My first trip to Toronto was basically a 48 hour whirlwind. Came to town, had dinner, went to the MAC factory, then back to the airport. I wanted to experience more the second time around. On Friday 16 the homie Luvvie and I flew into the Billy Bishop Toronto Airport, for the first ever Soulafrodisiac event.

First stop – FOOD! I was absolutely starving by the time we arrived, so our first stop was the nearest Caribbean restaurant. Ann Marie of Soulafrodisiac took us to Ritz Caribbean Food, a Jamaican spot in downtown Toronto that features a decent menu of island favorites (and has seating and a killer soundtrack. From the moment I walked in and heard Beres, I knew I was in the right place!) The stewed chicken and rice were exactly what my soul needed. Then it was on to the next stop, for a special photo shoot!

The venue for the photo shoot turned out to be the same venue for my event the very next day — Trane Studio, an elegant and super cool venue for dinner and live jazz. The walls are bedecked with images of the legends; Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, and of course John Coltrane. It’s intimate, dim, romantic – everything you’d want from a jazz venue.

Afrobella for Afrodelik, photo by Alexis Finch

The photo shoot was for Canadian apparel line Afrodelik, a funky, hand drawn, afrocentric apparel line designed by the adorable Desiree Marshall. The photos were shot by the gorgeous and talented Alexis Finch, and makeup was done by Amanda Taches (who REALLY needs a website. I think all makeup artists do!)

After the photo shoot, I had some blessed down time to explore more of downtown Toronto. We pretty much stuck to Yonge Street, the main thoroughfare which in parts reminded me of Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, with a touch of Wicker Park thrown in the further down we walked. Luvvie, Ann Marie and I had a ball checking out all of the boutiques — I was especially enthralled with Holt Renfrew, which has amazing department store windows and a KILLER beauty department. I found a new perfume I HAVE TO HAVE – Jasmin Noir by Bvlgari, you will be mine. Oh yes, you will be mine!

I didn’t get to see as much of downtown Tdot as I wanted to this visit, because of the Toronto International Film Festival hotels were at max capacity so we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn…in Markham (shoutout to Elmo, making things happen at the front desk). At this point I feel more familiar with Markham than Toronto. So my NEXT visit will have to include more downtown time for sure!

Saturday was all spent at the Trane Studio, hosting my back to back events. All day was a massive outpouring of love, and a gorgeous turn out of natural haired bellas there to enjoy the company and insights that I had to offer. From the blog posts I’ve seen, I think I did a great job of sharing my wisdom with the ladies of Toronto! YAY!!

Check out these amazing recaps!

Soulafrodisiac herself

Tanya Petraglia of TP Photography, our official event photographer. She wore her hair straight to the brunch event, and was so inspired that she let her natural curls out for the dinner event (which she apparently never does). And she looked beautiful!

Quite Simply, Ola, who brought a crew of super sweet girls – loved meeting and chatting with them all!

83 To Infinity — her style was SO DOPE!

NubianSoulLocs who was just warm and wonderful and beautiful!

SO many other people sent the sweetest tweets and photos and were just so delighted to meet me, thinking about the outpouring of love makes me a little verklempt. It was truly a beautiful experience.

Special shout out to Michelle of Naturally Nubian who came from the UK to attend the event and check out Toronto’s natural hair scene – she interviewed me and I think it’ll be on her blog soon! Thanks to Anya of I Heart My Hair for all of her support. Thanks to Janice of FAB Couture for being a great MC! Thanks to Lady Vee for her tireless work and support on every aspect of this event!

And SPECIAL thanks to all of the sponsors for the event:

The Trane Studio, Honeyfig and Toronto Natural Hair & Beauty Show!

and Charlene’s Closet.

Thank you all for your support of Soulafrodiac’s first event and my visit to Toronto!

