Amour Creole Magazine by Amour Creole Magazine

engaging ❘

empowering ❘

enlightening

FALL 2011

Speaking CreoLe, priDe or shAme?

Look Younger with or without

Jason Derulo Doesn’t ssleep Alone

surgery

6 waYS for a

triMMer bodY

StruggLing to senD Money hoMe

the truth to Dating Caribbean Men

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

818/981.2000 w w w . c a s a c a r s . c o m

Our home is your home...

in the 2009 Cadillac CTS

CASA 14401

CADILLAC

Ventura Sher man

Boulevard, Oaks

FALL 2011

JaSon

Grit and Sacrifice Pay off for

Derulo 44

See Page

contents FALL 2011

Cover Stories 16

Look Younger with or without surgerY

the truth to Dating Caribbean Men

Jason DeruLo: grit anD suCCess

boost Your brain Power

sPeaking CreoLe: the Debate

struggLing to senD MoneY hoMe

fallinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for fall trenDS The three hottest fall trends, straight from New York Fashion Week

cariBBean inter national faShion week fa 26 all eyeS on karizma

Volcanic aSh, a wonDer remeDy?

New compas band debuts album

From detox pills to face masks, bentonite clay is worth a try.

Shampooing without the water

finDing magic in the StreetS of Barcelona 36 are you my huSBanD? 41 5 way w S to keep your woman happy

Amour Creole â?&#x2DC;

FALL 2011

41 5 way w S to keep your woman happy

Expert advice from comedian Haitian V, someone who has no idea what he’s talking about

51 cut calorieS on fa faV aVorite fall f fooDS 53 no-coSt fun for familieS

Need some quality time to reconnect with the kids? Give these simple activities a try.

62 65 Small Dietary changeS offer Big health BooStS

frito BaStien: painting life’S memorieS

perSonal finance inance 101 Don’t overlook the benefits of these basic money tips.

56 Quick fixeS to Sa SaVe time anD Sanity

reBuilDing haiti one artiSan at a time

70 Delightful fall recipeS 74 Vault café: a ta t Ste of haiti

in new york

FALL 2011 ❘

Amour Creole

F A L L 2 0 1 1 I ss u e 3 Esther Lafontant - Founder/Publisher Melissa St. Giles-

Creative Director

Maribeth Conway - Editorial Director Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste - Managing Editor Mariama Keita - Features Editor Tyeshamarie Allen - Editorial Assistant

Marketing Director

Fannie Rosario Contributing writers

Contributing Make-up Artists

Marketing Intern

Vania Andre Nicole Callander Chrissy Callahan N. Weinstein Vlad Calixte Elizabeth Hughes Danielle Walker Sarah Spigelman Husband Hunter Eboyne Jackson Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians

Suzie Thompson Acacia McNeil

Richa Gupta Editorial Intern

Cover Stylist

Tracy Lamery

April Roomet Food Stylist Contributing Photographers

Brian Samuels

Brian Samuels Brian Doxey James Minchin III

Copy Editor

M. Bhekani

Copyright 2011 by Amour Creole Media Group, Inc. Amour Creole is published quarterly. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Amour Creole Magazine is a registered trademark of Amour Creole Media Group, Inc. 10 Post Office Sq. 8th Flr., Boston, MA 02109 For subscription inquiries, please visit us at www.amourcreole.com, Write to Amour Creole Magazine, P.O. Box 961666, Boston MA 02196. Phone: (617) 286-4994

Amour Creole â?&#x2DC;

