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Empower Women Entertainment Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Women empowering women

3 Binge worthy Netflix shows staring women

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 How to Get Away with Murder

 

How to Get Away with Murder is a nail-biting thriller staring Oscar and Tony award winning actress Viola Davis as Annalise Keating; a criminal defense attorney and law professor at Middleton University in Philadelphia. 

 

In the series Analise picks five of her first year students to intern at her firm: Alfred Enoch as Wes Gibbins, Jack Falahee as Connor Walsh, Aja Naomi King as Michaela Pratt, Matt McGorry as Asher Millstone, and Karla Souza as Laurel Castillo. The five students work alongside Annalises’ long time employees Frank Delfino(Charlie Weber) and Bonnie Winterbottom (Liza Weil) to fight for justice as well as evade it. 

 

This show highlights women from many different backgrounds and ethnicities dominating a field that is notoriously run by men and is must-see for any film enthusiast!

 

 

 

Wentworth

 

Wentworth is a drama series about an Australian women’s prison that does a great job at highlighting the parallels of societal hierarchy within the prison system. 

 

At first the show focuses on a frail and frightened Bea Smith played by Danielle Cormack who later evolves into a powerful prison lord. We see Bea’s rapid rise to the top of the prison hierarchy as well as the dynamic development of the other characters throughout the series.The women of Wentworth prison are gritty, powerful and fierce.

 

 

Scandal 

  

Scandal is a heart-wrenching political thriller starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope. The show is based in the White House and is centered around the life of Olivia Pope as she dedicates her life to protecting the secrets of the the most powerful people in America, including the president himself. How’s that for a current events’ irony?

 

Breaking boundaries, ‘Scandal’ highlights a single Black woman of power in the White House as well as setting the standard for the film industry in terms of diversification of its cast members. It also does a great job of attacking some common societal issues such as infidelity, feminism, race and shady government politics.

 

 

Author: Khala Clarke 

 

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Empower Women Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Women empowering women

5 Must-See Motivational Movies

Graphic by Khala Clarke

If you’re in the need for some motivation at the start of the new year, then look no further. These five films explore some of the most powerful female character’s most defining moments. So grab some popcorn, relax and get ready to feel empowered.

 

Hidden Figures

 

Hidden Figures tells the story of a group of black women who were the brains behind one of the biggest and best operations in history. The film follows three women – Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan and Kathrine Johnson- as they work their way up in NASA. The women worked to launch John Glenn into space and then bring him home safely. 

 

 

The Devil Wears Prada

 

After graduating, Andy find a job as an assistant to an editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine. But there is a twist. Said editor-in-chief might be the scariest lady alive. Watch the two powerful ladies battle it out in this fabulous film. Also, if you’re a fashion-lover, then you will, without a doubt, love it.

 

 

Wild

 

This film shows Cheryl Strayed’s physical and mental journey to finding hope again after she seems to lose everything. She sets out to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail all alone and finds healing along the way.

 

 

The Help

 

This historical fiction film takes place in the 60s in Mississippi. Skeeter comes home after college on a mission to become a writer. She chooses to write a book about  African American maids’ and how they’ve spent their life working for white families. This obviously causes quite the ruckus in her small town, but it turns into a beautiful story.

 

 

The Hunger Games films

 

This dystopian film series follows Katniss Everdeen as she tries to change the way society works. She takes her sister’s place in what is known as The Hunger Games- where children from each district fight until the death in order for the Capitol to keep control over the districts. This all leads to an eventual overthrow of the society’s government that is basically lead by Katniss. She takes the cake for being one badass woman.

 

 

Authour: Ashli Ellerman

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Empower Women Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Women empowering women Womens wellness

4 ways to Embrace menstruation

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Menstrual cycles, also known as periods or moon cycles, is the time of the month that most women dread. but what if I told you your monthly cycle is something that is so sacred it should be embraced. A woman’s menstrual cycle is a form of her feminine power and should be considered beautiful and extraordinary. With that being said here are four ways to embrace your menstrual cycle. 

 

1. Mindful thinking

 

When it’s ‘that time of the month’ for us we often become negative, unmotivated and moody; all of which may be deemed as natural but embracing your period and developing a positive mindset will go a long way. 

