Caribbean BELLE eMagazine...now ONLINe!
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MICHELLE XAVIER
On Her Own
It’s Sunday October 9th. Michelle Xavier is at Gary Jordan Photography, being prepped for our cover photo-shoot. “This is painful,” she says. “Musicians aren’t morning people especially me.” She’d risen at 7:15 am, following a “gig” the night before. But the excitement is tangible.
Nigel Celestine, the stylist for the shoot, has chosen four looks by Philippa London, to be shot at four different locations. “We’re going for a vintage, yet very clean and classy feel,” he says. “My job is to make her (Xavier) glamorous.”
DIANA MAHABIR-WYATT
Born to Give
I am looking for an angel Mahabir-Wyatt says, as her assistant pats me with a paper towel. I’d just entered her St. Clair office, from the rain, and had gotten slightly damp. “Somehow,” she continued, “someone always calls and volunteers though.” The job was to escort a little boy to rehabilitation twice per week. I made a mental note to throw the proposition out to our Facebook fans, and hopefully recruit some volunteers.
Femme du Film
A look at the women at the forefront of Trinidad's emerging film industry
Camille Selvon Abrahams, Elspeth Duncan, Lorraine O’Connor, Louris Lee-Singh
I finally caught up with the award-winning multi-media producer and animator, Camille Selvon Abrahams, the powerhouse behind Animae Caribe: Caribbean Animation Film Festival as she waited for her husband to arrive at Piarco International Airport one rainy afternoon.
Selvon Abrahams admits that animation wasn’t her first career-choice: “Initially when I went to study, I wanted to get into film and video. I liked music videos and thought that I could do something different.”
Canvas to Life
KAREN SYLVESTER: In her own words
Being constantly told we believe in you gave me the confidence I needed as an artist. As a child, my parents realised that I possessed a natural talent and love for painting. Rather than steering me away from a career in art, they were my strongest allies. They researched high schools that focused on an art stream, and were always on hand to lend support and guidance. Both came from creative backgrounds; my father was involved in local mas and my mother with Best Village productions. I was constantly surrounded by a creative environment, which greatly influenced me.
Trash to Art
RAFZA RAHAMAN NEHAUL transforms everyday materials into art; pieces that reveal her ardour for sport and human rights.
Creativity comes with any territory undergoing great change—whether political, economic or social—since art is a medium of such expression. Art beyond a tourist product allows the artist to grow or evolve and carries the society with it. In a very conservative society growth is not as rapid, and acceptance of different is tough. My work has mostly been accepted and purchased by foreigners visiting our shores. Locally, my art is an enigma; but then there are those who appreciate my use of natural materials.
Regal Jamaican
Peter Jarrette visits LADY COLIN CAMPBELL at her London home, where she chats about her two sons, her career as a best selling author, the royal family, and what she has in common with Carrie Bradshaw.
In a quiet, upmarket quarter in the South London area of Kennington, there is a small walled garden shaded by a handsome fir tree. Secluded garden steps lead to a door next to a turret and at the top of that turret is the boudoir of the most gracious woman, the Jamaican born citizen of the world, Lady Colin Campbell.
Georgie, as her friends, new and old, know her, greets me with a warm and immediate hug. She flings open the garden door entrance to her London home and bathes my ears with her rich, cultured Jamaican accent, “Darling! How are you? You found me! We meet again!”
What a Divorce can Cost You
Family Law attorney, Nazmeen Salfarlie, on money matters in marriage and divorce
Remember that you and your spouse are now in a partnership— and that also includes an economic partnership. As financial partners, you must both be vested with an interest to succeed and as such, decisions must be mutually responsible and in the best interest of both parties. The happiest couples I have encountered are those that understood and incorporated this idea of common plans and goals into their lives and strived to meet them. I promise this formula would bring comfort, security and ultimately, greater happiness to your marriage.
Money Advice that can make a Big Difference
Just as we should be physically and mentally healthy we also should be financially healthy. One aspect of being financially healthy is to ensure that we do not (as the old folks say) “stretch our hat where we cannot reach”. We should not incur debt that we cannot repay.
The borrowing process should be a tool of financial strength rather than that of financial detriment. Once used wisely, we can propel the use of debt financing (a.k.a. loans) to be in a position of asset ownership and improved financial strength. But for us to reap the rewards of engaging with loans we need to understand how they work.
Wags, licks and lessons
Diary of an Alpha Female
Okay I’ll admit it. I’m a label lover. And my dogs are no different. From their Hermès collars and Burberry winter coats (when we lived in Toronto, of course) to their Martha Stewart food bowls and Coach beds. . . Tequila and Remy both strut in the footsteps of their fashionista mummy. My dogs do indeed live the life. They’ve got a running appointment with their groomer, and if you’re wondering, no, they don’t use off-the-shelf shampoo but rather a luxury line of pet care grooming products. Store bought kibble? I could see them turn up their noses now. They eat raw meat and have been for many years.
The Paul Mitchell Experience
This is an annual event hosted by Paul Mitchell, where thousands of hair stylists around the world meet for training, education and interaction. This year’s event was held at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas and hosted over three thousand participants. In this instance, what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.
A number of key hair stylists from Trinidad attended. Our team interacted with various world-renowned hair technicians, educators and leaders in the professional hair business.
Budget-friendly Delicious
Like everything else, the cost of food has risen and continues to rise. What this means is that we find ourselves paying more for the same quantity and quality of product. Budgets are strained and stretched. Shopping lists serve not only as reminders of what to pick up, but also to keep us in check.
Luckily for us, creating healthy meals does not cost a fortune. There are still many items we can purchase, to create feasts, not just for our family, but friends too.
Felicia’s Picks
Every Putomayo soundtrack I’ve ever listened to is excellent, from the Salsa, to the Caribbean, to the Kids. The music is infectious and lively and makes you move your body whether you are standing, sitting, hanging with family, browsing a store or working at the office.
The Putomayo experience exposes you to the music of other countries by picking the best sounds from various lands and compiling them into one fantastic CD.
Hollywood Curl
Janine has very thick, curly tresses that can be difficult to style. Thus, we washed and deep conditioned hair to soften and moisturize. We then added a conditioning curl cream and Awapuhi Styling Treatment Oil, before allowing her hair to dry naturally.
Pieces of hair were backswept and secured with bobby pins, allowing tendrils to cascade her hairline. Styling oil was carefully applied for a smooth finish (rub oil in hands before applying for best results).
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