FALL 2011

A NOTE FROM THE PuBLISHER

A Bump in the Road I was so excited. We had just finished wrapping our best issue yet, the one in your hands. Not only had we landed Jason Derulo for the cover story, but he gave us an honest and tender interview. And we’d been cultivating a team of great writers and reporters — people who understand the issues facing Caribbean-Americans. Everything was comcom ing together. Our Facebook fans had been pouring in, national advertisers were taking notice and quite frankly, the magazine was starting to look darn good! But then chaos hit. A confusion at the bank resulted in a frozen account, magazines were held up at loading docks, writers were waiting to get paid and then, my car got towed. I wanted to give up. I finally faced the haunthaunt ing thoughts constantly lurking beneath the surface. It all seemed like too much work, too much stress, too much worry and, in a tough economy, too much of my hard-earned personal savings. I knew the statistics for a new business, especially a new magazine. I knew the odds. But that inner voice, the one that propels me each morning, wouldn’t hush. The voice that tells advertisers Caribbean-Americans are a distinct and valuable market. The voice that knows we have our own history, our own questions and our own dreams…we

just want them heard. I believe this so passionately that in the past year I have mustered more courage, hope and determination than I knew I had. The kind words, positive reviews and support so many of you have given inspires me in the hardest of times. I’m now asking if maybe you can help a bit more in a few small ways. Recommend our magazine to a friend. Or buy a subscription as a holiday gift – it’s $14.97 for a year of entertainment and insightful information that reflects our community. Visit the Amour Creole Web site. Comment on stories so advertisers can hear your voice. Share article links with friends. “Like” us on Facebook. Spread the word about the good work we do in any creative way you can think of ! We want to be your voice, and with your help, our voice can be amplified. My hope is that one day soon Amour Creole will be a symbol of unity for Caribbean-Americans - a symbol of pride and a way for us to come together. We have limited resources, a tiny but dedicated staff and many volunteer writers and business professionals, but we see the possibilities. I’m sure you’ve noticed the recent improvements in both the magazine and AmourCreole.com.

In spite of the challenges, I know the best is yet to come! I thank every reader who took the time to e-mail, call or write with words of encouragement. I created Amour Creole for you, for all of us, so we can wear our colorful ancestry with pride, share our successes and continue to build happy and fulfilling lives. We love your feedback – whether you agree, disagree, have a story idea or just want to say hi. Please drop me a note at: publisher@amourcreole.com.

Esther Lafontant FounDer/publisher

FALL 2011 ❘

Amour Creole

Amour ❘ Y O U R O P I N I O N

Amour Creole asked, you answered

HeAr wHAt reAders HAd to sAy.... do you Speak Creole?

WHere iS your dream vaCation?

5% barely

8y2eu% rope

a of readers s vacation m a is their dre

Which is your

South aamerica

13% no

11%

80% yes

aaustralia

Sex and relationships

favorite magazine SeCtion?

12%

Health

15%

money

15%

fashion and entertainment

58%

WHat iS your favorite Caribbean food?

73% say Haitian food is

their top choice when it comes to Caribbean dining

jamaican 12% trinidadian 2% Cuban 2% all of the above 11%

2% only at home

WHat iS your biggeSt fear about Sending money baCk Home? they will spend it foolishly 0% they hey will become financially dependent 29% i have no fears 71%

WHat do you enjoy SHopping for tHe moSt? Clothes 50% Shoes 30% Home goods 8% Skin care products 8% other 4%

Have you read tHe Summer 2011 iSSue of amour Creole?

30% no

70% yes

WHat StreSSeS you moSt day-to-day?

money 57% relationships elationships 25% Health 8% other 10%

Want to share your opinions for the next issue of Amour Creole? “Like” us on Facebook and look out for our polls.

Amour Creole ❘

FALL 2011

Amour ❘ B E A U T Y

stained lips

fallin’

for fall

While sexy red lips have been making a serious comeback on the runways for several seasons, this year they got some major competition from stained lips in deep shades. Wine-colored lips reigned supreme at major shows such as Carolina Herrera and offered a perfect, low-maintenance option for fall. As the temperatures drop, it’s time to ditch soft summer shades and opt for a sultry, deeper color in a lower maintenance stain.

trends

the three hottest fall trends, straight from new York fashion Week By Chrissy Callahan

Let’s face it, welcoming fall isn’t nearly as exciting as saying hello to spring or summer. To be sure, autumn brings colorful foliage and cool breezes, but old man winter tends to follow right on its heels. Still the changing of seasons does offer us a little excitement: new beauty trends! Every season, the top talent in fashion and cosmetics show off their latest creations. Amour Creole spotted tons of fresh fall looks backstage at New York Fashion Week, and we’re sharing a few of our favorites. As you settle in for brisk days and longer nights, take a few minutes to switch up your routine with these sure-to-be hot trends.

