Heaven on Earth.

There are certain things that people can't live without.

For me, that's champagne, jasmine green tea, Forever 21, bistec empanizado con papitas fritas, and my closest family and friends. DUH. But there's one more thing that's an uber necessity to my continuous inner happiness. It feeds the recessionista in me. Can you guess the 6 letter word that literally gives me stomach flutters and makes my palms sweaty every time I'm at close proximity to the shopping MECCA?!!
If you guessed, TARGET, not only must you be super pretty and smart, but clearly you are a fashion forward and budget friendly human being deserving of your blessed life.

TARGET has arrived in Manhattan!!!! Yes, the red bulls eye is shining over the East River signaling and calling all smart shoppers (including me). I'm one of the many in this island that has been counting down to opening day and watching as that structure has slowly been resurrected along the FDR Drive. As my bff, Javy, says "Its the Dadeland Center of Manhattan." (for my non Miami followers, Dadeland Center is a shopping pavillion in Miami that also holds a Target, Best Buy, Michael's, and some other retailers).

Another reason why I NEVER want to leave this island (next, I'm working on getting a Forever 21 store at the corner of 79th and 2nd). Not sure if its the fact that I can buy toilet paper, towels, an Isabel Toledo bathing suit, and a digital camera under one roof, but theres a feeling of determination as I push my shopping cart in the store, and then a feeling of accomplishment when I walk out with my shiny red and white plastic bags. Ive conquered the world. Or actually, Target has successfully conquered my bank account. I think I speak on behalf of every Target lover when I say, you walk into the store with 3 things on your list, no more than $30 lets say, but you've managed to spend $300. Yep. Welcome to my life. I literally lose my brain in those aisles.

On a quick serious note, this Target opening is a great thing for Manhattan. Not because of the convenience of being in the city, but this store has created over 500 jobs and it is expected to generate millions of dollars and be one of the most popular stores in the country. I'm sure it will also be just as crowded, but, if you arrive 15 minutes before opening and happen to be one of the first consumers there, you will definitely beat the crowds and get your hand on those designer collections that fly off the rack (and in my case, get my hands on a size small before all the fat girls who think they are a S but are really an XXL, hijack them from me).

Next time you find yourself low on tooth paste or box of wine, make an event out of it and head to Target in Harlem. I'm sure you'll walk out with a new bedroom set and possibly some patio furniture bc it is that amazing!!!!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy.

You Know what I hate??!

So you are going to be reading A LOT of these "you know what I hate?" blog posts. or for those that know me very well, my 100,000 pet peeves. Maybe its my low threshold for tolerance,or that fact that I'm easily annoyed and have very little patience, but i have a LOOOOOOOOOONG list of pet peeves that seems to be getting bigger and bigger the older I get...

So lets start with 2 things I REALLY hate...

1) whistling. I HATE when people whistle. Its Ear Abuse, quite frankly. What's the point? That's why songs have words. So that you can sing them. No need to whistle or hum. Humming is whistling nasty, "que tu pintas aqui" cousin. Whistling is neither chipper nor soothing to you or those around you (emphasis on "those around you".) Its very bothersome and most people do not have whistling rhythm. Also, please don't try to whistle Beethoven's symphony. You are not a walking orchestra. Or also, Jamie Foxx's Gold digger. It sounds SO much better when the original artists do them.
And while we are on the topic of music, there's no need to sing out loud. That's why God and the good people at Apple, invented ipods with headphones. I don't want to hear you sing and I certainly do not need to hear you a) sing over your ipod or b) hear your music through your headphones. Really?! Are you deaf?? or just cheap because you cant buy good headphones. I do not want to be on a morning commute listening to Lil Wayne on the way to work. Not really my morning jam. And coming from uptown, I definitely do not want to hear any form of reggaeton blasting from your headphones to my sensitive ear. Its criminal. Indecent Music overload should be fined!

2) I know several people, and by close I mean family members, that insist on collecting key chains. Not one or 2, but like 13 of them. And they only hold one key. Really??! Is this because you are an avid key chain collector?? or because you need to find your keys in your Guess bag??? It's plain stupid. No one needs more than one key chain. Do you really need Betty Boop key chains, flip flop key chains, furry ty babies key chain to hold your one house key??? Next time I see this chotchky violation, I will personally peg you with all your tacky key chains.

Thanks for letting me blow off steam. I could scratch those two pet peeves off my list. Only 234,446,678 left on the list!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Babies can Wear Rompers Too!

Consider this an addendum to yesterday's fashion post!

So, this morning I got an email from one of my fans (and by fan, I mean one of my best friends) who affectionately schooled me on rompers for the mini bugs! Seriously, how could I forget to include the Suri Cruises of the world in a blog about rompers?! So many pretty options for little chicas nowadays when it comes to fashion.

