THE WOMEN INDEX is an ongoing editorial archive exploring how women shape their worlds.
Through four lenses: WHO, WHERE, WHAT, and LEARN & CULTURE, each edition maps the people, places, rituals, objects, and cultural references that influence the way women live, create, work, and move through the world.
Part interview, part cultural index, the project aims to build a living global archive of female influence, one woman at a time.
Today we step inside the world of Ylenia López-Llata, founder & psychonutritionist @ylenialopezllata, co-founder @cuckoo_b.
Ylenia and I had our first conversation for ralucaharabagiu.com in 2023. She was the woman who said the first yes for my very first international interview. And I will always be grateful for her kindness and openness.
WHO
Since becoming a mother just over two months ago, I find myself looking at women differently.
Above all, I admire mothers. Women who place their bodies, their time, their energy, and their hearts in service of their children. Motherhood has revealed to me a depth of love and generosity that I don’t think I fully understood before. I admire all mothers, but especially my own, whose love has shaped so much of who I am today. And, perhaps for the first time, I am also learning to admire myself in this new role.
I deeply admire the women, often anonymous, who dedicate their lives to those who are most vulnerable: the sick, refugees, people experiencing homelessness, and those living through war or profound hardship. Their compassion rarely makes headlines, yet it quietly changes the world every day.
I am also endlessly inspired by artists of every kind. The women who move us through beauty, creativity, and imagination. A novelist, a painter, a photographer, a designer, a musician, any woman capable of creating something that helps us feel more deeply or see the world differently has my admiration.
WHERE
Madrid is my favourite city in the world to live in. It offers an endless cultural life, people from every corner of the world, extraordinary gastronomy, and a beauty that continues to surprise me no matter how long I stay.
On a perfect day in Madrid, I might spend the morning wandering through the Thyssen Museum, enjoy a beauty treatment at Mimot Beauty, browse the independent boutiques of the Salesas neighborhood, and end the day sharing a long lunch or an evening drink with friends at Club Matador.
I also deeply love Cantabria, where I was born and where much of my heart remains.
A perfect day there might begin in the center of Santander, wandering through its elegant streets before making your way to its beautiful beaches. Lunch could be at Cañadío, El Riojano, or La Bombi, all institutions in their own right, or perhaps a stop at El Diluvio for what many consider one of the finest Spanish omelettes in the region.
But the place that brings me the deepest sense of peace is Liébana, nestled within the Picos de Europa mountains. It is one of those rare landscapes that feels almost untouched by time. I love driving through the valley, discovering its villages, mountain views, local producers, and hidden corners.
At the heart of the region is Potes, a charming town filled with local shops, traditional products, and a warmth that reflects the character of the people who live there. It is a place that invites you to slow down and stay a little longer.
And if you find yourself in Liébana, I would highly recommend lunch at El Oso, a place that beautifully captures the spirit of the valley through its food, hospitality, and surroundings.
And then there is New York, the city I hold most tenderly in my heart. My relationship with it is a complicated one. I adore it and, at times, find it exhausting. It is chaotic, overwhelming, demanding, and yet completely addictive. Every visit feels like falling in love all over again.
My ideal day there would include a visit to The Frick Collection, perhaps followed by a few hours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, wandering through the streets and shops of SoHo, and ending with a candlelit dinner at One If By Land, Two If By Sea, one of the most romantic restaurants I have ever experienced.
WHAT
At the centre of everything is God. My faith shapes the way I understand life, love, gratitude, and purpose. From there comes everything else that matters most to me: my family, my husband, my daughter, and my friends. They are my greatest treasures.
Our dog, Fabio, is also part of that inner circle. Together with our homes, he represents something deeply comforting to me. They are my talismans, my safe places, the spaces where I can fully be myself.
I treasure our small collection of art and antiques. Each piece reminds me not only of beauty itself, but also of the beauty of time passing. I love objects that carry stories, signs of life, and a sense of continuity between generations.
I have a particular affection for the table and everything that surrounds it: silver pieces, beautiful porcelain, fine glassware, and the rituals of gathering people around a meal. Some of the most meaningful moments in life take place around a table.
Fresh flowers are another everyday luxury I never tire of. I especially love orchids when they bloom. They remind me that beauty often appears quietly and in its own time.
A good music speaker is essential in our home. Music accompanies almost every part of my day. I listen to everything from classical music to contemporary artists, and lately I find myself dancing around the house with my daughter, Gilda, in my arms.
I also love my collection of skincare products and perfumes. They remind me that self-care is not about perfection but about presence. There is something deeply pleasurable about engaging with the world through the senses: a beautiful fragrance, a texture, a ritual repeated each morning.
My antique jewellery holds a special place in my heart. I love reflecting on the lives these pieces have already witnessed and the new stories they continue to accompany. They are small objects, but they carry entire worlds within them.
And finally, there is a notebook that lives in our kitchen. For years, my husband and I have left each other notes in it, thoughts, reminders, gratitude, and small moments from ordinary days. It is one of the most precious objects we own. I hope that, years from now, its pages will be filled with truth, tenderness, and love.
LEARN & CULTURE
I am endlessly curious about human nature. Much of what I read, listen to, and seek revolves around understanding how we love, suffer, heal, connect, and find meaning in our lives.
Books have always been one of my favourite ways of learning. I am particularly drawn to psychology, spirituality, philosophy, and memoirs. I often return to authors such as Viktor Frankl, Edith Eger, Brené Brown, Esther Perel, and C.S. Lewis, whose work explores both the fragility and resilience of the human experience.
My faith is also an important source of learning and reflection. Prayer, silence, and spiritual reading have become increasingly meaningful to me, especially recently and even more so since becoming a mother.
I love podcasts and conversations that allow people to speak honestly about life. As both a psychologist and a psycho-nutritionist, I am fascinated by the intersection of emotions, behavior, relationships, and wellbeing.
I also host my podcast, If the Problem Isn’t Hunger, Food Is Not the Solution, where I explore the emotional, psychological, and relational dimensions of eating. It has become a space for reflection, learning, and meaningful conversations about the ways we care for ourselves and others.
Art is another form of education for me. Museums are among the first places I visit whenever I travel. I am drawn to painting, photography, architecture, and design because they allow us to understand different eras, cultures, and ways of seeing the world.
More recently, motherhood has become one of my greatest teachers. No book, course, or professional training has taught me more about love, vulnerability, surrender, gratitude, and wonder than these first months with my daughter.
And perhaps, above all, I continue to learn around a table. Sharing meals, conversations, stories, and long evenings with family and friends remains one of the richest forms of culture and human connection I know.
photos: Yle's personal archive
