Trinidad Carnival 2016- Harts Presentation Top Picks

Hello readers! As some people may know, Trinidad Carnival is slowly but surely approaching. Yes, the greatest show on earth is coming up again! So ya’ll know what season it is- band launch season! Although I’ve flaked a bit before on updating you with my top picks, I’m going to make more an effort to do so.

Over the next few months, numerous bands will be showcasing their costumes to the masses. The first to do so was Harts Carnival. Harts remains one of the more known bands. When I think of Harts, I think of large backpacks, Gabrielle Walcott and Wendy Fitzwilliam. If you follow the band, you know they house some of the past Miss Trinidad & Tobago winners. I’ve always been a fan of Harts. Whilst people believe they cater to a certain crowd *ahem*, I don’t think they should be overlooked at all.

Harts 2016 presentation, called VOGUE, showcased on July 4th (see teaser here —-> Harts Carnival 2016 Teaser). Via the media, Harts promises a better Carnival experience for those who wish to join them on carnival Monday and Tuesday. Additions include an all inclusive option for masqueraders. This option includes enhanced amenities and meals. According to Harts, the enhancements will not hinder the experience, nor take away from what Harts is known for.

After carefully looking through VOGUE, I must say I’m impressed. VOGUE sections include

• Avant Garde
• Bijoux
• Boho Chic
• Ce Monde
• Champagne
• Craze
• Fierce
• Flair
• Je Ne Sais Quoi
• Noire
• Obsession
• Pret a Porte
• Rave
• Retro
• VS Angel

Well, that was a mouthful. Quite a bit of options there, guys! As you can already tell, VOGUE focuses on Harts’ take on different aspects of fashion. There were a few hits and one or two misses (more hits than misses for sure). But here, we focus on the hits! I got a chance to view a few videos from the night itself and they looked great on stage. With no further ado, I’ll list Coconuts & Caviar’s top picks for Harts Carnival.

*DISCLAIMER: These are MY personal favorites

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5. VS ANGEL

VS Angel- Victoria’s Secret Angel, infuses feathers and gems of black, white and aquamarine/turquoise colors to create this beauty of a costume. Carnival costumes have often been compared to the designs showcased on the notorious VS runway shows. I’m of course biased- so we trump everything. It was nice to see them take this path with this costume. The reason why I didn’t place this higher, is because I feel like it’s something I’ve seen before. The bikini top however, is very well crafted. Take a peek below of the frontline costume.

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4. OBSESSION

I loveeee these colors. Obsession, for me, was well put together. The color scheme, I will say, I’ve seen quite a bit- however that section lead is to die for. I think this will look great on the road. See pictures below.

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3. NOIRE

Now, I’m usually not a fan of black costumes, but this! This gives off such a sultry, sexy, mysterious vibe- very gypsy like. It could’ve been due to the models, but dayum. The headpiece, LOVE. The costume itself, LOVE. I know people prefer color, but I strongly suggest you take a good look at this one. Gorgeous. See images below.

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2. BIJOUX

Bijoux has such a wonderful blend of colors. From the leg pieces to the bikini-wear, it’s definitely easy on the eyes. The section leader (above), is surely the show stopper. This is the sort of the costume I like to see. Bijoux just missed the top  spot because I feel like the number one spot had soooo much work put into the bikini pieces. See the floor member images below.

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1. PRET A PORTE

From the instant I saw this- especially the bikini tops and bottoms- I KNEW it’d take first place in my book. The bikini top is absolutely amazing. The work on that was so well done. Although it may not be as colorful as some of the others, the finishing on this surpasses the rest. Hands down, it’s the sexiest. Take a look at the rest of the images.

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There you have it folks, my top picks from Harts Carnival for 2016! Be sure to check out their website, hartscarnival.com to view the rest of the costumes. Don’t like my choices? Then leave a comment stating your favorite! Registration has not begun yet, however keep up to date by following Harts Carnival on facebook and via their webpage.

Look out for my next review coming up very soon! In the meanwhile…

Stay Irie,

Coconuts & Caviar

Tribal Knights Band Launch- Toronto Carnival

Hello everyone! If you’ve been following Coconuts & Caviar, you’ll see that I’m an extremely proud Trinbagonian. Our culture is becoming so widespread! It’s such a beautiful thing to see. As of right now, it’s band launch season for the upcoming Toronto Carnival parade taking place on Saturday, August 1st 2015. To all those contemplating on whether to visit, I urge you to. Personally, there is no better show. Of course it’d be better to participate in the parade, but watching is fun as well.

