If you’ve sent me an e mail within the past oh… six months, asking me advice on how to start a blog or build your blog audience, I’ve been meaning to write back. Really I have. But every day I’m inundated with e mail. Every day I’ve got a monstrous things-to-do list and on top of all of that, I’m a forgetter. Just ask my mom, and she’ll probably go into a long rant about those photos/products/e mails I promised to send her and all kinds of other yadda-yadda-yadda.

Please don’t be mad at me, my brain is like a sieve. It’s a problem.

But anyway, I’ve recieved several e mails recently from aspiring or new bloggers asking the same kinds of questions. So I will attempt to answer some of them here. If you want to be a blogger, these are my top five insights.

1. Blogging may start as a hobby…but it’s a hobby that requires a tremendous amount of work. Are you ready to put in work?

Don’t be fooled. Blogging is fun, yes. It’s an avenue for personal expression, definitely. But it requires a tremendous amount of work. Behind the scenes, many (if not all) of your favorite bloggers are staying up into the wee hours of the morning, and then waking up early to make sure they’ve got a fresh post up for your reading enjoyment the next day. Being a truly great blogger requires a certain amount of sacrifice — and that comes straight out of your personal life and downtime. Learning the basics of HTML, coming up with fresh ideas, getting the right photos you need, linking back to your sources… all are time consuming but extremely necessary parts of building your blog.

2. Everyone and their mom has a blog now. What’s gonna make yours different and special?

Name your top ten favorite celebrity blogs. Or beauty blogs, hair blogs, food blogs, fashion blogs, mom blogs, music blogs…whatever category you can think of, there’s the ones you visit often and hopefully leave comments on, and there are the ones you read once a month if even that often. Why is that? It’s important to identify what resonates with you as a reader, what keeps you coming back for more…and from those answers, your inspiration will come.

Because there’s such an overwhelming number of blogs out there now, it’s even MORE important to make yourself stand out. In a GOOD way. When I first started Afrobella in 2006, I started it because there were no blogs like it. I couldn’t find a natural hair-loving, black beauty celebrating, plus size fashion endorsing blog that filled the void of all the print magazines that had been sucked into the vortex. That was in 2006. Flash forward to 09 and there are SO many awesome natural hair blogs, black beauty blogs, plus size fashion blogs…. the pressure is continually on me to step my game up. So I sincerely believe it’s even harder for a new blogger to establish themselves and carve out a distinct niche. But it CAN be done. Do your research. Visit other blogs that inspire you, so you can know what’s out there first and find a fresh way to present your information. Which brings me to #3.

3. BE ORIGINAL.

Not too long ago, another blogger came at me with accusations of plagarism. In the past I’ve gotten some e mails that bothered me…but this one REALLY bothered me, because I PRIDE myself on my originality. I work hard to write fresh material for this blog — and for AOL — every day of the work week. I was so incensed by the accusation that actually asked a friend of mine about this, who runs one of the most popular gossip blogs around…and she admitted this happens ALL the time. When you’re writing about the same kind of topics as other bloggers (especially breaking celebrity-related news), at some point some overlap will occur. It’s inevitable.

Look at your favorite beauty blogs right now, or celebrity gossip blogs…. most of the time they’re writing about the same thing. That’s because most of us get the same press releases from public relations firms, we watch the same television shows, and we all rush to get the information out to the reading, clicking public ASAP. Which is why sometimes it’s better to wait — I’d always, ALWAYS rather review a product than just post the press information about a product that isn’t available yet. It’s also why it’s vitally important to have your own voice and your own views, and not just cut and paste from press releases. Otherwise you stand the risk of being caught in the shuffle.

4. Make your own blog family.

What’s that saying, no man is an island, no man stands alone? I think the same goes for the blogosphere. I strongly believe in forging relationships with your fellow bloggers, showing and sharing respect, and being a contributing part of the blogging community. You can do this in several ways. You can join a group — many of my favorite beauty bloggers show each other weekly link love through Web Snob or Glamour Squad, things of that nature. While some of these require an invitation to join, I’ll tell you from my first hand experience — you don’t need an invitation to any exclusive blog group or organization to make a name for yourself, or to make friends in the blogosphere, just like you don’t need to join a sorority to make friends in college. How do you do find friends in the blogosphere? By commenting regularly on the blogs you like. By linking the articles you find interesting on your own blog. By communicating with these bloggers via Twitter or Facebook or via e mail, sometimes. By being friendly (without being pushy or insistent or leaving comments just to post your blog title on someone else’s blog or getting mad if a blogger doesn’t write back right away).

I’d be lost without my friends in the blogosphere. Especially in the early days when I first started out, I learned about blogging etiquette so much by just e mailing and communicating with the bloggers whose sites I used to comment on every day. While blogging CAN be extremely competitive, it’s better, smarter, and emotionally healthier to be cool with everyone, instead of approaching blogging as a game where there can only be one winner. I’ve been called “naive” before, for stating my belief in the sisterhood of the blogosphere. Well, I still do believe. And my sisters (and brothers) online know who they are. Love to all of you!

5. Don’t come into this expecting free products. Or money.

If you’re getting into blogging just for freebies or profit, I’ll tell ya right now — you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, and this probably won’t pay off in the long run.

Just this week I logged onto the Estee Lauder Facebook page and there was a comment right on the wall — “How do I get free samples?” It was apparently deleted shortly afterwards. I read that and thought, how tacky, rude, embarrassing, and clearly unprofessional. That kind of thing can make public relations people and business owners wary of working with bloggers, for understandable reasons.

As with anything in life, you have to put in hard work, prove your worth, and then the rewards come later. It took me at least a year to start making any kind of income from the advertising on my blog. I am extremely (almost annoyingly) cautious about the kinds of ads and affiliations I host on my blog. It took longer than six months before PR companies recognized that my reviews were considered, well-written and deliberate, and consequently started sending me products to review. Recently I’ve been meeting bloggers who seem to believe that there’s a fast track, and getting freebies is all that it’s about. So. Not. True.

