Life in A Day: TODAY is the day to make film history!

Today is the day to make film history. Help document a single day on Earth.

Life in a Day

A historic global experiment to create a user-generated film shot in a single day by you. On July 24, TODAY, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera. The most compelling distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film, produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin MacDonald

So many interesting friends come to mind ... plus today is the TRIBE launch.  

This sounds so intriguing!

R.I.P GURU (Gang Starr)

In memory ... of days gone by!

After his long, public battle with cancer, influential rapper Guru aka Keith Elam has passed away at age 43. The New York born MC had suffered cardiac arrest on March 2 and was in a coma for some time.

Out of respect, play one or both!

Sweet 7 Fans : INSPIRED

Today, two S7 fans made me very, very proud!

Michelle & her embellished jacket!

Last week, I posted "Embellished Shoulder Tops" and suggested that readers create their own.  Never in my wildest dreams did I expect someone to follow through, much less share their pictures!  Well I was wrong, 'cause Michelle's FB album said this, 

"So I was invited to an anniversary party and had absolutely NOTHING to wear. I refused however, to purchase anything new (college student budget). While browsing through 1 of my fav. sites ... S7, I came across a DIY embellished shoulder tops article. JACKPOT! so I got to pinning and sewing and this is the finished product."

I love it, Michelle!

Bettina makes the St.Lucian treat, "penny piece"

Another S7 fan, impressed me too.  Bettina is a German friend of mine who lives in South Florida. We have never met in person but we've been online friends from my Hi5 days.

Last week, I posted an album of a St.Lucian treat, "Penny Piece" which we eat during Easter.  My grandfather (my mom's dad) would always buy a brown paper bag full of them and as a child I loved it so much!   Soon enough, my mom taught me to make it!  So by the time my grandfather died, and I could make my own. Last week, I posted a FB album, much like Bettina's pictures below.  My daughter sat with me and is already learning to make them too, and the rate at which she eats them, I'm glad!

Bettina loves ginger and immediately asked for details.  Our last conversation, ended with me asking for her postal address so I could send her some and today, she posted this,

"My FB Friend posted these and I got inspired. They don't look as good as yours Nyree but it's only my first try ... tasted good though. Not that I had anything to compare them to. I used splenda & just a litte demerara sugar."

Great job Bettina!  You've got it, just roll paper thin next time!

The St.Lucian man who won't sell his paradise ... even for $60m

Claudius Lousien lives atop a hill at Anse La Voutte, St Lucia, without electricity or water, but has turned down an offer of $60m for his land. When asked why he wouldn't sell to the man who offered him sixty million dollars for his land, "I want to be buried here.” - "The man who won't sell paradise... even for $60m"

The $5 Beach (Anse La Voutte) is quite lovely! It's a trek to get there since it's on the non-developed North Eastern coast of St.Lucia so the beach is empty. Once there, the smell of the fresh salt water of Atlantic Ocean permeates the air and it is unusually windy. Kitesurfers add color and excitement as they glide back and fourth along the bay. Here are some of my pictures from 2008 on that very beach.

Also check out this video which gives you a bird's eye view of the $5 Beach. Sit back as a kite surfing spectator, in the day and enjoy the Full Moon at night! PS. Gordon, is that you? LOL!

ST.LUCIA, SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!

NO DOUBT!!!

Former Miss Universe: WENDY FITZWILLIAM Belly Dancing

Wendy Fitzwilliam is a former Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe as well as Miss Universe. At 25, she won the 1998 Miss Universe competition held in Honolulu, Hawaii. She became Trinidad and Tobago's second winner of Miss Universe after 1977 winner Janelle 'Penny' Commissiong. Coincidentally, Commissiong was also the first black woman to capture the Miss Universe title, while Fitzwilliam was the second.

.... And good-gosh, Wendy Fitzwilliam is an ethereal beauty, whether she is gliding through a fete in Trinidad or taking pictures in costume on the road. She is stunning! Her voice and smile ... charming! She has the same effect that model, IMAN had on me many years ago. So when I saw the Facebook WENDY FITZWILLIAM FAN PAGE, I joined!

Since I have shared a few posts on belly dancing, check out the former Miss Universe in a belly dancing class last evening. I hope Miss Fitzwilliam does not mind me sharing her video. Just promise me that you will show support and join her fan page! PLEASE. LOL!

WENDY FITZWILLIAM Belly Dancing with Friends

Photos: Taken from Wendy Fitzwilliam Fan Page

Jamie Foxx plays ball with MALA BRYAN

Jamie Foxx plays ball with St.Lucia's very own, model MALA BRYAN at the Tide event at the W, this weekend. Fun times, Mala! ... On a side note, to Lucians who know who I am talking about, doesn't it look like Ben and Jean in the background?

