Monday, August 9, 2010

Agua Fresca de Sandia

Agua Fresca de Sandia or watermelon juice to all you gringos is a quick and tasty alternative to water to keep you refreshed on hot summer days. It is low in sugar, contains powerful antioxidents and is said to aid in digestion. It is also super easy to make (and pairs well with alcohol if you please)!

- Liquify seedless watermelon pulp in a blender for a minute
- Strain mixture into a container (or not - - it is still good!)
- Add mint and lime slices
- Chill for up to a week in the fridge
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Saturday, April 10, 2010

The Baby Sitter's Club

The Washington Post is my go-to guide for all of my latest international, national, and local news. I can always count on them for hard hitting headlines such as the following:

Baby-Sitters Club returns with a prequel and reissues

Excuse me while I scream of happiness! Eek!

Basically, Scholastic is updating the BSC (Baby Sitters Club for all you noobs) books so the young tweens of today can relate. Accompanying the prequel: rereleases of the original books, updated for modern times. Gone is Stacey's bodacious perm, replaced with a generic "expensive haircut." Gone are references to Walkmen, VCRs and the daily insulin shots Stacey had to give herself: Treatment of Type 1 diabetes has progressed in the past decade. reports the Washington Post.

I can't be more excited that my fourth grade best friends are getting upgraded for 2010. The Baby Sitters Club along with Sweet Valley Twins helped introduce me to the wiley ways of American girls (which partly explains why I am the way I am today). How could I ever forget the time that Stacey was a mother's helper at the Jersey Shore? Or when Dawn and Mary Anne thought they had a ghost living in their house? Or when Mallory finally found a boyfriend in hottie Australian Ben Hobart? But I digress...

For all you other BSC nerds out there, there are resources and forums for people like us. I encourage you to talk about your feelings and discuss how you felt when Logan and Mary Anne broke up...for good.

BSC Headquarters

What Claudia Wore
SMS Cafeteria
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Friday, April 9, 2010

Jodi Arnold Fashion Show

It is no secret that 50% of my wardrobe is from the Limited. I can always turn to them to provide me with chic, work appropriate clothes at an affordable price point. Last week, I was invited to an exclusive VIP fashion show for Jodi Arnold's new line that is being sold exclusively at the Limited and I wanted to pass on the invitation to the closest of my internet friends.

Enjoy cocktails and dessert with renowned fashion designer Jodi Arnold at a fashion show of the Limited's latest collections. Make sure to arrive early to get a gift bag and enter a raffle drawing for a $250 Gift Card. After the show, you will get a chance to purchase Jodi's new collection for 40% off.

RSVP here.

PS: Check out these super cute designs from Jodi's new collection! I am in lurve.



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Georgetown French Market

My French is terrible, but I have a deep love of crepes, croissants, and quaint shops and boutiques. Lucky for me, this is exactly what the annual Georgetown French Market promises to have this Sunday along with:

- Up to 75% off antiques, clothing, jewelery, ceramics, tableware and furniture
- Balloon sculptures, caricatures, and arts and crafts with Dumbarton House Tudor Place
- Giveaways at TD Bank and a chance to donate to Baby Love DC
- A wide selection of both French and American literature for sale
- Fresh produce from the Glover Park-Burleith Farmer's Market

I can't wait to drag my beau (like how I pulled that vocab word out?) to this!

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Handmade Hangers















These personalized wire hangers are the perfect gift for a bride-to-be or a special friend! They are available for purchase on Etsy or you can try the DIY route. If my car wasn't currently coveredby two feet of snow and it wasn't 2 am in the morning I would totally be heading over to Home Depot right now to pick up the supplies to make this!
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Ugly Betty

I am so sad that my favorite television show Ugly Betty has been cancelled. It has all the elements of a fun show - - beauty, fashion, and drama. I am most drawn to it because I feel a deep connection with the main character Betty Suarez.

I am the child of immigrant parents. I eat carbs and am a midget compared to tall and thin counterparts. I have unruly brows. I am often overlooked by my prettier and more social sister. I work harder than most to take care of my family. I worry a lot. I was not raised to be an independent, strong businesswoman but a caring, connected person. I am unsure of myself but I keep on going. Shoot, I even have a poncho only mine is from Guatamala not Guadalajara.

Every week, I have watched Betty face the same tough problems that I face in my day-to-day life with family, friends, and the workplace. In the end, she always comes up on top because she stays positive and works hard.

Betty, I will miss you dearly. I can only hope that you are moving on to bigger and better things...so you can inspire other Bettyheads to do the same!
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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Lush - - Fresh Homemade Cosmetics

Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer five years ago** I have become more wary about what goes into my body. Besides food, I have also started using organic body washes and household cleaners. Unfortunately, the organic body washes on the market are often expensive and bland smelling. That is why I was so excited when my friend Devon introduced me to the wide, wonderful world of Lush.

Lush is a company based in Canada that is committed to creating handmade cosmetics with the fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. They have a wide array of specially formulated fragrances to suit any personality or mood.

Not only are the products good for you and the environment, they are also effective. Everytime I use one of their soaps or shampoos I leave my shower feeling squeaky clean so I do not feel like I have compromised any quality just to be "healthy".

Below are some of my favorite items:


Honey I Washed the Kids Soap - With masses of honey and aloe, this bar is perfect for people with sensitive skin. Topped with a slice of beeswax and infused with bergamot and sweet orange to sweeten up even the darkest of days. Has a rich, thick lather.



Seanik Solid Shampoo - Sea salt and seaweed are the key ingredients to this body boosting volumizing shampoo. The solid bar is easy to use and has no wasteful packaging or preservatives. One bar averages about ninety washings.

Each Peach (And Two's a Pair) Massage Bar - A solid massage bar is today's cure for messy oils. This bar is jam packed with cocoa, shea, and avocado butter so it also doubles as a moisturizer, which is a lifesaver on my back - - especially in the winter months.


Aqua Marina Cleanser - This seaweed cleanser is packed with seaweed, calamine and aloe for sensitive and dry skin. Take a pinch, mix with warm water and gently massage paste into your skin. It does not lather up like traditional cleansers. A quick rinse and you will be left with the cleanest, softest, soothed face ever. I will never go back to my old face wash again!

I definitely urge you to give their products a try! I had my doubts but I have been converted into a lifelong fan. If you need any more incentive, I'd like to share a 15% coupon code GIFTFORYOU10 to use in stores or online. If you would like to check out any of the products in-store, the two closest brick and mortars in the DC area are in Georgetown and McLean.

What other products are out there that avoids chemicals?

* I was not paid by Lush to write this review.
**I have been cancer free for four years now and will be considered fully recovered in May 2010.
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