As much as it may pain professional journalists, blogging is the new journalism. It’s the new medium for the masses to get information. With newspapers and glossy magazines going down left and right, and the recent implementation of FTC guidelines, it’s even more important now for bloggers to recognize and respect the need for professionalism.

I’ll be writing more about this soon, but for the interested bloggers who e mailed me, I hope this begins to answer some of your questions! And if you have more, please leave them in the comments below.

Are you a blogger? Please introduce yourself in the comments, and share your best advice for bloggers on the come up!

(photo obtained from LuxuryRealEstate.com).

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I like to use bar soap first, then slough my skin with a decadent, lavishly scented body wash using my trusty bath puff-thingy. And I like to have several options at the ready. How do I choose the body wash du jour? That entirely depends on the day and the vibe I want to enjoy for the next 24 hours (unless I feel like spoiling myself with an evening shower too)!

These are my top 5 current fave body washes. There’s one for every beauty lover’s taste — expensive, affordable, and every price point in between!

1. Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash. OK, I’ll make it a tie with Caress Cashmere Luxury Body Wash, just because I love anything and everything vanilla! But if you have rough skin or just want really soft smooth skin, Evenly Gorgeous is the one for you. It’s infused with burnt brown sugar and karite butter to tone and exfoliate, and I gotta tell ya, it smells delish. And apparently Spoiled Pretty and Kim Kardashian agree with me!

The texture isn’t too grainy so this won’t irritate my sensitive-skinned bellas. Plus it’s affordable and here’s a bonus — coupon, anyone?

Caress has a great initiative with fashion guru Carson Kressley, all about flaunting your skin with the hottest clothing trends. Click here to peep his vids and be inspired!

2. Bodycology Foaming Bath & Shower Gel. If you really like the kind of lush scented body washes available at Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret but don’t want to break a Hamilton, check out Bodycology, a line of bath products that cost under $10 and are typically available at supermarkets and Walmart, but smell like heaven. I’ve tried a number of their scents, but I keep returning to White Gardenia and the delicious Coconut Lime, SO refreshing for summertime!

3. 100% Pure Tahiti Coconut/Vanilla Foaming Body Wash. Just because you’re into organic, pure, natural living doesn’t mean you are forever condemned to smell like patchouli and sweat! I seriously love the 100% Pure line of bath and body products. Their shower gels come in a dazzling and delicious array. This island bella goes gaga for anything vanilla or anything coconut as you’ll notice, so put them two of them together and OMG, foaming bathtime heaven!
For $15 you can cop a taste of Tahiti at Bath & Body Works. Or by clicking right here.

4. Neutrogena Rainbath is the OG of high-end drugstore goodness. Mama Bella has sworn by it for years, and when I was younger I’d occasionally sneak drips of her Rainbath for my own shower experience, just because I wanted to smell like a grown woman should! Rainbath smells fresh, clean, feminine, grown, and sexy IMO. It’s a perfect summer body wash — leaves my skin feeling very soft and lightly moisturized. And one botle can last a while if you’re judicious (and don’t have a pesky teenager stealing from ut all the time)!

5. Kai Fragrances Body Buffer, which I got from PlanetBeauty.com. Ever since I realized Kai was one of Oprah’s favorite things, it’s been on my radar. You know Oprah’s always using good stuff, and this was a no brainer for me. Hints of gardenia and white flowers, evocative of Hawaii — right up my alley!

The body buffer isn’t exactly a traditional body wash, far from it. The $36 package includes two body buffers — round, white sponge-like bath puffs that are heavily saturated with heavenly scented Kai goodness. $36 is a bit steep, but this is high-end goodness, and they’re guaranteed to last at least 30 showers (more if you save them and let em dry out between uses). Soak the buffer, scrub your skin, then smell yourself. Mmmmmm! For even more scent, follow up with the body lotion and the perfume oil. Believe me when I say, someone will ask you about the delicious scent you’re wearing if you rock this stuff.

Whew! I didn’t realize I had so many delicious shower scents at the ready. What’s your favorite body wash? I’m always down to try something new!

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New York, New York!

I have a love/hate relationship with the city, I can’t deny. I love it because there’s so much to see and do and experience! It’s the epicenter of absolutely everything I’m into – writing, blogging, beauty, style, good food, fun…

I hate it because I don’t live there.

Don’t get me wrong, I just moved to the Chi and I’m happy to be here! But I’ll be damned – doesn’t it seem like EVERY hot event is in NYC? What’s with that?

Every time I visit New York, it’s hard for me to leave. I always leave with a feeling of loss, of imcompleteness, of wait – there’s SO much more I wanted to do here! But I reassure myself with the knowledge that I’ll be back. I just visited in March, and I’m already plotting my return. Did someone say Fashion Week? Hell yeah! Next time I visit NYC, I’ve got 5 places I need to spend more time at. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. The East Village. Every time I come visit, I stay with my homegirl Jenny in the West Village. And it’s super fun for sure… but I’m new to the East Village. And it just has a flavor to it that I LOVE. Mohawked punk rockers strolling alongside silver haired abuelitas dragging little suitcases on wheels, hair colors, piercings, and tattoos the likes of which you don’t see regularly anyplace else, and a plethora — PLETHORA of funky restaurants, boutiques, and bars to check out. I darted in and out of Max Brenner, Chocolate By the Bald Man for a fabulicious hot chocolate, and I NEED MORE. This place is a chocolaholic’s mecca, I swear! En route we whizzed through Village Kitchen — I could spend a grip in a store like this! Every kind of kitchen gadget you’ve imagined, and a score more you’ve never seen before. If you imagine yourself an at-home like I do, this could be your little corner of heaven. Another store I have-to-have-to-have-to visit next time I’m in NYC is a teeny jewelry shop that all but yanked me in as I strolled by. When I met the owner, I realized fate had stepped into my life yet again. The store’s called The Shape of Lies and the owner’s name is Peggy. Just like my mom!