And yes, Adri, you are right. Babies can Wear Rompers too! But only cute babies like Baby Alana can. Mini fashionistas are born, not made and it looks like we have one on our hands. Take a look at these delicious pics of Adri's daughter, Alana, sporting one of the trendiest looks of the season! And shes not afraid to take risks! Check her out in denim and black gingham.

Rock it baby girl!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy

Romper Fever

I have a scenario for you. How many times do you find yourself standing dumbfounded con cara de boba staring into your closet and saying, "Ugh. I have nothing to wear." (thankfully its been years since Ive said this. not because i have a huge closet, but more because Ive learned to reuse and re imagine my outfits with pieces ive worn multiple times. Yay me.) Or in my case, once my list of outfits has been worn and photographed and posted on facebook, I don't want to think too hard about what I'm going to wear. So I go for my fail resistant plan and reach for my super favorite outfit ever- the romper!

I'm like obsesivo over rompers. Shorts, pants, one shoulder..you name it, its probably hanging in my closet. I decided that i wanted to count how many rompers I have and its safe to say I am the proud owner of 11 rompers. And they all get special attention. And I just have to say that this wasn't a recent thing I'm into or a trend im adopting for the season, Ive been a loyal rompeneur since the age of 6! And I thank Abuela Maya for that. Disregard the fact that she lived in batas de casas for most of her adult life (for all my gringos out there, that means mumus)in Little Havana and spoke not a lick of English, but this lady had a vision (or maybe she got a sweet deal on la ocho). Can you believe one of the most crystal clear memories I have of my childhood are Maya's rompers?? I can remember the feel of the polyester rompers that came in lilac, pink, or blue..they were packaged in plastic wrapping. They were sleeveless with white pinstripe and white hem and even had 2 silver snap buttons on the chest. You would have thought I had no clothes the way I used to wear these rompers, even if it was just to sit in my columpio (swing set). Sort of like how I wear mine now. Thankfully,Maya caught on to the fact that I was a bit compulsive so she kept back up.

Fast forward to present day and my 11 rompers. But you know what I love about rompers?? OMG SO many things. First off, you can take them from day to night. No longer reserved just for the beach, or brunching, or leisure weekend drinking, now if you wanted to hit the town in them, go to dinner with friends, or even have a hot date (they're easy to take off too!, I'm just sayin') you can totally vamp it up with some killer heels, or a boyfriend blazer. Me, I'm a huge fan of wearing these playsuits, as the Brits say, with boyfriend blazers and booties, or my acid wash jean jacket. Dressed down, I pair it with some gladiator sandals and my American Apparel cardigan. Secondly, one pieces! Hello! Who doesnt love one pieces?? How retro and nostalgic. Makes it very easy to take off and put on, and for someone lazy like me, its ideal. And third, you don't have to break the bank to own your very own, super cute romper! You can go high end and splurge at one at places like Intermix, Juicy Couture, or Top Shop. But, you don't have to compromise style or quality if you do it on the cheap. Forever 21 has some fresh and adorable ones, as does Victoria Secret, and H&M! And so many styles- floral, geometric, tribal, solids, stripes, and I can keep going.

If there isn't a sassy, sexy and practical, dare I say, romper on a hanger somewhere in your bedroom, then I hope that once you finish reading this fashion savvy blog, you will drive yourself or (if you're a city girl or boy, bc I know my Javy has himself a jumpsuit, get on a train) to the nearest cheap chic store or department store and purchase one for yourself! Trust me, you will live in nothing else! Rompers are here to stay. Treat yourself. Caso cerrado!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy

Yo Quiero...Cascabel!

OK, my first official foodie blog! Kind of makes me really PO'ed at myself that I did not start this blog YEARS ago, considering how many fabulous and delicious places I have frequented in NYC, Miami, or in several far far away lands. All I can say to these food haunts is, My sincere apologies. And here's to me walking through your doors one day again, so I can dish about your tasty creations, and I can take pictures of my meal like someone who has never seen food before.

But no use lingering on the past! I'm in the now, and that now is Cascabel Taqueria on the UES (for you non-new yorkers, UES is the Upper East Side, my hood). I can proudly say that I am a neighborfoodie. I love to check out new hot spots that open up in my hood. Ive been known to "investigate" and show myself in to construction areas where painters and workers loom just to get some info on the latest opening.

