ART · Alexander Henry Fabrics Folklorico Collection Inspired in Mexican Motifs

Alexander Henry, a design studio located in Burbank, California created an amazing collection of fabrics with very Mexican motifs, from Frida all the way to Día de Muertos and Virgen de Guadalupe. Check them out!

"Welcome to the land of perfect sunsets. Colors are brighter here, and so are you. You’re tan and your new huaraches feel like old friends. Que mas quieres?"

Las Señoritas

Frida's Garden

Calaveras

Virgin of Guadalupe

All images via Alexander Henry Fabrics 

RECIPE · Molletes. Think about them as your run of the mill cheese on toast with a Mexican twist!

Pronounced moe·ye·tay

Molletes are a yummy breakfast or brunch option in México: they are cheap and cheerful, easy to make and you can get all the ingredients in your local supermarket. Molletes are traditionally made with a type of bread called bolillo (very similar to a crusty roll) sliced lengthwise and spread with refried beans and melted Chihuahua cheese. They're usually eaten with salsa pico de gallo which is very mild and refreshing although you can always dip them in salsa verde, chipotle or even habanero salsa as well (these are super hot). 

What you need:

• Preheated oven (180 C)
• 2 White Continental Rolls (sold in Sainsbury's, very similar to bolillos)
• Old El Paso Refried Beans
• Sainsbury's Basics Grated Mozzarella
• Butter or spread
• Homemade pico de gallo salsa (recipe here)

Makes 4 molletes, enough for two people.

Cut the rolls lengthwise and spread with butter.

Spread the refried beans on top of this.

Add the grated cheese on top of the beans.

Stick them in the preheated oven until the cheese begins to melt and bubble (about 7 minutes, but don't trust the timer, keep an eye on them!)

Put some freshly made pico de gallo on top and eat immediately.  

CULTURE · Today in México Día de la Bandera (Flag Day) is Celebrated

Flag Day, or Dia de la Bandera, in Mexico symbolizes the pride that Mexicans have in their flag. Although they were colonized by Spain in the 1500s, the deep running pride for their country remains the same. The origin of the flag comes from the Aztecs, who believed that when they found the eagle perched on a nopal (prickly pear cactus) with a serpent in his talons that is where they were supposed to settle. That’s exactly what they did! The flags colors are green, white, and red. The green stands for hope and victory, and white stands for purity, and the red band represents the blood that was shed by their ancestors. The eagle on the cactus with the snake sits in the middle of the white band. Flag day is a day that Mexicans take to remember their country and how it came into being. In the schools, they teach the children about the origins of the flag and the nation anthem, and they often focus on the subject via TV shows and special programs. . Flag Day in Mexico is a special day that families can get together and celebrate their pride in their country. There are often parades and contests for people to enter with the most creative Mexico Flag idea for the day. 

Via www.mexicoadventure.com

NEWS · Banksy Transforms Migrant Road Sign into DREAM Crossing

British street artist Banksy is back. And so are repurposed versions of the iconic yellow traffic signs with a silhouetted family that line roads near the U.S.-Mexico border in California.
The first signs popped up near Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA, the site of dozens of accidents where immigrants attempting to enter the country by crossing an interstate highway were struck by motorists.
The signs show three silhouettes sprinting across the frame — a father figure leading the way for his wife and daughter. They look like they’re running so fast that they’re leaning forward as if they were mid flight and about to take off in to the air.
Now Banksy has given the road signs new meaning by adding a kite to the design.

Via ColorLines News for Action 

ART · Lotería Cards Made into Pretty Pendants

A really cute find in Folksy. Haninia makes silver plated pendants featuring lotería card illustrations.

La Sirena

La Rosa

La Sandía

El Nopal

All images via Haninia's shop in Folksy.

RECIPE · Classic Mexican Pico de Gallo Salsa (Ripe Tomato, Onions and Green Chilli)

Pronounced pee·ko day ga·yo

This refreshing salsa is so typically Mexican that it even bears the colours of the flag. What's really wonderful about it is that you don't need to hunt for exotic ingredients. Serrano chillies are originally used but can be easily substituted by plain green chillies.

One thing to bear in mind about pico de gallo is that it must have a chunky consistency. It mustn't be pureed or look like curry sauce. You should be able to see bits of red, green and white clearly.

Here's how to make it.


Ingredients

• 1/2 a small (50g)  white onion  (we used Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Sweet Onions)
• 4 vine ripened tomatoes
• 10 sprigs of coriander
• 1 medium green chilli
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt,
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3/4  teaspoon salt

Makes 1 cup.

You can core the tomatoes or if you don't want the seeds. Then, either dice all ingredients finely (onions and tomatoes should be made into small cubes 5 mm thick) or simply toss them into a food processor and chop until you get this chunky consistency (Remember, do not puree!)

Can be enjoyed as a dip with tortilla or as a topping for cheese quesadillas.

CULTURE · Fashion Inspired by Papel Picado (Traditional Mexican Paper Cuts)

Found via  The Crafty Chica 

Ronaldo Fraga · www.ronaldofraga.com

Robert Ryan · rob-ryan.blogspot.com

Laser Cut Dress by Alexander McQueen FW08

Laser Cut Dress by Emilio Pucci

All images from Outsapop