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Maria Olaguera-Forlini

@molaguera

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Telling stories that connect you to food, friends & family
Author of How to Throw an Epic Filipino Barbecue

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👋 Hello there and welcome to my corner of the internet!

For those of you who are new here, it’s time for a proper re-introduction! I’m Maria, and like most women, I wear many hats (literally and figuratively!)

You can find me busy being a:

❤️ Wife
🐾Dog Mom
💻 Web Manager
✍️ Content Creator
💼 Entrepreneur
🍽️ Foodie
👒 Vintage Collector
🧵 Sewist
📖 Writer

If the photos haven’t given it away, I absolutely love to play dress up—especially when it involves a fabulous hat (or two, or three...). I also love a good meal, so expect some delicious inspiration!

It might seem like a lot, but my main focus is simple: to make my little corner of the world a brighter, kinder, and happier place. I hope to inspire you and share a little joy along the way!

What hat do you wear that brings you the most joy? Tell me below! ⬇️

And a big THANK YOU to my dear friends Gianna and Gabriel at @studio.g.mtl for a super fun photo shoot and these fabulous shots!

#reintroduction #meetthecreator #smallbusinessowner #foodie #vintagecollector #hatlover #creativepreneur #myhappyplace #community by @molaguera

In my Deep Autumn element. 🍂 Montreal foliage, consider this a collaborative effort. 🍁✨

#DeepAutumn #MontrealFall #AutumnAesthetic #FallStyleInspo #ColorAnalysis by @molaguera

Super fun sister date tonight at James Roque’s The Mano Po Tour at La Sala Rossa! It was LOL funny, heartfelt, and totally relatable whether you’re Filipino or “honorary” 😆 His UK/Europe leg is coming up next! We wish him sold out shows wherever he goes. Looking forward to seeing him at the Bell Centre someday soon!

Take this advice from us Titas—go see him!!!

#TheManoPoTour #JamesRoque #LaSalaRossa #SisterDate #PinoyComedy

@jamesroquecomedy by @molaguera

There is something haunting about standing on the Culloden moor: the site of the final, tragic clash of the Jacobite Rising and the last pitched battle fought on British soil. Even today, you can feel the weight of April 1746.

In less than an hour, the Scottish Highlands were broken, the clan system dismantled, and a way of life shattered. But the fallout of Culloden didn’t stop there.

The crushing of the Jacobites effectively secured Britain’s domestic front, freeing up military focus and emboldening the empire to extend its power globally during the Seven Years’ War. That momentum drove the East India Company and British forces straight to Manila in 1762. And crucially, that 18-month British occupation shattered the myth of Spanish invincibility, permanently changing the consciousness of the Filipinos and planting seeds of resistance that would bear fruit in the generations to come, even in my own family.

Learning all this at Culloden reminds me of how deeply interconnected history is, stretching a tragedy on a Scottish moor all the way to the other side of the planet.

#Culloden #ScottishHistory #Highlands #JacobiteRising #HistoryGram by @molaguera

I didn’t want to waste a moment of my last day in Edinburgh, so this morning I followed my sister’s example of getting up early to walk the city streets with nobody around. She says this is her favourite way to connect with a city and she is so right.

I’m not saying goodbye, because I will be back. I saw and experienced so much on this trip but there is still so much to discover about this country, its ancient traditions, proud history, majestic geography and lovely, lovely people.

Until next time, Scotland—thank you for the memories that will carry me until I return.

#EdinburghMornings #VisitScotland #SisterTrip #TravelMemories #UntilNextTime by @molaguera

A little bit of (camera) magic at the Clava Cairns today 😆😉

#clavacairns #craignaduhn #outlander by @molaguera

Crossing this one off the bucket list!

#highlands #highlandcows #highlandcowsofinstagram #farmness #highlandcoo by @molaguera

Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness. I could have spent all afternoon here.

#inverness #rarebooks #secondhandbookshop #ilovebooks #scotland by @molaguera

Highlights from the last few days exploring Edinburgh with my sister! We’ve walked all over the Old and New Towns, up the Royal Mile several times and the side streets and closes as well. Tomorrow we are off to another location…stay tuned!

#scotland #edinburgh #sisters #sistertrip by @molaguera

Two things in peak season right now: zucchini & fresh basil 🍃

Picked these beauties up at Milano in Little Italy over the weekend, along with everything needed to make a summery zucchini lasagna.

Just layer basil oil, sheets of egg pasta, creamy ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and thinly sliced raw zucchini in a deep ovenproof dish. Cover tightly and bake at 375°F for an hour, then uncover and broil until the top is golden and bubbly.

Optional: a glass of white wine and a sunny balcony!

#ZucchiniLasagna #SummerProduce #EatLocal #HomeCooking #LittleItaly by @molaguera

Sunday afternoon adventures: we braved the rain to see the Amerigo Vespucci, “the most beautiful ship in the world,” currently docked at Montreal’s Grand Quay. Built in 1931, it’s a training ship for Italian Navy cadets. So cool to see in person!

#AmerigoVespucci #Montreal #GrandQuai #TallShips #ItalianNavy by @molaguera

When you tell your husband you want a vanilla strawberry hydrangea….and you come from work to find he planted one for you 🥰🥰🥰

#hydrangea #hydrangealove #hydrangeaseason #thanksbaby #lovemyhusband by @molaguera