Financial expert Andrés Gutiérrez gives you tips for sticking to financial resolutions and making 2013 a debt-free year.
Most New Year resolutions, like vowing to lose weight or quit smoking, are usually made with great intentions only to be forgotten by the end of January. "Most people's resolutions are dreams instead of goals; goals come with a plan," says financial expert Andrés Gutiérrez, who defines goals as "dreams dressed in work clothes."
Resolve to get out of debt in the New Year
So, what does a well-devised financial goal look like? Gutiérrez suggests following some basic measurable guidelines: time-limited, specific, written and measurable. Just saying "I'm going to get out of debt", and leaving it at that does not translate into a successful plan. For example, an individual with $12,000 in debt could manage a goal as follows:
Time-limit: "I'll get out of debt by January 2014" is well limited goal, but, is it realistic? Does it take your current budget into consideration? Maybe taking two years to pay off $500 a mon...Read More »By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina
Fig infused cocktail
I lived in New York while I studied film; Union Square holds a year-round farmers market on Tuesdays. While in the summer the market is usually filled with fresh fruits and herbs, in the winter it carries lots of jams, dried fruit and ciders. I loved to stop by after school, and buy an apple cider to warm up. Sometimes the cider vendor offered a delicious rum and fig infusion that was served over ice; it has a particularly floral aroma that blended perfectly with the fruit flavor. I never came across the drink again after leaving the Big Apple.
Rose herbs
During a recent business trip to Paris, I stumbled upon a lovely store filled with teas and infusions of all sorts. I came across rose infusion that brought back the memory of the fig drink. I had to buy it, and attempt my own version of the cocktail.
Try this drink with my holiday buñuelos
Figs muddled with rum over ice
Ingredients
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¼ cup water
1 tbsp. rose herbs
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 fig, get one slice andBy Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina
Mouse de maracuyá
My nana (or nanny), Delfina, who has been a part of my family for over 30 years, took care of me and my sisters from the day we were born. Needless to say, she is a second mother to me. My father used to give her instructions on what to cook during the week, mainly because he was always trying a different diet. When he was too busy, though, and didn't pick our menu, my nana cooked whatever she felt like making. That usually meant an irresistible dessert. Sometimes she made torta de plátano, apple or carrot pie, and even sweet empanadas. My all-time favorite, though, is a mousse de maracuyá, (or passion fruit mousse); it's smooth and sweet, but not too sugary. The perfect end to any meal as far as I'm concerned!
Unfortunately, she lives in Colombia and can't be here to make if for me in person. Luckily, she can (and did) give me precise instructions on how to make it myself. Simpler than I thought, it's similar to making a smoothie with a
...Read More »Shine Latina sat with L'Oreal Paris' Consulting Nail Arist Tom Bachik to get the latest on nail trends.
L'Oreal Paris' Tom Bachik, who is inspired by the colors and designs of the high fashion runways, gets to see trends before they reach the public. "I do a lot of photo shoots, and I see what's been pulled for this shoot, and what celebrities like what," says the nail artist who gets to see what people will be wearing months before.
Nail colors straight from the runways
VIDEO: L'Oreal expert reveals odd inspirations behind makup colors
Lately, the trend is mixing colors and textures, which is now made easy with L'Oreal Paris' newly launched Nail Lingerie. "It's a simple way to create a three dimensional look at home [which] everyone can do it without making a mistake," says Bachik. For an elegant and contemporary manicure, the nail expert suggests applying a nude or white base to nails, and affixing a piece of their fishnet designs on top.
For trendy nail products, watch the full interview here:
Beautiful nails s
...Read More »By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina
Pork chops and cilantro tzatziki
Hoping to avoid the summer crowds, I traveled to Europe this past September; the weather was fabulous and the tourist madness had dissipated. I started in Madrid, where I stayed for a few days enjoying some excellent tapas and wine; then, I moved on to Prague and Paris. I found my favorite spot in Greece, though. In its quaint island of Santorini, famous for its sunsets, charisma and exquisite local food, I took in the sights and cuisine.
During my tour of Imerovigli, I discovered a restaurant overlooking a volcano called "La Maison".
And what a place it was! The attention was unimaginable, the sunset view arresting, and the food was absolutely exquisite. I ordered lamb chops with tzatziki sauce, which is Greek yogurt blended with cucumber, lime and dill. The lamb chops were juicy and tender, cooked to perfection- a true culinary experience!
cucumber and cilantro chopped
Cucumber and Greek yogurt
A few days ago, I was craving that very meal and headed to the supermarket to find similar ingred
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