The Shape of Lies specializes in historic reproduction jewelry, and some of their pieces are just stunners. I almost don’t want to blog about them too much because there’s a necklace there that is MINE, you read me? MINE! As soon as I can pony up the cash! Their jewelry isn’t cheap, but it certainly will get you noticed and remembered. I have made a promise to gift myself with a little something from The Shape of Lies. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, please stop by and tell Peggy you read about her on Afrobella!

2. Brooklyn in general. Sugarcane restaurant in specific. I’ve been to NYC several times and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t explored or experienced Brooklyn yet. And I know there’s SO much going on there! If you’re of Caribbean descent and you live in NYC, odds are this is where you’re at. So even though my last trip took me in opposite directions, I had to make it out there for just a taste of home. Overwhelmingly, every Trini I asked said one thing — go straight to Sugarcane! And apparently I wasn’t the only one who got the message — when we arrived for our 7 p.m. reservation, this chic Caribbean restaurant was packed to the GILLS. Like call the fire department because this is a hazard packed. Meanwhile the restaurants across the street were so empty it was embarrassing. If you’re planning to head there, take my advice. Make a reservation ahead of time, corrall your party, and if you get there early don’t expect to be treated special. The response to my 15 minute-early arrival was horror. They were NOT ready. So come armed with patience and be prepared for a Trinidadian feast the likes of which you can hardly find off the island. Callaloo. Macaroni pie. Brown stewed chicken. A version of bake and shark that didn’t disappoint. Sugarcane, I’ll be back. And next time I’ll check out the rest of Brooklyn, too. Any specific recommendations, bellas and fellas?

3. Central Park. I’ve wanted to go ever since I saw Miss Ross turn it out in 1983. It was a defining moment in my life. I just didn’t know it at the time because I was four years old!

As luck would have it, Calvin, a good friend of mine who used to be a reporter at my old job, is now a Central Park ranger. Score! He drew us a map and my husband and I spent a beautiful afternoon wandering through the park. But this was in frigid March, so the flowers were barely just beginning to bloom. I bet the park is verdant and glorious now! I gotta get to NYC in the summer, so I can stroll through the park when it’s full of life.

4. The museums! NYC is a city filled with culture, and just about every time I’ve visited, I seek out anything but. The last time I came, my amiga Nichelle of 55 Secret Street took me to MOMA — the Museum of Modern Art. It was a whirlwind trip that left me hungry for so much more. MOMA’s so huge, so intricate, so chockablock with things to see, I owe myself a visit back to soak it all in. And besides MOMA, there’s the Met, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, the American Museum of Natural History… so many more to explore. I’ll be back and someday my trip will be all about museum day.

5. The plus size fashion meccas. Last visit, I made a special visit to Monif C.’s boutique, and got to check out her lovely gowns in person. Regrettably I didn’t get to meet Monif, so I need to stop by when she’s in the house. I want the Marilyn convertible dress breakdown live and in person! If you’re a voluptuous chica like I am, there’s nowhere to get your shop on like NYC. No wonder it’s the home of Full Figured Fashion Week! Next time I’m in town I’m making a pilgrimage to Re/Dress NYC, which is possibly the only buy/sell/trade plus size clothing store in the land. I have only heard raves and I love the concept. Cute, chic, and for curvy chicks? Count me in!

Whew! As you can tell, my next trips to the Big Apple are more-or-less planned out. I can’t wait to get back already, and the next time I do, I’ll have another meet and greet with my bellas in the area. If you’re a NYC bella, talk to me! Have you been to the places I shouted out? Is there anywhere else I need to see? Let me know!

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“Trinidad is my land
And of it I am proud and glad
But I can’t understand
Why some people does talk it bad.
All of them who runnin’ dey mouth
Don’t know whey they talkin’ bout
They will paint here black everyday,
But the right things they would never say…”

I had to open this post with a quote from the Mighty Sniper’s timeless song Portrait of Trinidad. Even though it was a hit in 1965, the words still ring true today. Trinidad is a beautiful island with a terrible reputation right now. I wouldn’t be a responsible blogger if I didn’t get that out of the way. But Trinidad is my homeland. Of it I am proud and glad. Despite everything, it remains an island with unparallelled music, cuisine, and cultural experiences to be enjoyed.

I was born and raised in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and I lived in Trinidad until 1998. In my college days I made it back home pretty often, but ever since I joined the ranks of the employed (and then the unemployed), it became more difficult to get back home. Not having spring, summer, or winter break will do that to you.

Before this past Mother’s Day, the last time I’d been home was 2006, Before Afrobella. Just last Christmas I broke Mama Bella’s heart by not being able to make it home for Christmas. Then came Carnival and I had to dash her hopes yet again. Then my husband and I quit the jobs that were holding us back from following our dreams. Needless to say, after that a trip to Trinidad was not on the horizon. So when my dad suggested a surprise trip home for Mother’s Day, it was impossible to resist. After all, I was about to move from sunny Miami to the Windy City – I needed to soak up the tropical rays and family love while I could!

It turned out to be impossible to contain the excitement in my close-knit, chatty family. Mama Bella’s Mother’s Day surprise wasn’t exactly a surprise… but I know I made her very happy nonetheless. I spent some much-needed family time and got back to basics. It was lovely.