Stained wine lips ruled the runway at several shows, including Carolina Herrera.



Photos courtesy of Beautypress.com

Amour Creole ❘

FALL 2011

Amour ❘ B E A U T Y

the

Absolute Best optIons For Looking Younger From sunbloCk to surgery, we’ve got you Covered

By Chrissy Callahan

When it comes to looking younger, some women will do anything to reach that eternal fountain of youth. And though we can’t really turn back the clock on our age, the cosmetics industry offers a wide range of techniques to help us play a few tricks on Father Time. With so many options, it can be intimidating to determine what treatments will work best for you. Fear not! Amour Creole has consulted New York City board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic dermatologic surgeon Dr. Ariel Ostad and Dr. Bruce Katz, director of New York’s JUVA Skin and Laser Center, to determine the best options for achieving younger-looking skin, eyes and lips. To help readers of every budget, we’ve included both surgical options and less invasive options.

It is important to remember that dermatological treatments are highly specialized and do present varying degrees of health risks. For your safety, always seek out certified professionals for any procedure. Check with your state department of health or consumer affairs to learn how to find a qualified service provider.

Amour Creole ❘

FALL 2011

Amour ❘ F A s h i o n

Kazz Forbes for Saint GeorGe faShion houSe

“Keeping with the aesthetics of the Saint George Fashion House brand, the dress is a true representation of edgy, sexy and bold,” Forbes said. “Perfect for that red carpet event.” V-Neck Organza Dress from Saint George Fashion House’s ‘Le Caicos Chic: A Romance with Decadence’ Collection. Jewelry by Alicia Shulman.

“With a daring deep-scoop neckline, vibrant and lustrous fabric—if one is looking for the perfect little black dress, this is a must have,” said Forbes. A-line Mini Silk Shantung Cocktail Dress from Saint George Fashion House’s ‘Le Caicos Chic: A Romance with Decadence’ Collection. Jewelry by Alicia Shulman. Photo by Champion Hamilton.

Kazz Forbes is a noted fashion designer based in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

A m o u r FA sh i o n

Amour ❘ F A s h i o n

SEvy BagS

Love $225

by Severe Erase

Designer Severe Erase’s first handbag was created in her bedroom and funded with twenty dollars borrowed from her mother. She was tired of not finding bags that were both practical and trendy. As the daughter of two tailors, rase knew the value of fine craftmanship. Now she uses the richest leathers a nd softest textures to blend necessity and creativity into her timeless pieces. Erase says she’s inspired by the everyday woman, but aims to bring back the concept of the lady displaying femininity and poise. Visit www.sevybags.com to purchase.

Peeclees $456

Rouge $220 - mention Amour Creole And get 15% off. This bag was featured in Instyle UK and worn by Garcelle Beauvais and Alex McCord, of Real Housewives of New York City. It’s Sevy’s most popular bag.

Dlo $522 FALL 2011 ❘

Amour Creole

Amour â?&#x2DC; E n t E r t A i n m E n t

All EyEs oN

KArIzmA New compas band debuts album

Interview by Karl-lydie Je

an-Baptiste

(l-r) Karizma lead singer Emmery Etienne, guitarist Jean Napoleon (Jay R) and keyboardist Roody Delpe

