Growing up Bilingual, Bicultural, and Bi-happy.

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Las Fabulosas: Success

By Bryna Bates Jean-Marie for Las Fabulosas

For parents who are raising kids in a bicultural household, teaching them to speak Ingles y Español is something of a passion. That’s why developing habits that incorporate both cultures into kids’ daily routines, says John Baugh -- chair of the Public Relations Committee at the Linguistic Society of America and professor emeritus of education and linguistics at Stanford University -- will bring bicultural happiness to la familia.

Engage them in activities from both culturas.
“Watch television in both languages, particularly the one that is not dominant in your speech community. Sing songs and nursery rhymes from both cultures. This will instill respect and familiarity with both,” says Baugh, the Margaret Bush Wilson professor in arts and sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

Give both cultures equal importance.
“Depending upon the context in which people live, circumstances may imply that one culture may be devalued in comparison to the dominant culture and language,” adds Baugh. “If this impression exists, family members should do everything possible to maintain and value their family heritage, language and culture, while doing what’s necessary to gain fluency in the dominant language and culture.”

Baugh offers this final note: “The benefits of bilingualism and biculturalism are tremendous. Chinese, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese are growing in global influence. People who are familiar with more than one language, and more than one culture, will be better equipped to participate more fully in the future global economy. This familiarity with languages and cultures besides English is an underutilized asset in a global economy that demands linguistic and cultural dexterity.”

Photo: Corbis Images

Bryna Bates Jean-Marie  Bryna Bates Jean-Marie has contributed to People, Black Enterprise, Glamour, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine and Tyra.com.



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Tango Tangerine: Un Color for All Seasons

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Las Fabulosas: Home & Happiness

By Ivette Manners for Las Fabulosas

Each year, Pantone, the authority on all things color, designates a hue to inspire designers to create everything from lipstick to pencil skirts and more. This year, they chose Tangerine Tango -- a reddish-orange shade -- to recharge the nation. Now you too can add a dash of tang to your home with help from these top design experts.

Add Some Detalles
Small accents and pops of this radiant color are a great way to freshen up your décor. “Incorporate simple naranjada-toned pieces like throw pillows and blankets or lacquer trays and vases in your living room or bedroom,” says Sabrina Soto, host of HGTV’s “The High/Low Project.” “Small appliances in tangerine, such as toasters, teakettles or coffeemakers are fun touches for the kitchen; and adding towels in this shade is a simple solution in the bathroom.”

Mix It In
“To make this trendy color timeless, bring in neutral hues to pair with it,” says Michelle Dunbar, owner of Fashion House Interior Design Co. “Go for a Sedona-inspired palette with deep rust, plus brown, tan or cream along with muted orange. If gray is your neutral, play it up with tangerine and white.”

Make a Permanent Statement
“Custom upholstery is a perfect way to tie Tangerine Tango in for good,” says Soto. Cover a pair of matching chairs or a large ottoman in a solid or patterned fabric for your living room, or order a tufted headboard for your bedroom. “Another great way to add this color is to purchase a few pieces of accent furniture or accessories, such as poufs, side tables, small area rugs and table lamps. “Go bold by painting one wall in your living room this shade,” says Dunbar. “It will really liven up a neutral-toned sofa.”

Skip the Splurge
“An inexpensive way of incorporating orange and tangerine tones in a big way is by using jersey slipcovers on your existing chairs or sofa,” says Dunbar. They cost about $40 and come in a variety of sizes. “Check out vintage and consignment stores, as well as weekend flea markets, for surprising finds,” says Soto.


Photo: @iStockphoto.com/yulkapopkova


Ivette Manners  has contributed to Teen Vogue, SELF, Latina, Real Simple, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons and For the Bride. This is her first article for Las Fabulosas.



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Protecting Our Autoestima

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Las Fabulosas: Success

By Shirley Velásquez for Las Fabulosas

Throughout Rosie Molinary’s writing career, one question has consistently preoccupied her: How do Latinas reconcile the seemingly conflicting messages between mainstream America telling them to be themselves versus la familia telling them to strive toward beauty and femininity?

Molinary’s discoveries about living within two cultures appear in her critical books, Hijas Americanas: Beauty, Body Image, and Growing Up Latina and Beautiful You: A Daily Guide to Radical Self Acceptance, which are “empowerment guides” to help Latinas love and accept themselves.

“Women are hungering for affirmation of what they inherently know to be true, and guidance for letting that truth shine out,” says Molinary. Here, she shares four rocking body-image boosters:

1. Break negative pensamientos: “Our whole lives are affected by how we think and speak about our bodies,” says Rosie. “Find a bowl or piggy bank and deposit a quarter each time you knock yourself. Watch your self-awareness soar and your habits change.” Then treat yourself to a gift with the money or donate it.