Going home feels like returning to an old self. In so many ways — even my skin and hair rebelled against the 90 degree temperatures, leaving me looking like a crazy-haired spotty teenager. No matter. I was there for fun, sun, family, and good food. While I was visiting, it hit me — how on EARTH had I never written an Afrobella guide to Trinidad before? Saying “my bad” feels like an understatement. Without further ado, here are my top five favorite places in Trinidad and Tobago. Excluding my house because that’s too obvious. =)

1. Maracas Beach. I’m convinced Trinis don’t always realize how good they have it. 80 degree temperatures year round. Lush green mountains and sparkling blue waters. Nonstop fun and great food to be discovered, if you know where to look. Maracas Beach is a great place to start for all of the above, and it’s a must for any first time visitor to T&T.

The roads are steep, winding and can be unpredictable (beware of landslides and crazy drivers!). But the vista at the lookout point will absolutely take your breath away. Maracas is a beautiful beach, but people don’t just go there to wiggle their toes in the sand. Oh no. Maracas is the famous home of bake and shark.

Click ahead to 2:35 to begin the Maracas segment. And please note that the worldly Travel Channel Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern saw fit to call it “the best fish sandwich I’ve ever eaten…one of my all time top ten favorite foods, not just of this trip, not just of this year. Ever.” So you don’t just have to take it from me, take it from a man with a truly adventurous palate. The New York Times also called it “just about the best fish sandwich in the world.” I agree completely. This humble fried fish sandwich is a fine reason to beeline for the beach. Most people head straight for Richard’s, undoubtedly the most popular venue. But there’s always an insane line at Richard’s. Besides his, there are a dozen or so stands, and my dad introduced me to his favorite – Uncle Sam’s. His bake & shark is to die for, trust! Laden it with as many condiments as you can stand — pickled cucumbers, tamarind sauce, mango chutney – the list is endless. One bite and you’ll be hooked for life!

2. The Savannah. For architecture, flora, and yes – good food (this is a theme you’ll notice throughout), you can’t miss a trip around the Savannah. Actually you probably won’t be able to miss a trip around the Savannah in general — at 260 acres, it’s touted as “the world’s largest roundabout.” The Savannah is home to the Magnificent Seven — turn of the century mansions that reflect the skill, craftsmanship and creativity of Trinidad’s architects and developers. It’s also home to the Emperor Valley Zoo, which when I last visited was in such a glum state I wished with my whole heart I could buy it, restore it to glory, and bring some joy and dignity to the animals that must be so unhappy to live there. It’s a heartbreaking experience for an animal lover, and I sincerely hope the government invests money into Trinidad’s languishing cultural landmarks, including the zoo, the Botanic Gardens, and the museum. It’s been reported that a renovation has been planned and I sincerely, sincerely hope it comes to fruition. OK, off soapbox. Tour guide hat back on.

The Savannah is another spot for unique cuisine and cultural experiences. At Carnival it is the blazing epicenter of the costume and steelpan competitions. It’s home to Apsara, the Indian restaurant rated #1 in the country according to Trip Advisor. And it’s the best place to come for coconut water straight from the nut, and for Indian delicacies like pholourie and saheena.

This photo captures two things I sincerely miss about home — All Saints Church, the church I grew up attending. I can honestly say the priest I had there as a child, was the coolest, most interesting, wonderful priest I could ever have hoped for. Father Winston Joseph can now be found in West Palm Beach at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and if you’re in the area and looking for a house of worship, I heartily encourage you to check him out! I miss good ol’ All Saints, and coconut water. I could go for a fresh, cold coconut water right this minute! That’s gonna be REALLY hard to find in Chicago!

3. St. James. Tony Bennett might have left his heart in San Francisco, but mine may be wandering somewhere around St. James, drinking rum at Smokey & Bunty or Arthur’s Place — RIP, Mr. Goddard — or somewhere on Western Main Road buying a roti. Trinis affectionately call it the city that never sleeps, but anyone who’s been to the Big Apple (or any other major city in the world) will find that title amusing. Still, it’s undeniable that something crazy and probably drunken is poppin’ off in St. James at any hour of the night or early morning. My trip home isn’t complete without a drive through, just for the people watching.

4. Woodbrook. If you’re looking for fine dining of any kind, this neighborhood should be your first port of call. There’s Italian, Chinese, and other cuisines common to the Western palate… but why eat stuff you can get anywhere in the world? When in Trinidad, I enjoy as much Trini food as possible. I haven’t been to Woodford Cafe in a while, but I’ve always enjoyed my meals there. I love the vibe at Sweet Lime. And on my last visit I fell head over heels with Veni Mange, the quirky, colorful, vibrant restaurant owned by cultural icon Allison Hennessey and her fantastic sister Roses Hezekiah. It’s all about tropic ambiance — art explodes off the wals and even the tables and chairs are painted, and the jalousies add an old time Trini touch that I loved. I’m mad at myself that I didn’t order the chip chip cocktail (even Fodors gave it a mention!) but I loved the stewed beef and dumplings I ordered. Another awesome New York Times review makes me want to go back. Their callaloo really is to die for.

5. Tobago. In general. It is with great regret that I admit that I haven’t been back to Tobago since my honeymoon (which as of this week was seven years ago)! I’ve been meaning to go back ever since. Trinidad is built up and busy. Tobago remains a beachy, laid back jewel of an island. I miss it. Store Bay is the place for local souveniers and Tobago’s culinary specialty, curry crab and dumpling. Glass bottom boats take tourists out to the coral reefs from the beach at Store Bay and the gorgeous Pigeon Point, it’s an enjoyable trip even for a non-seafarer like me.

There are lush accomodations to be found in Tobago for sure. If you’re looking to live the lavish life complete with cocktails on the beach, I highly recommend the stunning Coco Reef. I assure you, it can provide the idyllic island escape of your dreams. For nature lovers looking for a more rustic experience, I urge you to check out the ArnosVale Hotel. At 4 p.m. every day the hotel offers a truly amazing high tea that bird watchers the world over flock to witness. Set high in the thickly vegetated hillside, the restaurant’s balcony features a long, deep trough that is filled with fruit. Birds from all over the island come to enjoy the bounty. I’m talking about brightly colored, beautiful songbirds the likes of which you hardly ever see! It’s something to be experienced, for sure.