SUNSHINE's Makeup!

With a name like 'Sunshine' ... you know she is destined to make the world bright! I have always loved this young lady, (I was really going to say this little girl)! I knew Sunshine from the time she was a little girl, in St.Lucia. She was a friend, to another little girl that I knew, back when I was also a lil' girl. Sunshine has always been eclectic, even owning a vintage store in Miami, Florida. This vivacious spirit still has kept her childhood smile, a smile that I most remember her for! So now that she's all grown up, I'm drawn to her again ... you just have to check out her glowing skin and bold makeup!

What is your skin care routine?
Skin care routine: I don't really have one, I just make sure I moisturize every day morning and night especially around my eyes, nose, lips and forehead because those are the areas that you can easily see stress lines and you can never start too early keeping your skin looking young... also, if I don't get a chance to wash my face at night, I make sure to remove all my makeup with a wet wipe especially your eye makeup and moisturize.

Which facial products do you use?
I love proactiv. It's a great investment! I don't use it as consistently and in the order that it's supposed to be used in but I do try to use it because it keeps your skin fresh looking and feeling! (We have that in common, I too, never use it in that particular order. I use it alongside other products.)

Tell me about your makeup ...
For my makeup I believe in cheaper is better when it comes to certain things, for instance, eye shadows. Drugstores carry the widest variety of colors believe it or not! For essentials I use my product of choice, MAC for foundation, pressing powder and certain color lipsticks that I can't find anywhere else but drugstores are also good for lip colors. I do try to keep it clean. If I'm doing a strong lip then my eyemakeup needs to stay soft and clean but still with a little color because I do love color! A soft shadow for cheeks and mascara. Wearing less on your face surprisingly lasts longer when it comes to eyes and cheeks.... Less touching up as well! I always walk with two lip colors in my bag because you never know where you end up, one bold color and the other a much softer color!

What look do you usually go for?
I love lip color! I love bold colors whether its in shades of red or pink or bright fuschia but I love color! Also give me a good mascara and that's all i need! The one thing that i do love is my cocobutter chapstick! You can't get me away from that! It keeps my lips soft all day and before applying any lip color I need to apply my chapstick!

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from my mood! I always end up changing clothing a few times before leaving the house so I always put on all my makeup with just a simple light base for my shadow, once I have decided on what I'm wearing, then I finish my face with a complimentary eye color... never match your shadow to what you are wearing in a bold way... you always want to highlight your outfit color but never match it!

I notice you like pink ... any reason?
Pink is just one of my fav colors! No reason but I love pink! I think it's so feminine and girly! I was always a tomboy and never a girly girl but there's something about pink that no matter how you feel a touch of pink always looks great!

Do you have any makeup tips / suggestions?

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I can't stress it enough! Also my mom has always told me never to frown... just try not to because frowning really makes your face look alot older! I try so hard not to frown.... As far as makeup tips have fun with it! Don't be afraid to explore and be creative! Also, try changing your makeup up often especially mascara! Not because it lasts that long means you can keep it that long, its not good for your skin and sometimes the more you use something your body tends to get used to it and doesn't have the same result as when you first got it, you especially want to wash your brushes! I also like to have various brushes! You definitely need two brushes for your eye and one for your cheeks! I love having a brush on hand for lips because I tend to use alot of my shadows as lip color with a slight gloss on top and you have a color you created yourself!

Thank you, SUNSHINE!

xoxoxo

X-Centrique Alice

Oohhh, I consider myself to have the best random friends. ... And I totally love each and everyone of them!

Alice and I met two christmases ago ... she was the French girl, from the neighboring island to the north, Martinique. We boarded a mutual friend's boat for an all day boat / beach event.

Ever since, we befriended each other on Facebook, her pictures never fail to disappoint. Her pictures / albums feel like a VOGUE spread ... not only because of the wonderful fashion but also because of the sensual backgrounds of rather fascinating and intriguing people, places and things! Every shot is top quality, exquisite and has an "alice-in-wonderland-esque" feel.

So without a doubt when I saw this picture, I just had to ask "X-Centrique" Alice if I could post this picture on The Sweet 7, from her real life tales of "Alice in Wonderland!"

Here's how that conversation goes ...

Nyree Stewart Figueroa

Alice, I would love to post this pic on my blog but you need to tell me all about it! LOL!

48 minutes ago ·

Alice Des Merveilles

LOL !!!! What do u want to know exactly????

46 minutes ago · Report

Nyree Stewart Figueroa

What were you up to?

