Dazzle Magazine Issue 25

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Issue 25

Charlotte Cooper

By Charlie’s Event Planning Passion Turns Events into Works of Art

Andra Allen-Joseph Honouring the Inner You to Reveal Your Outer Beauty Up Close and Personal with Riddim Master

Lashley Winter

Kendell ‘Scady’ Eugene ‘I Love What I Do’

Choosing the Smart Speaker that’s Right For You

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Kendell

‘Scady’ Eugene ‘I Love What I Do’ pg. 32

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from the publisher

A

ccording to the Oxford dictionary, an entrepreneur is defined as one who sets up a business, taking financial risk in hope of a profit. In order to do this one has to be extremely focused and disciplined. The journey to success can be unforgiving, exhausting, time consuming, stressful, fun at times but above all, rewarding.

Over the past few years the conversations that Dazzle Magazine has had with featured entrepreneurs have all been inspiring. Some of them took their hobby and transformed it into a business. Others saw there was a societal need and introduced a product or service to fill that void. The featured professionals have also been exceptional. Their single-minded determination to succeed in their field is quite admirable.

Creativity, confidence and determination are the attributes that distinguish the individuals featured in Issue 25. Their stories will take you on an inspirational journey and give you a better appreciation of what they have accomplished and how they contribute to the economic development of their country.

I wish you a happy read and thank you for supporting Dazzle Magazine.

Please feel free to “Like� or leave feedback on our Facebook page or Instagram pages @dazzlethemag.

Rankin Morgan Publisher/Managing Editor

Dazzle Magazine is a dynamic Saint Lucian bi-monthly publication that provides muchneeded exposure to young professionals and entrepreneurs, and established businesses. It covers an array of topics and categories key to starting and running a business. It also offers practical advice on everyday living, tips for a healthy lifestyle and interviews with popular and up-and-coming personalities.

Dazzle Magazine is designed to appeal to a diverse range of readers but is especially targeted at working professionals and business owners between the ages of 21-50 years. We provide our advertising clients with value for money by offering them a powerful medium to market their products, offer deals and build their brand. Best of all, we give them the opportunity to be a part of a nationwide and online marketplace of actively engaged consumers who are ready to buy, all at an affordable price.

To advertise in Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone (758) 452 0123 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information and terms and conditions.

table of

contents Features 16. Charlotte Cooper - By Charlie’s Event Planning Passion Turns Events into Works of Art 26. Andra Allen - Joseph - Honouring the Inner You to Reveal Your Outer Beauty 32. Kendell ‘Scady’ Eugene - ‘I Love What I Do’ 40. Lashley Motto Winter - Up Close and Personal with Riddim Master

Publisher Rankin Morgan Editor Tony Williams Sales & Marketing Huanna Leon Alana M.I Morgan Art Director Aldrin Henry

411 20. 2018 Massy United Insurance Schools Under-19 Final 24. St. Lucia’s Carnival Queen Pageant – the Inside Story!

Contributors Sydel Charles Nadège Knight Imran St. Brice Massy Insurance Vivre La Belle

Professional Progress 14. A Simple Guide to Stepping Up Professionally 38. Fresh Biz

Photography Waynedell Flermius Randel Harry Aldrin Henry

Mastering Marketing 30. 6 Ways to Master the Art of Marketing Health & Fitness 10. Add Some Beets to Your Diet Lifestyle 22. Vivre La Belle presents Brow 101 36. Recap Eating In 47. Apple Cinnamon Crumble Cake Gadget & Gizmos 44. Choosing the Smart Speaker that’s Right For You Out & About 48. Out & About Instagram 50. St. Lucia Carnival Queen 2018

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Issue 25

Charlotte Cooper

By Charlie’s Event Planning Passion Turns Events into Works of Art

Andra Allen-Joseph Honouring the Inner You to Reveal Your Outer Beauty Up Close and Personal with Riddim Master

Lashley Winter

Kendell ‘Scady’ Eugene ‘I Love What I Do’

Choosing the Smart Speaker that’s Right For You

On the Cover Kendell Eugene

Try me!

contact us

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For more information visit us at www.dazzlethemag.com or call us at 758.452.0123

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We’ve got another interesting food that you should welcome to your diet plan!

