NEW IN 2026

Picture
Memories of Our Winter Wedding: A feathered hat in the middle of a snowstorm.

Memories of Our Winter Wedding: A feathered hat in the middle of a snowstorm. (In Spanish)

Recuerdos de nuestra boda invernal, en medio de una tormenta de nieve.
​
Mientras que nuestra boda en Países Bajos se celebró bajo el hermoso cielo azul primaveral de mayo, luciendo un tocado de flores en el velo que me había hecho mi madre, nuestra boda civil en Canadá tuvo lugar en pleno invierno. Para esta ocasión especial, llevé un elegante sombrero blanco con plumas que contrastaba con mi vestido negro. Los vestidos de novia negros eran poco comunes en aquella época. Mi vestido de novia civil simbolizaba la sofisticación con una declaración audaz de individualidad, pero sin dejar de lado la tradición.

Unas horas después de que terminara la cena de nuestro gran día, una tormenta de nieve transformaría la alegre ocasión en un desafío logístico. Esto fue especialmente cierto ya que uno de nuestros regalos era un par de noches en las Cataratas del Niágara adonde tuvimos que desplazarnos desde Toronto en tren y bajarnos antes de lo previsto. Esto se debió a que nos vimos atrapados en una tormenta de nieve y nuestra estación de destino se encontraba en medio de ella. Tuvimos que llevar nuestro equipaje por las vías del tren cubiertas de nieve. ¡Imagínate!

El resto es historia.

El día de nuestra boda en Canadá no llovió, pero nevó. En muchas culturas, el mal tiempo se considera a menudo un buen presagio que simboliza la fortaleza del matrimonio.
El día de nuestra boda en Canadá no llovió, pero nevó. En muchas culturas, el mal tiempo se considera a menudo un buen presagio que simboliza la fortaleza del matrimonio. Se cree que las tormentas limpian los problemas del pasado y significan un nuevo comienzo para la pareja. Es así como la nieve ha llegado a ocupar un lugar especial en mi vida matrimonial.
​
Los recuerdos de nuestra boda invernal están impregnados de una magia especial que ha perdurado durante más de veinte años. — Viviana De La Barca.

NEW IN 2026

Picture
The joy of marriage lies in supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, strengthening the bond between partners.

On Love & Lifestyle: Let’s Talk About Sex

Sure, let’s discuss sex, but after age 40, when many women experience perimenopause and menopause.
​
But first, what a lie!!! Sex isn't miserable after 40, nor are we less interested in sex after 40 because we reach peri-menopause and menopause. How life, aging, and changes as menopause affect sexuality depend on the person. I’m not alone here. My hubby is my witness. Like men, many women remain sexually active after 40 and throughout the peri/menopausal period. Also true, what used to feel good can change, and more is not necessarily better. Quality, however, rules.
​
Also true, sexual dysfunction is genderless and can affect us all. The four main categories are desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain. However, there are remedies available for all.
​
Some couples find sex even more enjoyable after 40. One reason is that we’ve gained a deeper understanding of our bodies, have developed experience in knowing what we want, and are more articulate in expressing our fantasies. The loss of estrogen and testosterone can lead to various changes. Listening to your body, adjusting your eating habits, incorporating a physical routine, and consulting medical experts can all help overcome these changes.

intimacy IS more important than sex during peri-menopause and menopause.
Why is intimacy more important than sex during peri-menopause and menopause.
​
This is because as we get older, emotional connection is what makes the experience worthwhile. Intimacy is about nurturing and growing real understanding with your partner. Intimacy is what both can create with patience and love while having fun, speaking openly, and aligning actions with care and responsibility to deepen your connection.

Sex during peri-menopause and menopause involves willingness to explore, work through challenges, and be patient. For some women, sex after forty can even be the best it’s ever been. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of closeness, connection, and togetherness you experience with your partner thanks to understanding your body more.

​Intimacy encompasses much more than just sexual release. This connection between you and your loved one is the most important and rewarding part of sex during this time. —Viviana M. C. De La Barca.

On Love & Lifestyle

from Viviana M. Calderón de la B.

Viviana M. Calderon de la B. is the author of the suspense-romance novella Romance In Bloom.  She’s also a writer, director, and producer of short productions on art, design, and culture that have been featured at international events.

​As a seasonal love and lifestyle content creator, Viviana enjoys sharing her perspective on sexual health, love, and relationships from a feminist female and intercultural viewpoint. She’s been married for over two decades to a loving Dutchman, and her romantic relationships and friendships since childhood in Mexico City have largely been intercultural. These experiences have enriched her life and inspired her to navigate the unique challenges of intercultural relationships, such as differing lifestyles, dress styles, communication styles, and family expectations. 

​Outside commissioning craft collaborations for her creative pursuits, Viviana enjoys researching modern love and relationships, traveling, and experiencing new theatrical productions and modern cuisine in Mexico and Europe.

*Intercultural relationships, whether romantic, professional, or friendly, are becoming increasingly common due to the rise of digital communication.

On Love & Lifestyle

‘Recuento de primavera’

Romance In Bloom (title in English) by Viviana M. Calderon de la Barca

Autumn is here and we at Viviana M. C. De La Barca are pleased to announce a limited-time promotion of Viviana’s suspense short novel, ‘Romance In Bloom,’ in Spanish, tied to the second-year celebration of the story in English.

Download ‘Recuento de primavera’ for free here.

Recuento de Primavera
File Size: 8103 kb
File Type: pages
Download File

The English version, ROMANCE IN BLOOM, is available for purchase here.

Romance In Bloom, a short story by
​Viviana M. C. De La Barca, is a romantic suspense…

English editor, Brandon Chow.
Art cover, CPK.
…The twists and turns in the story keep you guessing the end. The narrator’s love for Walter and his disappearance is at the centre of the story. What happens after that? Recalling the experience that she had with Walter, the narrator comes across disturbing admissions and unsettling thoughts about Walter’s life. As she wades deeper and deeper, she realises there was more to Walter’s story than he let on while he was in a relationship with the narrator. The narrator is determined to learn more about the mystery that was Walter, and she finds her way to it. The story is fraught with betrayals, secrets, and romantic intrigue. The sequences in the book will make you look forward to the end with eager anticipation.”
-Chaitali Sengupta, author, and translator.