Galentine’s, Gratitude & Gathering: A Night of Latina Love in Downtown LA

There are nights that feel like a deep exhale and this Galentine’s Soirée to kick off the month of February in the heart of downtown LA was exactly that.

Hosted at the newly opened Loft and Bloom Event Studio along 8th street, near Los Callejones, the event was uplifting, fun and exciting! My sweet friend Brenda of Elev8 Planning invited me to join as an activation sponsor for the event which would welcome dozens of ladies, ready to celebrate love and each other!

Loft and Bloom is one of those places that instantly invites celebration: a stylish party room, a rooftop venue perfect for golden-hour moments, and the kind of flexible layout that works just as beautifully for weddings as it does for community gatherings.

What made the evening truly special, though, was the people.

Latina entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizers came together to support Gabby, the owner of Loft and Bloom, and, in doing so, created something bigger than any single brand. It was community in motion: laughter, hugs, shared stories, dancing and the kind of festejo (celebration) that only comes from women who understand what it takes to build something from the ground up.

Charcuterie Boxes prepared by a local CHINGONA who’s a single mom, with a corporate job and a daughter in college.

I had the opportunity to speak about Berry805, my tiny but heartfelt collaboration rooted in joy, strawberries, and purpose.

I shared how the brand donates proceeds to support farmworkers and immigrant families, especially as so many are being impacted by the current, cruel state of immigration enforcement operations. It felt grounding to talk about this work in a room full of women who get it…who know that even small acts of care and commerce can be meaningful forms of resistance and solidarity.

Around me, other Latinas highlighted their own passions and businesses:

Coffee and Champagne bar services, nonprofit work, floral design, and content creation skills that turn storytelling into power. Each introduction felt like a reminder of how much talent, generosity, and brilliance exists in our community when we make space for one another.

And maybe most importantly, the night offered a pause. A much-needed break from protests and relentless news headlines. I still read the news. I still show up. I still believe deeply in speaking out. But constant exposure can bring anxiety, rage, and exhaustion. And this evening was a reminder that rest, joy, and connection are not distractions from the work. They’re part of how we sustain it.

Galentine’s in Downtown LA wasn’t just a party.

It was a soft landing. A reminder that community care matters. It was proof that, when Latinas come together to celebrate, to support, to breathe, we actualy create something powerful, healing, and lasting.

Wishing everyone joy and connection, in whatever ways feel right to you this February.

Thanks for reading, friends.

Xoxo,

-Anabel M.