The next day of the visit got a little crazy. The original plan was to go to the Toronto Natural Hair & Beauty Show to say hello and show love to our friend Kim Coles — I heard it was GREAT and I’m sorry to have missed it! But because Luvvie had a flight at 6:30 the next morning (and we were on the last flight back to Chicago, YIKES) and also I was exhausted (and starting to come down with a cold) we decided to head back to the airport to get on stand by. That’s when we learned that Porter Airlines doesn’t play by the typical airline rules. Apparently our tickets were “firm,” and not “freedom” – which meant we would have had to pay $150 just to get on stand by. I honestly had never heard of such a policy and there a few moments at the airport counter where I may not have been the most pleasant person to be around. Luvvie and I decided to suck it up and head back to downtown Toronto. After wandering around dejectedly for a while we came upon Jack Astor’s, a Toronto chain brew pub that had killer cocktails, an amazing waiter (hey Mike at the Front St. location!) and WiFi. Luvvie and I enjoyed our downtime (and were productive, too!) and then headed back to the airport. Having mellowed out over a few cocktails and some awesome chicken wings, I was better able to appreciate the quirks of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Here’s what was different (and interesting) about the experience.

– you have to take a ferry to get from the mainland to this island airport. This ferry lasts for like, less than a minute. And there are lovely views of the city from the ferry.

– everyone at the airport was SO NICE. It was such a noticeable difference from oh, just about any other airport I’ve been in ever before. I left totally feeling that the stereotype of all Canadians being super nice was real.

– did you know in certain airports, if your shoes don’t have metal on them, you can wear your shoes through the security check? I didn’t! GLORY BE! My Toms passed muster!

– file this under this-may-not-work-anywhere-else-in-the-world — at the Billy Bishop airport, there are no restaurants or food items for sale. Instead, there’s a kitchenette that everyone uses and EVERYTHING IS FREE. You can make your own coffee or tea, drink water out of a real glass, and take bottles of soda or juice from the fridge. There are cookies and nuts and other little snacks. And it was all clean and well kept and respectful and…amazing. I made a cup of tea and had a small pack of Walker’s Shortbread cookies before leaving Toronto. VERY nice.

The trip to Toronto went really well! And then I came back to Chicago and got my first cold of the cold and flu season. Womp. I’m still fighting off the bug, but I’m back!

Thanks to everyone who made my trip to Toronto a success! I look forward to the next visit, for sure!

If you read this blog and follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know…I travel a fair amount. Most often to NYC. If I had to label myself, I’d say I’m a reluctant jetsetter. I really prefer to be at my home base here in beautiful Chicago, with my husband and Max the cat. But duty calls and if the opportunity is right, this blogger is packed and ready to go.

Image via realbeauty.com

Because of my frequent travel schedule, I have learned to taper my packing list down to some bare essentials. I’ll share my faves in a post to come later this week. But first, I reached out to some of my friends who’ve REALLY been racking up the frequent flyer miles of late. These are the women who are always catching a flight to go somewhere fabulous, the globetrotters whose style I can’t help but admire, and the beautiful besties I’m most likely to wind up kicking it with on a press trip. Allow me to introduce some of my glamorous globetrotting galpals and the products they won’t leave home without!

Julia Coney — Lifestyle, beauty, & travel writer for a global lifestyle as featured in The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, Texas Monthly & Glamour.

– Caudalie Beauty Elixir at Sephora. I spray this on before I add a moisturizer.

– Chanel Sublimage Cream in a small container applied after the moisturizer.

– Josie Maran Argan Stick Mini in clear. For dry skin anywhere.

– Tokyo-Milk Solid Fragrance in Honeycomb.

– Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Chocolate Cherry for fall/winter and Calypso Coral for spring/summer.

Johnica Reed — Global coolhunter, writer & VP of Social Media at Buzz Marketing Group, one of Black Enterprise’s 20 Best in the Blogosphere.

– Sheet Masks – 3Lab’s Perfect Mask, Karuna Skincare Hydrating Mask or one of the many masks I pick up on the cheap at pharmacies in Japan, Thailand and Korea. This is my #1 beauty ritual when traveling and the first thing I do after a long-haul flight.

– Clarisonic Mia

– Nars Multiple

– Bliss Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream (great for jet-lagged skin)

– ghd IV mini styler + Sultra Midnight Travel Dryer (both have universal voltage, so this is the must have hairstyling combo for travel, especially when staying in B&B’s or guest houses that may not have full-powered blow dryers).

Amber Katz – Beauty obsessed pop culture anthropologist and freelance writer who also contributes to the MTV Buzzworthy Blog, among others!

– Make Up For Ever SensEyes (travel size) – My lash extensions make makeup remover a MUST, even when I travel, as I have to be extremely delicate with my eye area. Q-tips and this non-irritating gel remover eradicate all traces of liner and shadow from my lifestyle when I’m on the move.