With all that being said, let’s get into it! Mas band Tribal Knights launched their costume presentation entitled “Animation”. I’ve been following all the sneak peeks and it had me so excited! The band launch took place on April 11th showcasing 9 sections based on animated shows/characters. Since then I’ve been looking closely to determine which of these lovelies are my favorites. Continue reading to see which I recommend.

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3. Section- Starfire

What a beauty! The costume and the model, of course. Now I could be wrong, but I’m thinking (because of the colors and aesthetic) that Starfire was inspired by the teen titan character. Within the section, there is a baseline (backline), frontline, section lead and a male costume. So those of you who wish to bring ya man, he can play along! If you’re looking for a vibrant, heavily jeweled costume- Starfire is definitely for you. The costume comes in two variations, which is always convenient for the masquerader. There is a regular bra option and a wire bra option as well (seen in image above). The image above also shows a one-piece for those who wish to show a little less skin. In terms of head piece, the section offers a feathered headpiece as well as a tiara. I must commend this section for providing such vibrancy and options for the masquerader. Whilst we want to look sexy on the people dem road, we want to feel comfortable as well. This costume has received a coconuts & caviar seal of approval! To see costume variations, along with prices visit tribalcarnival.com.

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2. Panamania

Ugh, I adore these colors. The section Panamania was inspired by and pays tribute to the upcoming Pan Am games. This section also has a number of variations! It caters to a variety of people depending on your taste and preference. There’s a baseline, midline, frontline, ultra frontline, section lead, and a male costume. The color pallet infused red, gold and turquoise to create this wonder. Additions include backpacks, feathered headpieces, tiaras and feathered tails; many more choices compared to Starfire. One thing I must add, the male costume isn’t bad. I often feel like male costumes aren’t paid as much attention to, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog post.  This costume has received a coconuts & caviar seal of approval! To see costume variations, along with prices visit tribalcarnival.com.

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1. Storm

Well, I feel like I don’t need to say very much. I mean, look at the damn thing- it’s gorgeous. I can appreciate the creativity and effort put into this costume. What a knockout. Storm is based on the animated character Storm from the Marvel comics. Now, the costume to me doesn’t immediately translate to Storm (the section Aliens does) but I still love it nevertheless!  From the images I’ve seen by patrons, it stood out. I can just imagine how this would look on the road! If I were a female, I’d jump on this! The section has a baseline, midline, section lead and a male costume (which I recommend). This costume has received a coconuts & caviar seal of approval! To see costume variations, along with prices visit tribalcarnival.com.

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Tribal Knights remains one of the go-to bands and has definitely put out a great presentation this year. I strongly recommend this band as well as the costumes above. Registration has already begun and the mas camp officially opens April 21st, 2015 (oh shit that’s today). So rounds up ya money, and head on down to view these beauties in person. For all information regarding costumes and registration visit their website at http://www.tribalcarnival.com

P.S. I hope ya’ll working on that caribana body 😉

Stay tuned for my selection from Saldenah’s presentation!

Stay Irie,

Coconuts & Caviar

The Dating Game

Hello world! I am back, after a fairly long hiatus. But have no fear, I am here to stay. During my little break, a lot has taken place. One thing I’ve recently started doing- seeing that it was my 25th birthday (woop woop)- was get back into dating… Yes, dating. You guys have no idea how much I hate dating. However, I don’t think it exceeds my hatred of being a lonely ole fart at the end of the day. Hitting 25 definitely gave me a wake up call. I didn’t have the zeal or energy to really date anyone prior to my birthday, but I realized as much as we should ‘wait’ for the right person to come along, we also have to be open to the right person coming along. So I call this post, the dreaded dating game.

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Step 1: Deciding what you want

First thing’s first, you have to decide what you want. At my age, I honestly don’t have the time for games. Yes- I know I’m not old, however, I’m just the type of person that would prefer to settle down instead of having to play 170 rounds of the dating game. Folks these days are either 1. dating for good ole fun, 2. settle down, 3. sex, 4. sex and 5. sex. Choose wisely. Last thing you’d want is to be hurt/ cause hurt.

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 Step 2. Be optimistic and open minded

You see this thing we call our ‘type’- dash that shit out the window. I know we all this idea in our head of what we want, but be open minded! I’ve learned this the hard way. After a slew of relationships with people I know are BAD, I’ve moved onto what I think is out of my comfort zone. That way, it pushes you past your boundaries and allows you to feel and experience different types of people. In doing so, you build a firm idea of what you like and dislike. Remember ladies, your knight in shining armor may come in a fubu jersey and crocs. Moral of the story- don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

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Step 3. Meet and greet

Here comes the tough part. Whilst I enjoy the thought of someone magically falling into my lap, nothing- I repeat nothing, is wrong with taking control and avidly putting yourself out there. Meeting someone can be a task, an extra task none of us want on our plate. There are a number of ways we can meet people. Take into consideration, Jesus only helps those who helps themselves.