 

Think of it like this: during your period your body is shedding its linings and replenishing, So by  knowing this and setting a positive mindset with the intent of letting go, your body releases any built up stress, anxiety or negative energy. This helps with relaxation and keeping a steady mindset during your period. 

 

A great way to clear your mind and eliminate all the unsettling thoughts and feelings that may come up is to meditate. Meditating is a great way to level both the mind and the body.

 

 

2. Show yourself some extra love 

 

During your period it’s very important to show yourself an immense amount of love. We sometimes feel extra tired or lazy during our periods, so allow yourself to slow down and have some down time. Take a bath, sip a glass of wine or tea, binge-watch your favorite show if you feel inclined to and take that nap if you need one…Or  two.  

 

It’s also important to not let your cravings get the best of you. Eat clean and drink lots of water. If you get a sweet tooth, yes indulge but don’t go crazy. Eating fresh fruit is a great alternative for candy and other sweets.  

 

 

3. Go with the flow 

 

As women we can’t hide the fact that there are many challenges that come with menstruation. one of which is deciding what to wear. Although, you may want to go against your body and throw on that new white dress from Fashionova, however wearing dark colors, flowy dresses and breathable pants promotes comfort and will allow nature to take its course without any disruptions. With that being said go with the flow. Not everyday has to be a fashion show and remember there’s nothing wrong with looking and feeling comfortable. 

 

 

4. Go Green 

 

Use feminine products that promote a healthier living such as organic tampons and pads that are free of cotton, chlorine, synthetic pesticides, dyes & fragrances. Having cleaner products will not only benefit you but it will help the earth as well. 

 

 

Author: Khala Clarke 

 

 

 

 

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Empower Women Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Womens wellness

Tips and Tricks to Begin Meditating

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Ladies, who doesn’t want to start off the new year on a high note? Learning how to meditate can benefit you in so many ways, but the task itself can feel daunting. Have no fear though, it’s not as hard as it might seem. These key meditation tips and tricks will make sure you’re your most zen self as we begin 2021. 

 

1.Download the Calm app.

 

If I could only offer you one piece of advice, then it would be this. The Calm app is a game changer when it comes to learning how to meditate. Calm offers you tons of different guided meditations led by experts so that you can feel like an expert. You can simply start with one of the beginner meditations on how to start meditating, and then when you feel comfortable you can begin other types of meditations based on the issues that arise throughout your day. There’s meditations catered to work-life, college students, anxiety, sleep and so much more.

 

2. Stick to it.

 

Though it might be hard at first, you have to keep pushing yourself. Letting go and freeing your mind definitely isn’t the most natural thing, so make sure you give yourself patience. Commit to just 10 minutes a day for at least a month. If you create a daily routine, then not only will you be more likely to keep doing it, but you’re also guaranteed to get better at it the more you practice.

 

3. Give yourself some slack.

 

Don’t worry too much about if you’re doing it wrong. It’s not like playing a sport or baking. There isn’t really a perfect way to do it. Your mind will wander because that’s just how our minds are programmed but as long as you try to focus your attention on the meditation then you really can’t mess it up. It’s all about practice.

 

4. Take a yoga class.

 

Yoga and meditation go hand in hand, so taking a yoga class is the perfect way to enhance your meditation practice. This calming form of exercise can really get you into the right headspace before beginning your meditation practice. You don’t even have to spend money on a class if you don’t want to. Sarah Beth is a yoga instructor on YouTube, and she offers all different types of yoga classes. “A moving meditation is being mindful and aware of movement without a goal or destination,” says Beth. “It’s not about hitting the posture or where you’re going next — just enjoying what’s happening in each present moment as it happens.”

 

 

Author: Ashli Ellerman

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Entertainment Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks

10 Iconic Christmas Movies

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Christmas is quickly approaching and we understand this holiday season might have been much more stressful than ever. Here’s a short list of lighthearted Christmas movies that’ll help melt away holiday tensions. With Christmas right around the corner, what better way to get even more into the spirit than by watching Christmas movies?

 

 

1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey’s Grinch easily became iconic. His improvised humor is really what made the film stand apart from the 1966 original cartoon. This movie features a grouchy hermit with a hate for Christmas who formulates a plan to steal the holiday from the Whos.

 

 

2. Elf (2003)
Buddy the Elf discovers he’s a human who was raised by elves in the North Pole. Upon learning this, he travels to New York in search of his father. This film is full of laughter and inspires the audience to love their family a little harder. Definitely a classic!