– Oscar Blandi Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray (travel size) – Because of my elaborate hair-styling regimen, I tend to want to avoid washing my hair on trips 3 days or fewer, opting to wash immediately before I leave instead. This dry shampoo stay extends my blowout by at least 36 hours. I do tend to wash my bangs every other day and use this dry shampoo on the rest of my mane.

– Eight Body Moisture Ginger Lime Moisturizer (travel size) This uber-moisturizing cream keeps my self-tan from flaking out after a few days and smells DIVINE. It’s a warm, fresh scent I can’t get enough of. Follow up a good scrub-down with this moisturizer and you’ll definitely have hydrated limbs that stay smooth for 24 hours.

– Moroccanoil (travel size) – This does-it-all hydrating oil is great for defining my waves when I let my hair dry naturally, but also adds mirrorlike shine and flexibility to heat-styled hair as well. I don’t go ANYWHERE without it and am usually sorry when I opt to try out one of its many, many competitors in lieu of the original. It also smells sexily musky.

– Schick Naturals Sensation Razor. — Carrying a separate shaving cream when I travel just seems insane when I can simply use a razor with its own packed into the blade. I tend to use the Schick even when I’m not traveling as it’s much easier to just swipe and go, rather than involve myself with lather. I have two razors–one I keep for travel and one that lives in my shower. I find that the blade will last about 3-4 uses before it needs to be changed.

Aly Walansky — beauty, travel, and style writer extraordinare!

– Tocca SPF 30 Sunscreen Wipes
I actually discovered this via a beauty writer friend on a press trip a few weeks ago (The lovely Andrea Arterbery of Glamazons fame) and I love them – they are towelettes that are individually wrapped and pre-moistened with sunblock – and each one has more than enough for your whole body. Plus, they are completely carry-on allowed via TSA since they aren’t a liquid. I wore one application in the hot Tampa afternoon sun and didn’t even turn pink. Amazing.

– FHI Go Flat Iron — These come in a traditional size and a travel size – I love them so much, I have both. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gone through the trouble of getting a blowout, gotten on a plane, come off, and needed to first do my hair again…this makes it possible. You may find a hair dryer in a hotel room, but you’ll never find a good one – and for sure not a flat iron!

– Dr. Dennis Gross EZ4U On the Go Anti-Aging Treatment — I can’t even tell you how much these multi-task for me — they are like a bundle of skincare products in one wipe. When I travel, I try to pack as little as possible – these can cleanse, hydrate, and moisturize in one item!!! I keep them in my purse and in my travel bag – that way, on red-eye flights, I get off the plane looking (if not feeling) human.

– Stila Tinted Moisturizer
It has SPF built in, and hydration, but I love it mostly for the natural looking glow it provides. I wear this literally every day – and always travel with it, too.

– Mally Beauty Xtrahold Mascara — My mom taught me when I was still in GRADE SCHOOL that we should never leave the house without mascara – I have followed suit. I love this because it stays on all day and only requires one coat – so it’s great for looking semi put-together instantly, no matter where my day takes me!

Tia Dantzler – celebrity makeup artist for the likes of Jennifer Hudson and Maxwell, among many others!

Being a frequent flier I’ve mastered my basic essentials for travel. Keeping in mind I’m being surrounded by dry, recycled air, I have to keep my skin hydrated from the inside out so I also drink tons of H2O before, during and after my flights.

My essentials:

– I absolutely love using Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 because it’s lightweight and it protects and gives my skin a lovely glow.

– The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Facial Mist is the perfect “pick me up” for my face during a flight.

– I have to lube up my lips with Kiehl’s Lip Balm which is a classic and works hard at keeping my lips protected and moisturized.

– My favorite hand cream is Clean Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream because it’s not only hand hydrating it’s germ fighting too.

– For long flights you want to land looking fresh and smudge-proof so I apply DiorShow Water-proof mascara which stays put for the entire flight.

Thanks to my busy busy friends for sending in their top favorite must have travel beauty products. I found some new products I MUST try ASAP! How about you, bellas?

I tend to fly alone regularly — most often between Chicago and New York City. And it really never fails to be… interesting. Between overwhelmed and unhappy-to-be-there flight attendants to rude and angry passengers, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have an exchange or experience with someone that can leave you with your feathers ruffled.

Here are three air travel related situations I’ve recently found myself in, and the ways I’ve dealt with them – shared in the hopes that somehow, my frustrating in-flight experiences can help you know what to do if you encounter an especially awful fellow passenger or crew member.