And there you have it – some of my favorite spots in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s smart to visit just about any of these places with a large group, as much as I hate to admit it, my homeland isn’t as safe as it used to be. But if you’re a smart, savvy traveler with your head on your shoulders and the brains to be aware of your surroundings, stash your money safely and flash your wealth at your own risk — you should be just fine.

It must be noted that I’m from Port of Spain AKA “the West,” so I know I’ve left out a legion of fantastic places to visit throughout the rest of Trinidad. And Tobago, for that matter. All the more reason for me to go back home soon! For even more Trini delights, check out this stunning NY Times multimedia feature. I’d LOVE to hear feedback from my fellow Trinis in the comments — where did I forget to mention? Where should I visit next time I come home? What did I miss?

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The truck’s loaded up, the house is as empty and clean as the day we moved into it three years ago, and the time has come to say goodbye to my home of the past 11 years, the only American city I’ve ever lived in. Will you miss me, Miami? I’ll miss you. Not all of you, mind – there’s valid reasons for me to make this move. But I’ll miss your unique and quirky charms nonetheless. Here are the 5 things I’m going to miss the most.

1. The family we created. My husband’s family is mostly concentrated in the midwest, and mine’s almost all in Trinidad. But still we managed to make a family of friends in Miami, friends who’d come over almost every night for dinner and every weekend for barbecues, friends we could rely on if we needed them, who knew they could rely on us if the roles were reversed. Our band of brothers and sisters. Some have already moved away, some still reside in South Florida. I miss them all already. Lino and Lauren, Jenny and Jackie, Jeff and AJ. The Wolfman Jack. Clementyne, Alison, Sara. John, Jessica, Zane, Errol, Pablo, Roger. Forrest and Lydia. Francisco and Frank Houston. Melissa Burley, the best bartender in Miami. Rebecca, Nadine, Karen, Cristina and Diana, and the grandpa I never thought I’d have, Charlie Cinnamon… you know who you are. To quote Roger, “it’s a forever thing.” It so is, and we’ll always be in touch. Promise!

2.Familiarity. It hit me maybe a month ago, as I was on the way to my favorite book store in Miami, Books & Books. Traffic was backed up on Red Road and Ponce de Leon, so I went the other way and took beautiful Blue Road, winding past the lush lawns and gorgeous homes of Coral Gables. “Wow. I’m going to miss knowing where I’m going.” Now I won’t know the shortcuts or neighborhoods, and I expect to feel lost as I figure out my way around this new city I will make my home. It’ll take me a while and I’ll get there eventually… but yeah. I will miss knowing the ins and outs and back roads of Miami like the back of my hand.

3.Fabulousity. I definitely enjoyed a great life in Miami, and I’ve been feted and pampered at some of the finest spas and salons in the city. The Ritz Carltons at Key Biscayne and South Beach (and ooh, the new Eau Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach is to DIE FOR). The Mandarin Oriental, Lace Beauty Lab, Wax On Wax Off, ESPA at Acqualina, Uhma Spa, and Salon Vaso (which I’ll feature here on Afrobella soon, promise!) — Miami is a beautiful city and the places you can go to for beautifying treaments are hard to beat. I look forward to discovering Chicago’s pampering palaces, but I’m a bit skeptical. Few things can beat an oceanfront couple’s massage at the Ritz in Key Biscayne. Just sayin’.

4. The food. OMG, the food. Miami’s culture is diverse, sure… but it definitely skews heavily towards Latin and Caribbean. Which is great for me! I know Chicago is a great food town and I sincerely look forward to discoverings its unique culinary pleasures. But MAN, I’m gonna miss Caribbean Delite. And Jamaica Kitchen (which was featured on the Food Network, dontcha know). I heart Havana Harry’s and my favorite restaurant of all, Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latam Grill. Anyone know of a good roti shop or Jamaican restaurant in the Chi?

5. Last but definitely not least, I will miss the weather. I grew up a Caribbean girl and chose Miami because it reminded me so much of home in term of the vegetation and the climate. The first thing everyone commented on when I told them I was moving to Chicago was, “oooh, you’re gonna be cold there!” I know, I know. But I picked the perfect time to move! It’s balmy and warm and beautiful this weekend, so my spirits are high. But I know there will be days ahead where I’m cold and sad and missing the blazing tropic heat. But you know what they say – forward ever, backward never. I’m psyched to be in Chicago! If you’re from the windy city, let me know the hotspots I need to check out. I’m ready to explore my new home town!

Related posts:

1. Afrobella’s Miami
2. Some Miami Evening
3. Ask Afrobella: Where to Wax in Miami?

I couldn’t make it to this month’s New York Fashion Week, and reading the resports and reviewers from my beauty blog friends did make me turn an unflattering shade of green, I must admit. Turns out my jealousy might just have matched one of the hot beauty trends my blog sisters spotted at the tents and presentations!

Because I couldn’t be there, I asked one of my very favorite beauty bloggers in the biz, Lianne the Makeup Girl! She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, let me tell you. And she’s a busy beauty indeed — Lianne is not only holding down her own amazing blog, but now she’s part of the Clutch Magazine team, blogging beauty stuff on Fuchsia. Go ‘head Lianne!

These are the 5 biggest trends that she noticed overall at NYFW this year (in italics), and my recommendations on products I’ve tried that I know will help you achieve those hot looks!

1. Sheer natural makeup. Nearly every show that I went where MAC was doing the makeup, they used moisturizer or mixing mediums with foundation to sheer it out. OR they used mineralize skinfinish in natural and no foundation at all.

