BeChicMag.com

On September 20th editorial director of Latina Magazine Betty Cortina announced she is resigning. The news came out only one day after I posted an article on an embarrassing error Cortina made on live television earlier this month.

In my article I discussed how on September 5th, Cortina- as editor of the largest Latino publication in the United States - should have never made. At a local New York morning news show she stated that Julia Alvarez is Puerto Rican when in fact she’s Dominican. The average person might not know this small fact, but a flop like this is careless and irresponsible for someone with a title such as hers. Worst part of all: She didn’t even realize she messed up.

I posted the article on BeChicMag.com early September 19 and the following day, the magazine sent out a press release stating that Betty resigned to “pursue personal interests.” Replacing Cortina is Mimi Valdes Ryan, the former editor of Vibe Magazine.

And according to Marketing y Medios, Mediaweek Monitor says the magazine has been suffering with ad rates. They state that, “In early August, Latina’s print ad pages were down 16.8 percent to 486.6 this year through August. Circulation remained flat in the second half of 2006, reaching 416,617, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations…There have been numerous shakeups so far this year at Latina Media Ventures. “

I don’t know what made Cortina resign, but I do find it pretty damn cool that only a day after I wrote posted my piece, the publication announced she was leaving. Major coincidence! Who knows, maybe she read my blog? Actually, I doubt she read my piece, but whatever made her quit (or be asked to go) I wish her well. Click here to read my original post. *ms

I’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO CHANGE OUTFITS WITHOUT CARRYING AN EMBARRASSING OVERSIZED BAG TO THE CLUB

Women often bring an all-purpose handbag to work that carries their paperwork, toothbrush, perhaps a pair of flipflops and if going to an afterwork event: an extra change of clothes.

But if you’re going out on the town for cocktails and get the urge to wear two different outfits instead of one, bringing a big bag is not the chic thing to do. Instead, find a cute clutch (or purse) that has the capacity to carry an additional dress. Seems impossible? Have a little faith! That’s what I did when we went to Dolce on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles before going to Club LAX.

Most people don’t have the luxury of having drivers and changing into multiple outfits in a limo like celebrities do. Follow these steps and know how to travel light and be able to change anywhere, anytime.

1. Get the perfect purse.
The ideal bag is small and will not burden you when you want to dance later that evening. You’re looking for a purse that can hold your money, digital camera, keys and the extra outfit (plus the original outfit you leave the house with). In the photos posted here, I chose an inexpensive black clutch from Aldo’s that held all these items!

2. Plan both outfits early.
Before getting ready and thinking you’re set for the night, make sure you’re wearing an easy-to-pack dress and that outfit #2 will also fit in your purse. I wore a violet, silk frock from the Gap that I purchased on Rodeo Drive earlier that day. And after a luscious dinner I went to the ladies’ room at Dolce’s, slipped into a white short dress and let my hair down before hitting the club. And it’s as easy as that!

You can’t be an obsessive neat freak.
There’s a good chance that after being folded in a small bag for over an hour, your second outfit might have a wrinkle or two. Try to find a garment that doesn’t wrinkle easily. And if it gets a small crease, really, who cares? The club is going to be dark anyway.

Downside: You will most likely have to wear the same pair of shoes because in most cases, pumps don’t fit in small purses. *ms

After being on a three month hiatus, I decided to follow up on my promise and update you on whether or not I actually made it to L.A. this time. On our first night in Hollywood we went to the Roosevelt Hotel and lounged by the Tropicana pool (the same place where Lauren from The Hill’s says she goes every Sunday).

As much as I dislike annoying tourists who stroll down the Manhattan streets when everyone else is rushing to get somewhere, I have to admit I took a double decker bus around Hollywood! But we acted as locals when we had our hair done on Wilshire Blvd and ate at Dolce’s (Ashton Kutcher’s restaurant) that same evening. My original plans were to attempt to get into Area or Hyde with my girlfriend after a delightful dinner, yet when a friend from New York who just moved to L.A. said she was coming to dinner I knew that our chances for getting into the high-end clubs were even slimmer for the following reasons: a) We weren’t on a guest list; b) It was going to be too many of us, and c) I didn’t want to spend big money on a bottle. I wasn’t in New York so no one would care who I was or that I know so and so. We had the options of going to several other places where I managed to get my name on the list weeks prior to my trip, but instead we went to Club LAX.

And regarding the obstacles I mentioned in the July post: Good news is, I partied like a true rock star. Bad news: I didn’t make it to either Hyde Lounge or Billionaire’s Beach. Instead of driving to three beaches in one day (we had planned on going to Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu) we fell in love with our first stop and stayed in Venice. *mercedes sanchez