My first rule of thumb – get to the airport early and go into your flight situation as informed as possible. There is NO reason to roll up to a Southwest flight and then be MAD at their existing seating policy. They’ve BEEN doing it that way for a while. If you’d taken the time to read up and be prepared for your flight, you could have checked in 24 hours ahead of time and you wouldn’t be in the last boarding group. Taking out those kinds of frustrations on the crew or your fellow passengers is just not smart on your part.

Second rule of thumb? Serenity now, and a pedicure – or maybe a fabulous cocktail – to get over the frustration later. Because there really is no situation that warrants getting kicked off an airplane for.

Airplane issue #1 – the seats are teeny tiny, and the passenger in front of you absolutely insists on reclining his seat back as far as possible.

This just happened to me on my most recent flight, and here I was thinking I had all the answers. The gentleman…scratch that. The man in front of me looked kinda like Glenn Beck with a dash of Michael Douglas in Falling Down thrown in for good measure. In an illfitting sport coat. As we reached cruising altitude, this man started to use his chair as a La-Z-Boy, cranking that recliner so far back that if we’d been served food I would have no way to eat. Since I was working on my trusty netbook and I didn’t want to see my screen crushed by a stranger — I’ve heard quite a few of those horror stories! — I politely tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he could please be more cautious in reclining, and in fact would it be OK if he not recline any further. It took him all of 5 seconds to cast his eyes back at me and say “no, that’s NOT OK. I’m gonna recline.” And then he proceeded to lean all his weight back in the seat as if to say “so there” with his full body weight. UGH.

I will admit, in this situation I felt my face get hot and I felt my pressure start to rise. When you ask someone NICELY to be CIVIL, you expect an appropriate response. When you’re polite and someone is then rude to you…well that’s when you have to summon your last ounce of patience. This too shall pass, and here’s hoping their suitcase is the only one that gets lost. How did I deal with Glenn Beck/Michael Douglas? Angrily glaring at the back of his stupid neck and slamming my tray table shut only got me so far. Instead I pulled my netbook closer to me for protection, and channeled the energy into writing a blog post about how much people like him make the world a worse place to be…which hey, you’re reading right now!

I personally think reclining one’s seat should only be done with caution and concern for your fellow passengers. We’re all cramped. We’re all uncomfortable. What do you gain by making someone else even moreso? But just because someone else wants to be a jerk, doesn’t mean YOU also in turn have to be a jerk. When dealing with folks who are rude just because they can be, I find it best to let them be rude all by themselves. It’s also a great time to be nice to your fellow passengers or flight crew, because then the jerk in question looks (and hopefully feels) like an even bigger jerk. And – worst case scenario – you can then ask your friendly flight attendant for assistance in this matter.

Airplane issue #2 – the kids behind you sure are cute. But the feeling of their little legs on the back of the seat…not so much. And WHY are their parents not noticing this?

My heart always goes out to parents traveling with kids. Whether it’s just one little one or a whole posse of em, it never ever seems to be easy or fun. If you’ve got a baby, everyone’s side-eyeing you and hoping they won’t wind up sitting next to you. If you’ve got a toddler or small child, then you already know they have a mind of their own and the best you can do is cajole them into behaving well for the duration of the flight. And you can always spot a parent at the airport from a mile away. They’re the ones looking the most exhausted, ragged, and overwhelmed as they make their way to the gate.

Parents, you have my deepest sympathies. But please, I beg you…don’t let your kids kick other people’s seats. That isn’t cool. And if someone says to you, “hey, I think your kids are kicking my seat,” try not to get angry at your fellow passenger, or try to play it off like it isn’t happening. That’s a great time to say to your little one “please behave, you’re disturbing other people,” and to teach them what not to do during air travel. Hey, you can even make the stranger in the seat ahead the bad guy in this situation. The point is, don’t be offended by the request. Just deal with it as best as you can.

And if you – like I recently did – wind up sitting in front of some truly hands-off and unobservant grandparents who just couldn’t control their rambunctious grandkids…that’s a great time to stroll to the bathroom and while headed back there, do a scan for any potential empty seats to switch to. Then quietly explain the situation to your flight attendant and do what you gotta do.

Airplane issue #3 – the mean flight attendant.