Amour ❘ E n t E r t A i n m E n t

sprinkle of pop and a hint of R&B are two ingredients mixed into Day One, the debut album by compas band Karizma. This young band hit the music scene hard this past summer in a tour across Haiti that included performances with Kreyol La, Harmonik and T-Micky. For those unfamiliar with compas, the genre is derived from Haitian meringue and has been around since the mid-1800s. Lead singer Emmery Etienne and band manager Rene Devis formed Karizma after splitting from 1st Klass. Six months later, they were joined by Jean Napoleon (Jay R), Roody Delpe, Marvens Bastien, Kevin Mazile, Davidson Bastien and Marshall Jeanty. All born-and-bred New Yorkers, with New Jersey native Jay R filling out the group, the Karizma guys are bringing their young compas flavor to cities across the United States. They may be young and new to the compas scene, but once they hit the stage, Karizma sounds like they’ve been performing for years. Amour Creole recently caught up with Etienne for an update… AC: Why did you decide to form a compas band and not an R&B group? Emmery Etienne: I love compas music. That’s kind of what I grew up listening to and I love all genres. I do plan on incorporating different genres into our music. We’ve added some to [Day One]. How difficult was it to get started? For me it was hard because when you have a lot of people who don’t believe in you, that have doubts in what you’re doing, it’s going to be a little harder. Although I came from a previous band, I didn’t get that much experience from that band. As we all know, our Haitian people sometimes tend not to follow [or appreciate] new things. It’s starting to get easier because our name is out there. People are anticipating. They want to see what’s next for the group. And they want to hear the album. What sets Karizma apart from other compas groups? It starts with the name “Karizma” which in our case means swag or unique. Also the way we play our music. We add a little R&B flavor to our music and a little pop to our up-tempo songs.

What’s your song writing process? You just got to have a focus and vision for what you’re trying to do. You basically have to know what you’re writing about and what your public wants. It’s all about what the public wants and the people that are following. What inspires you to write music? To me anything that makes sense, anything that has a definition, anything that’s explainable…has some meaning behind it. Tell me about your first live show last spring. We had a packed house. Our set was good. I was satisfied. I’m pretty sure everybody else was satisfied also. It was mixed [feedback]. Like I said there’s always room for improvement. Critics could be good, critics could be bad depending on how you take it. So far from the ladies, they loved it. I always ask the females, “What do you guys think?” And don’t lie to me. Were you nervous about performing in Haiti? I was a bit nervous, but when I saw the crowd’s reaction when I got on stage then I felt more relaxed and comfortable. It’s exciting performing with more established groups like Kreyol La and Harmonik. The exposure is better and it’s a better environment. Have you seen anything in Haiti that has inspired you to write new songs? I’ve seen a lot of things that inspire me to write, specifically the lifestyle – the living conditions. I take it you guys want to be able to cross over into American charts? Yeah, that’s one of our focuses. On the album we have an R&B song, Took A Risk, fully in English. Karizma’s debut album Day One is available online at CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes. Their first single Avel M’Relax gives listeners the unshakable urge to drop everything and dance. Watch for their upcoming shows this fall. AC EDITED AND CONDENSED BY AMOUR AMOUR CREOLE.

Etienne started the band Jay R on the guitar Marshall Jeanty strums the bass FALL 2011 ❘

Amour Creole

Amour ❘ s e x & R e L A t i o n s h i p s

5 Ways To Keep Your Woman Happy Expert advice from comedian Haitian V, someone who has no idea what he’s talking about

Get rid of the other woman.

Now get rid of the other other woman.

Compliment her, even if she’s fallen off. For example, try saying “Nice eyebrows, Hunny.”

Buy her nice things.

I said buy HER nice things. Now take back the 46” LED TV.