1. Your social circle– By this I don’t mean going around and dating everyone within your social circle. We don’t want you being the ‘team player’. But your friends, have friends. Networking is key, even if your main intention is not to date.

2. Hitting the town- Going out is important. You may not find prince charming or the girl of your dreams, but it’s a fun way to meet people and get a feel of introducing yourself. Trust me, introducing yourself will become a habit in no time.

3. Social media and apps- I hate this one. It’s not the most ideal story to tell at your wedding- nonetheless it’s a great way to meet people. Facebook, instagram, tinder, POF- all examples of social media websites and apps that are used nowadays to meet people. Always keep in mind step 1- what you want.

4. Online dating services- I like to call this one, desperation. There is no way in hell I am paying a $30.00 monthly subscription fee for a dating service that sells me dreams; I can do that on my own accord. However, for the few of you that have money to burn and believe such lengths are required, go for it!

5. Your mom- At the end of the day, ask your mom. Moms always have a backup plan in their back pocket. That backup plan is usually called Sarah, Ashley, Bob or Jacob.

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 Step 4. Date preparation

Once you’ve met someone through possibly one of the above, it’s time to prepare for the date! A portion of this depends on step 1. If you’re looking to have fun aka sexy time, you know what’s necessary. If not, and you’re genuinely looking for something stable, I suggest you:

1. Find the perfect outfit- not too slutty, but show a little something.

2. Ensure your breath is on point (nobody likes halitosis).

3. Ensure you are well groomed.

4. Find the perfect spot; somewhere you guys can have a conversation.

And lastly my personal favorite,

5. Vex money. Vex money, in layman terms, is basically emergency money in the event he/she doesn’t pay, or if you don’t have a ride home.

Despite what people say, first impressions are everything. So if you look and act a hot mess, trust that’s what they will remember.

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Step 5. Date night

Ah yes, after all your hard efforts of attempting to look like you have morals, values and an organized life, it’s time for the final test- date night! From personal experience, this is where the nerves kick in. You sweat, your bowels decide to act a fool, and you stutter. But try to remain calm and ON TIME. Also remember to put your phone on silent, not even on vibrate.

The common mistake I think a lot of us make, is making a date into an interview. Ain’t nobody trying to explain their life story in a night. Be mindful of what you ask; stick to the necessities.

If you’re out for dinner, lunch or grabbing a drink, I strongly suggest to not get anything out of the ordinary. Stick to what you know, please. Avoid anything with spinach and parsley.

Enjoy the fact you are on a date. Be you. Have a laugh. And most importantly, have fun. Be flirtatious and show the right signals. Miscommunication can be a bitch, so if the date is going well, be inquisitive and proactive about a second date. If not, always have a friend on standby that is willing to call you up and be the scapegoat.

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Step 6. Date night follow-up 

After date night, the gaming becomes real. The thoughts that often run through our mind include:

• Should I message him/her first?
• I wonder how he/she thinks the date went?
• Is there going to be a second date?
• Was it too forced?
• Damn, I shouldn’t have gone commando.

To be plain and simple, always step outside your comfort zone. If you’re the type to wait on a text or call- do the opposite. I urge you to take risks. Self doubt, over-thinking and uncertainty will eat you alive. Put your ego aside and step up. I’ve always been the type to wait and let things happen naturally. Unfortunately, this isn’t hair growth. So now, I’ve been keeping the lines of communication open. It’s the only way to determine if a second date happens or not.

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Dating can be fun, but it can also be stressful. Love is something we are all searching and hoping to find one day. It allows you to put your trust, heart and soul into someone else’s hands- no wonder it’s so hard to find. So be patient and understand the likelihood of finding ‘the one’ in one date, is slim. Just keep going at it!

On a more serious note, I’m still single so the effectiveness of these steps are yet to be determined. But I hope you guys had a good read anyhoo! Remember, keep it classy.

Stay Irie,

Coconuts & Caviar

Chapter One- Flight to Trinidad

Okay guys, so as promised, I will be posting every day whilst on my trip to Trinidad.

Currently, I’m at Pearson Int’l. Man, what a hectic day. In true Trini fashion, I did everything last minute. From packing to buying gifts. After finishing work, I went straight to the mall. Which might I add, was packed as hell.

After shopping, you know I needed to clean up ’cause boy, oh boy was I in dire need of a haircut. Once I finished all of that, I packed my suitcases and left for Pearson!

