Hola everyone!!

Hope you ar having a GORGEOUS 4th weekend! In NYC, the rain has finally subsided, and I celebrated the beautiful weather by catching a MGMT show the other night in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.While the kids were enjoying the sounds, I checked out the hipster crowd and spotted a blooming trend: floral jumpers.

Cute! So fun and lightweight, this is the smartest ensemble for summer. These all look vintage, but I found a bunch of adorable flowery onesies at Urban Outfitters.

This sexy number’s only $42, that’s fresh! [Urban Outfitters]

Besitos, xxxoo

Robyn

I have long been a fan of the website designspongeonline.com, which is run by a super-cool chick named Grace Bonney, whom I interviewed for my book Practically Posh. I always visit the site for inspiration, and recently have fallen in love with their paper section, particularly a company called Eieio Studio that makes the raddest gift wrap paper.

Totally inspired, I ran into a local stationary store called Kate’s Paperie and found a treasure trove of the most exquisite papers in all colors and textures. I bought several 20″ × 30″ sheets at about $4 a pop and ran home to play.

Watch the video here!

What I did:

Project #1: Framed Art
Because these papers are so pretty, they deserve to be displayed. For my first project, I simply pulled out a simple metallic frame. SIMPLE is better here, because the focus should be on the paper - and cut the paper to fit the frame.

To do:

1.    Take the backing off the frame.
2.    Lay the frame on my paper to center.
3.    Cut paper to fit - go two-inches wider and longer so you have room to play with.
4.    Place paper in frame using tape to keep it in place.
5.    Display for all to see.

Project #2: Awesome Centerpiece
A pretty paper can be used as a “mat” on tables throughout your home to serve as a lovely base for vases, candles and other trinkets. Because I have long but unadorned wooden tables, I decorate with candles and boxes. I thought a brightly patterned paper would add a pop of color and could cleverly tie in my cluster of objects.

To Do:

1.    Choose paper that works for your surface.
2.    Measure paper to surface using one of your regular placemats. 
3.    Place object or objects on top.
4.    Voilà! Prepare for the compliments to roll in.

Project #3: Lingerie-Drawer Liner
I don’t know about you, but the inside of the chest of drawers I use for lingerie and clothing is wooden and kinda busted looking. The outside is fine because I painted it, but the interior could use some major love. I spend some good money on pretty underthings, it seems a shame to throw them in a rough, depressing drawer. MAYBE that’s why my love life has been off-kilter - an upgrade is needed, pronto!

This is where my killer gift-wrap paper comes in…

To Do:

1.    Measure the inside of your drawer.
2.    Cut paper to fit - go five-inches wider and longer so you have room to play with.
3.    Outline the perimeter of your drawer with double-sided tape. 
4.    Lay your paper in drawer, pressing edges onto tape so it adheres. 
5.    Smooth out any rough edges.
6.    Place your pretty sexy-time accessories in newly lined drawer.
7.    Watch your love life heat up…

I am on a crazy Mexican food kick, which shouldn’t be weird, as I AM Mexican, but I think I have eaten some sort of taco like five days in a row. To change things up a bit, I am going to share a recipe my friend Kevin Williamson of Ranch 6161 in Austin (holla!) taught me—watch the video here. It is called Chicken Maize, and the it’s sort of like a “conceptual taco” because the tortillas are encrusted in the dish—qué clever!

Add that the ingredients cost like $7 and it takes 15 minutes to makes, and I’d call that the trinity of taco recipe awesomeness. Buen provecho!

xxxooo, Robyn

High fashion met street style at the Givenchy mens wear show in Milan this weekend, with models rocking designer duds and Latino-inspired buzzcuts. As a Latina, I’ve sooo seen this look, usually rocked with a gold link chain, but it’s kinda awesome to see it coming down a runway.

What do you guys think? Guapo or just God awful?

Let me know in comment section below!

xxxooo Robyn

Lat night I attended The 6th Annual Wayúu Taya Gala in NYC which was held at Donna Karan’s  Urban Zen store. Wayúu Taya is an organization that was founded by the Venezuelan model Patricia Velásquez to benefit the indigenous people of Venezuela and protect their culture. I spoke to the beautiful Patricia who was thrilled about all the support she was receiving as well as her awesome Edmundo Castillo shoes—philanthropic and fashionable, love it! I also spoke with Donna who donates part of her Urban Zen line (very nomad chic) to causes around the world. A yogi since age 18, her dream is to see kids across America doing yoga in their classrooms. Namaste!