 

 

3. Home Alone (1990)
In this iconic Christmas movie, Kevin is the youngest in his family and accidentally gets left behind when his family takes a trip to Paris. This 8-year-old finds himself in a situation where he has to defend his home from a pair of burglars.

 

 

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, finds himself worn out from the repetition of having a stellar Halloween every year. He stumbles upon a door that takes him to Christmastown and falls in love with the joy the holiday brought him. Jack later comes up with a plan to have the citizens of Halloweentown host Christmas. His attempt to have a spooky Christmas causes confusion and he realizes the importance of having a great Halloween each year.

 

 

5. The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen stars in this Christmas classic where he becomes Santa Claus and takes on his responsibilities after St. Nick takes a tumble off a roof. Scott Calvin accidentally causes Santa to fall off his roof. Afterwards, he is magically selected to not only finish delivering the gifts on Christmas Eve. Once Christmas is over, Scott tries to hide the truth from his family. This movie is such a family fun classic!

 

 

 

6. The Polar Express (2004)
In this classic tale, a young boy goes on a magical adventure to the North Pole. He and other children get the invite on Christmas Eve by being able to hear the bells. They all travel on the Polar Express with hopes of meeting Santa Claus himself.

 

 

 

7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
This iconic story about a misfit reindeer and his friends is the underdog tale we could all use. Rudolph and his friends set out on an adventure to find somewhere where they’ll be accepted. Throughout their journey, they learn that being different is what makes them special.

 

 

 

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A true classic! In this movie, Charlie Brown finds himself upset with the commercialism and materialism of Christmas. He then takes it upon himself, with some help from the gang, to find the deeper and true meaning of Christmas.

 

 

 

 

9. A Christmas Carol (1951)
This legendary Christmas tale is one where an old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, hates the Christmas season with his entire being. Year after year, he curses the holiday and utters his famous “bah-humbug”. On the night of Christmas Eve, he is visited by 3 ghosts who take him on a journey through Christmases past, present, and future.

 

 

 

10. Gremlins (1984)
Billy is given a mythical Chinese creature called “mogwai” named Gizmo. Strange things happen to these creatures, such as they multiply in water and shouldn’t be fed after midnight. Billy accidentally gets Gizmo wet and he produces a couple eggs. These eggs hatch but when they are fed after midnight, begin to wreak havoc on the town and everyone in it.

 

 

Sources:
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a50565/best-christmas-movies-of-all-time/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls000096828/

 

Author: Alaina Newman

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Entertainment Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Women empowering women women in power

5 Christmas songs Sung by dazzling women

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Christmas is here and what would Christmas be without Christmas music. To keep you and your loved ones festive during these hard times here’s a list of 10 christmas songs sung by amazing women that will not only get you in the holiday spirit but get you off your feet!

 

 

1. Mariah Carey

 

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you…

 

 

 

 

2. Destiny’s Child

 

“Do You Hear What I Hear”

Do you hear what I hear
Do you hear what I hear

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite…

 

 

 

 

3. Carrie Underwood

 

“O Holy Night”

O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth…

 

 

 

4.Diana Ross

 

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
Since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It doesn’t show signs of stoppin’
And I brought some corn for poppin’
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

 

 

5. Whitney Houston

 

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight, my Lord
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas right now

 

 

 

Author: Khala Clarke 

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Empower Women Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Womens wellness

Making Time for Yourself

Graphic by Alaina Newman

With the holidays right around the corner and the world being 9 months into the pandemic, it’s that much more important to take some time out for yourself. Taking yourself on a date is also a perfect way to break up your day and spice up your normal break time. I would love to share some of my favorite ways to spend some well deserved me-time.

 

Yoga

Yoga is an amazing way to exercise and relax. One of the things I love about yoga is it can be practiced anywhere and anytime. You don’t even need a mat, just a soft surface! Yoga is deeply personal and practices are completely customizable. A practice can be anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour; depending on your skill level and what your body needs. I like to use the Nike Training App to access yoga classes, but there’s also so many practices you can follow along on Youtube as well. My favorite is Yoga With Adriene, but some other channels are MadFit, Yoga With Kassandra and Boho Beautiful. 

