SANDWICH
NADA PERSONAL
by Andrea Alemán
photo by Andrea Aleman
photo by Andrea Aleman
04. Note from the Editor
06. Edibles: Gingerbread Cookie Competition
07. Ornamentation: Everything Framed Art
08. Publication: My Murder
11. New Year Resolution
12. Life in Film with Ingrid Alemán
16. Artist: Daniel Montelongo
25. What is love?
26. Obsession: Sims 4
29. Archives: Cerati’s Notebook
Note from the Editor
Is it cold out yet? In this winter edition there is so much to cover. Nothing personal but everything is personal.
In the Edibles section I talk about my family’s gingerbread tradition Hope this inspires you to do something fun during Christmas In the Ornamentation section, I talk about my experience acquiring frames and art; it’s a tango in itself
This zine’s Publication is My Murder, which is not your stereotypical murder mystery novel. Find out what your New Year resolution should be on page 11 My sister has been photographing her life with film cameras, I wanted to feature some of her photos here; check them out on page 12 Daniel Montelongo is the Artist of this quarter His photos are dark and amusing, perfect for this winter edition
Have you ever been in love? For Valentine’s Day (one of my favorite holidays) my friends shared with me what love means to them, check it out on page 25 Living in an alternate world and building homes in the Sims 4 has become my most recent addiction Check out some of my favorite builds in the Obsession section In the Archives section I am highlighting Gustavo Cerati’s notebook.
Sandwich was born out of my love for art and the commingling of oddities in life
Andrea D Alemán Editorial Director
photo by Andrea Aleman
photo by Andrea Aleman
Edibles Gingerbread Cookie Competition
As a Mexican celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve, oftentimes I found myself bored without much to do that evening So about three years ago, my cousins and I unexpectedly started a gingerbread cookie competition, and the tradition carried on to future Christmas’. We typically buy the big pack of cookies with all the decorating frosting and sprinkles. We then each pick a cookie and decorate to our liking.
These cookies are then judged, by the best judges, our grandparents; who pick two winners since they each have their opinions on who should win Some of my little cousins eat the cookies afterwards or the leftovers during the decorating stage. The most fun part is seeing how funny-looking they all turn out and laughing about our questionable decorating muses, like Dragon Ball or Madonna.
photo via Canva
Everything Framed Art
EverythingArt
It all begins with the art without it, there's no need for a frame Here are my favorite ways to source art:
Travel:While traveling, I particularly keep an eye out for postcards because they are an affordable way to collect unique art and serve as mementos from trips I have purchased larger pieces while traveling but keeping them safe during the trip can be challenging
BooksandMagazines: Art books and magazines are another great source. Even if a book costs $30, it often contains several pieces of art worth framing. I have found some great ones at B&N.
Calendars:I purchase a yearly wall calendar and most of the time the quality of the featured art is top tier. A good calendar usually costs around $15 and provides twelve potential framed images
LocalArt: Attending local markets and purchasing from local artists is one of my favorite ways to collect unique art It’s also a great way to learn more about art by talking to the artists.
ThriftStores:Thrift stores can be treasure troves for art and frames. While you might not always find both together, it's worth checking out the art and book sections The prices are usually affordable, though the quality can vary
DIY: Creating your own art is a fun and costeffective way to fill your frames. If you have the materials at home, it's a great option
EverythingFrames
Once you have the art, finding the right frame is next. Here are my top stores for purchasing frames:
IKEA:IKEA offers a wide variety of frame sizes, including some unusual ones Many frames come with mats, and their metal frames are particularly sturdy While IKEA frames often use plastic instead of glass, their quality surpasses that of cheaper options from other stores
HomeGoods: Home Goods and TJ Maxx are great for high-quality frames that are often made of wood and real glass They offer packs of 3 or 4 frames and even charming tiny frames.