Vlad Calixte, also known as Haitian V, is an actor and comedian based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Calixte is a master of West Indian accents, and his comedy sketches have received more than four million views on YouTube. He eyes comedic legends Will Smith, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx as the definition of professional success. Follow Calixte on Twitter @JustVlad

›

Amour ❘ C u Lt u r e

Art Artist tool Drive

Gallery known for featuring Caribbean artists, now sending tools to Haiti An old saying goes that “if you give a Haitian a tool, he will build something with it.” Galerie Lakaye in Los Angeles is calling out for tools to send to artists living in Haiti so they can create new works. Donated tools can be for handymen or artists including hammers, drills, brushes and screwdrivers. Donations can be used or new, large or small, manual or electric and will be accepted until November 1. If you don’t live in the area but would still like to donate, financial sponsors are needed to help cover shipping costs to Port-au-Prince. Set in a 1900s Craftsmanstyle home, the 20-year-old gallery displays works from the finest Caribbean artists. For more information visit www.galerielakaye.com or call (323) 460-7333. Send tool donations or checks to Galerie Lakaye, 1550 N. Curson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046.

DocumentAry Harlem’s mart 215: tHe american Dream In this dynamic and thought-provoking documentary, a retail store is a metaphor for this historic New York community’s gentrification from the 1960s to today and a neighborhood’s quest to achieve success. Haitian-American director Rachelle Salnave offers a microcosmic analysis of the displacement of Black American communities and examines the importance of entrepreneurial spirit and land ownership in obtaining the American Dream. In the film, street vendors, residents and community leaders in Harlem’s main commercial district describe the complexities in crusading for revitalization and urban renewal. To find or host a screening or for more information, visit www.harlemmart125.com

Film “Lift Up” WiLL Raise YoUR spiRits In Haiti, the wind comes in the spring and rooftops are filled with people of all ages flying kites. More than just a children’s pastime; kite flying is a deepseated tradition. On Good Friday it becomes difficult to make out the sky behind the sheet of colors bobbing in the air. For these indomitable people, the kites have come to signify hope and rebirth. In ”Lift Up,” brothers and filmmakers Clifford Muse and Huguens Jean return to their native Haiti to pay final respects and fulfill a promise to their grandfather, Andre Torchon, who passed away shortly after the 2010 earthquake. Muse and Jean bring a kite to memorialize their grandfather. Quake survivors highlighted in the film provide pieces to be added to the kite. When the kite is flown at the 2010 Smithsonian Kite Festival in Washington, D.C., it is clear that the firmly grasped string represents the tie

that binds those down below to their loved ones up above. This heartwarming documentary shines a light on the faces and souls of Haiti as the country strives to lift itself up from the ashes of tragedy. For upcoming screenings, to host a screening or for more information visit www.liftupmovie.com.

FALL 2011 ❘

Amour Creole

Jason

Grit and Sacrifice Pay Off fOr

Derulo By EBoyné Jackson

Amour Creole ❘

FALL 2011

t started with a pickup basketball game. For one of today’s brightest stars, the path to fame began on a New York City court. Twelve-year-old Jason Derulo was shooting hoops when he asked bystander Frank Harris, “Hey mister, can you play in our game?” Fast forward almost a decade, and that chance meeting has grown into a successful and unexpected partnership. Derulo, now 21, took five honors at this year’s Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Awards, including songwriter of the year. He is the first male artist in the Billboard pop songs radio airplay chart’s 17-year-history to score two consecutive No. 1 hits with “In My Head” and “Whatcha Say.” His third single “Ridin’ Solo” was certified double platinum in the United States. As for Harris — he’s been Derulo’s manager for seven years. __________ ▲ __________ “I always said that one day I would be a star,” said Derulo. “Although it didn’t happen exactly as I planned.” His voice has a soft Creole inflection. Born Jason Desrouleaux in Miami to Haitian parents, he changed the spelling of his stage name to make for easier pronunciation. At the age of five, he vowed to take over the world with his music. “I wrote my first song ‘Crush on You’ when I was eight years old, inspired by this girl I had a crush on. What better gift than to write her a love song?” he said, laughing. While his peers played ball in Miami’s streets, Derulo impersonated Michael Jack Jackson in his bedroom mirror. His parents enrolled him in the Dillard Center for the Arts, a high school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he studied piano, jazz and musical theater. Derulo then moved on to New York’s prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy, studying opera, theater and ballet. 46