Why the winged eye liner? Tips on how to do that!

Is that a scarf, it looks like snake skin?

8 minutes ago ·

Nyree Stewart Figueroa

..And what's the writing on your arm? LOL!

7 minutes ago ·

Alice Des Merveilles

LOOOOOOL !!! U are too funny !!!
Well... I was in a ROCK party for a friend's bday !!
And I was Aly RockHouse or RumHouse ( Amy Winehouse's sister, u know!! lol) ....
On that pic, I'm making a striptease, I think... I don't remember anything unfortunatly!! Hahhaha!!
And It's my belt on my hand.... Not a snake thing...
On my arms, I had a lot of Tatoos... Hehe!! And this one was : F**** me, I'm a rockstar !!! ^^

2 minutes ago · Report

Nyree Stewart Figueroa

OMG ... please please may I post your pic and exactly what you wrote here on my blog. I love it!

a few seconds ago ·

Bisous Alice!

Personal Essay: YO SOY BORICUA

Reading my usual urban gossip blogs, I came across the article below by LaLa Vasquez. I love LaLa, especially since she visited my island home last year and fell in love with it, Lala Vasquez is in Love with St.Lucia.

Yet, in this article, I fell in love with her some more. I thought she did a great job of explaining cultural/racial background between being BLACK and LATINA. ... And my daughter, Ava-Sol comes to mind. My daughter is and looks hispanic, latina. Eventually she may speak fluent spanish but yet is black too. She will someday tell her children that her father was American but his family was Guatemalan while mommy was black, from St.Lucia ... an island with a rich history, fought over fourteen times by the British and French, till the British won. And as far as my patois skills go, she too may only know how to let loose with some patois bad words, instead of speaking fluent French. My daughter will eat arroz con pollo (paella) and will also eat pelau! What's remarkable depending on her circumstance or location she might use words or identify interchangeably. What a wonderful world!

YO SOY BORICUA

A lot of people don't realize that I'm Latina, which is fine. One thing about being Latina is that there isn't one look that comes with the territory. I don't expect people to know my cultural background just by glancing at me. I do, however, expect that when I tell people my family is from Puerto Rico, that I will be believed and not accused of trying to be something that I'm not. It usually goes something like this: a person having a conversation with me discovers one way or another that I'm Puerto Rican and fluent in Spanish. That person then expresses their shock over these realizations for any number of reasons--common responses are, "You don't look Latina" and "I thought you were black!" I never said I wasn't black. And since when does being black and being Latina have to be mutually exclusive?

In my experience, people tend to have an uninformed and rather narrow view of what it means to be Puerto Rican. For me, not looking like some people's idea of a typical Latina has been challenging and often painful. I constantly find myself trying to justify who I am, and why should I? I'm proud of my heritage and my family. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico. They raised two kids in Brooklyn and later in New Jersey, where we ate arroz con gandules and pasteles and listened to salsa music. I feel just as at home in Puerto Rico, where I still have tons of family, including aunts, uncles and cousins. Puerto Rico is in my blood. And that has nothing to do with the color of my skin.

I'm not angry with anyone who doesn't understand the complexities of race and culture. And I'm also not interested in having long, drawn out conversations about how it's possible for me to look like this and speak Spanish. In fact, sometimes I make it a point not to mention my parents' birthplace because I don't always feel like having the inevitable discussion that follows. Instead, I let people look at me and come to their own conclusions. As I start to get my feet wet in Hollywood, I already know that there are certain parts I won't even be considered for. The character can be Puerto Rican and speak Spanish just like me, but Hollywood defines Latina as Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara. As beautiful as they are, we're not all one race in Latin America. But I don't go to auditions so that I can give history lessons to film executives. I'd rather skip the entire process.

I'm raising my son to understand who he is, and it's my hope that he'll never let others define him. It reflects poorly on us when we don't educate ourselves about the rest of the world and what it looks like. I encourage people who are interested to learn more, do research and ask informed questions. If you're lucky enough to visit various countries in Latin America, you'll be baffled to see the blackest of the black and the lightest of the light living together. And I dare you to ask one of them to prove their latinidad.

This article originally appeared on Latina.com

Source: IAMLala

Caribbean. Conservation. Chic.

It's a pity that it would take a Jamaican citizen, a reluctant American resident and now a temporary St. Lucian expatriate to make my home country so colorful and charming! Nonetheless, this blogger is chronicling her six months grad school internship in St. Lucia & other islands with such flare! "The Caribbean for the geographically deficient," in her words. Working on biodiversity conservation via protected areas.

