Your closet is like a boutique, a place where you go shopping every day -- except it’s free. Every item should be easy to find, and it should inspire you -- after all, you added it to your wardrobe. Take some time this weekend to try these closet-transforming steps. You should be able to easily pull an ensemble together and love what you’re wearing.

1. Have a fashion show. Once a year, try on every piece of clothing that you own. Mend any missing buttons or hem folds that have come undone. Most important, let go of anything that has been stained, is worn out or no longer fits.

2. Add shelf dividers. Shirts, sweaters and jeans that are folded in stacks are likely to topple over or become an eyesore. Wooden dividers keep closet items in neat and easy-to-access piles.

3. Try a chalk dehumidifier. For closets that are damp or have poor ventilation, a dozen chalk sticks will do wonders. Tie the chalk in a bundle and hang it in the space. The natural desiccant properties absorb the moisture in the air and keep clothing dry.

4. Coordinated flat hangers. Find a flat hanger, which saves closet space, and buy as many as you need in the same color. When all of your clothing is hanging at the same eye-level, it is easier to store and sort through. Liberate hangers and space by putting away any out-of-season items.

5. Eliminate odors. Instead of throwing out the fabric softener sheets after drying the laundry, insert them between folded piles of t-shirts, underwear, and shoes. Since shoes tend to be the culprit of evil smells, let them air out before storing them inside your closet. Make sachets of rosemary, lavender or cedar -- which protects wools from moths -- to add a natural aromatic scent to the area.

When you’re busy purchasing products, from lotions to wipes, for your baby, you may forget to invest in your own goods. So, when you’re in a bind, you grab the first lotion on your bathroom vanity -- and it’s for your baby. But are baby products as effective? Here, Dr. Rolanda Johnson, who received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and works with Procter and Gamble beauty scientists, fills us in.

The answer, in short, is that products designed for your baby, which not counterproductive, are not as productive as compared to using moisturizing treatments designed for your skin needs and concerns.

Most babies, unless they are experiencing skin problems, do not need a high level of added moisturization on their skin as their skin is in its prime- a plump, hydrated, even skin tone. The skin cellular turnover rate is at its optimum, all of the natural moisturizing factors are present to deliver the proper level of water in the skin and there is no big concern of sun exposure at this time.

However, as we age, we lose the intrinsic skin characteristics of babies. What's more is that the extrinsic factors like sun exposure become more of a problem when skin is exposed to the sun over time. If you don't have protection from sun damage, you are lacking care and protection that your skin needs, as the baby product will not have the specific ingredients that will address the concerns of your skin.

Do yourself -- and your skin -- a favor, and go shopping for yourself once in a while! Your body will thank you later.

Yes, we know your Latina blood gives you natural rhythm. But are you getting the most out of your girls’ nights out? It’s time to shake up your half-hearted merengue routine and sign up for a class. The health benefits of regular vigorous dance sessions, such as Zumba aerobics and Brazilian capoeira, are vast. In addition to strengthening bones, toning muscles and boosting heart health, hooking up with comadres for regular dance-offs will also make you happier and smarter. Science shows that exercise, especially in groups, can work as an instant antidepressant. Here are three ways to add a dash of sexy to your summer exercise routine:

1. Zumba Aerobics. This workout originated in Colombia, but it takes Latin dance moves from everywhere: salsa, merengue, reggaeton, hip-hop, pop and more. Unlike typical aerobics routines that focus on counting out loud, Zumba sessions are high-energy parties where you dance to the beat and burn between 400 and 600 calories. The high levels of feel-good hormones you will release help lower stress, avoid hypertension and keep your heart healthy.

2. Brazilian Capoeira. A combination of martial arts and music, this art form originated in the quilombos -- or slave settlements -- of South America. The practice was both a way for slaves to entertain themselves and a cunning way for them to practice self-protection moves in case of an attack. Today, this “dance-fight” is practiced around the world. It can be a lethal workout on the dance floor, burning as many as 500 to 700 calories per hour. The best part? You will be using your entire body -- head, arms, legs, and feet -- to kick, cartwheel and do handstands. You’ll have incredible flexibility.

3. Argentine Tango. This well-known dance is best described as a combination of walking and gymnastics. Though it can burn anywhere from 200 to 400 calories per hour, the dance’s powerful workout is often overlooked. Those slow, deep lunges are amazing for improving coordination and toning legs. And its sharp turns require a strong, wide upper body frame, which in turn improves posture.

Latin pride is in full bloom this June as music festivals and parades pop up across the country. Here are three other cities where cultura is on the mind and salsa, són, and rumba are in the heart:

1. Bethlehem, Penn.: From June 17 through June 19, the city will host Sabor! -- an event that celebrates the region’s dynamic Latin heritage with flair -- at the Steel Sacks art and culture center. Sample Latino cuisine and take in musical performances by local rapero Bolo Flow and salsero Luisito Rosario.

2. Chicago: In Chicago’s Humboldt Park, the six-day Fiestas Puertorriqueñas start June 14. The events showcase Puerto Rican cuisine, art, dance and music. Families revel in PR’s són by local musicians and top Latino entertainers. Other activities include the Youth Jamboree -- in which adolescents and young adults perform in a talent show -- and the San Juan 8K Race/2M Fitness Walk.

3. Los Angeles: Lovers of Mexican music descend upon the Hollywood Bowl on June 18, to be mesmerized by over four hours of mariachi music and folkloric dancing. Guests can also have an unforgettable al-fresco dining experience by trying out the fresh cuisine by the event’s official caterer.

Photo: pantagrapher/flickr CC

What’s the first thing we notice when we walk through the front door? The way our home smells. In fact, a room’s aroma can trigger a wind of happy memories, such as waking up to Mami’s morning brew. That’s why infusing the home with pleasing scents can help add a jolt of happiness to the day. In addition to air fresheners and odor eliminators, try these Abuelita-approved tips for a clean-smelling home and enhanced health.

Baking Soda
This multipurpose natural odor absorber works wonders. Whether it’s in the refrigerator or in the corner of a musty closet, a fresh box can neutralize any funky smell. Instead of carpet cleaners, use baking soda on your rugs, carpet, upholstery or any household item that retains dank odors.

Vinegar
Believe it or not, this natural deodorizer can remove the smell of skunk on a dog. Imagine what it will do to a pet’s home accidents. Leaving a bowl of vinegar overnight in any room in the house will kill offensive smells. And using it on windows, furniture, appliances will contribute to a general clean aroma.

Lemons
Few natural ingredients boost the olfactory system as a lemon can. In the fridge, all it takes is half a lemon to zap the stench in the fridge. And by cutting two lemons in half, you can cleanse the smell of any room, including those with cat litter boxes.

Cloves
When it comes to aromatizing a space, these dried and unopened flower buds are yesteryear’s best-kept secret. Using an old pan you hardly cook in, throw in whole cloves to a few cups of water. Bring the contents to a boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. You can also add lemon, orange and apple peels for a spicy tang.

Essential Oils
Extracted from aromatic plants, these oils are known to diffuse therapeutic properties into the air. To calm nerves, try a lavender-scented air freshener or add a few drops of lavender oil to just-boiled water.