To be honest, I often go downtown or across town when it comes to dining, always on the hunt for the most recently reviewed restaurants in NY magazine or Urban Daddy. That's not to say that the Upper East Side doesn't have some culinary gems lurking in its blocks, but despite being yummy joints, they aren't exactly garnering "cool" points since they are so uptown. However, in recent years some notable and dare I say, trendy spots have popped up around this upscale, family friendly neighborhood. And one of those spots is a luchador themed, casual taco mecca named Cascabel. A small, but always bustling, always jam packed shoe box sized taqueria that serves up the most delicioso tacos, Ive personally tasted. (And with a Mexican husband, Ive tasted quite a few).

Being Cuban, I love anything pork. I could eat pork for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I had to. Pork, fatty pork especially, just runs through my blood. So my first experience at Cascabel was an order of their very popular "Pork Tacos". OMG. A party in my mouth. Served on a metal silver dish, two fat tacos stuffed with crispy shredded pork butt, red onions, roasted chili de arbol, and a jalapeno on the side, (for those who are very brave) was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. I sprinkle it with a dash of lime and each bite was just as flavorful as the first. Um, can I please have 10 of these??? And now something to wash it down. Duh, a margarita! I decided to keep it classic with a traditional margarita and it was the perfect refreshment to accompany my meal. After devouring my plate, and sitting contently with my acquired food baby, I finally understood why people would wait 20-30 minutes in line to snag a bar stool or one of the few tables in the place. But they don't come just for the pork tacos, theres a nice size menu that also includes really fresh guacamole, chorizo tacos, lengua (veal)tacos, pollo a la plancha, or pollo asada, and I have my eyes on the Gorditas con puerco, which are honey glazed with cilantro, on my next Cascabel visit!

Prices are on the cheap side, but Coco thinks $7 for 2 tacos is a bit of a rip off. I beg to differ. That's just my two cents. And just recently through some of my "investigative" work, there might be some truth to the rumors that Cascabel is expanding next door to the old Willy's restaurant. Which means sidewalk dining in the summer time, cooling off with a margarita in hand! Oish. I'm making myself hungry!

So if you ever find yourself venturing uptown, or visiting me (bc I obviously like you if I invite you anywhere near me), make a pit stop at the taqueria. Who knows, maybe one of those tacos will awaken the luchador in you!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy.

Speed Reader

So just as I suspected, I was technology-handicapped so to speak, while away on my Mediterranean cruise. I was so looking forward to posting some fun two cents, but ship Internet was slow, and right before hitting send on my blog in my Rome hotel room, the Internet time purchased ran out. Ugh. No bueno. Now I feel like a kid who's missed school with some bad case of mono, and have like homework assignments piled up and minimal time to do them! Okay, I'm exaggerating. My vacation wasn't like "mono" it was Four Seasons on the high seas!

My main goal this vacation was to read read read. More than usual. My condolences to poor Coco bc me reading translates to "you're going to ignore me more than usual, right?" I got my reading list together, placed an order on B&N, and three days later, voila! A mini bookstore arrived at my super's doorstep. Reading is one of my favorite things in the world. Ive loved it as a kid. I used to get all excited when the Troll slips would show up in class, or when my parents took me to the library to check out a book and I could whip out my library card from my Hello Kitty velcro wallet. I easily lose myself in whatever I'm reading. Its the one instance where my overactive imagination doesn't cause me anxiety! I'm also a REEEEEEEEEEEEEALLLLY speedy reader. I could read books in a couple of hours, which is a nice feat but also an expensive one.

I calculated the days at sea, the early arrivals back on the boat, the downtime with a nice glass of champers, and decided that 7 books was a good number. Yes, 7! and guess what??? READ THEM ALL. Even the holy grail of books, a second reading of Breaking Dawn so I can continue to fuel my vampire and wolves obsession. Sometimes I wish I could go to the bookstore and pick up what i call a "smart" book, like a Henry VIII bio, or a First Lady retrospect, but the truth is, i LOVE mindless fiction especially anything by Mary Higgins Clark, Jennifer Weiner, Sophie Kinsella, or Emily Griffith. ADORE them! Not to say, that I don't surprise myself on the occasion and get all intellectual. Its on the rare, but it happens.

Anyhow, I have 2 more fabulous trips with some amazing friends in the next couple of weeks, and I ask myself, "to read, or not to read?" I mean, Am I really going to read when I know all that awaits me is endless yenta chatter with some of the funniest people I know. Total "bayu"! Maybe Ill keep it to 2 books...3 max..But really, who knows if I'll even take them out of my bag!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy

Nailed It!!