2. Talk back: Do family or friends make jabs about your appearance or weight? Prepare a comeback, and practice it out loud. “Let that critical person know that your body is off limits for discussion,” says Rosie.

3. Make eye contact: “Much of our confidence is projected through our eyes,” explains Rosie. Avoiding eye contact communicates that you want to be invisible.

4. Stop body-checking: How often do you check yourself in mirrors or windows? Each time, “take a breath and change your focus,” says Rosie. By curtailing obsessive behavior, you train yourself to turn off [negative] tapes in your head.”


Photo: @iStockphoto.com/sdominick 

Shirley Velásquez  is an editor and writer at ELLE magazine. She has contributed to Woman’s Day, Glamour, InStyle, Latina, The New York Sun, and Border-line Personalities, an anthology of essays written by Latina writers. She is a frequent contributor to Las Fabulosas.



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Familia Values.

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Las Fabulosas: Home & Happiness

By Michelle Herrera Mulligan for Las Fabulosas

As children, we rolled our eyes when our padres demanded we speak fluent español and attend our neighbors’ quinceñeras. But in the process of acclimating to an American lifestyle, we may leave too much behind. Here are nine nuggets of Latino wisdom we should never forget, and how to incorporate them into our complicated modern lives:

1. Familia comes first. In good times and in bad, no one is there like the family. But it’s not just obligation that should compel you to put the ones closest to you first. After all, what’s more relaxing: reality TV drama or story time with your children?

2. Pool your resources. Saving in groups has helped Latin-Americans around the world to start businesses and buy homes. Combine energy with like-minded professionals by starting a Latino affinity group in your field.

3. Dinner is sacred. At least once a month, make a whole meal from scratch for a small group of close friends. The memory will last longer than a night at the movies.

4. Don’t spend what you don’t make. Immigrants don’t use credit cards, but we have to sometimes. Make sure to keep a careful log to justify each charge.

5. Never complain. This may be unrealistic, but do we really have to whine so much? Try cutting all negative comments for one week.

6. Invest in people, not things. Our families helped out the neighbors; we barely know who lives on our block. Create a sense of community by joining a local parent group, cultural organization or food coop.

7. Romance is king. Our abuelitos never quit dancing or date nights.

8. A little fat never killed anyone. Even research backs Mami up on this one: the body needs monounsaturated fats -- so bring on the guacamole and pepitas. (Skip the chips.)

9. Don’t bring work home. If you can’t pull this off, budget at least 30 task- and media- free minutes a day. You’ll be more relaxed and effective in the morning.


Michelle Herrera Mulligan is the managing editor of Las Fabulosas.




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Dress for Your Body Type.

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Jennifer Parris for Las Fabulosas

Your co-worker always looks fabulosa in her cocktail dress, no matter what she weighs. It’s not that she has a perfect shape; she simply knows how to dress for her body type. Figure out your type here, and find a dress style that will make you feel glamorous and beautiful on your big night out.

Hourglass Shape: Considered to be the most ideal body type, the hourglass shape boasts breast and hip measurements that are almost identical.

Dress: Although the hourglass’ best feature is her waist, don’t overemphasize it with a skin-tight slinky number, advises Barbosa. Instead, choose a flowy look and complete it with a belt to show off your small waist.

Pear or Spoon Shape: The pear shape is one of the most common body types -- especially for Latinas -- and features a more bountiful booty.

Dress: Choose a flattering empire cut that balances your bounty by featuring your upper half.

Apple Shape: Slightly bigger around the tummy, you’re lucky because you have skinny arms and legs, making it easy to camouflage your trouble spots.

Dress: It’s all about the structured look for you. A shift’s vertical lines will create a longer, leaner look.

Tube (Ruler) Shape: Often called “the boy shape,” the tube has minimal curves and is straight up and down.

Dress: Try a wrap or another style that is cinched or gathered at the waist to help create an hourglass figure.

Regardless of body type, you should ultimately shop for clothing that makes you feel beautiful. And remember to embrace your curves. After all, accepting (and loving!) your body is the first step in selecting clothes that will consistently fit and flatter.


Photo: @iStockphoto.com/quavondo


Jennifer Parris  is an award-winning writer and editor, whose articles have previously appeared in Las Fabulosas. She is the founder of Celebrity Parents Magazine and has written for publications such as Seventeen, Latina and Parenting.


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Clutter No Mas: Organize Your Home With Style

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Las Fabulosas: Home & Happiness

By Shirley Velásquez for Las Fabulosas

You’ve already rid your home of the things you no longer use. Next is finding smart ways to keep it organized and chic. “The trick to making spaces look polished and finished is allowing the eye to see open horizontal spaces and only keeping visible what looks stylish,” says Helene Segura, an organization and productivity expert with LivingOrder in San Antonio. Try some of these fine-tuning tweaks to make your home show-ready.