Let’s be honest here – air travel ain’t what it used to be. And that’s a very carefully phrased understatement. Back in the day there was a certain glamour to flying and to working in the airline industry. All of that has gone now – for the passengers and most definitely for the employees. Nowadays, air travel can make you feel like you’re on a Greyhound bus in the sky. And instead of a constantly smiling flight crew, you can sense the frustration of the people who work there.

Air travel now requires a little more give and take – be kind and smile at your flight attendant and they hopefully will be nice to you in return. If you’re a whiny and complaining passenger, or if you don’t listen to instructions, don’t be surprised if your attendant responds with annoyance, or speaks to you in a sharp tone. Give them a measure of attention while doing the in-flight demonstration. Turn off your electrical devices when you’re told to – even if you think those rules are stupid and unnecessary. And if you need to go to the bathroom while the drink cart is in the aisle….well you’re just going to have to be patient, because there ain’t no getting around it.

What do you do if your flight attendant is just mean and cranky for no reason? That’s when I turn on the charm. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of their job, it can seem like attendants forget that passengers are people just like them. Female flight attendants generally respond really well to compliments on their makeup – I’ve gotten free drinks before for just commenting on my flight attendant’s awesome eyeshadow. I’ve gotten free magazines from flight attendants, just for being nice to them during stressful times. True story. So take a moment to make meaningful eye contact and smile. Or make a little joke if the time is right. You just might make that flight attendant’s day a little brighter or easier. Remember – when the flight’s over, you get to deplane and go out into the city you landed in. They’re stuck there, still at work.

And on that note….bellas, I’m in NYC and I’ve got a plane back to Chicago to catch!

Have you had any similar in-flight experiences? What advice can you offer on flight etiquette? I would LOVE to hear from you, especially if you’re a working flight attendant. How do you DEAL?

Every so often I wind up in a place or a situation where I wonder…whose life is this? And how did I get here?

I had that experience in Las Vegas recently, when I was flown in as a VIP attendee for the IT&LY Hairfashion “Hollywood Loves IT&LY” event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. From the minute I landed in Vegas, I couldn’t stop marveling at the experience.

First of all – the Hard Rock Hotel. Wow. It’s a spectacle that managed to shock even me. As a woman who grew up in Trinidad and lived in Miami for years, I figured I’d seen all the half naked debauchery there was to behold thanks to Carnival and just everyday life on South Beach. But Rehab at the Hard Rock put everything in perspective. This is an overhead view of the pool during Rehab – and the view from my room!

WOWZA. Never have I ever seen so many dangerously drunk, barely clothed people. Lots of potential Ed Hardy brand ambassadors and aspiring reality television starlets here. Yikes. No wonder there’s a Tru TV show filmed here every week!

By contrast, the rest of the hotel was lovely and amazing. Really great restaurants (OMG Nobu is LIFECHANGING sushi. I’m officially obsessed). And everywhere you look, incredible rock and roll memorabilia. A jacket by Jimi Hendrix. Christina Aguilera’s chaps from the Dirrrty video. A full homage to late, great Sublime frontman Brad Nowell, including his high school report card and handwritten song lyrics. Amazing stuff.

As soon as I arrived, I was whisked off to Body English – the location of the ceremony that would be taking place that evening. Part of the experience for me, meant getting my hair done by some of IT&LY’s top stylists!

I have been wanting a change in hair color for a while now, and I couldn’t think of a better opportunity. Over a year ago, I’d done a box hair color at home and I was still sporting lighter ends and a definite stripe of grown-out naturally dark roots. I wanted something to make my overall color more uniform, while still making my kinky curls look shiny and vibrant. I wanted something done by an expert, that would make sure my natural hair texture remained intact.

See the handsome and talented man in the photo above? That’s IT&LY’s style director Amilcar Centeno. He is incredible. First we discussed hair color and he compared a bunch of color swatches to my hair and my skin. He reassured me completely that IT&LY haircolor wouldn’t damage or strip my hair – infused with coconut oil, they say its one of the most nurturing, gentle professional haircolors available. We chose a base color and a highlight – I wanted something a little red, a little blonde. When he settled on the perfect colors, Amilcar got to work!

After the haircolor, he got down to styling my hair. Reminscing about his upbringing in San Juan Puerto Rico, he told me that his grandmother would style hair just like he was doing to mine, except she used sugar water.

I promise to get a breakdown of the IT&LY Hairfashion products used to color and style my hair – just wanted to share this while it was still fresh!