B

eets, often called beetroots, are said to be an ancient food that grew naturally along coastlines in North Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Since then, it has been established that they are not just healthy, they are also very useful foods.

Here are the reasons why you should add some beets to your diet.

They help the heart.

Beets contain the nutrient betaine. This nutrient lowers the levels of homocysteine in the body, which can be harmful to the blood vessels. Strokes and heart attacks are less likely to develop as a result.

Beet greens (the leafy part) actually have even more iron than spinach (another leafy green in the same botanical family).

Cancer, meet beets.

Ever wondered why they have their crimson-red colour? That’s down to powerful phytonutrients which also contribute to warding off cancer. In addition, the pigment betacyanins counteracts cancerous cell growth, thereby preventing skin and colon cancer.

Researchers in Hungary have also discovered that beet juice and its powdered form slows down tumour development. Adding a healthy amount of beets to your diet can keep your body cancer-free for a very long time. The natural beta-carotene in beetroot also helps to prevent lung cancer.

Improves liver health.

Beet juice is a super effective detox drink that can help your liver dump damaging toxins and stimulate 10 DAZZLE

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liver cells. This is due to methionine and glycine betaine that help to keep fatty acids from building up.

Use every bit of it.

You may feel inclined to throw away the green leafy tops of your beets, but don’t because these are among the healthiest parts of the plant. Besides containing important nutrients like protein, phosphorus, zinc, fibre, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese, beet greens also supply significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Protects you from premature aging.

Although there are many products on the market that promise to protect your skin from the damage that free radicals cause, beetroot juice does an amazing job protecting from the inside out. The antioxidants in beets protect the skin by neutralizing free radicals.

The lycopene in the juice helps to keep the skin elastic while protecting it from the sun.

So, have you had your beets yet?

//Feature

Charlotte COOPER

By Charlie’s Event Planning Passion Turns Events into Works of Art pg. 16

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DAZZLE 13

A Simple Guide to Stepping Up Professionally

T

here are plenty of articles that one can find in Dazzle Magazine or online about how to progress as a professional. Fear not, we have compiled some quick tips for you to consider on your journey to entrepreneurial success.

Set long and short-term goals You hear it all the time; follow your dreams, achieve your goals. But have you actually sat down and taken the time to plan both the short-term and long-term goals for your business? Newcomers to the field of entrepreneurship often make the mistake of being short-sighted in their decisions. While it sometimes does take a stroke of luck for a long-term venture to pull through, you can increase your chances and be more prepared when you make decisions that will benefit you and your business in the long run.

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So instead of buying something shiny and new that caught your eye today, invest in something that will bring you many returns over time. Even in this, there must be a balance as you would not want to invest everything into a long-term project that may take too long to be rewarding. The key to wise investing is to define realistic, growth oriented, short-term goals that will drive you to meet your long-term goals.

Once you are able to organise your day-to-day tasks in a way that will allow you to realistically get things done, you will have a much better chance at being organised and crossing off projects of a high priority.

Find mentors “You cannot do it alone.” or “No man is an island.”

These adages have been uttered thousands of times before and they probably will be for a long time to come. The fact that they have been passed on for so long means that they are not without merit.

Prioritize organization ‘Prioritise’ and ‘Organise’. Two words you’ve probably heard in your circles before. While they are often spoken of as separate entities, you may find it useful to merge the two by making ‘Organisation’ your ‘Priority’.

It is probably not a good idea to think of a singular task as a top priority worth spending every minute on when other tasks also need to be completed. Instead, you can step up your work efficiency by making the organisation of your tasks a first priority.

Be willing to seek out advice and mentorship from not just one, but a number of persons in your field.

Whether you are self-motivated or not, you would do well to accept the advice of your successors and predecessors.

However, keep in mind that not everything that sounds like well meaning, clever advice is worth giving a shot. Over time you will learn what works for you in your situation. Until then, best of luck to you!

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Charlotte COOPER

By Charlie’s Event Planning Passion Turns Events into Works of Art

W

henever we attend an event, we always look forward to a wellorganized and beautifully decorated occasion, be it a wedding, a family gathering, a dinner or just a normal party.