La Antesala
Add a classic-style coat rack (with a wood base and metal hooks) on the wall, which gives everyone a place to hang up their belongings when they walk through the door. “If you have a larger entry, consider mudroom pieces that come in styles that range from locker room flashbacks, to country-chic, to gorgeous teak,” says Segura.

La Sala
If your functional furniture lacks a little jazz, opt for a clean, contemporary look. Consider spray-painting pieces in a cream color to add instant glamour. Forget utilitarian storage boxes. Instead, try ones that are made out of posh materials, such as velvet, leather or horn. Add rustic accents with bronze or wooden baskets. “For a uniform look, purchase varying sizes in the same style or buy sets of three in multiple colors within your color palette,” says Segura.

La Cocina
Families spend much of their time here. So keep it spacious. After you’ve cleared counters and used all of the cupboards and the upper reaches of the cabinetry, all that should be visible are neutral-colored earthenware containers to store grains, sugar, flour or any other foods.

El Dormitorio
If you’re using the area under your bed to store items, add a sham or trimming to hide what’s underneath. Also don’t cram the space. “Use long, rectangular plastic containers sorted by category,” says Segura. They make it easy to find what you need later on.

El Baño
Cabinets with glass-paneled doors create the effect of open space. Eliminate the cluttered look inside by using neutral-colored fine ware jars to stash bathroom supplies. “Tame what’s hidden in the bottom cabinets with a combination of bins with brushed nickel, stainless steel helper shelves or drawer systems,” says Segura.


Shirley Velásquez is an editor and writer at ELLE magazine. She has contributed to Woman’s Day, Glamour, InStyle, Latina, The New York Sun, and Border-line Personalities, an anthology of essays written by Latina writers. She is a frequent contributor to Las Fabulosas.


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Belleza From Day to Night.

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Ivette Manners for Las Fabulosas

Summer is finally here. And with the warm weather and longer daylight hours, you’ll undoubtedly be scheduling lots of after-work dinners and cocktails. Here, experts offer quick and easy tips to transform your office getup into a fiesta look.

Your Hair
“A high twisted bun gives you a professional yet modern look during the day, while creating instant waves for night,” says celebrity hairstylist Eric R. Williams. After hours, loosen the bun, shake out your cabello and add a little hair spray for texture and hold. Transform a side braid into an evening style by making it a little undone, adding a headband or turning it into a wavy side-ponytail. Barrettes, hair elastics and bobby pins are must-haves to keep in your desk or bag for a hairstyle change-up.

Your Makeup
A fresh, flawless face is a clean canvas to be made up later in the day. “In the morning, apply your basic foundation and mascara, plus a bold lip color in a sheer finish to make your look modern but office-appropriate,” says celebrity makeup artist Victor Henao. After work, freshen up your foundation and mascara. Then add a little drama to your maquillaje with black eyeliner. “Smudge the eyeliner with your fingertips for an easy smoky eye,” says Henao. Highlight your cheeks with a little bronzing powder and amp up your lip color with an opaque lipstick.

Your Outfit
Invest in pieces that take you from the office to a cocktail party. Remember that accessories are key. A simple strapless dress becomes office-appropriate with a fitted blazer and pumps. For a quick style change after work, shed the blazer and add a chunky necklace or a sheer scarf, which can also be worn with the blazer and strappy heels during the day. Or pair a dress in a fun print with a solid-color cardigan and a belt for a more conservative look. For evening, ditch the cardigan but keep the belt to accessorize. Add a pair of heels and statement earrings or bracelets. Carry a simple tote bag to work to hold your extra shoes, a makeup bag, accessories and a clutch for the evening.


Ivette Manners is a beauty writer and contributor to Las Fabulosas.

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Get Your Kids Excited About Learning Spanish.

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Expert QA

My mother’s watching my 8-year-old soon, and while they have bonded, there’s one problem: My mom only speaks Español, and my daughter doesn’t want to learn! How can I encourage my daughter?

From the Editors of Las Fabulosas

One of the best ways to connect your child to her Latino heritage is to teach her Spanish. “Like any other skill you’re teaching your child, it requires time, patience and perseverance,” says Jacqueline Valencia Rodriguez, a therapist in New York City. Try these tips to make it fun.

1. Create games. “Play a game in the teaching moments,” says Rodriguez. One idea? Speak in Spanish about your kids, and then have them figure out what you’re saying. Or try tongue twisters such as “R con R cigarro.”

2. New tradition. Pick a Spanish-only day. Tell your kids that anyone who wants to speak and be heard today needs to speak Spanish, including parents and siblings. Remember “Los Pollitos”? Teach a Spanish nursery rhyme and sing along.

3. Learn the culture. Experiencing our culture and the beautiful music while speaking Spanish will cement their language skills. “Organize a trip to your native country at least once a year,” says Rodriguez.


Francesca Velasquez is a first-time contributor to Las Fabulosas.




