Starshine Mata Laurencio

Last week, I ran my first marathon. I’ve been curious about what compels people to run marathons (and endurance events in general) for a while now, and recently decided to find out for myself. I figured the best way to satiate that curiosity was to experience it firsthand. What I’ve learned so far is that everyone has their own reason for showing up. Some running from something, others towards. But beneath it all is something shared. Endurance has a way of revealing who we are, what we’re capable of, and what we’re willing to do for something that matters to us. While there’s no universal answer for why people do this, I do think there are common choices people make to turn the idea of running a marathon into a reality. If you’ve ever considered running one yourself, here are a few choices that helped turn the idea into a reality for me: Train with a plan Look to the experts. Local run shops like @westseattlerunner offer free training plans with one simple requirement: show up. And Hal Higdon Novice 1 is about as foolproof as it gets. Make hard days easier Group runs create shared accountability and community making it a lot easier to get out the door and stay consistent. Some also accomodate multiple distance and pace groups @run_csrd @greenlakerunning Dress for the weather (Winter Edition) A breathable rain jacket, wool (baselayers, socks), and wind-resistant gloves changed everything. Nothing drains motivation more than feeling underequipped in the elements. @runjanji @smartwool Stay hydrated Muscle cramps are the enemy, and staying on top of hydration and electrolytes can help keep them at bay. Want to carry less? Tuck a soft flask into a running belt. Heavy sweater or want fewer stops? Hydration vest, no question. @hydrapak @ultimatedirection @salomonrunning @tailwindnutrition Fuel to go further Energy gels, Rice Krispies treats, Nerd Clusters. No shame here. Each is scientifically proven to power the long runs @precisionfandh @scienceinsport Tight like a tiger? Ritualize stretching. 5-10 min of dynamic stretches before runs. Static stretches after. Your future self will appreciate it. #runtacoma #running #marathon

New cocktail alert 👀✨ She’s not a mirage… but she might disappear if you wait too long. Created by our lead bartender, Starshine, for a @hendricksgin pop-up celebrating Women’s History Month, this one was too good to only exist for one night 🍸🌴 Featuring Hendrick’s Oasium Gin, jicama, pineapple, lime, and a little bit of Star-magic ✨ So if you missed the pop-up (or just need an excuse to come back), this is your sign. Come hang at the bar, try the drink, and ask Starshine what inspired it 💫🌟 Huge thank you to @ohheyitsjoj and @sarahkberardi for all the support and for helping bring the pop-up to life. Additionally, thanks to @sara.rosie.rosales for hosting this wonderful event at @ladyjayewest . We’re so excited and grateful to have been part of such a fun night 🫶 Photo credits for event photos: @frenchsessaphotoco Photo credits for cocktail photos: @johab.photos

🫶 SEATTLE 🫶 March 31st. Save the date. We’re closing out Women’s History Month in style. For one night only, some of the best bartenders in the USA are taking over @ladyjayewest , featuring Hendrick’s Gin cocktails all night. Join us on March 31st as we welcome: @ginhoar from @themanorbar @irishgoodbyesonly from @bambi_chicago @campaributterkisses from @fof_chicago @starshinemata from @navystrengthseattle And @sara.rosie.rosales from @ladyjayewest Serving from 6–10 PM at Lady Jaye. Seattle, we love you. Your Ubers, not so much. We’ve got you covered with a free shuttle running all night from downtown Seattle to Lady Jaye OKAY DONT SAY WE DONT LOVE YALL FR SEATTLE. DM for details. And it gets even better. A portion of every drink sold will be donated to local charities chosen by the bartenders, supporting the Seattle community one sip at a time. Come through, show love, and raise a glass with us. #womenshistorymonth #seattle

