15 - Partially Latina

In recent years whenever I come home, the Spanish channels on my car stereo get a workout. Though I don't understand 90% of what they are singing about, the beats just make me want to dance. I don't recommend dancing and driving, but jamming out at traffic lights is perfectly acceptable. Out of curiosity, I picked up an issue of Latina Magazine while at the drug store. Being in South Florida, I figured it would be a nice way to diversify my magazine collection, and embrace the 1/4 of my heritage that is Puerto Rican. Though Xtina looks fantastic in her article, the two reasons the magazine made it into my shopping basket were 1) "How to Throw a Fabulous Outdoor Fiesta" and 2) "Best Latin Music You Don't Know".

The New Barbecue?
When I think of summer, I always gravitate toward barbecues, dining alfresco, and starry nights. Where I currently live, I cannot throw parties or have many guests, but I think it may be a place I can test drive entertaining as I do have colleagues who I am close with. In "Seaside Fiesta", Chef Marcela Valladolid presents a beautiful spread for ten (or more) of her friends. The Food Network Star brings the love of a Mexican kitchen to the outdoors with a set of recipes (and tips) for entertaining. Unfortunately for me, half of the recipes provided have shellfish, and I have a shellfish allergy. I wrote to the magazine and ask if they have any recommended substitutes. (7/13/10) 

The table settings used in the article are a mixture of white, sea green, and magenta. The tablecloth has a beautiful floral print with accents in brights yellows, lime, and blue. I have been cleaning out my stored items in my parents house, and realized I have lots of glassware and CorningWare. Tiny kitchenette oven aside, they are begging to be put to work. If I could find a similar patterned fabric, I would love to have that table cloth. It's summery and perfect for an evening of dining and drinks with the girls.

Pump Up the Volume!
One of the things I have been interested in is dining with music. With my computer in my living area, it would be simple to put together a musical selection for the evening. Currently, I am working on chasing up the tracks listed in "The Best Latin Music You Don't Know". Some of it would be perfect for a casual dining, while the others would be better suited for a party. Not that I am opposed having a party, but not many of my friends dance. I would love to build my Latin music selection, but I would need to find a bilingual radio station or guide to follow. I think the resurgence of 'Latin Night' could be a fun way to liven up my home life. Free on iTunes Latino would be a good place to start, no?

Ana Tijoux's debut single, "1977", is currently iTunes Freebie of the Week! It has an "old-school rap" feel to it, but the Latina heat is definitely there. The artists listed are starting to make their stateside breaks, but locating them online can be difficult. It would have been helpful to have links to the artist's official sites (or SNS websites) available, especially on the Latina website. Pulling up iTunes yielded some results, but others I am still tracking down. Regardless, I loved that they represented artists from around the globe. I do have a soft spot for Latin music after seven years of middle and high school dances, but my catalog is rather meager.  

Maybe my unexplored roots are trying to tell me something. It could have been a subconscious decision to pick  up the magazine. I never really got the chance (or made the effort) to ask my Grandma Nina about her branch of the family tree. It has been ten years since we lost her to Cancer, but I hope that I can find ways to understand and embrace the other part of my culture.

11 - Lowe's Creative Ideas

Mom passed on another design treat from the mailbox, Lowe's Creative Ideas' For Home and Garden (July/August 2010) issue. Being frequent shoppers at Lowe's as well as Home Depot, they receive additional design ideas by post and e-mail. Without a home to call my own, I very rarely step foot in the larger home design shops. Actually, I don't even know where the Lowes or HD would be near where I live in New York.


Highlights From This Issue:

• Summer Centerpiece ("What a Great Idea!"): I really should find a section of wood before I go, so I can take advantage of Daddy's power tool arsenal.
• Decal Decor: I have already been kicking this idea around, but I love how it can be used to tie a piece of furniture and the wall behind it together. I will need to figure out which ones from Etsy would do the job best.
• Outside Party Pad: I would love to find a bistro set that I could take outside to set up and enjoy the pretty trees outside my windows. Also, I think I could swing a pass through window if I remove my screen. 
• TV Faux Wall: If I can wallpaper or paint a wall, I could always build my own. Never thought about that. I don't think fastening the cleats will make that big of an impact (and they should be easily patched afterward.

I am going to go over their other WAGIs later. Also, I want to check out HD and see if they have ideas as well. Time for some port-World Cup relaxation.