Downtown L.A. - "Shopping"

Alley Cats

Everyone in SoCal knows or has heard of the districts in Downtown Los Angeles. There is a shopping area for everything you can think of:

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Toys District

Flowers District

Fabric District

Fashion District

Jewelry District

Carly called me earlier in the day and suggested a trip to the alleys for beads, eyelashes, hot dogs, and random products. B was non stop about her friend's birthday gift...so we had to stop at any stand/store that had Hello Kitty in it. She bought tshirts, wallet, nail polish, and a cute trash can.

Ive never seen so much fake makeup in my life. The bunk M.A.C. had really cute packaging but I knew it was all as fake as Britney Spear's hair.

The thing to look for is the label on the back or bottom of the product. The faces are usually white, clear, or gray. M.A.C. has a black label. There are are so many things down to the way the eyeshadow is pressed into the palettes. Open your eyes chicas!

There was so many nail products! Above are jars of foils and glitters for acrylic nails and also nail pens. Below are the ever so popular crackle style nail polishes in different colors for $5.

Jude was being a good sport, and I rewarded him with a bubble gun. It got everywhere and Carly wanted to kill herself because she didn't want her UGGS to get messed up.

I almost died when I saw that Tutti Frutti had Guava flavor frozen yogurt! It was so refreshing on such a great day. Later that day it rained men when I was on my way home so it was perfect timing.

I don't think I am sexy in the slightest...I just thought this was funny haha. I did buy these shirts, 2 for $10. A couple of weeks before my friend Crystal bought Jude the Muno shirt (red). They had Yo Gabba Gabba dolls too! On our way back to the car we came across a store that had tons of great stuff for $1 and no tax! Eyelashes, makeup, nail polish, flowers for your hair, accessories and TONS of rings!

I had to hold myself back and took home these 3 bad boys. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you would know I have been over doing it with eye lashes. I placed my second order on ebay and then when I saw this display I almost died.

I got a few of each of these styles at $1 a pc which is amazing. I love Red Cherry Lashes, but after IMATS last year I have special spot on my face for Miss Adoro Lashes too. Haha.

Years ago, Carly and I went to a Mark Ryden Exhibit ( he is one of my favorite artists).

This is one of his pieces.

Carly saw this and thought I would like it so I had to have it!

OMG okay so you cant go to "Alley" without something fake...intentional or not...but I saw this and I thought it was RALPH by Ralph Lauren. I got tricked ahaha.

She told me it was $12 and I was sold! Then she was saying Alpha and I looked at the bottle and I was cracking up. Oh well it smells the same.

I wore this scent years ago and every time I smell it, it brings back memories.

:]

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It was a good, it was a super way...to spend time together

- The Fresh Beat Band

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We had a great day. Since I moved away I haven't had that much time with Carly and B and I hope that will change soon. They are so much fun to be around and I know you all love them too.

Also on the calendar...Palm Springs this week!! I will make sure that we go live on BlogTv and take plenty of pictures.

How to make shrimp cocktail: Mexican Style

This little recipe is my moms and I still think she makes it way better than anyone or any restaurant. Anytime I go to a Mexican restaurant I get handed the ketchup and tapatio to mix it myself. This blog post will show you quickly how I make it....right.

Here's what you will need:

1lb of cooked shrimp

1lb imitation crab meat

2 tomatoes

4 lemons

3 cucumbers

4 ripe avocados

1/2 white onion

cilantro

V8 vegetable juice

ketchup

Tapatio hot sauce

Start by cleaning the shrimp.

Best to use a strainer so you wont lose your shrimp in the rinsing process.

Next shred the crab meat with fingers.
Add both shrimp and crab mean into a large mixing bowl or pot. All of these ingredients should be cooled / cold before adding any other items.

The most work is in the following: cutting up the veggies!

Cucumbers, tomatoes, and cilantro.

Ripe avocado. If your avocados are still hard, place them in a brown paper bag over night. If you do not have a paper bag handy you can place them in the pantry. My mom has done this for years. They should be ripe the next day.

White onion. I have seen it made with Purple onions, but I prefer the white with this dish.

Add all of them to your bowl and you are ready to add the liquids.

V8 usually comes in plastic or glass jugs, but today they were stocked in cans. Ketchup and Tapatio hot sauce are used for sweet and spice. I add salt to the mix if the ketchup is too sweet. Lemons can be served on the side, my family loves lots of lemon so I add it right away. If you are interested in watching my video click here.

Thanks guys for visiting my blog and I hope you have a chance to try this out. I wish I knew the exact amounts of liquids...but when it comes to Mexican dishes its all "eyeball it" lol.

*Latina Kisses*

-Sonia

My favorite treat - Cucumbers with Lemon and Chile

Comfort food for Latinas

Before you get your chonies in a twist, this can be comforting to anyone...its just not a shocker or something new in the Latin culture. When I was away from home...and all alone...this was one dish that would make me feel all warm inside. Maybe I was warm because the chile made my mouth burn haha.

Pepino con lemon y chile

(Cucumber with lemon and chile)

You will need the following:

Cucumbers

lemon/lime

Chile powder / & Liquid Chile

Cut up the cucumbers to the size that you like, and place in a blow.

Then use your muscles or a fruit hand juicer.
Add chile and toss. Repeat.
I like a lot of chile so I make sure that each bite will have powder on them.

Then I drizzle a little bit...okay a lot a bit of the liquid chile over the pile of goodness.

ENJOY!!

I have tweeted this spicy treat a few times and some people wanted to know how to make it. Its so simple. Now if you are not a fan of cucumber I recommend:

Watermelon

Apples

Pineapple

Mango

Jicama

I love lemon and chile period. Amen I have a tree in the backyard :)

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*Latina Kisses*

-Sonia