It took many years of thriving in New York City before our paths took a sweet turn towards each other. Amanda was working at a large public relations firm and Santiago was killing it at Apple and playing lots of gigs around town. We were matched on a dating site (in NY, how else?) but mutual work travel had us acting as pen pals for quite some time. In writing, we bonded over a shared love of good design, fine music, foreign travel, and decent margaritas. When we finally met it was over an epic night of music at the famed Blue Note Jazz Club in the West Village. The second and third date were alight in constant chatter and sparks.

After meeting each other’s families, moving in together, and day dreaming of a space-ier lifestyle, we moved to Kansas City, MO in February of 2017. Since then we’ve luxuriated in square footage, delighted in proximity of family, and fallen more in love. We even brought a sweet little Cavachon, Mosa, into our worlds. Life is beyond good. Life is sweet.

It is La Vie En Rose and we can’t wait to share it with you.

We were nicked-named Chago (Santiago) and Magerk (Amanda) as children. And while those names are still very much in rotation to this day, no one can seem to remember how they begun. When it came time to naming this site (which was brainstormed on a sunny Florida beach), we loved the idea of joining a little of who we’ve been with a little of who we are to become. And thus, ChagoMagerk.

(see also: Mango – our couple nickname culminating out of Mandy and Santiago).