Amilcar twisted my hair into individual coils, then dried my hair under a Gold N Hot hardtop dryer, and unfurled select curls. He used a heck of a lot of bobby pins, and then put my hair up into a dramatic yet edgy updo.

This is my finished look – dress by Igigi, purse by Aya Morrison, makeup by Linda Caselle, hair by Amilcar Centeno. BAM! At the end Amilcar named my new hairdo “Puffy and Biggie.” What do you think?

The whole time Amilcar was doing my hair, the preparations for the IT&LY Hairfashion show were going on around me. Everywhere I looked, there was a model being styled to perfection. Across from Amilcar and I, the amazing Pasquale Caselle styled models – and my friend in beauty blogging, Aly Walansky! His beautiful wife Linda Caselle did our makeup. They are an amazing, super talented couple and I LOVED spending time with both of them! What fun, genuine people!

Here’s the glamorous Amber Katz of Beauty Blogging Junkie, and the adorable Aly Walansky – post hair and makeup of course!

Here we are posing before entering the event. See my logo? YAY!!!!

The event was hosted by Bre Scullark of America’s Next Top Model fame – I am frickin heartbroken I didn’t get to take a photo with her. But we met and she was sweet as could be (and looks SO fly with her short hair!)

The models were stunning. The professionals behind IT&LY Hairfashion were some of the nicest, most genuine people I had the honor to meet. I mean…I spent a good 45 minutes chatting with the CEO about soul music, Phyllis Hyman and Teddy Pendergrass, before I even realized he was the CEO! He was that cool and down to earth. (trust and believe, not all CEOs are like that!)

The rest of my Las Vegas trip was spent poolside (yes, I NEEDED some R&R!), kickin it with my beauty blogger homettes Aly and Amber, and interviewing some TRULY amazing people. Please look out for a phenomenal interview post next.

Thanks so much to JMC PR and IT&LY Hairfashion for the outpouring of love and admiration. The feeling is truly mutual!

I wanted to fall in love with Amtrak and train travel. When my amiga Luvvie and I booked train tickets from Chicago to Washington DC, I had these pastoral visions in my head of whizzing through the rolling, scenic countryside during the day, venturing up to an elegantly outfitted dining car by night, and spending much needed time plugged in and working en route.

What was I thinking?

Instead I came to realize – as my homie Craig said — “Riding Amtrak is like riding a Greyhound bus for the cost of an airline ticket.”

I’m sad to agree with him, but it’s true. And while I’m at it let me say something you won’t hear me saying often…my husband was right.

Allow me to share the highlights and the lowlights, the good, the bad and the ugly, and hopefully explain why I will never ever subject myself to an overnight train trip again.

Overnight Amtrak Sounded So Good…

When Luvvie and I booked tickets, we thought we were so clever. An overnight trip with a girlfriend sounded super fun at the time, and I think we both had an impression of train travel based on old time movies or something. My husband was the one who first brought us crashing down to reality with questions like – did you think to get a sleeper car?

I don’t even wanna get into the roasting and clowning I’ve had to endure since this whole trip began. In fact – check Awesomely Luvvie’s recap for complete details via our G Chat pre departure.

I did some online research about train travel before we left, but nothing that truly prepared me for the experience itself. This is the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good –

– Traveling with my homegirl! The concept of a ride through the countryside with my amiga Luvvie was too fun to pass up. Preparing for the train ride with our snacks and blankets gave travel a different vibe completely. I appreciated not being separated from my stuff, and not having to worry about packing teeny fun size hair and beauty products (I’m really not the best packer!) As we ventured through the mountains of West Virginia, I had absolutely no regrets about the trip. Train travel can be quite charming, if you’re in a beautiful and relatively undeveloped part of the country.

See? Pretty countryside. All you need is a little Simon and Garfunkel and you’re all set.

– The people! Some of our neighbors en route were awesome, awesome people. The woman who sat across from me on the way up to DC was funny and smart and we had a great conversation about the oil spill, politics, just about anything you can think about. And then when Luvvie let her know that I had this here blog, she was SO excited! “OMG, my friend reads your blog!” Yay! Hello to you and your friend!

The gentleman in front of us had a huge art portfolio with him and upon request, opened it up to reveal some amazingly skillful drawings. People came from all over the train, little kids were peppering him with questions. It was an impromptu art show! And he then proceeded to offer prints for sale for just $5! His name is Manuel Proctor – he’s on Facebook – and he’s a super talented artist. Check him out!