Quick story. I was originally in economy but the guests services agent felt persuaded enough to bump me up a bit. How nice. Must’ve been the cleaning up hehe.

I’m about to board but I’ll talk to you guys once I land! See you soon Trinidad!

                            Stay Irie,
                     Coconuts & Caviar

Update Alert!

Hellooo to all my followers, readers and occasional macos (Trini term for someone that is extra inquisitive aka, nosy), just a quick update on some things to look out for. The blog, so far, has been an amazing step. It’s not only an avenue to say what I feel, it’s also an avenue to make other people laugh. I seek to spread love, laughter & wisdom. With the new year approaching, I’ve been working on a number of things coconuts & caviar-related.

Firstly, expect a new look coming verrrrry soon! I be workin’ y’all. I’m constantly trying to find ways to make this blog feel more like myself. In doing so, I hope to make every reader feel relaxed. With this improved appearance, I’m positive you’d get a better impression and understanding of what Coconuts & Caviar is all about.

The new year will be the start of a new series! I would like to say the name of it, buttttt no spoilers over here sugar.  Just know it’ll be something for both the ladies and the gents. So excited I could piss myself.

Lastly, I am going on a trip to Trinidad soon. As you know, the blog started solely because I left T&T to pursue a more fulfilling life. With this trip, I think it’s the best opportunity to give all my readers a taste of my little twin island republic. As such, I will be blogging every single day of my trip; uploading images, posts and videos to show you guys. I know, I know. You’re probably gonna get fed up of seeing me (boo hoo). But, I promise it’ll be worth the read.

Thanks again guys, for reading, dropping comments, emails, everything! It’s been amazing and I can’t wait for you to see some more. Until then…

Stay Irie,

Coconuts & Caviar

How To- Party When I Have Work Tomorrow.

Listen, we have all been there. When you have friends like myself, partying is no longer a weekend activity; it becomes something that can be done at any point during the week. In my younger days, *ahem*, the weekend started Wednesday, with events taking place from then till Sunday. Parties are not only happening during the week, they are no longer restricted to being at night. One of the thing I pride myself in being, is Trinbagonian. We trini’s have party in our DNA. After all, we do host one of the most anticipated international events- Carnival. Anyway, enough of that, let’s get down to business!

If you’re a working individual, there are times you may end up in sticky situations. Should you party when there’s work the next day? My answer to that, is fuck yes! I’m all about having a good ole time. I must say however, these things need to be planned because there are certain rules that need to be followed in order to survive.

1. Preparation

I think preparing yourself for work helps to reduce the amount of things you have to do the next morning when you wake up feeling like a shit stick. Pack your lunch, some headache medication and an extra bottle of water. Also prepare your outfit for work, so as soon as you get up it’s just the basics that need to be done. While a lot of people may do this on a regular, I honestly don’t. So I’m clearly screwed and have to work a little extra. Have everything in order so that it’s bang bang, boom boom and you’re out the door in no time!

2. Rest

Getting enough rest is so key, because you know that night you’re getting next to no sleep. The days leading up to your night of gyration, I say sleep; sleep like a mother f*cker. Personally, anywhere and any time I can get shut eye, I will. Furthermore, if you’re NOT  morning person like myself, getting enough sleep helps me to not be such a douche the morning after my night out. I would provide all these scientific reasons as to why you need enough rest, but honestly I don’t know any- so just do it.

3. Ensure you eat right!

I learned this the hard way. In my amateur partying days, I never ate before I went out. The fuck was wrong with me? If you intend on guzzling down alco like its fucking free, then I suggest you eat before going out. For me, it helps in two ways. One, I don’t have to throw up and embarrass myself, because let me tell you, I ain’t cute when I barf. Secondly, I can drink a lot more without feeling drunk. The tipsy feeling I enjoy; like I can conquer the world! But drunk me is a hot ass mess.

4. Hydrate yourself….with water.

Yes, yes. Keeping yourself hydrated is also very important. I like to drink a lot of water before I go out. I don’t only drink the day of, but I ensure I’m hydrating myself enough on the days prior to. If you party hard, then drinking a lot of fluid will definitely help you out! As the night winds down, I suggest you start drinking more water and less alcohol. Regulate your consumption, please guys. It’ll help to make you feel less shitty when you get up for work.

5. Set your damn alarm!

The number of times I have gotten through 1-4 and failed at 5, is endless. Usually my body knows when to get up, but on a night like this, I can’t rely on that shit. Please, I beg you, set that alarm. In order to successfully pass this “how to- party when I have work tomorrow”, you actually need to get up and go to work. Not only must you set your alarm, use the most annoying ringtone. For me, its Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani (love you Gweni).