I chatted with designer Narciso Rodriguez a bit (he complimented by necklace, killer!) about the importance of philanthropy in Latin America and how the loves to cook dishes his Cuban parents taught him, like arroz con pollo, que rico!

Padma Lakshmi was so much more approachable than I thought, and admitted that she exercises and watches her diet to stay so long and lean—though she does like herself a juicy burger. She was all about the girl power (supporting Patricia and Donna)!

My total fave though was Christie Brinkley who is probably one of the best-aged celebs I have ever seen. She had on a supercool peace necklace which she said is from her new line. She was with her adorable daughter Alexa Ray, who performed for the benefit—she plays piano just like her papa. Alexa is so sweet and cool, which shows you can be a celeb kid and not be totally batsh** crazy.

Anyway, all in all a totally awesome night: amazing peeps, worthy cause, and finally a gorgeous night in NYC. 

xxxoo, Robyn

This past Monday, I ventured out to Elmhurst, Queens to visit my cool palsy Rebecca who not only turned me on to Tibetan food (Chinese meets Indian) and taught me how to play the drums (do you know what a high hat is? I do!) but gave me my very own tomato plant! 

Now I have been envisioning a garden forevs, but kinda kept waiting for like a yard or something, but I now realize what a fool I have been, as plants and herbs can pretty much grow anywhere! In fact, in today’s NY Times, there is a great article about the proliferation of rooftop gardens all over the country from San Fran to Chicago—the chef Rick Bayless makes his own rooftop tomatoes for his restaurant’s “Rooftop Salsa.”

Excited I climbed up to the roof in my building to see if I could build a home for Red (my tomato) and some new buddies like Basel (the Basil) and Minnie the Mint, but it was wayyy windy, as NYC weather is still not too summerlike.

So Red will be hanging in a sunny spot in my apt, which makes sense as he’s a baby and all. However, I will be creating my own herb garden and so should you (rooftop or not.) Here’s how to start with a tomato plant:

1. You could buy your own tomato plant or start one from seed.

2. To start from seed, buy your seeds and a seed starting mix which is lighter than normal garden soil. (My friend Rebecca makes her own compost, but she’s crazy like that.) And get a three-inch deep pot—Greek yogurt containers work really well.  Make small small holes in the bottom for drainage.

3.  Add water to your seed mix til it’s moist but not soaked. Place it in your container leaving about an inch at the top. 

4. Plant your seeds in soil about a 1/4-inch deep, spritz with water, and cover with plastic wrap.

5. During this germination process, it helps if the seeds are in a warm place, like on top of the fridge.

6. Keep lightly spraying plants so they are moist.

7. After 5-10 days, seedlings should start sprouting out of soil. Take off plastic, and put in direct sunlight right away. 

8. When they grow 2 to 3-inches and have several leaves, you should move to a bigger pot keeping roots intact.

9. Keep giving lots of sun, rotating so all sides get rays. Water every couple of days, never allowing soil to get dry or crumbly. 

10. In about two weeks you’ll have to transfer to a new pot, which you’ll keep doing til you grow some lovely tomatoes!

Stay tuned for a yummy gazpacho recipe!!

xxoo Robyn

Summer is totally here, and with it comes lots of sunshine, which for me means lots of protection. I, as most Latinas, have an annoying affliction called Melasma, which means I get brown spots on my face whenever the rays are rockin’. While this condition has hormonal triggers, many women experience this while pregnant, the best way to keep those patches at bay is to use sunscreen, and for me, a sunhat!

I attended a charity polo match featuring Prince Harry and Nacho “Caliente” Figueras a couple of weeks back, you can watch the segment here, and because the tradition called for a chapeau, I wore my first hat of the season. Since then, I have bought another super cool fedora from Aqua (an Italian label) and am still looking for a floppy beach hat. 

On my hunt, I found several cool styles, which are featured below for your perusal, ’cause that’s the way I roll. Remember when hat shopping online to know the return policy before you buy, as hats are something that really need to be tried on for size. 

