Cristina Rueda, The Taste Maker

Posted: January 30th, 2012 | No Comments »

It is our pleasure to introduce Cristina Rueda, tastemaker. Cristina is clearly loving life on the path of beauty. Cristina exemplifies what it means to be inspiring. With a full time career as an event planner for a financial institution, Cristina found time to launch her fashion blog and to compete in spring triathlons! Did we also mention she’s gorgeous and ageless! Her site: Style Wise, Trend Foolish, shares ideas on both the practical and luxurious sides of fashion and design. It’s all about finding joy and beauty in your surroundings, investing wisely in your sartorial choices, and having fun while you do it. Please check out Cristina’s site and aim to be ”Style Wise and not Trend Foolish.”

Name: Cristina Rueda

Job (aka, Career/Calling/Inspiration):
Full time corporate event planner for a financial institution, and part-time style blogger.

Family situation (kids? dating? long-term relationship?): Happily single.

How do you make sure you feel good every day?
I exercise every morning which makes me feel great and gives me incredible energy. Exercise minimizes what, at first, may seem like huge issues. Afterwards, I feel as though I can conquer the world. It’s those endorphins! I’ve always had a positive outlook and am fortunate to have a wonderful family and support system. I’m extremely grateful for my life, and being aware of what goes on in the world keeps things in perspective for me.

What inspires you to do the work that you do?
The job of an event planner involves tremendous organization, contact with people, multi-tasking, travel, creativity, etc. I really enjoy working on projects that have a beginning, middle and an end – like events do. It never gets boring.

My new adventure into the world of blogging happened quickly. The seeds were planted a few years ago when a friend suggested I start a blog on fashion. I was intimidated and and did not understand blogging so I put the thought aside. I kept thinking about it and realized that I needed a mission statement – a ‘raison d’etre.’ Once I developed this, everything flowed quite easily. It also helps that I have strong opinions on style and beauty, and I hope my writing reflects this. I love sharing beauty with the world!

How did you muster up the courage and confidence to create the life you have?
As corny as this sounds, I really love life and try to enjoy it. As I’ve gotten older, the confidence is easier. I realized it is up to me to create my life. Our future is about the choices we make. We are in control of our happiness, or unhappiness. My Dad always says, “You are the master of your destiny!”

What’s your approach to nutrition?
Exercising every day makes me more aware of my how I feel so I try to eat in a way that is optimal for my health. When you devote time to exercise you are less tempted to eat unhealthy things. I prefer good quality food in its simplest form. Of course, I allow occasional treats like cookies and candy. You can have your cake and eat it too, but in moderation!

How do you stay inspired when difficult challenges arise?
I try to keep positive and remember that I’m not the center of the universe. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with setbacks. I’ve learned to keep the glass half full, take a deep breath and think “this too shall pass.”

What do you do to stay in balance – in other words, how do you balance things like your career, your well-being, your happiness, your friends, your children, your spouse, dating, your fitness, your nutrition, your hobbies, etc.?
As glamorous as event planning can be: travel, hotels, beautiful places, it can be stressful. Staying organized, happy and exercising each day, helps! I’m single with aging parents who have been so wonderful and supportive to me, I would do anything for them. My mom has Parkinson’s. Balancing her care, with career has been challenging. I breathe and try to take things one day at a time.

What’s your ultimate indulgence – just for you?
Definitely exercise! I get so much pleasure out of it and it keeps me sane. This year I will be competing in my second Nautica Sprint Triathlon (.5 mile swim, 19 mile bike, and 4 mile run). I never thought I could be capable of doing this and when I turned 50, I decided to take the plunge – literally! It is the best thing I’ve ever done. I also love reading newspapers and books, and I try to walk everywhere and explore my surroundings.

What advice do you have for women/men aiming to have it all?
I would say that you should not aim to have it all as that can be overwhelming and possibly disappointing. Try to figure out what makes you happiest and do that well. I think that being curious and interested in the world around you makes life much more exciting and opens up opportunities. Finally, and most importantly, being kind and thoughtful as you move through life will bring even more good things – karma!

Any other thoughts?
Work every day on trying to see the positive side of things. Life throws wonderful things our way and we need to be able to recognize them. Always remember when things are not going well you are not alone. If someone else has made it back from the abyss – so can you!

Thank you for speaking to Venus In Balance and for inspiring so many!
xo