There you go guys, my 5 tips on surviving a night of partying during the work week. While there are others that may also be considered important, these are my go-to’s. If everything else fails, I stick to this plan. I hope that it helps you to enjoy a night of hip-gyrating, fist pumping, and make-out making!

Stay Irie,

Coconuts and Caviar

The Puzzle of Life.

July 21st was my last post, and since then A LOT has happened. From losing friends, to the death of an extremely close family member- I was very much blindsided.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but you never really believe something unless you truly experience it. With that said, life is unexpected. So much so that in my case, it didn’t rain, it poured. This is definitely not a pity post; a lot of people are going through much worse than I am. Trials are there to not only remind you that life is real, but to provide perspective. Sometimes the slightest change can shift your energy to something so negative. That’s when you have to refocus and take control of what you once lost. There are so many factors that can contribute to a negative shift in focus. Death, school, work, money woes, losing of a friend, and relationships are some to name a few. I, however, urge you to never regret anything that happens; take it all in stride. For you will one day see that it was only a piece to the puzzle. This puzzle we call life.

Although I have placed a piece into the puzzle I probably didn’t want to see, I’m 100% grateful for it. That’s one step closer to completion.  Hopefully, if you’re reading, you can find comfort in knowing that a rough patch is a single piece to this huge puzzle. Day by day, as you continue to complete the puzzle, be positive and have faith. It gets better.

Look out for my next full blog on Carnival costume favorites for 2015! Until then….

Stay Irie,

Coconuts & Caviar

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Carnival Band Launch Season- Coconuts and Caviar Style

Can you guys hear it? No, seriously can you? Well I definitely hear it! It’s the sound of everyone hitting the gym because Carnival is rolling around! Not only is band launch season a reminder to us fat asses that we need to lose some, it’s also a reminder to get your liver checked, get your clothes ready and rounds up ya crew!

Although I am not partaking of the season this year, I must give my two cents as to what I like thus far and typical band launch season culture.

So far, only a handful of bands have launched their designs for Carnival 2015. I must say I am generally impressed with a few, whilst others have me wondering if they used designs from a kiddies design competition. Being male, the options aren’t too vast, but I mean c’mon! Anyway, let me save that for later.

Harts, Passion, Tribe & Bliss are the few bands that have launched so far. Bands such as IslandPeople Mas, Yuma, Fantasy and Paparazzi Carnival have yet to launch. From the ones that I have seen, I am generally pleased. With the exception of a few that left me dumbfounded, I can see a lot of pleased masqueraders come Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Now, disclaimer- I am NO Carnival pro; I am strictly stating my opinion.

Out of Passion Carnival, my favorite section hands down, is Red Indians. A lot of people will look at the costume and wonder WHY are there so many colors, and so on and so on. What is overlooked, in my opinion (doh beat meh), is the intricacy of the design; the beading, the technique of it. Granted every designer puts a great amount of time and effort into what they create, I say hats off to you Ms. Tobye Gill for that design. The styling was on point and the concept was dead on. I even moreso loved the male costume. It was well executed and different from what we usually see for us male masqueraders. I’m glad you did not decide to put us in some shiny gold material, with 4 beads and a feather- thank you!

Passion Carnival

Section: Red Indians

Designer: Tobye Melissa Gill

Photographer: Eustace Dyer Photography

Makeup by Mario

Another one of my favorites came from the ever so talented, Solange Govia. Frankly, anything she touches is gold to me. She can do no wrong in my book. Her section for Bliss, Firefly, caught my eye instantly! Although people are chattering about it being reminiscent of her Hawkeye design (2014), it is still a lot more endearing than some costumes that showed the same night.

Bliss 

Section: Firefly

Designer: Solange Govia

This is just the beginning. With large bands Yuma, IP and Fantasy still to show, the options are endless. I have a feeling some surprises are going to take place! With that said I hope you, your crew and bank account are all ready to tun up! Look out for my full review once all bands have launched. Don’t like the costumes I chose? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know which you rather wine down low in 😉 …

 

Stay Irie,

Coconuts & Caviar

Let the Detox Begin!

Tried this and it actually does make you FEEL better. I say try the darn thing!

Faces

The Beat of my Art

I love faces. I love how you can create a story just by seeing a face. Where have they been? Who are they? When I photograph people I want the image to be more than technically correct. I want expression to give more than that blank stare look we see so often on models faces.

Intrigue your viewers. Make them look twice or longer than two seconds.

Thank you to my lovely models (from top to bottom) Kaitlyn Hawkins, Thania Madere, and Nicolle Sims 🙂

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