Fotitos de febrero!!! Well, well, well… 2026, I’m kind of liking you a lot. Not necessarily the world we’re living in in 2026, but the mental stage I’ve reached after been doing the workkkkk. I’m slowly but surely putting all the pieces of my journey here together. This year I decided to make my physical health a priority, so that’s keeping me busy. (Oops, I neglected a couple things last year because I chose other priorities.) Oh and I learned a trick from someone I admire: set goals instead of resolutions. I’m really liking that approach and it’s giving me big results so far!!!! And hubby and I have been supporting each other’s goals. Which is awesome!! He is honestly the best team player anyone could wish for on their team. Love, love, love him. Yay! We are lucky! Also trying to embrace everything that comes with being myself. The other day my friend Cam referred to me (with love, of course) as a “judging bitch” 😂 and … I loved it. That’s me!! lol. Yeah, I naturally judge unfairness. Laziness and entitlement drive me crazy. I hate when people take advantage of a good heart or hurt others on purpose. I dislike selfish and careless attitudes and people spreading toxicity because they refuse to deal with their own issues? Nope. If anyone does that, I will judge BIG time… And if I have the chance, I might even call it out. This world needs more of the good!! 😅 The other part is that INFJ-T people like me are usually judging ourselves all the time too, so in a weird way it keeps us accountable. You can judge us too, but don’t worry too much, we already did the work for you. Mientras tú vas, yo ya vine. Haha. And if you wrongly judge us, expect a strong clap back. Yo no me dejo. lol. Ay, ya me extendí. Bueno, adiós. Y hola Marzito.

No two bartenders have the same skillset. Imagine each is putting together a puzzle made up of skills: each starts with some naturally filled it, but has to work towards filling in the rest. For example a naturally gregarious bartender wouldn’t need to focus as much on how to interact with guests, and a naturally deft-handed bartender might not have to work as much at increasing drink speed. Starshine has an uncommon number of pieces of that skill puzzle filled in for her youth. Organized, quick witted, with a keen attention to detail, a big heart for making sure the room is prepped for service, an even bigger heart for ensuring her team is feeling good. She swallows her fears and dives into new tasks like ordering and inventory, which up to a certain point in most bartenders’ careers they haven’t much interaction with. Most of all, she is an absolute gem to be around, and having her and her partner Jovan in our community makes our community so much better. Our head bartender is going to do mighty things in the bartending world, just you wait and see! ~Chris

Photo dump memories de Dec 2025 y January 2026 📸 que no se podían quedar guardados.😏 P.S. why did January felt like an extension of 2025?? 🤔 Anyway… MADE IT TO ANOTHER YEAR 💫 POV: I heard that if we combine the 2025 Leo drama + Snake energy = glow up unlocked 2026!! ✨🐍🦁🐴 ✨Whoa! Makes sense that 2025 didn’t feel easy… 🤯 Apparently the Year of the Snake taught me to shed skins, trust the process, and follow my intuition. 🤩 No wonder I’m feeling como nueva! 💯 Now, Horse year time!! 🐎 💪🏼 BUT… the bad news is that world still feels soooo heavy 😢😔😡. So please be cool and let’s all move with heart, bye bye indifference. Apathy has no place in 2026. 🌟

Holiday hang out with my fave sillies🤍🌟😂🎄❤️ Risas, love y el mejor crew ever!!

Yaaay! Birthday party pics are here! Thank you so much to everyone who came and made this celebration so special. Loved, loved, looooved it!! We definitely missed the friends who couldn’t be there, but it’s okay, we cheered enough for you too 😂 Putting this party together was so much fun. Sometimes it’s really nice to take a break from our hectic lives and just enjoy the simple things: food, company, and love. With the world feeling a little crazy, it’s important to remind ourselves of the things we can control, like the effort you put into the people and relationships you love. That’s something no one can take away. Love you, hubby. I’ll always do my best for us 🤍✨ It also reminded me how lucky we are to be surrounded by good souls who care for us and show up in so many ways. You all mean the world to us. Hubby was happy, dinner was served, and the energy was ON ✨ Feeling so grateful to see so many warm, familiar faces all at once. Thank you @rafanomenon and @abbie_raf for letting me have fun and for helping me fry those damn good quesadillas for the quesabirrias 😂🔥 Love you!! Also, thank you to everyone who helped me clean and jumped in wherever needed. Thank you all for your generosity. Our hearts were full 🤍✨ 
Special thank you to my amazing, loyal friend @johab.rivas ❤️🌟 for helping me plan, cook and put this party together, even though she got sick the day of and couldn’t be there. 😭 Your generosity, the cake, the balloons, and all the details did not go unnoticed. Hubby said thank you so much for all the love and effort.

