iStockBy Ariel Nagi

Summer is almost over, but it's not too late to plan the perfect fiesta just-because. Invite your amiguitas over for a kick-ass time minus the exhausting party planning duties. Here are the five things you need for a fun, simple backyard bash, Latin-style.

1. Bebidas

It's never a party without cocktails. Here are three of our faves.

Aztec Summer
3/4 ounce Tequila Don Julio Blanco
1/4 ounce Apertif Wine
1/4 ounce Mezcal
1/4 ounce agave syrup
1/4 ounce fresh lime juice
Cucumber
Cucumber slices for garnish

Muddle cucumber in a cocktail shaker. Add Tequila Don Julio Blanco, aperitif wine, mezcal, agave syrup and fresh lime juice into cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a glass with fresh ice. Garnish with cucumber slice. Yield: 1 drink.

Blueberry Sangria
1-1/2 cups ready-to-serve blueberry juice
1-1/2 cups chilled white wine or apple juice
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur, optional
1 orange, sliced

They speak Spanish fluently, ask for "bendición" when they visit family and enjoy their arroz con gandules as much as the next chica, but by their looks you would never think they're Latina.

Fighting the stereotype of not looking LatinaJust like not everyone who has dark hair and a dark complexion is Hispanic, fair-skinned Latinas also have to fight a stereotype of their own. Some people don't expect them to speak Spanish or have a Latin family because maybe they're blonde or have super straight hair. These ladies usually have to decide whether to "come out" or pass as non-Latin. While at times their revealing stories can be funny, having to "prove" they are indeed Latinas can be a bit exhausting.

I sat with Amber (a fair-skinned brunette with freckles) and her sister Heather (green eyes and freckles, too) to talk about what happens when they identify themselves as Hispanic in public. While a history lesson usually ensues, it's having to exhibit Spanish linguistic prowess that sometimes leaves them in an awkward

By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina

Arroz con coco

Growing up in a country with access to a variety of tropical fruit was definitely a luxury. In the small town of El Rosal where I lived, we didn't have any major supermarkets, but we had several farmers nearby who gathered on Sundays to sell their organic, fresh greens. I usually accompanied my parents to the mercado and filled up the trunk with exotic fruits and veggies, a load which usually included 15 pounds of oranges to make fresh-squeezed juice every day. My dad made sure to taste the fruit before we bought the rest to see if they were ripe and ready to eat; he'd peel a tangerine and give me half, while my embarrassed mom felt obligated to buy 25 tangerines. Sometimes they had fresh coconut, and you could have a farmer break it open for you on the spot. What a treat! Fresh coconut water is so delicious and refreshing.

Once we had finished the coconut water, my mom would take the meat or pulp of the coconut and make the most amazing

While the current number of college graduates in the Latino community is dismal, there is help, support and the example of a growing number of individuals who are succeeding in higher education.

The future is bright for Latino college students (iStockphoto)Juan Herrejon was a quiet kid who grew up in a small Texas town. Rosaura Estrada helped out at her family's Mexican restaurant, and Omar Gomez's dad was a contractor in the physically demanding construction business. They have more in common than being Latinos; they are the first ones in their families to go to college regardless of the odds stacked against them.

The rates at which Latino students are graduating from college can be disheartening. The latest data reveals that Hispanics lag extraordinarily behind when it comes to finishing up college and earning a degree. "The numbers show that Hispanic students are the least educated among all ethnic communities in the United States," says Dr. Laura Rendon, professor in the Higher Education Program at the University of Texas-San

In this blog I will go through my entire skin care regimen, with a demo of the products I use from morning to night.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina My skin care regimen (iStockphoto)

Morning Routine

The first thing I do in the morning is wash my face. As you sleep, impurities build up in your pores, so it is very important to wash your face in the morning, as well as at night. I use The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser which helps fight acne and control excess oil. Then, I use The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion to hydrate and soothe my skin. I finish up with Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel to reduce puffiness and help create a bright-eyed effect.

Night Routine

I take off my makeup in the shower using the steam from the water to open up my pores. I find that using Aveeno's Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser does a great job at taking off all of my makeup without having to spend the extra time using liquid makeup removers.

Watch my tutorial on how to keep an

A number of Hollywood A-listers have chosen to become parents through adoption. Find out which celebs have given some lucky kids a family to call their own.

It's summer, and tropical fruits are at their peak this season. Head on to your nearest market, get a papaya and make this fun and healthy dessert- perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages.

By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina

Papaya con crema

Papaya, mango and pineapple are always a must in my fridge. I usually cut them into small chunks, store them in individual glass containers and have them for snacks in the afternoon or after a good workout.

My nieces, ages two and four, love coming to la casa de Tia Nini (Aunt Nini's house); first thing they do is aim for the fridge to see what goodies I have. Last week my best friend bought me a box of Hawaiian sorbets that come in real fruit containers. Some of them come inside an empty coconut, a hollow orange or even a little pineapple "boat". We ate a couple of them, washed the containers and saved them in the freezer to use later. So, when my nieces came to visit, I made them a delicious and simple low calorie desert. I took fresh papaya

As we celebrate the August birthday of Ricky Martin's twin boys, take a look back at their cutest moments of their first four years.