Your one-stop shop for all things Latin/Hispanic/Mexican
On the heels of the Barbie Mexicana brouhaha that I so inadvertently started, I decided to go on a worldwide hunt for the next controversial, culturally-relevant and irreverent Barbie doll.
Here she is. She is proud, meaty and looks absolutely delicious. Besides, this one doesn’t come carrying a pet pig or something weird like that, so it should go down history with less controversy as the other Barbie Dolls of the World.
So, what is Mattel waiting for?
For those of you left wondering… It should be “aprobado” and not “aprovado” for this abuela.
The folks over at Mattel are so smart, that not only they have come up with a Mexican Barbie, but they have given her all the possible tools to go around the U.S. the world undisturbed.
In addition to a “wonderfully bright pink dress with ribbon accents,” Mexican Barbie comes fashionably ready for a fiesta with her Chihuahua friend (we all do.) But that is not all: According to Mattel, this beauty features accessories that “add play value,” including a passport and sticker sheet.
It is not for me to inform you about the “play value” that a passport provides, so go ahead! Play with your Barbie Mexicana and don’t even think of calling her indocumentada. Oh, and she can be yours for only $24.50 on Amazon.com
IMPORTANT UPDATE: This blogger has found a Mexican Ken to go with the Mexican Barbie. Here it is:
Latino celebrities are a resourceful bunch. Not content with having the main role on a telenovela, host a network’s most successful TV show or sell out music venues worldwide, they can easily switch gears to sell bottled water, flavored chips and/or their own fragrances.
The turn is now for the sculptural Bárbara Bermudo, host of Univision’s Primer Impacto, who this week announced with great fanfare the launch of CAMI, a clothing, shoe and fashion line inspired on her two daughters (Camila and Mía.)
If you know Bárbara Bermudo you’d agree with me that she is known almost as much for her curves than for her intellectual stamina. So it is no surprise her clothing line will be sold at Puerto Rico’s famed Pompis Stores. [NOTE FOR THE MONOLINGUAL CROWD: I urge you to look up the word “pompis” so you can appreciate the true scope of this venture.]
With the launch at Pompis Store, Bermudo and her bundles of joy are joining yet another “pompous” Latina: Maripili, whose Maripili Jeans are a thing of beauty.
Behold…
I just woke up to the news that March 27 is National Paella Day in the U.S., yet another reminder of the weirdness of living in a country obsessed with bizarre celebrations and holidays.
But, as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and so hereby I’m paying tribute to Spain’s national dish by sharing one of my favorite ads featuring a “paella de pollo.”
NOTE: I am sorry, but this piece can only be appreciated by those who master the Spanish language. Enjoy!
I love Hispanic research, don’t you? And that’s because you get to learn some amazing stuff. For instance, how my people (i.e. The Hispanics) approach grocery shopping.
Take the latest research, stating that Hispanics are as “eclectic” as non-Hispanics when they go shopping, meaning we don’t only go to the supermarket to buy stuff like tamales, pinole, piñatas, nopales and mole Doña María. In fact, according to a recent online survey conducted by Meredith Corporation:
“Latinas confirmed that they are not only shopping the Hispanic aisle – they have eclectic palettes and enjoy cooking a wide variety of foods”.
So don’t believe everything they tell you about my people. We (i.e. The Hispanics) are so eclectic that in fact have joined forces with the Chinese to come up with this:
Photo: Laura Martínez (109 & Broadway)
#ItsColombiaNotColumbia
Eva Longoria, this blogger’s favorite retro-acculturated Latina, might have been successful in her quest to get Barack Obama re-elected. But this time she needs your vote to accomplish something yet more significant -and potentially delicious: She wants your VOTE to help Lay’s choose its next flavor of potato chips.
Sí, señor. Longoria (aka “La Prieta Faya”) this morning visited New York City to ring NYSE’s bell on behalf of Lay’s and even spoke to Fox News about her latest campaign, Do Us A Flavor, urging Americans to vote among three potato chip flavors: Cheesy Garlic Bread; Chicken and Waffles and Sriracha.
But. Wait. No tortilla española, nor tamal-flavored chips?!!? I’m afraid La Prieta Faya is losing her Latin touch, so I’d better stick to my Cannabis-infused tortilla chips.
¡Ajúa!
Don’t you just love it when marketers go out of their way to cater to our fine Hispanic palate?
Here’s a video of a very cheerful person named Alison teaching us how to give a Latin twist to a regular, non-Latin-twisted Lasagna. The concoction contains frozen chopped spinach, tons of ricotta cheese, chorizo, Philadelphia, shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Yummy!
NOTE: Serve warm. Enjoy. Schedule a doctor’s appointment for a coronary artery disease exam. ASAP.
Hispanic news outlets and bloggers continue to blast RAM’s God Created a Farmer for forgetting to acknowledge what “real farmers” in America are all about. What RAM critics fail to see is that the automaker’s Hispanic campaign actually features a “really real” macho troca-driver; a tough hombre who would do whatever it takes to get ahead, even if that means driving around in a gas guzzler.
Sí, señor. In order to pitch their trocas among the Latino macho in you, RAM has picked none other than the gentle, baby-faced, environmentally friendly Juanes, who is featured driving around a RAM truck for some inexplicable reason.
Really, RAM?!
Really, Juanes?!
This blogger has only one thing to say. Ha ha ha ha. Or -as we say in Spanish- ja ja ja ja.
Well, not quite yet. But Estefan Enterprises and the Nederlander Organization today announced a plan “to develop and produce a new Broadway show inspired by the music made famous by Gloria Estefan and her husband musician/producer and entrepreneur Emilio Estefan.”
Per a press release:
“The musical will be set in a way that tells the Estefans’ riveting life story detailing their journey all the way from Cuba to superstardom.”
Details are still sketchy, but this blogger will be very, very interested in seeing how the whole thing turns out. One thing I can tell you for sure: Should the Broadway musical come to fruition, I’m sure Mr. Estefan will produce a kick-ass DVD, which will then be properly included among Emilio Estefan Picks for Target Stores, which -as this blog accurately reported– include tons of Emilio Estefan stuff.
Remember Toyota’s ‘Avanza Confiado’ tagline for the U.S. Hispanic market? Well, it seems the automaker hasn’t used it for a while, hopefully apparently because 1) It sounds awful and/or 2) They found a better copywriter.
Either way, that doesn’t seem to bother this Chevrolet owner in Viñales, Cuba, who was proudly driving around in a 1950’s Chevrolet which -by the way- seemed to avanzar lento, pero con mucha confianza.
Photos: Laura Martínez. Valle de Viñales, Cuba 2013
Cubans might not have access to Coca-Cola, but who cares when you can enjoy a refreshing beverage called TuKola?
I am sure my advertising and marketing peeps will help me come up with a great tagline for this awesome product. Here´s what my brother came up with:
“Si quieres refrescar algo… que sea TuKola”
Photo: Laura Martínez (Havana, 2013)
Who said Latin American poetry and health warnings don’t go hand in hand?
Photo: Laura Martínez. 2013
In an increasingly Latinoized USA, we have seen (and this blog has dutifully documented) the birth of the Hispanic cheese; the deliciously weird tortilla-flavored chocolates; the Mexican Coca-Cola and even a Hispanic lettuce to go with your Hispanic tuna and your Hispanic mayonnaise.
So it was just a matter of time before small business owners jumped on the Latino wagon to create culturally-relevant businesses, like this computer store and Internet service outlet I spotted last weekend in Silver Spring, MD.
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