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Spotlight on JoAnna Garcia Swisher.

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Las Fabulosas: Success

By Shirley Velásquez for Las Fabulosas


JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s star is rising. Landing the top role in an upcoming comedy pilot, the actress will lead a primetime show once again.

The Florida-born Latina got her first big break in high school when she was cast on Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” Ever since then, she has starred in hit shows, such as “Reba,” “Privileged” and “Gossip Girl.” But it was playing Mia Putney, the lead in the hit comedy “Better With You,” that secured her place as a young comedic actress to watch.

If the 32-year-old’s work accomplishments impress, then her off-camera efforts inspire. Last June, Garcia Swisher teamed up with Merck to launch the Let’s Go There campaign, an initiative to encourage women to talk to their doctors about birth control options. “As the daughter of an OB/GYN, I learned from an early age the importance of educating myself to better understand my health options,” said Garcia Swisher last summer.

To top it off, last Thanksgiving, Garcia Swisher and her husband -- New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher -- finally took their overdue honeymoon (they married in December 2010) to Afghanistan. But this wasn’t just an adventurous trip to a rugged country. They were there to cheer on the troops. “I think we had about eight different Thanksgiving meals,” said Garcia Swisher afterward. “We’ve made friends for a lifetime.”

Photo:  Getty Images


Shirley Velásquez  is an editor and writer at ELLE magazine. She has contributed to Woman’s Day, Glamour, InStyle, Latina, The New York Sun, and Border-line Personalities, an anthology of essays written by Latina writers. She is a frequent contributor to Las Fabulosas.



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Put la Familia on the Health Track.

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Las Fabulosas: Success

By Robyn Moreno for Las Fabulosas

With young kids, it can often be difficult to incorporate healthy nutrition into your kids’ diet as well as your own. We asked experts for easy tips on helping your kids -- and yourself -- successfully stay healthy and perform better.

Start Your Day off Right
“Eating a healthy breakfast is the single most important thing you can do,” says Barbara Mendez, a New York City–based nutritionist and pharmacist. From cereals to scones, 99 percent of what we eat has way too much sugar. Instead, Mendez recommends plain oatmeal with fresh fruit and cinnamon, which regulates your metabolism and burns fat. Another fast recipe is to make mini- frittatas (baked omelets) in muffin pans. You can individually wrap them and eat them on the go.

Smart Snacks
Seven to eight hours can pass between meals, which is when junk-food danger can strike. Mendez suggests beating cravings with good high-protein, low-fat snacks, such as sliced apples with natural peanut butter, or a little guacamole on a corn tortilla. All are easy-to-pack school lunches.

Stay Hydrated
“Hydration for the whole family is hugely important and often overlooked,” says Mendez. Drinking more water speeds up your metabolism by 3 percent, which helps you burn an extra 150 calories.

The Family That Plays Together Stays Together
Make fitness fun by joining a family soccer league or bringing your kids along to yoga class. Implement after-dinner strolls to look at the stars. People that are more active are less likely to be obese and have cancer, heart disease, stress and depression. Encouraging family fitness is the best way to show that you care.


Robyn Moreno  is a lifestyle expert and the author of Practically Posh: The Smart Girl’s Guide to a Glam Life. She is a frequent contributor to Las Fabulosas.




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Limpieza de Primavera.

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Las Fabulosas: Home & Happiness

By Shirley Velásquez for Las Fabulosas


With our hectic schedules, it’s unlikely that we’ll be treating our homes to a full-on session of squeaky-cleaning this spring. But experts say that we can actually shave time from long hours of cleaning if we scrub the grime right away.

For example, if we reassess our rutina de limpieza, we may discover that some of our habits actually keep things dirty, merely spreading around el polvo, according to Debra Johnson, an expert and training manager with the nationwide house-cleaning service Merry Maids.

And if we divvy up the work into several steps by “setting aside a couple of days a month to focus on cleaning,” says Johnson, our casitas will stay cleaner for longer. Here are some more easy-to-implement steps you can try.

1. Dispose of clutter. Before you start cleaning, get rid of whatever you can’t put away, says Johnson. Divide your clutter into three groups: “junk,” which you will simply toss; “charity,” which you will give away; and “undecided,” which will be put away in a box until a later date.

2. Use appropriate amounts of cleaning product. “Most people use too much,” which leaves residue behind, says Johnson. Any dirt will then cling to the residue.

3. Swipe the dust. “Microfiber is the best tool for removing dust, and not as much product is needed,” says Johnson. Start by wiping and see how clean the surface will get before applying product. “Make sure to use a plush, rather than thin, cloth.”

4. Steam-clean. Use a high-temperature canister steam-cleaner to quickly bust grease and grime on the more challenging surfaces, such as oven grill trays, windows and mattresses. To avoid water residue, use the least amount of steam.