Happy birthday to my number one!!! My safe place, my love without reserves. You deserve everything and more, and my whole heart is yours to keep. 💛 🎂 🎉 Something I absolutely love is when a simple, casual birthday turns into something meaningful. For Jovan’s birthday we went to Ludi’s, a Filipino owned restaurant, and what happened there was honestly so special my heart wanted to explode. We came in with parents too, got seated, placed our order, and suddenly this man came to say hi to mom and dad. I had no idea who he was, just that he was incredibly expressive and warm, the kind of energy I always love in people. He kept coming back to our table with little surprises… a plate of lugaw, then a sweet rice dessert (suman), then more treats, even food to go. He joked, he laughed with us, he made us feel like family. His generosity was overwhelming in the best way. I finally asked dad who he was, and he said, “Oh, that’s the owner.” I was shocked!! The owner himself giving us that level of attention, joy, and love!!?? It made us feel so seen, so special, without expecting anything back. He even sent Jovan home with some birthday goodies and joked that Jovan looked “too fresh to be 42,” then asked me if he tasted fresh. 😂 He had the whole table laughing non stop. Before we left, we asked him to take a picture with us, and later I searched more about the restaurant. I found an article about him, a story full of heart, resilience, and beauty. It made me even more grateful that we crossed paths with him on such an important day. Thank you, Gregorio Rosas @ludis_seattle , for making my husband’s birthday unforgettable. Your charisma, your easiness, your joy for life, and your pure hospitality stayed with us all day. After that brunch, everything just felt perfect, because in the end, it’s the little things that count. 💛✨ A little reminder: the energy you put out into the world is exactly what finds its way back to you.

Yesss! Made it through another Nightmare on Wall Street at Navy Strength!! This year, from a very different side than last time. Still fun, but definitely more challenging (in all the ways that make you grow as a human, of course). Being part of leadership this time taught me a lot. The work behind the scenes humbles you. And all the people who help you through the process of learning and cheer you on, it’s like they’re meant to be there for you, the right people at the right moments. Thank you, y’all know who you are. What I loved the most was the team; the energy, the effort, the care. Some say you get lucky with your people, but I’ve never really believed in luck. I think you attract the kind of energy you put out into the world. They say none of the good things come easy, and that’s okay. I agree. In the end, it’s about what you choose and what you’re willing to give for it. I’m the kind of person who keeps choosing challenges. I don’t know why, I just follow my intuition. lol The fun part is that those challenges test you, break you a little, then make you pick up your pieces and keep going, but with more intention. You feel everything: happy, tired, proud, emotional… all of it. And you realize it just feels right to feel. I guess that gives me purpose, and that’s what I need to function in this world. Grateful for the process... 🌙

Wedding, love & sunrises with the fam in Mexico 🌅💐 My fav combo!! 🥂 🎉Congrats Ryan & Angela, 4 days of pure magic ✨

People know Oaxaca for its food, and it delivers in every bite. But it doesn’t stop there. The complexity of mezcal, the pull of the mountains, and the colors and sounds of the streets make it a full overload of the senses in the best way possible. Oaxaca claimed a place in our top five, and the pull to return is already too strong to ignore. #mezcal #mazhcail #oaxaca #mágico