On my way back from DC I wound up next to an amazing, amazing woman named Joyce. We talked about absolutely everything from family to diet, politics and religion….Joyce is in her sixties, lives in Oklahoma, and is absolutely amazing to talk to. I told her I was writing about this and she said PLEASE tell the people one thing on her behalf, and that’s this — in Joyce’s opinion as a former employee of the government who fought for equality throughout her career, boycotting BP makes no sense. “If you boycott them and they go bankrupt, then who’s gonna pay to clean up their mess? The taxpayers!” she argued. And I must say, her perspective really gave me pause. I promised her I’d get her message out, so there you have it.

– Robert, the Amtrak official who works on the 29 train from DC to Chicago – you are a true asset to Amtrak and you deserve a raise just for being awesome. I mean it. Thanks for being a diamond in the rough. And I mean rough.

The Bad:

– It took 26 hours from Chicago to DC. TWENTY SIX HOURS. We were supposed to arrive at 4:30 pm, which would have given us enough time to shower, change and be fabulous for the Sunkissed Mommy rooftop Blogging While Brown pre-party at the W Hotel. As it happened, we arrived at 8 pm. Party was supposed to end at 8:30. We hightailed it to the hotel, got ready at the speed of light, and missed almost all of the fun. Because of Amtrak. Ugh.

– Some of your fellow passengers on a train are cool, laid back, enjoying the ride. Others…not so much. We actually got to see someone take off their earrings and get ready to fight an Amtrak conductor. I didn’t realize people actually did that. And then she goes: “you don’t want me to turn this motha out!” WHAAAAAAT??? Quoting Parliament Funkadelic and ready to rumble? I don’t even know what to do with that!

– They wouldn’t let me and Luvvie sit together on the way back. That sucked!! And it was totally for no reason!! I had an empty seat next to me the whole way back. Luvvie got an old woman who borrowed her blanket when she left her seat. SO not cool. There is NOTHING worse than a person in uniform on a power trip.

– Sleeping on a train is incredibly uncomfortable. There’s no way to make it work. Pillows and blankets only help so much. And if you ever take a train bring a big, thick blanket. They keep trains extra extra cold for some unbeknownst reason.

– the FOOD. I had a hot dog cooked in a sweaty plastic bag for dinner. I had this vision of white tableclothed tables and y’know, REAL FOOD…but not every train has that. The one on the way back did. The one on the way out certainly did not. There was a surly man behind a counter, heating up pepperoni pizzas and hot dogs in a microwave. Boooooo.

– at the end of the DC to Chicago trip I woke up at 5 in the morning because of a super loud PA announcement (the dining car is open!) to discover my awesome new Skullcandy headphones crushed and broken at the foot of my chair. FML.

The Ugly:

– Chicago’s Union Station just might be the ninth circle of hell. Insanely crowded, insanely busy, and generally not well laid out. Washington DC’s Union Station is a vision of loveliness, on the other hand.

– En route from Chicago to DC, this one Amtrak employee kept getting on the PA system to admonish everyone on board about things-that-should-be-obvious like bathroom etiquette and wearing shoes when going from one car to the next. I was like lady, if I hear you shriek on the microphone about papers being left all over the bathroom floor and the dangers of flushing paper towels one more time…I may have to turn this motha out myself.

– Then I went to the bathroom. And quickly realized that there’s a reason she kept getting on the mic. What is WRONG with people? It’s a public restroom! UGH.

In summary, Amtrak may be great for a 2 to 4 hour trip, but not a 24 hour trip. Romantic expectations, dashed. I’ll suck it up and pay an airline fee to not have to deal with that ever again!

For even more of our Amtrak adventures, read Luvvie’s post. And if you’re thinking of taking a long Amtrak trip – read this. I wish I’d read that before I booked my ticket with Amtrak!

I’m looking forward to this weekend for the dorkiest reason — finally I’m going to unpack my suitcases, put away my summer clothes, and take my makeup and hair products out of my travel bag. Until February, when I go on another trip!

With all the traveling I’ve been doing, I’ve had to learn the art of packing intelligently. In these days of rising luggage fees, I need to be economical. That means packing products that are multi-use and uber-effective. Allow me to share some of my latest finds — the items that got road tested in Hawaii!