5. Clean your gadgets. Remote controls, game stations, DVD players and telephones are often overlooked. All-purpose cleaners dredge out the dirt that easily accumulates in the nooks from constant touching.

6. Dust first, vacuum last. Clean each room or piece of furniture from the top down. Start by dusting higher surfaces or furniture. Finish by wiping lower items and vacuuming the floors.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/fatihhoca


Shirley Velásquez  is an editor and writer at ELLE magazine. She has contributed to Woman’s Day, Glamour, InStyle, Latina, The New York Sun, and Border-line Personalities, an anthology of essays written by Latina writers. She is a frequent contributor to Las Fabulosas.





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Pretty For Primavera.

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Belén Aranda-Alvarado for Las Fabulosas


“Pastels are really in this spring season,” says Ermahn Ospina, a Los Angeles–based makeup artist who has worked with celebrities like Rosario Dawson, Carla Gugino and Emmanuelle Chriqui. If you hear the word “pastels” and are thinking about Easter-egg shades of safe neutrals, think again. Pastels are packing a serious punch this spring, and the color range is broad enough that every woman can find a new tone to experiment with.




The top five shades to try if you want to update and warm up your color palette are:

1. Shimmery pale blue: Great for eyes. Stick to formulas that have subtle shimmer instead of heavy frost in the formula.

2. Golden-toned green: Think iridescent and bright, like vibrant lime instead of staid forest-green.

3. Medium-pigmented pinks: “Medium” being the key word: Try pops of vivid bubble-gum pink on the eyes, cheeks and lips.

4. Very soft violet: Apply a wash of light opalescent purple on the eyes or lips.

5. Natural nudes: This spring season, nude does not equal boring. Look for velvety peaches, shimmery taupes and glowing bronzes.

Feeling color-shy? Ospina urges those of you who can’t bear to part with your year-round makeup shades to get over your can’t-fail staples by focusing instead on one feature and experimenting with that. “The easiest way for a woman to update her spring makeup look would be to play with lip colors,” advises Ospina. Just changing up your lip gloss will show you the light that color brings to the whole face. Be bold and playful, urges Ospina. It is spring, after all.


Belén Aranda-Alvarado  
lives in New York City with her husband and 9-year-old daughter. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Washington Post Magazine and Latina magazine. Belen's articles have previously appeared in Las Fabulosas.


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Get Inspired in No Time!

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Las Fabulosas: Success

By Shirley Velásquez for Las Fabulosas


It happens to all of us: We find a project or a goal we want to reach, and then we throw ourselves at it with loads of good intention and excitement. But somewhere down the road, we lose steam. And before we know it, we’ve lost our motivación completely. Life coach Monica Borbely tells us how to get it back.

Remember Your Great Moments
Thinking about the times when you felt at the top of your game helps to put you back in the zone. “These moments of triumph remind you of who you are and what you are about,” says Borbely. Those memories, she says, “connect you with that time when you felt most fulfilled, most stretched and most present.”

Remember That Each Day Is Precious
“When I’m not motivated to do what I know needs to be done,” says Borbely, “I remind myself that if I waste this opportunity, I’ll never get it back.” Borbely recommends building playtime into your schedule each week. “My minutes, hours and days come around one time. It’s up to me to live the life I want, right now.”

Dream Big
According to Borbely, you must allow yourself to be a big dreamer to be happy right down to the core of your being. Forget about caution. “Big dreams can fulfill you right down to the soul because you’ve sought out your true purpose in life,” she says. “Big dreams can push your limits and keep your life fresh.”


Shirley Velásquez is an editor and writer at ELLE magazine. She has contributed to Woman’s Day, Glamour, InStyle, Latina, The New York Sun, and Border-line Personalities, an anthology of essays written by Latina writers. She is a frequent contributor to Las Fabulosas.

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Casa Cambiada.

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Las Fabulosas: Home & Happiness

By Julie D. Andrews for Las Fabulosas


No matter your household budget, you can spruce up your space with expert ideas from New York City–based diseñadora Nina Isabella, founder of Nina Interiors & Styling.

Sala Sensual
Think rich texturas. Layer them on thick throughout the room, says Isabella, creating an abundancia of beg-to-be-touched telas. “Pillows, throws, window treatments and rugs -- they’ll all warm the space at relatively little expense,” says Isabella, who shops at IKEA for low-cost cool rugs. Next, change up el arte. “Use a different theme or color palette as a foundation,” says Isabella, adding that she routinely scours Etsy for eye-catching one-of-a-kind artwork at reasonable prices.

Add inspiration-on-demand by stacking splashy revistas and libros on chairs in corners and on floors, keeping an eye on how the binding colors combine. “We have no fewer than six piles of each around our home at any given time,” says Isabella. “Nothing says ‘lazy day’ more than reading material at the ready.” Lastly, infuse the room with intoxicating fragrancia. Make a ritual of lighting a candle or diffuser whenever you enter.