Click here to peep video of Lianne interviewing Phillipe C. of MAC, who produced the tres sheer look at Alexandre Herchovitch’s show. And of course everyone loves MAC, but I gotta say Make Up For Ever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation has been rocking my world lately. It’s light, oil free, and really does what it says — “harmonizes the complexion” for those days when you want to look effortlessly flawless.

2. Eye shadow that mimics the colors of a forest. Lots of greens, golds and browns.

Ooh, I LOVE this trend! Forest-colored eyeshadows can make brown eyes pop, and the colors glow on warm, dark skin tones. I recently created a similar look with Natura New York Cosmetics.

I had never heard of this brand until recently, when I was literally pulled into the store at The Falls mall here in Miami. I’m glad I was — their mineral eye shimmer is amazing!. For a forest-inspired look, I definitely recommend bronzique and pistachio. Both shades are glimmery and iridescent and glint gorgeously on warm brown skin. Every single time I wear pistachio, I get crazy compliments.

3. Sculpted smokey eye…very contoured shadow with deliberately placed shadow to mimic the contours of your eye.

If you need a how-to guide on the smokey eye, or the right products to do the job, check out Benefit’s Smokin’ Eyes makeover kit. It’s tiny, it’s fabulous, and it contains 3 shadows, a black eyeliner pencil, a brightener, 2 brushes, mini tweezers and a complete lesson in the timeless look. $36, and such an awesome gift idea.

4. Pulled back hair in a messy bun. Even if the model wore her hair natural, they pulled it back somehow and piled it into a bun. If their hair was short, then it was slicked back.

OK, any kind of bun I could possibly make would be messy! Afrobella-textured hair doesn’t seem to make frequent enough appearances on the catwalk, IMO. But if you want to achieve a pulled-back, stylish look that will get you noticed, and you have a thick head of natural hair, definitely check out Tomoka’s Twists. There’s a sale taking place until March 1, and I’ve got my eye on GoldiLocs!

5. Green nail polish….at the Vena Cava show, Butter of London created a polish expressly for the show that I predict will be HUGE. It’s called British Racing Green and it will be available Fall 2009 exclusively at Beauty.com.

Green nailpolish? That’s a trend I haven’t yet tried. But OPI makes a great shade called Green-wich Village if you can’t wait till Fall.

And there you have it, bellas! What new trends intrigue you the most?

Related posts:

1. NYFW Day 3 – Plus Size at Fashion Week?
2. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #1
3. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Here I Come!

Reggae music isn’t all about the fall of Babylon, puffing the herb and praising His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I Jah Rastafari. Reggae and romance go hand in glove. So perhaps tonight, instead of just jamming to Jill Scott, Otis Redding, or Al Green (which I also recommend), you can skank with your schmoopie as well. Here’s 5 of my favorite romantic reggae jams. Some of these border on the obscure.

1. Ice Cream Love by Johnny Osbourne

Johnny Osbourne was THE MAN in the Seventies and early Eighties. Truths and Rights is a crucial album for any reggae fan to own, and most passing fans of dancehall music would instantly recognize the call-and-response echo of Buddy Bye. I have a soft spot for dessert metaphors and the sentiment of the song is just so… sweet. Love, warmer than chocolate fudge layered over a rhythm perfect for slow dancing reggae stylee.

2. I Can’t Wait by Sanchez.

Sanchez is one of the most honey-voiced singers in all of contemporary reggae. He made his name in Eighties-era lovers rock and covers of R&B songs. His best of collection, One In A Million, is a perfect soundtrack for a night of Jamaican-style romance. Now Sanchez has turned towards gospel reggae (I get my Sunday morning on to Praise Him), but he still can be relied upon to sing one for the ladies. I Can’t Wait isn’t a slow jam, instead it captures the ebullience true love can make you feel. That bubbly feeling you get when you can’t wait for your baby to come home. You know what I’m talking about?

3. I’d be extremely remiss to make any kind of romantic reggae playlist without including men like Sugar Minott and Gregory Isaacs. But instead I had to go with the late, great Dennis Brown. Have You Ever Been In Love?

He was the crown prince of reggae, Bob Marley’s favorite singer, a pioneer of lovers rock and an undisputed legend of reggae music. But he passed away in 1999 of cardiac arrest, rumored to be exacerbated by cocaine addiction. Someday I will write a tribute to Dennis Brown and bring back the Lost Ones series. But for now, I prefer to remember him young, talented, and with a bright future ahead. Like in the video above, shot in 1982. He had the voice of an angel, and I hope he’s singing among them right now. RIP, Dennis Brown.

4. Nubian Woman by Bushman

Bushman is one of those reggae artists so criminally slept on, his videos aren’t even on YouTube. So I had to dig into my crates and upload this myself.

Nubian Woman – Bushman

Let me know how this imeem thing is working for you all, my Dad said he couldn’t hear the last song I embedded. But I started an account just so I could upload songs like this one. It’s a crime how underrated Bushman is. Nubian Woman is just a lovely, bubbly Nineties reggae track. It’s perfect date music. “There is a place that we can go tonight, so pack your bags and lets just take a flight. We’ll catch some sparks and get some candlelight, it will be me and you tonight.” Doesn’t that sound perfect? Love me some Bushman. Get yourself Total Committment if you’re looking to get into Bushman. He’s got some great music and I hope to hear more about him (and see him live!) sometime soon.

5. They Gonna Talk by Beres Hammond.

It’s hard to choose just one jam by Beres Hammond. He is one of the undisputed kings of reggae love music, a legend on the scene since the Seventies. But I picked this song for personal reasons. Few songs speak as directly to my relationship with my husband than this song.

“They gonna talk, they gonna talk, they gonna talk,
They gonna say a lot of things about us.”

That’s been true over the almost-decade that we’ve been together. Being an interracial couple from such disparate cultural backgrounds hasn’t always been easy. In fact, quite often it will encourage people to spout a whole lot of opinionated diarrhea about you and your future together and your authenticity and what your kids will look like. When people see us together, I hope they notice not only our difference, but how happy we are. I figure if you’ve got space in your mind to hate on that, then you’re the one with the problem.