Planning events require lots of energy, hard work and patience.

In years past, event planning in St. Lucia basically centered on the same theme — tropical flowers, bamboo, you know … the island setting. You saw it everywhere, and it never occurred to most of us how basic it all was; that is, until we finally got a more professional handle on things.

Even then, for many it was — and still is — just another way of making money. However, with ‘By Charlie’ it’s different. They take the ordinary and turn their clients’ events into beautiful, artistic settings.

Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Cooper is the brains behind

By Charlie. Born in London, she established the business after moving to St. Lucia almost five years ago. Although she only acquired permanent residency recently as she married her St. Lucian born husband, St. Lucia has become her home.

We got a chance to chat with Charlie, during which she shared with us her successes and the challenges she’s had to face, including what it’s like being a mother and managing a business.

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Dazzle: What do our readers need to know about

By Charlie?

Charlie: I’m not just a wedding planner. I do full planning, design and everything pertaining to the logistics of an event, anything from a dinner party of ten to a wedding with 400 to 500 people. I have worked as a planner on some of Europe’s largest exhibitions and conferences including London fashion week and the launch and management of my own features at Grand Designs Live and the London Wine and Spirits Fair. I also do product launches, conferences and events for incentive groups who come in for one to two week periods and want a full program of tours.

Although I come from a very academic family, I’m not very academic. When I got to that point in school of having to decide what to do with my life, I genuinely had no idea what I wanted to do. A family friend invited me to come work for her events company. I’ve always been a logical and organized person, and that’s what events management needs. From then on all my work experience revolved around events. I went to Leeds Metropolitan University where I got my degree in event management and public relations.

fun facts Favourite day of the year?

Christmas.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

My family, my child.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

‘Be neither a borrower nor a lender.’ My grandmother told me that.

Your favourite movie?

It changes constantly but right now I would say the Hunger Games Trilogy.

Dazzle: How does your company stand out from the competition?

Charlie: I don’t want to do what they’re seeing. You come to an island wedding and you’re going to see a bamboo canopy with some tropical flowers on it. I don’t want to do that. If that’s what you want, then I’ll say to you, ‘How can we put you in there?’ I want your event to be you. If you have a technology company, why are people filling out forms by hand? Why aren’t they getting electronic tickets and why are they not scanning things? I want to do things that haven’t been done before, so that people who come to my events will be like, ‘Is this St. Lucia?’ People have a

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DAZZLE 17

misconception that St. Lucia is so behind. There’s no reason for it to be this way. Generally, people become comfortable with their clients and they always say, ‘ Next time we’ll do this,’ and when that time comes around, time is limited and they end up doing the same thing. That’s why I never take on more than two jobs a month.

Dazzle: Has your experience here changed you in any way?

Charlie: I’m very used to things happening here and now. If I need something done, I do it right away.

People expect me to be a party girl but I’m really not anymore. They see the kind of job I do and the kind of person I was in London and they automatically think I’m the same person. We’re polar opposites now.

Dazzle: How do you like living and working in St. Lucia?

Charlie: Honestly, it’s not been a walk in the park for me because I was used to living a very city lifestyle.

Now, I prefer to stay home and my life has changed, but if I didn’t have this business it would be very difficult. I always have something doing to keep me distracted. The main thing with business is physical items, and that’s what frustrates me. Everyone seems to have the same stock. In England, I could literally say I’ve got a wedding with a hundred people and every chair needs to be a different colour and within a day I could source that. That’s what I’m used to. My vision, I think, is bigger than what the country has right now.

It’s like when your eyes are bigger than your belly. You just want to keep going but there’s a limit to what you can do.

Dazzle: How do you balance business and motherhood?

Charlie: Starting a business was definitely not the plan at the time [I had my son] and at first it was a little overwhelming. I had to figure out how to fit my business around him, and not fit him into my business.

Dazzle: What’s the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

Charlie: Seeing the clients’ first look at events. I bring them in for a first look — however many there may be, and I say, ‘This is your event.’ When I see their first reaction that, for me, makes everything worth it.

Dazzle: How are you able to keep up with the demands of the job?