Target: Target offers a range of frames, and while the cheaper options may have thin mats, the more expensive frames feature better materials
Michael’s: Although Michael’s frames can be pricier, they offer a variety of matching frames in different sizes, typically made of wood and glass
My Murder
Katie Williams Publication
Lou is a happily married mother but she’s also the latest victim of a local serial killer until a government project brings her back to life as a clone. Grateful for this second chance, Lou tries to readjust to her old life. However, as she navigates her new reality, unsettling questions about her death begin to surface, challenging her trust in those around her
If you didn’t know, I’m part of a book club, and this was one of our recent reads and one of my favorites I’ve come to realize that reading isn’t just about finding the perfect book; it’s about enjoying the experience and gaining new perspectives. Not all the books we ' ve read have been great, but this one is a page-turner you won’t want to put down. The twist at the end will definitely surprise you.
photo by Andrea Aleman
photo by Andrea Aleman
life in film
with Ingrid Aleman
Ingrid is my extroverted, funny, and caring younger sister. She is always out and about in a new adventure with different friends. In the last few years she has been recording her life with film photos. Personally, I appreciate her doing this as it reminds me of our childhood and how our mom carried a film camera with her everywhere. There’s also something very nostalgic about a grainy film photo. Ingrid says, “I like to shoot film because it captures the moment. Film is really expensive, every picture is valuable. I like the surprise of finding out in a few months what I took pictures of. Sometimes when you’re in the moment you forget, but you if you shoot on film it’s forever.”
DANIELMONTELONGO
Daniel Montelongo is a Mexican photographer who began taking photography classes in 2004 I recall my mom mentioning when I was young that he was pursuing these classes, as Daniel Montelongo is my sister’s godfather and has been a family friend since the 80s He has been a true inspiration to me since I was a little girl Montelongo enjoys traveling, especially around his birthday in February, when he brings his camera to capture the world from his unique perspective. After admiring 20 years of his work, I’m particularly captivated by his black-and-white photos because of their texture and composition. You won’t find Montelongo’s work online, this is an exclusive so enjoy!
Prague, Czech Republic
Las Vegas, United States
Guanajuato, Mexico
Paris, France
Prague, Czech Republic
Paris, France
photo by Andrea Aleman
what is love?
what does this generation think or feel love is? I asked my friends and this is what they said:
to be seen
caring deeply
like we are connected
being mindful
consideration, laughing for hours, forgiveness, ever lasting friendship
i don’t know what love is
respect and admiration
selfless, and not expecting things in return
happiness or feeling comfortable
nice feeling
feeling supported and grounded a decision
feeling understood and safe
Happy Valentine’s Day from Sandwich!
selfless, patient, and kind
SIMS4
For more than a year I had been watching Syd Mac, Caryn and Connie, and Marta build houses in the Sims 4 on YouTube I feel like building houses in the Sims 4 is the new HGTV It’s so satisfactory to watch somebody build aesthetically pleasing castles or even common homes Although the Sims 4 is almost ten years old, the game still holds up and the expansion packs make the game even more worth it The base game is free and the expansion packs range from $4.99 to $49.99. Although, my boyfriend told me about allkeyshop com, where you can buy the packs for a quarter of the price
So after many YouTube videos, I decided it was time to give it a try and I downloaded the game To say that I am addicted to Sims 4 is an understatement. I have spent a little over $50 on expansion packs, and I personally feel like it’s better than going to TJ Maxx and buying more unnecessary trinkets for my house (my house is full) My favorite part is not playing with the Sims in the world, but it’s building instead; and I think I’ve become very good at it The most difficult part from my perspective is layout and roofing I have found that finding a reference photo of the exterior of a house is extremely helpful Here are some of my favorite builds and don’t doubt that I will continue to build many more
OBSESSION
First floor interior of M shaped home
M shaped home with rooftop terrace.
Bar and Greenroom in two towers of a residential home.
Library and art studio upstairs living room
Exterior of a home
Kitchen open cabinets
photo by Andrea Aleman
CERATI’S NOTEBOOK
Gustavo Cerati was an Argentine rock star and songwriter, best known for leading the band Soda Stereo, which blended rock, pop, and new wave music
I was thrilled to see that Cerati’s Instagram offers a look into his creative genius, featuring photos of his handwritten notebooks filled with song lyrics. I love writing on paper because there’s something so personal about it Each page is not just a record of his thoughts l but an important part of latin music history, allowing us to connect with Cerati, even after his passing
I grew up listening to Soda Stereo with my parents, I particularly remember "Persiana Americana" playing in my childhood home in Mexico. In recent years, I’ve delved deeper into Soda and Cerati’s music, and I find myself captivated; going on a nostalgic journey. Cerati was a poet whose influence extends beyond music as he continues to inspire many of us
photos via instagram @cerati
SANDWICH