Okay, so estoy super obsesionada with Essie's nail polish, "Mint Candy Apple". I'm one of those girls that absolutely relishes in manicures and pedicures. I feel like a new woman all nice and groomed ready to take on the world! When this recession hit, and i was trying to be like the masses and "cut corners," I for a second considered only getting manis every other week. But when I snapped out of my delusional mind frame, I realized there was no way I would cut that out. I rather not eat lunch. That was a bright idea, Suarez! NOT. I love color! I love anything loud and bright and obnoxious. Its the Cuban in me. And I'm so addicted to finding that standout color, that I often go to the local beauty store when the collections hit (bc Ive been stalking them in magazines over the last weeks) so I can be the first to buy and wear.

Side note. You know what really bothers me?? Girls/Women in flip flops with gnarly toes that are asqueroso, black, and clearly have not been attended to since 1994. Yuck. Seriously, its eye abuse for me to have to see those disgusting dirty flip flops and toes. Get a pedicure for the baby Jesus' sake if you are going to walk around Manhattan with sandals. It's a $20 investment that might help you land a boyfriend. Any who, back to my Essie color. It is the perfect shade of aqua. A little lighter than Tiffany Blue. It also reminds me of tea at Fortnum and Mason. Tres chic! This color screams "I'm going on a Mediterranean cruise and I'm so vogue so please stare at my hands!" i lovesies!

I also thought it be nice to give my Chanel Black Satin a break. It's been working overtime and black will always be my go-to color for nails (see you in September!). Its chic, edgy, sexy and it gives me that extra dime size boost of confidence as i strut my stuff. But now in the summer i can just hear mima (introducing Isabel "two cents" alvarez) saying, "Kata, explicame porque una muchachita educada y sonriente, tiene que pintarse las unas de negro? Tu estas deprimida? Es que yo no entiendo la moda de hoy en dia.". And that's how that usually goes when she spots the black on my fingernails.

To all my ladies that love to get their nails did, check out Essie's new summer collection before you go to your chinos. You'll be sizzling in summer chicness!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy

Times Square Redeemed! (Sort of)

I usually avoid Times Square like the plague. Its one of those sights that you see once on your very first trip to NYC, get all googly eyed at the magnitude of it and the different species of lights and billboards, and then you are basically good. Nothing else to see. Yes it's cool, but I just have zero patience for all the tourists with boca abierta catching flies, wearing sneakers (tacky!) and buying those tired out "I heart NY" tshirts in a rainbow of colors to match their unflattering fabric fedoras that they bought at the same vendor! It's a major metraya that should be avoided at all costs.

So when I heard that a massive Forever 21 was opening in the heart of TS, I got a little excited bc of the proximity to my office, but then I thought "Oh no. so not a good idea. Its going to be a disaster." I am a HUGE Forever 21 fan. It would probably be wise of me to purchase stock in the company bc I think it's the best thing in the world second to Cuban bread. I began shopping there when I was 13-14 years old and it was my little secret that not many knew about. Forgotten are those days of anonymity considering how mass produced and iconic it has become for frugal fashion finds. And for those who have ventured into a Forever 21 mega store, it can be quite overwhelming, especially the NYC stores. They are panic inducing, packed with people, messy, no sizes (bc fat people take the smalls and i know it's mean to say, but it's true.) and looks like a tornado (aka teenagers) ravaged the store. So I usually do my Forever 21 shopping online, in the comfort of my office or chair at home. Back to my point- I'm not sure if I would make a visit at the new Forever 21 in Times Square. It would be a war zone.

Today I had a shoot at Madame Tussuad's IN Times Square and decided "well, since I'm in the neighborhood and its on my way back to the office, Ill take a peek in." Well, a peek in turned into a shopping odyssey. I'm officially obsessivo over this store. I stood at the front door, mouth wide open just like the same tourists that I make fun of, and took in the amazingness of what laid before me. Four floors! Yes, four. cuatro. quattro. Four floors of clothes upon clothes and then jewelry and makeup, and shoes. Oh my! I was overwhelmed but not in a "i need to get out of here bc I'm going to kill myself with all these people here" way, it was more of a "OMG. I am so happy right now, that I could cry, or wipe out my whole bank account in 32 minutes." Off I went just taking everything in, touching every piece of clothing, trying on all the rings, and going up and down escalators. But you know what the best part is???! You would never know the store was packed, it is so ginormous, you literally need a map to get around and its so spread out that no one is on top of you, no fitting room lines bc there are like 50 of them, and 100 tellers. At this moment I realized, "Times Square has finally redeemed itself.".

I will no longer have to take a xanax before immersing myself in the Times Square jungle. Forever 21 TS is my newest happy place. Go to your happy place, Kathy. And $143 dollars later, i was on my merry way. And for the first time, I did not roll my eyes at the tacky tourists taking pictures outside of Planet Hollywood.

So don't be afraid, recessionistas. Times Square (at least between 45-46) is your new best friend. Happy Shopping!

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy

(* top photo by Getty Images).