OK, off my soapbox. To sweeten the deal, here’s another Beres Hammond love song, a duet with former Afrobella of the Week, Marcia Griffith. Live On, bellas and fellas.

I hope you enjoy listening to this list as much as I enjoyed making it! Happy Valentine’s weekend to all of you!

Related posts:

1. RIP, Joe Gibbs
2. Afrobella of the Week: Marcia Griffiths, Queen of Reggae
3. The Perfect Road Trip Album (For the Roots Reggae Lover)

No duh!

I’m not moving to Chicago for the weather, I think only a crazy person would. I’m looking for a good plus size winter coat right about now! I’m moving for the opportunity and the change and the culture… and over time I’m gonna have to get acclimated to the arctic temperatures. This island girl is going to have to suck it up and get used to it. I understand that I’m about to experience ashiness on a level I’ve never anticipated before. My skin and my hair will be parched for moisture. The lotions and salves that have been just for decadent pleasure all my life will now become vital supplies.

So inspired by your comments and my imminent move, here are my top five favorite indie beauty deeply moisturizing butters and balms, some I’ve reviewed before (but not in a while), many of which are made by bellas, for bellas.

1 – Neosoulessentials Natural Shea Butter products are handmade with shea butter, soybean oil, hemp seed oil, fragrance oils, and love. Eva’s Shea Buttah is super thick and extra buttery. I love it on my legs immediately after a shower. A 2oz jar costs 6 bucks (and mine has lasted forever because of how moisturizing this stuff is!) The Aloha scent is my favorite, a dense floral with a soft vanilla underbelly. Warm, exotic, and comforting. Yum, and it also comes in a hemp body wash that will thrill any lover of organic beauty products.

2 — I met the creators of Aromessence Body Products at Tracey Mourning’s Honey Shine Holiday Bazaar. Michelle and Irene are two Miami natives who have found their calling in the world of aromatherapy. Irene is a licensed aromatherapist, and Michelle’s the marketing whiz. Together they whip up Aromessence Body Butter in their home, but you’d never guess. This is a whipped, professional quality body butter that sinks instantly into my skin. So many oils! Shea butter, cocoa butter, sunflower seed, jojoba, virgin coconut, apricot kernel, and aloe vera gel number among this butter’s ingredients. Very moisturizing, highly penetrative. And smells like heaven! I know this post is all about moisture, but I GOTTA shout about Aromessence’s aromatic sugar body scrub. I’ve tried a LOT of sugar scrubs, and this ranks among the best I’ve tried. Super thick organic sugar, scented to decadent perfection, in a non-slippery formula. My skin LOVES this stuff!

3 — I first mentioned Play Pretty Beauty way back in August, and my appreciation for former South Florida news anchor Danielle Knox’s line has only increased with time. That’s mainly because my husband loves how I smell after I slather myself in Nohea Ani whipped body butter cream. $22 for an 8oz tub of floral, fruity, smelly goodness. I’m hoping this stuff will help me maintain a teeny tiny bit of my tropical flava when I’m scraping ice off my windshield.

4 — If you have eczema or really dry skin issues, you should familiarize yourself with Shea Radiance. The product line was borne out of the dry skin issues of this adorable little boy, and the family owned business reaches back to their West African roots for their healing and nourishing body butters and creams. The range of fragrances in their whipped shea body butter is heady just to look at. Black Orchid or Green Tea? Earthy or Floral? You decide. They cost $16.95.

5 — My final pick has a specific purpose. When my feet and knees get that extra dry kicking flour look, I still reach for Elbows, Knees, and Toes by Quench Essentials Skincare. To say this blend of shea, cocoa butter, and coconut oil is dense, is an understatement. This is the stuff I reach for when my feet are in that man down code 10, cannot be seen in public state. The Sweet Butter fragrance is mildly scented, but highly effective. $12 a tub, and because of the understated fragrance factor, this is the kind of stuff your man might need to borrow from you. Because dudes get ashy feet too!

So armed with these lotions and potions, I hope to keep my skin looking and feeling beautiful when I move to the land of ice and snow.

Do you have a favorite winter moisturizer that your skin absolutely craves? Tell me about it!

Related posts:

1. Winter Hair Care Advice from Curly Nikki
2. Moisturize Your Situation – Skin Edition
3. Satisfy Your Thirsty Skin

Some Christmas classics need to stay classic. Still, there are some great updates on the Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole standards, and every year new artists add to the list. I reached out to my Twitter friends to ask what their fave Christmas covers were, and got some great responses. Pisces in Purple loves John Cougar Mellencamp’s I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. DJ Diva loves Destiny’s Child singing Carol of the Bells. Jawnita, self-described HBIC of my favorite music magazine The Fader, shouted out Mariah’s So So Def remix of All I Want for Christmas is You.

My top 5 is a little more traditional, but hey – it ends with a giveaway! The last for the season!! So without further ado, here are my favorite Christmas cover songs.

1. Aretha Franklin’s Silent Night.

The Queen of Soul released her very first holiday album this year, This Christmas, exclusively for sale at Borders. It’s all about Christmas classics, sang as only Aretha could — big and majestic and soaring. If you like your holidays traditional, you’ll love Aretha’s album. Her voice can fill a cathedral. And this song brings the reason for the season to mind immediately.

2. Whitney. Do You Hear What I Hear?

On a personal note — Whitney Houston, I miss you and that magnificent voice. Come back soon!

Goodness gracious, her voice is so big and so beautiful. I’ve always loved this particular song, written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missle Crisis in 1962. Bing Crosby’s was the first popular version, but Whitney’s is absolutely my favorite. And don’t get me started on her version of Joy to the World!

