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I'm going to tell you how special quinces in El Salvador are, but first I have to say that salvadoreñas are BEAUTIFUL! One of my favorite supermodels of all time is salvadoreña Christie Turlington (her mom is from El Salvador). Also, my friend, reporter Elizabeth Espinosa from KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles, is another gorgeous and talented salvadoreña. Elizabeth is actually the one who inspired me to write a post about la Fiesta Rosa.
Quinceañeras in El Salvador are called "Fiesta Rosa," or "rose party." The reason for the name is obvious. Everything is pink: pink dress, pink hat, pink gloves, pink bouquet, pink shoes, and pink decorations. In some cultures, rosa or rosado signifies innocence and girlhood.
El Salvador is a very Catholic culture, so that is why to start off the Fiesta
Rosa, there is a traditional Thanksgiving mass, when family members present the
quinceañera with gifts. A lot of Fiestas Rosas are celebrated in August, when
salvadoreños also honor the patron saint of El Salvador, named El Salvador del Mundo.
August 6 is the national day of celebration, but the parties and parades last during the whole first week of August — which is actually happening right now, as I'm blogging!
La Fiesta Rosa is a big feast, usually prepared by the family and consisting of typical Salvadorean dishes, like casamiento, which is a mixture of rice and beans, and pupusas, which is cornmeal stuffed with cheese, refried beans, and chicharrón (fried pork fat).
Pupusas are one of the most important typical dishes of El Salvador and can't be missed at the Fiesta Rosa. Similar to the Venezuelan arepas, the pupusa is handmade tortilla made of masa de maíz, a thick corn dough frequently used in Latin American cuisine. The pupusa is usually stuffed with either queso (cheese), refried beans (frijoles refritos), fried pork rind (chicharrón), and squash (ayote). Here's a recipe if you want to add a piece of El Salvador to your own quince, or Fiesta Rosa!
Click READ MORE to get the recipe!
Follow these steps to find a quinceañera cake that looks and tastes amazing.
12 Months Before:
TEETH
Everyone should go to the dentist at least twice a year for cleaning
and checkups. Even if this isn’t possible for you, start taking care of
your teeth by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. If you
have a choice, whitening toothpaste is the best, but baking soda can
also help remove stains. Brush with paste, and then brush again after
dipping your damp toothbrush into the baking soda.
6 Months Before:
HAIR
Focus on getting your pelo healthy. If your hair is
damaged, avoid washing it every day so you don’t dry out the natural
moisture. Try not to use heat-styling tools, like blow-dryers and flat
irons, every day. If you must, make sure you protect your hair with
leave-in conditioner. Conditioners are so important for keeping hair
strong and preventing split ends and flyaways.
3 Months Before:
EYEBROWS
If you don’t trim your cejas yet, I recommend going to a professional
the first time, before you start plucking yourself. She will shape them
for you using wax or tweezers so they match your facial structure and
aren’t too thin. Afterward, you can maintain them on your own with a
good pair of tweezers. The best brand for brow upkeep is Anastasia
Beverly Hills, sold at sephora.com.
A pair of Anastasia tweezers will cost you $28, but it’s a good
investment. If you’re on a tight budget, the cheaper drugstore tweezers
will still get the job done!
1 Month Before:
SKIN
For the next four weeks, exfoliate and moisturize.
Treat yourself to a weekly all-natural, at-home facial. You can buy
great scrubs at Bath & Body Works or the drugstore. Or, make your
own scrub by mixing some oatmeal and honey together. Paste it on your
face and let it dry for a bit. Right before it dries completely, gently
rub it on your skin so it removes dry, dead skin cells. Rinse and apply
your regular facial moisturizer. Using moisturizer with SPF for sun
protection is something you’ll thank me for later — it helps prevent
the sun damage that causes wrinkles later in life.
Use a loofah sponge or mesh sponge with liquid soap to scrub your body
from neck to toe in the shower. When you come out of the shower,
remember to moisturize with lotion.
What's the perfect perfume to wear for your quince? Take the quiz to find out!
Leer en español
Los quince años were a tough age for me because I used to fight a lot
with my mom. Eventually, I grew really close to her — it just took a
lot of learning along the way. If I could go back in time and tell my
15-year-old self 15 important things, I’d say this:
- We cannot accomplish anything by ourselves. We all need each other. Being part of a team is very rewarding. Your family is your team.
- Make sure you do something you LOVE every day. Otherwise, you’ll get bored.
- Don’t miss out on the gifts of nature. Do stop and smell the roses, listen to the birds, make friends with the butterflies, sing and dance.
- Laugh at yourself from time to time. If others laugh at you, don’t fret — it happens to all of us. Remember those famous words from Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
- Don’t be afraid to try something new. There is so much to be discovered in life as long as you are not harming yourself (like smoking — which gives you yellow teeth, bad breath, wrinkly skin ... yuck!) or doing anything illegal.
If you're not sure whether to hire a DJ or live band for your quinceañera, use this chart to consider the pros, cons, and expenses of each.
I love everything about quinceañeras. I believe a lot of good can
come out of a family getting together to celebrate a girl’s
transformation into adulthood. This week, I wanted to share 15 other
reasons why quinces are so special! Here’s what I love about them...
- I love that 15 means you are ready to learn how to read a bill,
write a check, make arroz con frijoles — all of those grown-up
responsibilities.
- I love when you wear Chuck Taylors for the changing-of-the-shoe
ceremony, like the girl in this picture! (We're on the KTLA morning
show here.)
- I love when you dress your perrito in a tuxedo and include him in la fiesta (if he is well behaved!).
- I love when you donate your dress to charity for other chicas who cannot afford to have a quinceañera.
- I love when you find creative ways to make a grand entrance. You can find a local antique car collectors’ club and ask if they would drive you and your court to the party. They might do it for free or for a minimal fee. You might even get the fire department to give you a ride in their red engine, if you ask!
- I love when you give your last doll to your mom or your little sister, instead of receiving it.
- I love when you set up a wishing well at the entrance of the reception, with a note pad where guests can write you a message
- I love when your mom and dad get to tell a story about when they were 15, or when they dance to their favorite songs from way back then.
What style cake should you choose for your quinceanera? Meet your mouth-watering match here!
Are you a good party planner? Take the quiz to find out if you'll meet your quinceañera deadlines!
Get ideas for your quinceañera cake from our cake gallery. You can order directly from the featured bakery, or print the photos out to show your local baker.
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