But that's simply not it, "Then there's cotton skirts, white shirts, silk dresses, thrifted pieces, fabric. Necklaces. Purses. Cut. Colour. Construction. Style. Rants, raves, commentary and photos." 

Oh those simple, yet superb photos take us to the streets, every lil' nook and cranny of St.Lucia, revealing our rich culture and forgotten tastes!

Caribbean. Conservation. Chic.

photos below taken from her site

Nicky's Prom

Ahhh. This blog has introduced me to random strangers whom now I consider friends.  They've joined my more intimate friend network, Facebook!  Nicky is one of those friends.  You may have seen Nicky's comments on this blog during St.Lucian Carnival 2008 and now again in 2009. She kind of disappeared for a while and later expressed here that she was applying to colleges in the USA. Well, for weeks she's been gearing up for prom in St.Croix, trying to find the right dress and the perfect makeup.

This blog is as much about the fans, so I had to post Nicky's recent email to me:

Hey Nyree,

I was really anxious about my make-up. I wanted to have it professionally done but my sister opposed it because it hurt her to see that I had to pay $20 for what I can get free in US malls. So I went for the plunge. I just did my eyes and lips, no foundation. People said it wouldn't make sense because I'll be sweating from all that dancing. I was thinking of a couple of rhinestones on the corner of my eyes but my sis thought it was too ghetto. And besides, I wasn't in the mood to find the right glue to stick it. While practicing and actually doing it for the occasion, I've realized how much fun it is. I want to do 1 for graduation but the only eye shadow I bought were shades of blue lol.

Overall, prom was great. I had alot of fun but the time was too short even though we ended @ 1. I told my date I don't care how we got to prom, just as long as we got there. Well my goodness, I didn't know how seriously Crucians took the entrance to enter prom. This truly surpasses the Lucian 'zaffair moun' epidemic and standing outside people's weddings and funerals. You mean to tell me that people, strangers, will leave their homes from one side of the island, to go to the other end of the island just to see the people's children entering the prom?? (The distance can be compared from VF to Dennery-stretched out) I was in shock to see how serious it was, if I'd known I'd really prepare myself.

So my date and I rolled up at the back of a sexy black Mustang.....2 door (I hate 2 doors) The car was already low, and here I am w/ my long dress and 4 inches....my date came out first, then I found myself struggling. People are outside waiting to see me. My upper body was on one end ready to get out (passengers side) and my feet at the other. There's this huge hard hump in the middle of the back seat. Great....and people are still waiting!!!! I closed my eyes, miraculously got my feet out, and stretched my hand so my date can reach it. Got a lil' yays and claps and woos, and 1 or 2 flashes. These nosy people, how embarrassing. As soon as we left, this antique Chevrolet pulled up w/ 2 prom couples. If you heard the amount of claps and flashes these girls received. lol. I just wanted to go inside. But its not that bad as it may seem, I was just simply clueless about the significance of the entrance. I definitely didn't feel so bad later on cause another girl had the same exact dress as one of the girls from the Chevrolet. Boy if you were there to see that smile on my face! lol

I also ran for prom queen lol. No I didn't win as expected, but it was simply J4F lol. My date and I still found time to spend w/ each other after we ditched each other to check out our other peeps. (I did it 1st) Everyone agreed that they expected more from prom, it was overrated, etc. I felt it was too short, and all the months stressing for just a second (kind of like Christmas). I'll always remember my prom. And I hope Ava-Sol will have fun memories (maybe including the entrance lol) just like I did.

Graduation is on Wednesday, and by the way, I'm going to Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in August! Yay!

Love Nicky

Good Luck Nicks!

Francois NARS

This slideshow about Francois NARS is rather interesting, especially since a few months ago, I stated that I loved NARS blush.

Francois NARS was lured back to fashion week by Marc Jacobs for his Fall 2009 show, after a 10 year hiatus to create 60 unique looks.

Summit of The Americas Pictures

St.Lucian Prime Minister Stephenson King with Obama.

Obama takes a picture with Prime Ministers from the Caribbean

Cricket legend Brian Lara shows President Obama how to properly swing a bat 

on April 19, 2009

Brooke Bailey - Candy Girl

You've probably seen Brooke Bailey in music videos, such as Lil Wayne "Lolipop," Webbie/ Lil Boosie "Independent," Akon f/Snoop Dogg "I Wanna Love You," The Game ft. Nas "Hustlin," The Game ft. Kanye West "Wouldn't Get Far," Three6Mafia ft. Camillionaire "Dope Boy Fresh," 50 Cent "Amusement Park," "Rich Boy ft. Pollow Da Don "Throw Some D's," Brick & Lace "Never," Ugk ft. Outkast "Internantional Player's Anthem," Swizz Beatz "It's Me Snitches" or P.Diddy ft Mario Winans "Through The Pain". 