Lights in la Cocina
Never underestimate the power of el efecto visual. “Add tabletop lamps and mirrors to add warmth -- without relying on predictable and harsh overhead lighting.” Display pottery to brighten and add character; check out Cabelas.com for such finds. Finally, add punches of fresh green with a potted jardín de hierba. “I keep a window box of herbs off the kitchen and can easily snip as I cook. In winter, I replant and keep them inside,” says Isabella.

La Recámara Romántica
Keep it simple. “It should feel uncluttered,” says Isabella. “Relaxed and romantic.” Remove any desk or television and reserve the space for relajación. “You should be able to fully detach from work there,” says Isabella. Next, splatter on fresh paint. “I’m into darker hues for bedrooms. People tend to go lighter -- it’s safe, uplifting. But darker shades bring coziness, which is what we want in our bedrooms.” Use bright, energizing colores in cocinas, and reserve darker cafés de cocoa for bedrooms.

Photo Credit: Eric Morales (http://www.ericm-photo.com)


Julie D. Andrews  is a writer based in New York City. Her articles have appeared in print and on the websites of Las Fabulosas, Prevention, SHAPE and Glamour, as well as on Yahoo.com, YourTango.com and MSN.com.

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The New Supermercado Latino.

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Las Fabulosas: Success

By Letisha Marrero for Las Fabulosas


Pregnancy cravings are no joke. But try being a pregnant Latina foodie. That’s what 27-year-old Venezolana-Italiana Melissa Berthier experienced last year. Since her Mexican-Lebanese esposo, Alfonso, no longer was an executive at Mexicana airlines who could lavish her with dulces from Latin America, what could a food-obsessed couple do to satisfy mami-to-be’s authentic cravings?

It took about nine months, but on the same day their daughter Sabrina was born, another entity was birthed: Mister Gallo, the mascot for LatinBag.com, the new parents’ e-commerce site that would launch a few weeks later in October 2010. The Berthiers had tapped into a nostalgia market for authentic comidas Latinas. So, they now offer to bag the groceries from your homeland for you, with customers as far away as South Korea and Australia.

The Bethesda, Md., couple balances fulfilling orders daily between day jobs: Melissa works for Metro in Washington, D.C., and Alfonso owns a distribution company. LatinBag is a work in progress -- from shipping and tracking, to storage and inventory. Now raising a growing toddler, Melissa concedes, “There is no such thing as spare time.” But her job provides stability and health insurance, as they’d like to have another child. Eventually, however, they’d like to devote themselves full-time to LatinBag and expand their inventory. “I’d love to sell authentic Oaxaca cheese,” says Melissa. “But it’s a matter of storing it properly.” So for now, LatinBag stocks an assortment of dry and canned goods, as well as pan dulce, café, candy, spices and more goodies to satisfy those cravings -- whether you’re pregnant or not.


Letisha Marrero has contributed to Latina, The Source, iVillage.com, ParentsConnect.com and MomsLikeMe.com. She is also a contributing author to Border-line Personalities: A New Generation of Latinas Dishes on Sex, Sass, and Cultural Shifting.




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Get It: El Look de Las Celebridades

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Valeria Guston for Las Fabulosas


You don’t need to spend a fortune or hire a team of professionals to get your favorite celeb’s signature style. Looking like a star is all about confidence and attitude ... and of course, great hair and makeup. Here are some tips to make your skin glow like JLo’s as you arch a perfectly sculpted brow à la Camilla Belle.

JLo’s Glow
No matter what’s going on in her personal life, Jennifer Lopez always looks effortlessly radiant. The key to achieving her fabulous glow is a pared-down makeup palette and lots of shimmery highlights. Think luminous drama and lots of metallics. Go for gold, silver or neutral eye shadows and a soft nude lip color. Complete your look with an all-over luminizer to infuse your skin with a golden sheen.

Nicole’s Boho Glam
With her House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate fashion and accessory lines, we all have a backstage pass to Nicole Richie’s luxurious -- but easygoing and incredibly wearable -- style. Her cool boho look is all about mastering the art of done/undone. Start with a romantic ’do with face-framing tendrils and create foolproof smoldering eyes. Look for a 2-in-1 smoky eye stick that can shade and line, and is smudge proof.

Sofia’s Sexy Cat Eye
Sofia Vergara oozes flirty sex-kitten appeal. You can bring out your inner vixen by using a liquid liner to create a subtle cat-eye. Add a few extra coats of volumizing mascara so everyone takes note when you bat your lashes. Choose a soft pink, glossy lip color if you’re feeling coquettish, or vamp it up with a rich crimson.

Eva’s Ladylike Sophistication
With strong features, a put-together ladylike style and sleek retro waves, Eva Mendes always exudes old-school Hollywood glamour with a thoroughly modern edge. To achieve Eva’s polished perfection, keep your hair in top condition with a deep-moisturizing treatment. Tame the flyaways and get great shine with a smoothing cream.