Amour Creole ❘

FALL 2011

Focusing firmly on his dreams, Derulo adopted an insatiable work ethic. Peers often viewed him as an introverted perfectionist, but he knew success in the music industry meant discipline and sacrifice. “I kept to my myself and did my music,” he explained. “That’s just my personality. I was in a performing arts school with a lot of other people who did the same thing that I did. I had to keep an edge over [them],” he said. __________ ▲ __________ While school provided Derulo with expert musical training, Frank Harris provided the industry contacts. “One day Jason said to me, ‘I wrote a song, check it out,’” said Harris. At that point he was unaware of Derulo’s skills off the basketball court. “I didn’t know what to expect. But when he starting singing, I was shocked.” Then a law student, Harris had connections to top music executives. At age 14, Derulo hired him as his manager and hit the recording studios. Two years later, he landed his first songwriting gig with a major recording artist and soon was writing for stars like Diddy, Lil Wayne and Sean Kingston. Though he was thrilled by his early success, Derulo still dreamed of a singing career. “It was hard. People didn’t want to help someone who was on the come up, you know?” he said, laughing. “So I would be like, ‘Hey, why don’t we write a song for this person,’ when in actuality I wanted to make the song so I could put it on my demo.” In 2006, Derulo thought he landed his big break - a coveted spot at the Showtime at the Apollo season finale. Taking to the stage to sing a soulful rendition of “Love” by Musiq Soulchild, Derulo followed tradition and rubbed his sweaty palms against the theater’s legendary wooden stump for luck. He snatched the grand prize that night. “It was a fantastic moment for me,” he said. “I thought … it would be my big break like on Ameri-

_______ ▲ _______

In HIs Words:

“When a woman bites the side of her lip, for some reason it’s really sexual. You can’t really do that without it being sexual.” “A turn-off is a woman that can’t hold a conversation. I like to hold intelligent conversations.” “When I was younger, I always kept to myself and did my music. Some people didn’t get that then and ’til this day, people still don’t. That can be one be one of the toughest things, especially when it’s mistaken for being cocky or trying to be a jerk and be distant, but that’s just really my personality.”

can Idol.” But it wasn’t. Derulo still couldn’t get signed to a record label. It took another three years before Derulo caught the attention of J.R. Rotem, a producer who’s worked with artists like Britney Spears and Rihanna. Rotem flew him to Los Angeles for a jam session and was impressed when Derulo knocked out six songs in one session. “J.R. got me right away,” said Derulo, who eventually inked a record deal with Rotem. “But I couldn’t let myself get overly

don’t miss your chance to have

Amour Creole

delivered to your home.

e ✴ Premier issu

✴

engaging ❘

Amour Creole FAsHIon - EntERtAInMEnt - CuLtuRE

empowering ❘

enlightening

MARCH/APRIL 2009

the Economy:

Look Great in

How its effecting our

your Clothes!

community

s: RelationshipFrom

Workout tips for a shapely physique

the making of an X R&B

to Roots,

HigH BLood PRessuRe

We’ve got the music to make you move

is killing the Haitian community

WHat you need to knoW

keover ClosettoMa go from

us fab to fabulo bank

Five ways

without breaking the

Survivor stories life after cancer Beauty Tips: 5 Steps to Flawless Skin

10 to look your best on a budget

JimmyDawn A Richard Jean-Louis

his Rmisee to fa

Katia Ca det: Grammy - nominated our writer steps out on brothers her own &sisters

beauty & fitness tips

Exclusive:

from Danity Kane

Talks about her Haitian roots and whether she will go solo

Manouschka Guerrier: Chef to the stars cooking

cry out for help in Haiti

$4.50 US $5.50 CAN $3.25 Haiti

Relationship: Are you my husband?

Quick Tricks

to Shed Pounds

Expanding economic opportunities

in HAITI

up sweet success

summer 2011

Haiti $4.50 US $5.50 CAN $3.25