I've never noticed her before, let's blame it on the fact that I do not get BET in Vermont but I really took notice of Brooke in Candy Girls on E!, especially this clip when Brooke went on a date with Red Cafe, in Episode 3. I watched her at the dinner table and how the dim light reflected on her skin. ... And she was stunning. It was from that moment, I realized she had that 'BOOM, BOOM, POW!'

Brooke Bailey, the self-proclaimed diva of the group and the ultimate hustler in the game. She is sexy and confident and makes sure everyone knows not to mess with her. However, she understands exactly how valuable her time and beauty is and will find a way to be sure she is set for the future, possibly by one of the many men who are always chasing her. (Source E!)

The Sweet 7 interview with Brooke Bailey.  

Brooke shares her beauty secrets ladies ...

What are your beauty secrets? 

I drink lots of water and I truly believe in the spa. You have to work just as hard when you're not working to rid yourself of the stress that we deal with from our demanding careers.

What are 3 beauty products that you cannot live without? 

I live by a face moisturizer from Skin Essence called Fountain of Youth. It's great for oily or dry skin. I also couldn't live without their facial shampoo and last but not least I love shea butter on my body. It keeps my skin very smooth.

In the most recent episode ... you took Terricka to a spa.

Yes! I took Terricka to Skin Essence in Inglewood, CA. I go at least twice a month to get a facial and a body polish. Spas are great for the mind, body and soul.

What body treatment did you get? 

Oops! I already answered that. I guess I couldn't wait to share that with the world. I also get a massage on those trips.

What is the purpose of that particular treatment? 

The purpose of the body polish is to rid your skin from all the dead skin cells and to keep your skin as youthful and healthy as we can.

How do you get your skin to glow, especially your cheeks? 

Well my skin has a natural glow because of all the water that I drink and the herbs that I take.

Which makeup do you use or what is your favorite makeup?

I use MAC. I don't like a lot of makeup everyday. But, I must say that MAC is my favorite!

Which blush do you use or what is your favorite blush?

Format from MAC is my favorite.

How do you get your eyes to pop? 

Well I have nice size eyes. So most colors that I use will stand out. But, there's a trick for smaller eyes. Use a white eye liner on the inside of the bottom lid and it will give an appearance of a larger and brighter eye.

... And you have a beautiful smile, do you have any tips for such white teeth? 

The crest white strips really work. I suggest that everyone go in to your dentist for a great cleaning at least twice a year and floss daily. If you can afford it, Brite Smile can work wonders for some people.

Also since you are a dark skin black beauty, do you have any advice for dark skin women who may not feel beautiful or who may feel insecure about their beauty? 

Beauty comes from within, no matter your skin color.  It should show from your soul to your eyes. Never let your skin color judge your status in life!

Do you have any beauty tips for dark skin ladies, you may like to share? 

My grandmother is a very fair lady. She always says that she envies dark skin women because all the old dark skin women at her church don't have as many wrinkles as her ... LOL. As dark skin women we have to set an example for everyone who is running to the tanning salon trying to mimic our complexion which is be healthy from the inside to outside first and then focus on what everyone else sees!

Brooke & The JOB!

I read another interview with Brooke Bailey ... so I would hate to be repetitive but I know my male-readers will want a piece of Brooke Bailey. LOL! So I would appreciate your resume. 

My resume is pretty long. I graced the covers of Lowrider mag and Black Mens mag. I've had layouts in King and Smooth mag to name a few. I've co-starred in lots of music videos such as Lil Boosie "Wipe Me Down," Webbie "Independent," 50 Cent "Amusement Park," Lil Wayne "Lolipop," and so many more. My latest is the new hit show on E! as a model and television personality representing Bella Inc. Agency in Beverly hills, CA!

How should I or how do you refer to yourself? ... Model, Video Vixen? 

I am a Model/Television personality!

What makes 'Brooke Bailey' the perfect lady for 'THE JOB'? 

I feel like I'm the perfect lady for the job because I am very confident and very hard working. I'm very in tuned with the entertainment industry and the streets and bring them everything that they could ask when I'm working and entertaining my fans. I'll never let them down.

Why should people watch 'Candy Girls' on E!?

People should watch Candy Girls because it's an inside look at me and the other ladies that represent hip hop. We're here to show the behind the scenes of our careers and to show people that what we do is a business. Not a groupie alliance!

Check out Brooke

Candy Girls on E!

Sundays, at 10:30 ET

Brooke Bailey MySpace

Brooke Bailey Facebook