Camilla’s Killer Brows
Camilla Belle’s fresh, modern style -- bold, perfectly sculpted brows and red lips -- makes her a standout on any red carpet. With careful tweezing and a little strategic eyebrow pencil, you’ll be a standout too. Look for a brow-shaping kit that makes this a snap, even for the tweezing-challenged.


Photo: Getty Images


Valeria Guston  Valeria Guston has ghostwritten style and beauty books for Hyperion and HarperCollins Publishers. She is also a regular contributor to Mamiverse.com. This is her first article for Las Fabulosas.

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Winter Makeup.

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Valeria Guston for Las Fabulosas


As the temperature drops, don’t waste time mourning the passing of your sun-kissed summer glow. Instead, take the opportunity to give yourself a winter makeover! These beauty trends will have you looking radiant for all the upcoming holiday festivities.

Go Nude
The no-makeup look never really goes out of style with its fresh, modern and totally pulled-together vibe. A perfectly even skin tone is the key to pulling this off. If, like most of us, you don’t wake up with a naturally flawless complexion, there are lots of great products to enhance your glow. Look for foundations that smoothen and hydrate your skin and contain at least SPF 15, like Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Makeup SPF 15. Whether you go for concealer, mineral powder or liquid foundation, choose one that’s a shade or two lighter than your summer hue. To ensure a perfect match, test a strip on your cheek in daylight; it should virtually disappear against your skin.

Bold Brows and Ruby Lips
Latinas everywhere, rejoice: Bold brows are back! Emphasize your beautiful features with a well-defined arch and crimson lips for a strong, sexy and ultra-polished look. The Nuance Salma Hayek Shape & Define Brow Kit makes it a snap. For lips, as long as you choose a shade that complements and enhances your skin tone, rich red lips can brighten your whole face. If you have golden/yellow undertones, go for warm orange or brownish lip colors. If you have pink undertones, go for cool pink or bluish hues. A moisturizing formula like COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipcolor wards off the elements and keeps your lips silky smooth.

Navy Liner and Lashes for Days
Set aside your summer pastels, laid-back neutrals and beachy corals. Go for smoldering winter drama with smoky navy eye shadow and liner. Navy adds gorgeous depth to brown eyes and makes blue eyes pop, plus it’s a lovely alternative to basic black. Create long, luxurious lashes with lengthening mascara -- like Maybelline’s The Falsies Volum’ Express -- to really amp up the intensity.

Photo Credit: @iStockphoto.com/JohnnyH5


Valeria Guston  Valeria Guston has ghostwritten style and beauty books for Hyperion and HarperCollins Publishers. She is also a regular contributor to Mamiverse.com. This is her first article for Las Fabulosas.








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Essential Winter Beauty Tips.

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Belén Aranda-Alvarado for Las Fabulosas


Longing for the days when the sun lingers on your naturally glowing skin? We are too. Here’s how to keep looking fresh throughout the season.

Don’t Wash Your Face
Skip the water and try a cleansing towelette or a cream cleanser that you remove with a tissue. Follow up with a gentle toner. Note how your skin still feels clean but not tight and parched.

Upgrade Your Moisturizer
Use a winter-ready face cream (don’t forget the SPF). Creams are slightly heavier and create more of a protective barrier against the dry air of winter.

Have a Bedtime Beauty Ritual
If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, stick to your regular lotion for daytime and apply creams only at night. This gives your skin the extra soothing it needs -- without the risk of a too-shiny, oil-slicked face at work.

Exfoliate, Still
Dry winter air leaves a layer of ash. Add a gentle exfoliating step to your skin-care routine to slough off the dead cells and keep your skin radiant. Select a creamy, rich exfoliant with fine grains that won’t irritate.

Grab a Body Balm
Not just for lips anymore, balms can be generously applied to your hands, feet, cuticles, elbows and even the ends of your hair -- anywhere you need extra softness. Body balms also come in yummy scents -- like coconut and vanilla -- that bring warmer climes to mind.

Behold the Power of Bronzer
No woman should deny herself this magic wand of the beauty world. If you are a newbie, stick to a matte powder and apply the bronzer in a “3” formation on each side of your face. The top of the “3” shape starts at the side of your forehead, the middle of the “3” comes in under the cheekbone and the bottom curve of the “3” hugs your jawline. Blend well with an angled applicator brush and note the suddenly sunny, slimmed-down you. If you’re more of an expert and want to pump up the effect, try a liquid or cream bronzer with a slight sheen in the formula. Apply after blush to the apples of your cheeks and on your brow bone.


Photo: @iStockphoto.com/gilaxia


Belén Aranda-Alvarado lives in New York City with her husband and 9-year-old daughter. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Washington Post Magazine and Latina magazine. Belen's articles have previously appeared in Las Fabulosas.