Charlie: Patience. Being able to not panic under stress; time management. I have to be very careful with myself. I do too much for people, so I have to find a balance. I also need to find a balance between motherhood and work. I think you just need to find that balance and manage your time effectively.

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Dazzle: Where do you get your inspiration from?

Charlie: Pinterest is my best friend and my worst enemy. People see stuff and they’re like, ‘Look at this wedding.’ It’s a six million dollar wedding and we don’t have six million dollars. People have to be realistic, so I try to limit replicating things. I don’t just want to throw some napkins on a table, I want to know about you. The client is my inspiration.

Dazzle: How do you plan to go about improving yourself and your craft in the future?

Charlie: You have to be honest with yourself after every event, even the small ones. You have to consider what could have been done better. I’ve heard people say, ‘It was fine, the client was fine. They’re happy enough.’ I don’t want them to be happy enough, you know? I want them to be ecstatic. If I know something was meant to happen and it didn’t happen, I look at why. Who was meant to be doing that? Was it me?

You have to be brutally honest and always try to better yourself. If you’re not doing that, then why are you doing this?

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THE TWO TEAMS RECEIVED EC$1,000.00 EACH

2018 Massy United Insurance Schools Under-19 Final

S

ir Arthur Lewis Community College and Entrepot Secondary were forced to share the title as rain intervened to bring an abrupt end to the final of the 2018 Massy United Insurance Under 19 Schools’ Cricket Competition at the Mindoo Philip Park Friday 27th May 2018.

A heavy shower into Sir Arthur's chase left the outfield unplayable, particularly at the bowlers' run ups as the defending champions Sir Arthur chased a modest 92 for victory.

Entrepot Secondary won the toss, decided to bat and struggled to an eventual score of 91 all out off 26.1 overs. That was thanks mainly to a brave middle order knock of bold resistance by left handed batsman Craig Elisee who struck a face saving 32. Entrepot, at one stage, were reeling on 35 for five.

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FAST BOWLER AND MAN OF THE MATCH DUDLEY CHARLES

Doing the early damage was Man of the Match Dudley Charles, who had impressive figures of 5 for 27 in six overs. He was ably supported by Rahym Joseph, who claimed two scalps for 15 runs in eight overs.

In reply, Sir Arthur Lewis raced to 68 for one off 8.3 overs, Captain Dane Edward blasting 45. His team's innings slowed appreciably after his dismissal and after the heavy showers came, his side still needed 24 runs to pull off back to back titles.

Speaking at the end of the match, acting Director of Sports, Patrick Mathurin, commended the sponsors for their commitment to the competition.

Hollis Bristol spoke on behalf of the sponsors and congratulated officials from the Department of Youth

Development and Sports for putting on another year of the competition and both teams for their efforts in reaching the final.

The 2018 competition marked 33 years of unbroken sponsorship by Massy United. Sponsorship of this year’s tournament was to the tune of $25,000 in cash and kind. The finalists were outfitted in Massy uniforms and caps for the occasion. Both winning schools were recipients of a One Thousand Dollar

award for the purchase of cricket gear and an HP Desk Jet Colour printer. Prizes were also presented to all members of both cricket teams and their coaches, to Massy United Man of the Match, Quarter-finals : Hanig Antoine, Choiseul Secondary (Choiseul vs Grande Riviere Secondary), Sanjay Hayle, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC vs Soufriere Comprehensive), Dillon La Force, St Mary’s College (SMC vs Babonneau) and Jaden La Feuille, Entrepot Secondary (Entrepot vs Micoud Secondary); Massy United Man of Match, Semi-finals: Tyrel Chicot, Entrepot Secondary (Entrepot vs Choiseul Secondary) and Kyle Adonis, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC vs SMC) and the Massy United Man of the Match of the finals: Dudley Charles, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC vs Entrepot Secondary),

as well as the organizers and officials from the Department of Youth & Sports.

Massy United also praised sister company, Massy Stores, for their contribution of Massy shopping bags and various food items towards the various gift bags distributed on the occasion.

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DAZZLE 21

Vivre La Belle presents Brow 101

B

rows have proven to be unanimously one of the biggest makeup trends over the years.

