundings like the different Cactus' and rocky hills. I walk through historic Scottsdale and do road trips to visit the state. I like to travel and enjoy the sights and surroundings in this state. I have visited from Phoenix and up to the 4 corners being Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. That Navajo Nations is so beautiful with the red rock formations. I saw dinosaur footsteps at some point of the road trip. I even went to see what a Pow Wow is about. The traditions and culture was colorful. The fried bread was similar to what they call in St. Croix Johnny Cakes. Except in St.Croix they add sugar to the recipe. I drove west through California, past Los Angeles to visit my sister and her beautiful family. That road trip took a total of 10 hours but worth the trip. I had not seen my sister in a while. Thanks to her yearly trips I was able to see her. But that trip took me through the Angeles National Forest area, that was breathtaking, really I had never in my life drove through such high elevations. Back in Florida the soft hills north of Tampa were nothing to compare to the elevations there in California. California is so beautiful. Sometimes you have to stop and realize the beauty the Unites States posess. I plan to visit Las Vegas. I hear its really something. I have been only once to Europe, to Madrid. it was also an unforgetable experience. But I think nothing will compare to the Beauty of the Caribbean, the islands, The Virgin Islands...like St.Croix and Vieques Island, east of Puerto Rico. These two islands are so magical and beautiful.