Decorate Your House Like a Pro

Updating your home’s look can be as simple as adding one special piece -- such as a plush rug, a throw or a stunning lamp -- to a room. But if you want to start from scratch, then follow these suggestions to create the home of your dreams.

Define Your Home’s Style
Just as your wardrobe reveals whether you’re a carefree mujer or the prim-and-proper type, la casita, too, is an extension of your personality. Figuring out what style you want for your home is crucial. If a warm and cozy space makes your heart leap, then you may want to opt for traditional or country furnishings, such as brass lamps, plush sofas and area rugs. Other styles to consider are classic, modern, rustic or eclectic.

Choose the Main Element
In any given room, decide what will be the element around which you will decorate. Will it be the color scheme or will it be fabrics? The furniture? Or will it be the home’s architecture that takes precedence? Whatever you decide, choosing a single element will bring your options into focus whenever other design possibilities become overwhelming.

Color Scheme
The next phase is to select a color scheme that best fits the style you’ve chosen. Experts suggest using colors that would not ordinarily occur to you. Keep in mind that any color you choose, whether bold or cool, should complement the main element that you’ve chosen.

Play with the Design
Make a diagram of your home, and lay out the color and fabric swatches, then the furniture cutouts for each room you will decorate. Experts say this is a good time to incorporate personal themes from your hobbies, heirlooms, wardrobe, favorite paintings, photographs or travel destinations. Also tear out any magazine clips of home design that inspire you.

Edit, Edit, Edit
t’s easy to have too many competing ideas. So keep things simple with this general guideline: If you choose neutral wall colors, then you will have more room for creativity or boldness with the furnishings. But if you choose bold wall colors, then you will be limited by the boldness of the furnishing you use.

Photo: Corbis Images

Latinas and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death among Hispanic women. In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we asked Olivia Fe, executive director and founder of the Latina Breast Cancer Agency (latinabca.org) -- an advocacy group based in San Francisco -- about what Latinas can do to reduce their risk of breast cancer. 

1.   Do Self-Checks. “Early detection is critical to survival,” says Fe, whose organization educates Latinas on breast cancer and helps them get access to early detection and timely treatment. “While a breast self-exam is not a substitute for an exam done by your physician, you know your body best so by doing monthly self exams you’re more likely to detect any changes in your breasts.”

2.   Know Your Family History. Knowledge of your family’s history of breast cancer will help you and your doctor decide on the best course of preventative action for you.

3.   Be Your Own Advocate. Speak up, ask questions -- and get a second opinion if you’re not satisfied with your doctor’s responses.

4.   Get Yearly Exams. Annual clinical breast exams performed by a physician are recommended for women ages 40 and older, and every one to three years for women ages 20 to 39. Yearly mammograms are also recommended for women over 40. Enhanced breast cancer screening -- such as more frequent clinical breast exams, annual MRIs, or mammograms before the age of 40 -- may be recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer.

5.   Live a Healthy Lifestyle. Studies show that eating healthy and exercising at least 30 minutes every day can help lower your chances of breast cancer. Eat a variety of antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains and oily fish (like salmon and tuna). Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol -- all of which can increase your risk of breast cancer.

Giving Back: Luma Marcaccio

As a child in Venezuela, Lumareli Marcaccio often accompanied her abuelita, a retired nurse, to volunteer at local medical institutions. Caring for the bed-ridden and hospice patients taught her one valuable lesson: that elderly care was a family’s and a community’s responsibility.

So when Marcaccio’s other grandmother, “Nonna,” as she calls her, showed signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s, Marcaccio immediately got her round-the-clock help. She hired and trained the staff herself, stayed abreast of medication disbursements, and assisted with meal planning and grocery shopping. But when Nonna's children took back the reigns and placed her in a facility, Marcaccio watched Nonna "deteriorate drastically” outside “of her familiar surroundings."

Later, after moving to the United States, Marcaccio saw many of America’s elderly lagging in facilities; they needed better care. She was galvanized to open Boston's ComForcare Senior Services in July 2011. Her goal? To improve the quality of life for the cognitively challenged and the elderly within their own homes.

Marcaccio, a civil engineer by training, thought of everything. Not only does ComForcare provide home remodeling services to help clients with mobility issues, they also offer personal care suited to each person's particular needs. For example, ComForcare provides “services in different languages, retrofitting services for accessibility and safety, and training caregivers in different chronic diseases so that we can tailor our care plan to any person regardless of their health issue," says Marcaccio. When asked how other entrepreneurs could turn personal tragedies into triumphs, she responds simply: "Faith…everything in life happens for a reason."

Laura Contreras-Rowe: Always “Aiming High"

Laura Contreras-Rowe has always had a motto: “Aim high”.

As a young Tejana living in a trailer, surrounded by gangs and drugs, Contreras-Rowe was inspired by golfer Nancy Lopez to strive for a better life. After building her successful real estate business, she felt a duty to give back to la comunidad and inspire Latinas across the U.S. to “succeed to astounding heights with courage and tenacity”. In fact, Contreras-Rowe wrote the book on it -- Aim High: Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic and Latina Women.

Today, the award-winning author zips around the country delivering a message of hope to women and business leaders facing challenges in their lives. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Las Fabulosas asked Laura to reflect on how far nuestras mujeres have come and offer some mottos we can use to persevere through difficulties.

Why Be Average?
“When I was on book tour, I spent time with great organizations that mentor elementary, middle and high school girls. Through these organizations and schools, I was able to spend time with ex-gang members, pregnant teens, homeless kids and kids that just wanted to hear a positive message to get them through the week. They are the future of our generation and they cannot be forgotten.”

Get Your Inner Latina On
“I have a friend who tells me: ‘Get your inner Latina on’. I always laugh when she says this, but it does put me into a thought process of: I can achieve anything with hard work and perseverance. I believe we all have the ability to look forward and never let our past define our future and what we have been called to do in the life.”

Photo: Corbis Images

Living the High Life on a Low Budget

These days, everyone is feeling the tighter economy in one way or another and curbing their spending habits. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the finer things of life.

“You can still treat yourself without going into debt,” says Migdalia Rivera, founder of the blog LatinaOnAMission.com, which offers tips for living chic on the cheap. “It’s all about making the most of free or inexpensive resources around you.” Here, Rivera shares some insights on living it up without spending a lot.

  1. Be Friends with Your Money
    Before you spend it, build a good relationship with your money. “The first step to being financially secure is being financially smart,” says Rivera. “Educate yourself on how to save and get rid of debt.” Major banks occasionally hold free seminars on money management at local branches or online via webinars and webcasts. Inquire about them at your branch or check your bank’s website.
  1. Have a Beauty-full Day
    Beauty schools, spas and salons often have days when they offer lower rates on services. “You can come across specials and deals like a mani/pedi and mini foot massage, all for about $30,” says Rivera. Check websites for promotions or stop by in person to enquire.
  1. Soak in Some Culture
    “City museums have wonderful activities for all ages,” says Rivera. “Best of all, museum admissions are suggested -- meaning you can pay what you can afford.” Movie screenings are also great because you get to see the latest movie before it’s out and it’s free! Search online for local film previews.

Photo: Corbis Images