Hi friends, I’m pleased to share this video clip with you; my cameo in one of the episodes of upcoming comedic web series: Bago & Friends.

Michael Diaz, a.k.a. Juan Bago, Jaime Fernandez and  Anthony Palmini are the lead actors in the web series that will be released by Summer of 2013.

Shot in Washington Heights, in this clip I am telling the guys who I will be choosing to go out with after taking part in a sort of  dating game with them. I love comedy!

Can’t wait to share the whole video with you. Stay tuned.

For more info check out: www.vimeo.com/juanbago

Today’s Daily Worth’s email contained an article by Katie Karlson. Titled: “Having a Bad Day? Put the Wallet Away.” 

I had a feeling I knew were they were going with that. Karlson writes:

Does this sound familiar? You feel fried after a long day at work. You stop in the bathroom on your way out of the office, get one look at your sallow complexion, and the next thing you know you’re dropping $100 on “skin-brightening” makeup.

Daily Worth goes on to describe the 3 most common spending triggers and how to beat them. For the full article, click on the link below.

http://posts.dailyworth.com/posts/1773-the-3-most-common-spending-triggers-and-how-to-beat-them#.UUtRbItpEtE

To sign up for their daily emails go to: www.DailyWorth.com 

Have you signed up? Let me know what you like about them or have learned in the comments below.

January 26th, always a cold day or snowy day in NYC but have to make it fun nonetheless. There are times I just run off to the DR for my birthday, like last year, and of course, that’s when NYC had nice mild temperatures.  Four about 5 years, I’ve kept my birthday celebrations Uptown so that it is close to most people I know and  that way we can manage through a surprise blizzard or not be too turned off by the coldest day of the year.   Also, with all of the venues we have in Washington Heights and Inwood, the days when going downtown were the only option are long gone.

This past Saturday, I celebrated by birthday at Altus Cafe for the first time. I’ve had dinner there before but never had a party. I totally recommend it.

The venue provided Balloons, thank God, because walking with balloons or putting them in a car drives me nuts. You have a trick for that?  It always seems like they’re trying to slap me. I slap them back. Anyway, the black,white and gray balloons were perfect. As the guests arrived, the staff was super attentive and provided us with a personalized menu. Attention to detail is always appreciated and in my opinion, make all the difference. The appetizers and entrees were perfect. Every single person loved the food.

For a quieter space, I recommend the upstairs which is were I had a group of 15. I think up to 30 people fit upstairs comfortably. I also made it an early party; well, for us Uptowners anyway.  A 7 to 8 p.m. reservation on a Saturday is always better than after 10 p.m. when the place is getting packed. You shouldn’t be having dinner after 10 p.m. anyway!

After 10 p.m a DJ arrives so you can continue partying afterwards. The music during dinner was also a great selection of Latin pop and upbeat but soft on the ears music.

Here’s the website to Altus Cafe: http://altuscafe.com/

The cake and cupcakes were made by http://sassyssweets.tumblr.com A variety of Chocolate, Red Velvet and Rum cupcakes along with a Vanilla Cake.

It was perfect. Thanks to all family and friends that attended and to Altus Cafe.

Also check out my blog about Apt. 78 Birthday for other good birthday choices.

I love Sabon. Tis why when I received it as a gift for my birthday this year, I thought I should share it. First time I walked into this store I fell in love with it. The natural scents, the decor; everything!

There are a few stores throughout NYC and they offer a complimentary hand scrub down and lotion application. The sales people aren’t pushy and in my experience have always been be very helpful.

Here’s the link. Have fun and let me know if there is a product there I should try: www.sabon.com

If you don’t design your own life plan,

chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.

And guess what they have planned for you?

Not much. -Jim Rohn

Every human is an artist.

And this is the main art that we have:

the creation of our story.~ don Miguel Ruiz

I’ve been getting a discount at M.A.C. for a few years since I found this out . Membership is $35 a year for  performing artists and the discount for purchases is 30 percent. Makeup artists get 40 percent off the products when they are M.A.C Pro members. For information on what you need to qualify, what your fee would be, what type of discount and all about membership, click on the link below:

https://www.maccosmetics.com/macpro/membership/index.tmpl

As far as I know, the discount can only be used at M.A.C. stores and at their stands in department stores.

Also, if you accumulate 6 empty containers from M.A.C you get a free gift. I got myself the “Shy girl” lipstick last time I recycled my containers.

Saulo Garcia en “La Vida en Los Esclavos Unidos.”

I just read that Saulo García will have his final performances at Repertorio Espanol for “Los Esclavos Unidos,” Saturday, September 15th, 2012 at 8pm and Sunday the 16th at 2:30pmLast week, I went to see Saulo Garcia’s comedic one man show “La Vida en Los Esclavos Unidos,” at Repertorio Espanol. Saulo’s authentic Medellin/Colombian  accent made it even more hilarious and entertaining. I was laughing from beginning to end. If you come from an immigrant family, you will certainly identify with most of the topics covered in the show. In Repertorio’s words:

“With outstanding humor, “La vida en los Esclavos Unidos” (Life in the United Slaves’) touches on themes such as the financial crisis, healthcare in the U.S.A., immigrants’ jobs and the lifelong trauma left after the interview for a visa at the U.S. Embassy. The production uses modern video projections to bridge the different episodes and themes.”

For more information, I’ve included some links below:

Saulo Garcia’s website (Includes dates for shows in other cities):

http://saulogarcia.net/humor/index.php

The Repertorio Espanol link:

http://www.repertorio.org/productions/index.php?area=ind&id=123

A video clip for a previous promo in Miami:

http://saulogarcia.net/humor/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=91

I hope some of you get out to see it and leave a comment below! Thanks.

I was so sad to read on www.Racked.com that one of my favorite designers, Betsey Johnson, is closing all NYC stores. I don’t know about the other stores across the country because my attention went into the Liquidation Sample Sale flyer. I sigh remembering how unique Betsey Johnson’s pieces have always been. I remember finding a New Year’s dress at the designer’s store in the Garden State Plaza Mall years ago when all other stores had failed. Betsey Johnson’s dresses seemed to make room for curves and I loved that.  I also found another favorite Betsey Johnson dress at the Soho store; this one was black and had a vintage, roaring 20s touch. Wait a minute, the leopard print shoes I wore to my last photo shoot were Betsey Johnson! That was a recent purchase. So are my favorite bright blue shoes! Can’t this be stopped? Lobbying or something? Ok fine, maybe not.

Here are the leopard Print shoes by Betsey Johnson:

Oh well… moving along, I’m over it because I am super excited about the Sample Sale. Gotta be there bright and early. BRIGHT AND EARLY.

The links below is where I got the flyer and story from. Click on them for more info:

http://ny.racked.com/archives/2012/05/16/betsey_johnson_will_host_a_liquidation_sample_sale_this_weekend.php

and:

http://theshophound.typepad.com/the_shophound/2012/05/over-and-out-betsey-johnson-schedules-a-final-liquidation-sale-this-weekend.html