 

Meditation

Taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate is a great way to reset yourself and just to take a pause. Like yoga, meditation is deeply personal. For me, meditation is a part of my daily routine. I like to meditate before I practice yoga to set my intentions for the practice and clear my mind of busy thoughts. I also meditate after yoga to ensure a smooth transition from yoga to whatever else I’m going to do the rest of the day. When I meditate, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and place it out of my reach. I personally like to sit in silence with my eyes closed, focusing on my breathing and clearing my mind.You can meditate with background music such as ocean sounds or yoga music, or you can just sit or even lay in silence.

 

Journaling

Journaling is another great way to invest some time in yourself. It is very cathartic to just grab a pen and some paper and just let your thoughts go. Most of my journal entries don’t have much structure to them because they just follow the flow of my thoughts. It also feels like a form of meditation when you’re just reflecting on your thoughts and thinking about what to write. What you journal in doesn’t matter; whether it’s on a laptop, random pieces of paper, or in a journal. I started journaling my freshman year of college and it has been such a beneficial and positive activity for me.

 

Spending Time Outside

With stay-at-home orders and students taking online classes, it has gotten difficult to get outside and relax. Even in the midst of everything going on, I’ve made time for relaxation through roller skating, taking a walk, and even taking myself for a picnic date at the park. Skating has been super great for my mental health because it is both stimulating and challenging. Each time I go skating, I turn on a good playlist and take to the pavement. I challenge myself to learning new tricks and reward myself with feeling like I’m flying. Taking yourself on a picnic date at the park feels so special, and it’s so cute! Just pack up a blanket, something to eat, and whatever else you’d like to bring. I usually bring a book, my journal, or a coloring book and colored pencils, and my mask of course! Going for a walk in either your neighborhood or in the park can be stressful, so I usually go at times when there usually aren’t that many people. Just make sure to wear a mask and stay socially distant!

 

Given the current state of the world, remember to take yourself on a date because you deserve it! There are so many different ways to spend some time with yourself that will help you to reset and take a break from your phone. Below, LeArielle Simone shared a thread of ways to spend time for yourself based on the 5 Love Languages.

Story continues after post.

 

Don’t forget to take some time for yourself! What are your favorite ways to make time for yourself? Let us know in the box below!

 

Author: Alaina Newman 

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Empower Women Entertainment Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks

Song Recommendations: Body Positivity/Self-love

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The music industry can be a harsh place for women. They deal with so much criticism from the moment they step foot into the world of fame. Here are 4 female artists that advocate for body positivity/self-love in their songs.Just take a look at the lyrics seen below!

 

1. Lizzo: “Scuse me”

Lyrics: “Scuse me while I feel myself

Look up in the mirror oh I’m having visions

Feeling like a million, ooh, I can get it”

 

 

2. Meghan Trainor: “Me Too”

Lyrics: “I thank god everyday

That I woke up feelin’ this way

And I can’t help lovin’ myself, nuh-uh

If I was you i’d wanna be me too”

 

 

3. Beyonce: “Pretty Hurts”

Lyrics: “Pretty hurts

We shine the light on whatever’s worse

Perfection is a disease of a nation”

 

 

4. Alessia Cara: “Scars to Your Beautiful”

Lyrics: “You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are

And you don’t need to change a thing, the world could change its heart

No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful”

 

Author: Daisy Elizalde

 

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Beauty Empower Women Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Womens wellness

5 Health & Beauty Businesses Owned by Black Women

Graphic by Khala Clarke. Photo courtesy of Canva

Shontay Lundy, Founder & Creator, Black Girl Sunscreen

Shontay Lundy began with the dream of Black women having a sunscreen brand that caters to the needs of melanated skin. Sunscreen has a reputation for leaving a white cast on darker skin tones and therefore its use has been neglected by Black people. Knowing this, Lundy hit the Miami scene in 2016 with the launch of Black Girl Sunscreen. Launching her sunscreen brand was risky – she was going up against the longstanding belief that Black people don’t need to wear sunscreen. Much to her surprise, there were many other Black women looking for sunscreen. Black Girl Sunscreen now has a full time spot in Target’s sunscreen section and is the company’s only independently Black-owned brand. 

 

 

 

Bea Dixon, CEO & Founder, Honey Pot Co.