Clockwise from left to right:

1. This navy wide-brimmed hat from The Gap gives you lots of shade, and eccentric style. [$19.99, The Gap]

2. I love the statement factor of this black structural hat. It’s swanky enough for poolside or polo, and can be easily folded for traveling. [$50, ShopCurious.com]

3. The trick to looking more cool than camp in this cowboy hat is to keep the rest of your ensemble really spare. So for the love of God, do NOT pair with a maxi dress, that is cliche overkill. [$19.99, Peter Grimm, Tilly's]

4. You’ll turn serious heads in this bad-ass fuschia fedora. I might consider taking the black band off, but that’s just me. [$30, Dorothy Perkins]

5. The blackbird appliques on this gorgeous hat are just the sweetest ever. [$275, Imani by Helen Kaminski, Simplysoles.com]

6.  The frayed edges, floral detail, and general Boho awesomeness of this white floppy hat will make you the most fly babe on the beach. [$29.99,Shopruche.com]

What the F**k is wrong with this chick? Apparently, she loves swine so much she made a dress out of it. Her flesh-tastic creation is made out of sheets of salami and bacon that she layered over a thick cotton shift dress and covered with vinyl. She sewed trim along the edges to catch any drippings, ughhh, and has to refrigerate her piece before she wears it. If she wears this monstrosity to a daytime soiree, she is really gonna sizzle. 

Lucky girl is going to be beating the dogs and cannibals off with a stick!

So on my fave site The Frisky, my friend Jess wrote about how some BRILLIANT person on Etsy is selling kitty ties! Next to that cat playing the keyboards, this is the hottest thing to happen to the feline community. You can buy your meow-meow a tie here, so they can look swell at your next soiree.

xxxx, R

So the weather is kicking and I am in the mood to partay! But why spend a lot of dough in a swank restaurant, when I can easily entertain in the comfort of my own pad? My pal Kevin Williamson, owner of Ranch 616 in Austin, Texas, showed me the easiest dinner recipe ever - and I’m gonna share it with you cause I’m cool like that.

But before we get started, let’s ease into the party vibe with a relaxing libation. Instead of wasting your time all night in the kitchen slicing and dicing annoying trendy cocktails du jour, I say you kick it old school and pass out shots and a beer. Before you start gasping wine snob, this little shooter is cleverly housed in a jalapeño - very Martha Stewart-meets-Frito Bandito. The beer back is super refreshing, compliments the spice of your meal (see below) and adds a keep-it-real vibe to your soiree. Salud!

Click here to watch my video: Robyn Making a \”Fire in the hole\”

Ranch 616’s “Fire In the Hole”

1 large jalapeño
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz orange liqueur
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1 tbsp. Cayenne chili pepper
1 tbsp. salt
1 ice-cold beer back

Mix cayenne chili pepper and salt together on a plate. Cut top off jalapeno - core and seed. Dip jalapeno into cayenne chili pepper and salt mixture on a plate. In a shaker: mix vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and ice. Strain and pour into jalapeno. Serve with ice-cold beer back!
(serves one)

Robyn’s Hangover Cures:

People came, you partied, and now you woke without your clothes on wearing a sombrero - blasted! To avoid feeling like you got beaten by a band of tequila-wielding luchadores, try one these remedies:

1. The night of the big fiesta, alternate drinks with a glass of water. Yes, this is totally easier said than done, but prevention is the best medicine.
2. Keep vitamins and aspirin next to your nightstand so you can pop some before you go to bed.
3. If you wake up feeling like you just got run over, steady yourself and head to a boozy brunch.
4. Eat the greasiest dish possible.
5. Sleep.

Because over-consumption is a trait shared by all mankind, here are some hangover recipes from around the globe:

Mexico - menudo: This spicy soup made from cow tripe and hominy (whole boiled corn kernels) is supposed to help ease the pain the tequila wrought. Pretty gross to make, so make a beeline for your nearest Mexican dive.

Poland - pickle juice: Slurp down several glasses throughout the day. The infusion of salt may help with hydration, or the overbearing sourness may distract from your pounding head.

Brazil - coconut water: The juice from fresh green coconuts is filled with electrolytes that will nourish your beaten body. How Blue Lagoon! Leave it to the Brazilians to come up with such a sexy cure.

England - a full English breakfast: This includes baked beans, bacon, toast, sausage, eggs, and tomatoes. Hmm, kind of makes me queasy, but England is famous for knowing how to put away a pint. Maybe they’re on to something!

Check out more of my vids on the Dell Lounge,

xxxooo Robyn