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Latina Resilience.

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Las Fabulosas: Home & Happiness

By Marissa Matteo for Las Fabulosas


In her groundbreaking memoir, When I Was Puerto Rican, Esmeralda Santiago wrote of her journey from the barrios of Puerto Rico to the halls of Harvard University. The book, published in 1994, opened up a dialogue on cultural identity, immigration and assimilation. Her recent novel, Conquistadora, continues the conversation, exploring class, survival and romance in untamed Puerto Rico.

Las Fabulosas: During your research for your novel, you read about the history of Puerto Rico in the face of so much adversity -- slave insurrections, a cholera epidemic and hurricanes. What was the universal response to each of these catastrophes, as a people?

Esmeralda Santiago: People picked themselves up and started over with an unbelievable optimism. As I read, I was thinking, “My God, I cannot imagine going through all these things and having the strength to go on.” But that is very much a part of our people. There’s an attitude of, “Well that happened, and I’m alive, and I’m just going to do what I have to do. Fix things and keep going.” And it’s not like they just fixed their own house. They helped one another. There was this willingness to give the next person the shirt off of your back, literally.

LF: What is the best advice you ever heard from your relatives about making do when money is tight?

E.S.: My mom raised 11 children as a single mother, and the thing she is very proud of is that we always ate well. And she did it by being creative. If there was no milk, she made almond milk. If there were no almonds, she made rice milk. If there was no rice, she made oat milk. I remember her saying, “So long as I’m upright, I will work to make sure that I will take care of my family.” When she wasn’t able to work as a seamstress, she worked as a maid or she made alterations at the laundry, or she cooked for men who didn’t have families. This attitude is ingrained in my family.

LF: What is the best advice your mother gave you about finding true love?

E.S.: My mother’s attitude about true love is, “It’s great to fall in love, but if he doesn’t treat you right, there are plenty of men.” She had five husbands, and at 81, she still tells this to her granddaughters and great-granddaughters.

LF: What has your family taught you about what makes life meaningful?

E.S.: I think for us, it is the sense of closeness and unity. We are not physically close, because we live scattered over the United States and Puerto Rico, but we are close in the sense that if any one member needs help, the whole family goes into action. The sense of unity is very, very important to us. I always know that if I need them, my sisters and brothers will be there. And that is an incredible comfort.



Marissa Matteo  is a ghostwriter for HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Penguin Group. Her work has appeared on The New York Times bestseller list. She is currently at work on a seventh celebrity memoir and a semiautobiographical novel.









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Fall Fashions: How to Wear Them.

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Las Fabulosas: Beauty & Style

By Julie D. Andrews for Las Fabulosas



This fall is all about the bold look -- from eye-catching geometric patterns to day-glow neons.

Celebrity stylist Anita Patrickson has helped celebs such as Jennifer Lopez, Katherine Heigl and Britney Spears sport the latest looks everywhere -- from glossy magazine covers to the red carpet. “My biggest tip is to own it,” says Patrickson. “Wear your fabulous new looks with confidence!” Here are her rules for rocking this season’s wildest trends:



Study your keywords. When you’re updating your personal style with the season’s trends, keep in mind Patrickson’s red-hot vocabulary: bright, colorful, vintage and ethereal.

Pair accordingly. Patrickson tells us this fall is all about pieces in Bordeaux-inspired shades, black lace, fur accents, gauzy fabrics and neon. But it’s a tad tricky throwing ensembles together. Match an over-the-top piece with something understated that’s simple and has clean lines, says Patrickson. Are you dying to don some bright Victorian ruffles at your next office meeting? Couple them with a structured blazer or a sleek pair of pants.

Focus the look. Bold geometric patterns are trending this fall, especially Native American styles. Select one item, such as a scarf, to be the focus of your look when you go for this. Pair a bold dress with one-tone tights and shearling booties, advises Patrickson, or dress up a basic crewneck sweater and pants with an attractive “glamazon” geometric necklace or earrings.

Fashion for weekends. “Weekend casual for me is all about great knits,” says Patrickson. “Graphic color-blocked retro prints will keep you on trend, even on your days away from the office.”

Style on a shoestring. If your wardrobe funds have shriveled up this season, don’t fret. “Accessorize,” says Patrickson. “Find a fabulously bold cocktail ring or a striking, colorful clutch to shake up your look.” Or spice up your wardrobe with fiery red: Try red jeans (yes, we’re full-on loving them too!) or a red mod coat that you’ll get to throw on nearly every day of the fall season. And don’t forget the new Missoni line for Target. If you’ve never before been able to afford that enviable zigzag print, now is your chance.”
Photo: Getty Images


Julie D. Andrews  is a writer based in New York City.
Her articles have appeared in print and on the websites of Prevention, SHAPE and Glamour, as well as on Yahoo.com, YourTango.com and MSN.com.






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