Ripe & City.

Casa Naranja is a networking firm founded to meet the lifestyle needs of the modern Latin American woman. Beginning in June, the company will host exclusive monthly events at different New York City venues. Casa Naranja’s services include resource and networking development; planning, hosting and fundraising for events; and an e-zine and members-only concierge guide.

Founder Elizabeth Mateo is a first-generation American of Dominican descent who has moved fluently between two languages and worlds, building a successful career on Wall Street. Over the past 10 years, she sensed a growing lifestyle movement in the City among her Latina friends and colleagues—a movement characterized by the well-informed, vibrant, bilingual, affluent Latin American mujer.

“I created Casa Naranja to enhance and reflect the evolution of today’s Latina. She is well-read and well-bred, travels to Paris and the Dominican Republic, follows fashion but creates her own style, is proud of her downtown roots but has an uptown colorist. The Casa Naranja woman is the vivid embodiment of contradiction and harmony — all under one roof.”

Casa Naranja will host its debut event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2005, at Hispaniola Restaurant, 839 W. 181st St. (@ Cabrini Blvd.), in NYC (212-740-5222). Invited guests and media will be treated to a taste of naranja through cocktails, entertainment, giveaways and gift bags. For more information or to attend the June event, please contact Elizabeth Mateo at
917-513-7567 or el*******@ca*********.com. RSVP is required by 5 p.m. on June 21, 2005.