My Smokey Classics By Lauren Luke. I know, I know – I just raved about this in my Best of 2009 post. But for traveling, this collection is hard to beat. My one complaint? The blush is too pale for my needs. But having a flat package of this much makeup awesomeness warrants no real complaints. This is eye makeup at it’s easiest, and I love it. Totally getting the Fierce Violets next.

Jessicurl Trial Size Collection. I’ve heard great things about Jessicurl, but finally I got a chance to experience what the brand can do for my particular texture of natural. And I really like it so far! I used Awe Inspirialing Spray to refresh my frazzled frizzies in the Hawaii heat, and the Confident Coils Styling Solution gave me moisture that stood up against the humidity. Look out for a longer review when I’ve had a chance to review the Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner.

MAC in Lillyland cremeblend blush. I want to shout about this to the rooftops, y’all. MAC in Lillyland is a bright, resort-chic, vibrant and ultra feminine collection. When I was sent this Cremeblend blush in Joie-De-Vivre — a peachy coral that looks like the color of some houses in Miami — I gave it a suspicious raised eyebrow. Then I rubbed it on the apples of my cheeks, as I smiled at myself in the mirror. Love at first try. These colors are ideal for bringing out the glow in darker skin tones. It was so perfect for Hawaii, and now that I’m back in Chicago’s cold, a sheer application gives me a warm, sunshiny glow. Bravo, MAC and Lilly Pulitzer. Bravo.

Jordana easyliner eye pencil. Nothing sucks worse than traveling with your favorite regular eyeliner, then realizing the point’s dull or broken off and you’ve forgotten to pack your sharpener. This $1.99 drugstore pencil is just as effective as its more expensive competitors, plus it is effortless and automatic. Don’t sleep on Jordana, or its equally affordafab counterpart, Milani! You can get the look for a whole lot less!

RX for Brown Skin Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15. Dr. Susan Taylor’s products specifically cater to our skin’s needs. I’ve tried most of the products and a more detailed review is really in order. I really dig the sunscreen. It’s thick but not opaque and heavy like some other sunscreens are. A little goes a long way, to protect my face and neck. Good stuff for facing the elements.

And last but not least — Fashion Fair Shine Eliminator. Yes, that’s right. I just said Fashion Fair. The venerable brand for women of color gets a bad rap for being old school and stuck in the past, but FYI, Fashion Fair is in the midst of a major makeover. They’ve got some great new skincare products on the shelves, and this shine eliminating mattifier got me ready for my close up in steamy Hawaii. A creamy potion with the light feel of a serum, it worked great as a foundation primer and allowed me to maintain my glow while preventing me from being shiny.

What are your must-take travel essentials? Made any cool new finds lately? Share!

Bellas, I’m on the road again! It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Last week I flew back to Miami, got our car and picked up our last items in the 305, then drove to Orlando for an absolutely glorious wedding weekend. One of my best friends, Mr. Lino Mancebo, got married yesterday. Family and friends from around the country gathered for the event and I couldn’t be happier about being here! Lino’s my boy for life!

While I was here I was also happily able to meet the adorable and awesome Brittany of Clumps of Mascara — she is just as funny and smart and wonderful as she is online. We had fun kickin it poolside with virgin cocktails in hand.

Now I’m hitting the road again, heading up towards Chicago. I will try my absolute best to blog between today and Thursday — I gotta be back by then to get ready for Blogging While Brown and the special Welcome to Chicago party being thrown for moi to benefit the Red Pump Project and the Chicago Women’s AIDS Project! Click here to get your ticket, Chicago bellas!

Wish me luck on the road, and I’ll be back before you know it, to announce the winners of the Peace Images earring giveaway and more!

Happy Monday!!

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!

“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?

Wow, bellas!

2009 really has been the year of change I intended it to be.

Finally, I’m in Chicago after traveling everywhere from New York City to Trinidad. And finally I realize — I’ve got some travel writing to do! I will admit, I waited a while in the hopes that I could somehow publish my adventures in one of my favorite magazines… but the time’s come to be honest with myself. Print journalism is in a steep, scary downward spiral and the prospects of freelancing are dry, dry, dry. I figure, if it has to be, it’s up to me. And so I’d like to welcome you to travel week on Afrobella. If you’ve read any of my travel guides before, you know what to expect. Fun, honest reviews of the hot spots I’ve visited. Come with me!