3. What Child Is This, by Vanessa Williams.

I think Vanessa’s smooth, warm, jazzy version of this song — originally recorded for A Very Special Christmas, Volume 2 is the business. And she’s stunning as ever in the video. This song would fit in equally well around the fireplace, opening presents with your family, as it would at a crowded bar, sipping hot toddies with your friends. I’ve celebrated Christmas in both ways, so I know of what I speak.

4. Ledisi’s cover of Give Love on Christmas Day.

I am so late to the Ledisi party! She’s so talented, beautiful, all natural… an obvious candidate for the return of Afrobella of the Month in 2009. The songstress has recorded a brilliant holiday album, It’s Christmas, and it’s a must-have for any bella who’s feeling the holiday spirit. And AOL Black Voices reveals, she’s planning a tour! If you’re looking for a new holiday album to add to your collection, this is the one. Her voice just floats so beautifully on tracks like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and her original songs, are sure to be classics in our holiday rotation eventually. I absolutely adore that she covered a contemporary classic, one I grew up listening to on the Jackson 5 Christmas Album.
Aww. Young Michael’s voice still touches my heart.

5. Brian McKnight’s take on The Christmas Song.

Brian McKnight’s version of The Christmas Song gives a delicious update to the holiday classic that speaks most to my Christmas memories. I almost didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do, because Nat King Cole is so close to my heart. But Soulbounce dubbed him the heir apparent, and his version reveals why. It’s like Nat King Cole with a little Marvin Gaye flava. I love it. I think Brian McKnight’s album, I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a beautiful update for families who own Nat King Cole’s Christmas album. I am listening to it and loving it, and I’m proud to offer it as my final Christmas giveaway!

FIVE lucky winners will win a copy of Brian McKnight’s album, I’ll Be Home For Christmas AND a copy of Ledisi’s It’s Christmas.

And I’ll make this an easy one. All you have to do is tell me, what do YOU want to find underneath your Christmas tree this year?

I will close these comments on Sunday, and announce winners on Monday! I gotta get this moving in order to get these items mailed out before the holidays.

Happy Friday, bellas and fellas!! And Merry Christmas!!

Related posts:

1. 5 …very random Caribbean Christmas songs
2. The Winners of the Brian McKnight & Ledisi Christmas CD Giveaway are….
3. Throwback Thursday — A Gospel R&B classic

Let me share with you the weirdest Caribbean Christmas songs I know.

1. Bring Drinks by Sprangalang.

OK. This will take some explaining to non-Trini Afrobella readers. In Trinidad, we enjoy our cocktails. Drinking is an accepted and frequently encouraged part of the culture, especially during the holidays. And there’s a tradition of holiday songs about consuming alcohol and food, starting with Drink a Rum (and a Ponche-a-crema), Scrunter’s I Want a Piece of Pork and Marcia Miranda’s Bring Out De Ham.

So who or what is a Sprangalang? Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall is a well known, well loved, and very distinctive Trinidadian comedian who now has become a singer/composer. His songs are very funny to those who know Trini dialect and culture.

Bring Drinks really captures the spirit of a Caribbean Christmas party, but in Sprangalang’s version, the cook at this house party has screwed up all the food. “Roti and egg! Peanut butter and turkey leg!” Never fails to put a smile on my face.

2. All I want For Ismas by Jacob Miller

Instead of his two front teeth, all Jacob Miller wants for Christmas is “collie herb.” As he says, “different strokes for different folks.” The late, great Jacob Miller was one of few reggae artists who embraced Christmas enough to produce a whole album, Natty Christmas. Trust me, it’s a classic. And if you like that, you’ll love Reggae Christmas from Studio One, a compilation that includes songs by Johnny Osbourne, Alton Ellis, and The Wailers.

3. Santa Claus Don’t Have No Wife by The Mighty Terror.

Proof that Mrs. Claus is a recent invention.

According to the late calypso legend The Mighty Terror, not only is Santa Claus living a lonely life, but he just may be a pedophile after your “girl children.” This might be the most menacing take on St. Nick ever recorded. (See also, Machel Montano’s Soca Santa for a taste of Santa experiencing the islands).

4. Christmas a Come by Eek-a-Mouse.

I can’t think of a reggae artist with a more distinctive style of delivery than Eek-A-Mouse. The 6 foot 6″ tall chanter/singer/language innovator had a hit in 1981 with Christmas A Come, which falls into another tradition of Caribbean Christmas music — lamenting poverty and an inability to buy toys. (See also Socks and Draws by RemBunction — a hilarious threat to St. Nick to come correct in terms of the gifts).

5. Trini Christmas Is The Best by Susan Maicoo.

I think the closest comparison to this for Americans would be Alvin and the Chipmunks’s Christmas Don’t Be Late. Vocally, dead on right? And also in terms of the cheesy warmth it makes me feel in my heart.

This song is all about welcoming a foreigner to the traditions of Christmas in Trinidad. She serves her visitor “bread, and ham, together with a pastelle, ginger beer, punche a creme, and sorrel.” I want them all. Right now.

Being away from home is hard at this time of year. I get a lump in my throat when I call my parents and hear Daisy Voisin’s voice in the background. Putting this list together helped to ease some of the tight homesickness in my chest.

Here’s a bonus video

6 — Home for Christmas by the supremely talented Blackman family, really expresses how it feels for a Trini to go home for the holidays. I love the celebratory vibe.

Our holiday celebrations in the islands might seem really different than what you’re used to in your part of the world, but we share similarities. Ultimately, the holidays are about loving your family, enjoying the company of your friends, celebrating religious traditions, and giving thanks and praises to the man upstairs for everything we’ve got.

Are you in the holiday spirit, bellas and fellas? What’s your favorite holiday song? Share with me in the comments. And happy Friday!

Related posts:

1. 5…Classic Christmas Covers
2. RIP, Joe Gibbs
3. Melanie Fiona – Caribbean, Represent!