What kickstarted the Honey Pot Co.’s creation was Dixon’s struggle to get reliefs from bacterial vaginosis. She had a dream one night, where an ancestor came to her and gave her the gift of healing herself. The Honey Pot Co. is a natural  feminine care line. Their products range from tampons and pads to panty sprays, lubricants, and more. All of these products are made by women, for women. Honey Pot Co.’s products are made without chemicals, toxins, fragrances, and anything synthetic. They are sold online and in major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Urban Outfitters, and more.

 

 

Trinity Mouzan, Founder, Golde

In 2017, Golde was co-founded in Brooklyn, NY with a mission of bringing good vibes to the wellness industry. Golde is an independently owned company that makes superfood-boosted health and beauty essentials. Their products range from tumeric blends to face masks. 

 

 

 

 

 

Melissa Butler, CEO & Founder, The Lip Bar 

In 2012, Butler started The Lip Bar to challenge beauty standards. She didn’t want to conform to the way society was telling women how they should look. Butler began to experiment with making lipsticks in her kitchen. She sought out to make a brand that won’t compromise user health and aimed to change the ways people think about beauty products. After failing to strike a deal with one of the sharks on Shark Tank, Butler landed a spot on Target’s shelves. The Lip Bar is now in over 450 Target stores around the country and the brand even has its own storefront in Detroit, MI. The Lip Bar is a vegan and cruelty-free brand that encourages users to challenge beauty standards, and reminds people that they are definitely enough!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon Chuter, CEO & Founder, Uoma Beauty 

Born in Nigeria, Sharon Chuter has tackled the lack of color ranges in makeup brands and has been very hands-on with creating a brand that features a wide range in order to cater to all shades. She uses her African heritage in combination with her radiant spirit to deliver a product that is inclusive and well loved by its users. Uoma Beauty is characterized by instant payoff, loves all skin types, and delivers maximum pleasure to all the senses. 

 

 

Author: Alaina Newman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Black Girl Sunscreen

https://www.blackgirlsunscreen.com/about/

https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-shontay-lundy-founder-of-black-girl-sunscreen-2020-9

Honey Pot Co.

https://thehoneypot.co/pages/about 

Golde

https://golde.co/pages/meet-our-founder 

The Lip Bar

https://thelipbar.com/pages/our-story

Uoma Beauty

https://uomabeauty.com/pages/about-uoma?gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5J3SY05rMGjRB8WGRMjGxdpKaOQS4u9CI0rLFsgTnRkHJhP0Rfps_uBoCo0QQAvD_BwE 

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Empower Women Entertainment Lists and Tips Mariposa Sisters picks Women empowering women

Song Recommendations: Let’s feel empowered together!

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Looking for some new song recommendations? Or just want to listen to something upbeat while doing those daily activities? Well look no more Mariposa Sisters has your back! Here are 7 female artists with songs that will leave you feeling empowered for the rest of the day! Just take a look at the lyrics seen below. You should consider giving all 7 songs a listen and you just might end up adding these to your playlist.

 

Katy perry 

Fingerprints :

 

Wanna break the stereotype 

Fist in the air

I’m not going down without a fight

It’s my life

And I’m not sitting on the sidelines

 

Beyonce

Run the world :

 

You can’t hold me

(you can’t hold me)

I work my 9 to 5

Better cut my check

This goes out to all

The women gettin’ it

In, get on your grind

 

Billie Eilish

You should see me in a crown :

 

You should see me in a crown

I’m gonna run this nothin town

Watch me make ‘em bow

One by one by one

 

No doubt 

Just a Girl :

 

Oh, I’m just a girl, take

a good look at me

Just your typical prototype 

Oh, I’ve had it up to here

Oh, am I making myself clear?

 

Twice 

Breakthrough (this is the English translation) :

 

Heading for an ideal future

I’m prepared to overcome any obstacles

Time is infinite but you can never turn it back

This story of “me” only happens once

No matter what people say 

Shake it off, I’m going my way

Say say, don’t give up!

Say say, don’t give up!

Till the day I can be proud of myself

 

Doja Cat

Boss Bi*** :

 

Big up yourself cause you know they won’t

I chew, chew, chew, cause they hope I choke

I’m a bi***, I’m a boss

I’m a bi***, I’m a boss

Ima shine like gloss

 

Lesley Gore

You don’t own me :

 

Im free and i love to be free

To live my life the way i want

To say and do whatever i please

And don’t tell me what to do

 

 

Author: Daisy Elizalde