From bold to arched to barely there, brows will always play a major role in defining your final look. Brows are the most defining features on the face. They frame the face and give it structure, which is why it’s important to give your arches some TLC every now and then. Like fashion, brow trends are ever changing , in the past few years we’ve encountered The Natural Brow, Feathered Brow, Squiggle brow and the ever so popular Instagram brow, just to name a few. How does one achieve the perfect brow? There are countless brow products on the market from pencils, pomades, gels, powders etc. The perfect brow product depends greatly on the look you’re trying to achieve. If you’re going for a natural “barely there” brow you may reach for a pencil, powder, brow gel (tinted or clear). However if you’re going for a more sculpted bold look, #BrowsOnFleek a pomade, pencil or combination of the two, with a brow gel to keep your strays in place would get the job done. Be sure to pick a shade of brow product that compliments

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your skin tone and also your natural brow hairs. Brow grooming allows your brows to grow into their natural shape and will make it 10x easier for you to fill them in. Here are a few tips on how to groom your brows.

1) Allow them to grow out (6-8 weeks or more) to reach their full potential. The longer the better.

2) After your eyebrows have grown out it will be pretty easy to map out your natural brow shape and trim as necessary.

3) You may visit your beautician for threading/ waxing or pluck out the excess yourself if you have manageable brow. Ensuring not to over pluck your eyebrows.

4) Now that you’ve cleaned up your brows and have a map, stick to it. Your brow shape should suit your face – One size does not fit all 5) Fill in your brows as desired.

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DAZZLE 23

St. Lucia’s Carnival Queen Pageant – the inside story!

E

very year, several beautiful young women vie for the right to be named St. Lucia’s National Carnival Queen and to wear the crown that goes with it.

Without a doubt, carnival in St. Lucia has changed over the years, and so has the Queen Pageant. If you’ve never been to one, you might think it’s simply another beauty pageant. However, it’s much more than that.

We’ve already seen the young ladies chosen for the 2018 Carnival Queen Pageant and just maybe you’ve made up your mind whom you’ll be cheering for.

The pageant has always been a staple of carnival. It brings to the whole revelry an element of elegance, royalty and sophistication that you might not necessarily get with Mas on the road. In addition, the winner goes on to represent St. Lucia at regional pageants. In the absence of a ‘Miss St. Lucia’ competition, the winner of the Carnival Queen Pageant 24 DAZZLE

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will represent her country. It’s one of the reasons for the staging of the National Queen Pageant.

There is a general misconception that the pageant is mainly about ladies parading on a stage, but actually a lot goes on behind the scenes. Those who have attended the event can attest to the fact that participating in it requires a level of intelligence and it’s not something everyone can do. It takes a lot of training. You must be eloquent and be able to walk gracefully in order to be successful at it. It also takes

immense courage to perform in front of a St. Lucian audience, so we should really applaud the contestants for their courage.

In an interview with Dazzle, Leila Williams, the Marketing and Sponsorship Officer for Events Company of St. Lucia Inc. said things are different this year in terms of the planning committee and the operational processes. As she explained, the pageant is being elevated into something that everybody would enjoy watching.

One of the biggest changes for 2018 is that the event will be moving from the National Cultural Center to the Royalton. Although staging it at the new venue may be more challenging, the organizers have determined that the National Cultural Center has outgrown the pageant and they’re now aiming to take it to a new level, a move that is long overdue.

For the first time in the event’s history, the organizers have created a twist. Events St. Lucia is not all about doing the same things repeatedly. They believe it’s always the right time for change, so it was decided that this year is the right time to add a ninth contestant.

“We have a committee of private citizens that we’ve asked to come on board as the pageant committee,

and they do a lot of the planning,” said Leila. “The creativity comes from them and, naturally, we have a part to play in it but it’s us and the committee,” she added.

For an organized and successful show, it’s always best to listen to feedback and act accordingly, Leila asserted.

“After the sashing, many people said that they hoped we weren’t going back to the Cultural Center and it kind of solidified our belief that we are making the right decision. I’m not saying anything negative about the Cultural Center at all but there’s always a time when you have to move on, and the time has come for us,” said Leila.

No doubt, putting on a grand show like the National Carnival Queen Pageant poses quite a few challenges for the planning committee. Everyone involved, including the contestants, chaperones and designers, all come together and offer differing views, so naturally challenges will arise.

You’re probably wondering how the nine contestants were selected. The registration process is open to everyone. There are absolutely no restrictions when it comes to registering. Everyone has a fair chance to take part in the auditions and at the end, nine finalists go forward.

So, back to my original question; is attending this year’s pageant really worth it? The answer is a resounding yes. For the beautiful young contestants, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive selfimprovement training that helps them enhance their self esteem and showcase their talents. It’s not just about wearing the crown. What’s more, the winners get opportunities to participate in other pageants far beyond St. Lucia, which is another great benefit for them. They deserve our support.

“Last year’s winner; Chancy Fontenelle, has admitted that she’s grown so much from her experience as Carnival Queen. The level of confidence that she has now is outstanding,” says Leila.

It’s the beginning of a journey of a lifetime for this year’s young beauties! You definitely don’t want to miss the show, which is scheduled for June 31st at the Royalton. If you do, blame yourself.

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DAZZLE 25

Andra

ALLEN-JOSEPH

Honouring the Inner You to Reveal Your Outer Beauty

A

ndra Allen-Joseph is a Trinidadian beauty specialist who has decided to settle in St. Lucia. She moved here in 2003 with a degree in analytical chemistry after deciding she wanted to do more with her life. She felt the rat race of Trinidad was no longer for her.

“It just didn’t feel like me. It’s like you get up in the morning, spend endless time in traffic to get to a job you don’t like and then come home exhausted. Then you have to do it all over the next day,” says Andra.

She and her then boyfriend, Gregory now husband, decided that it was time for them to make a change.

They are both university graduates. They wanted to move to a place that would benefit them both. Andra had never wandered far from home, so moving out of the Caribbean didn’t feel right. Eventually, she and Gregory set their sights on St. Lucia, and it has been their home ever since. Andra is a professional makeup artist and Eyelash Extensionist. She’s the proprietor of Planet Stiletto Lash Lounge and Makeup Studio located in Rodney Bay. Aside from her academic degree, Andra has many talents, including a flair for writing. She loves to write beauty articles and is a contributor to She Caribbean magazine. Andra did us the honour of sitting for an interview, during which she spoke at length about her life and her journey into the challenging world of owning your own business.

Dazzle: Your talents are wide ranging, but what makes you, you?

Andra: My energy. I love what I do, which is why it was important for me to live my best life. When I don’t like what I’m doing, I suck at it and I feel as though it drains me. When I do something that I love I put my all into it, I put my best foot forward and I believe I make people happy.

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Dazzle: What is Planet Stiletto all about and what can we expect from your brand?

Andra: Planet Stiletto offers eyelash extensions, which is the mainstay of our business. We also offer makeup artistry, waxing and eyebrow tinting. It’s all about making people — both men and women — the best self that they can be. For women mainly, it’s through the eyelash extensions and makeup. I’m not cookie cutter, I don’t cut and paste. I like to sit and feel what that person is about. I like to feel your energy, everyone is different. What do you like?

What’s your comfort zone? I like to make my clients happy. My idea of what makes you happy might not be yours, so I want you comfortable in your own skin. I want you to feel like you’re beautiful because you are. All my clients are. I don’t make them beautiful, I just enhance their beauty. Husbands come to me in search of something special for their wives and I love helping them book their lash extensions and their beats. It makes the husbands feel good too, so we definitely cater for everyone.

Dazzle: How important is professional training in your field of work?

Andra: I believe you need to be trained in what you do. You need to have a basis and know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Every part of my journey has been important. When I got professionally trained in the eyelash extensions I then got professionally trained in makeup and I continue to seek out further training in my current field as well as new and exciting techniques which I think would benefit my clients and compliment my current services.

The school system is very strict, it doesn’t allow much room for self-discovery. At UWI, St. Augustine, I did the sciences — chemistry, biology and so on. I also wanted to do social sciences but it didn’t work out like that. Still, I was glad because I did analytical chemistry and it’s more than just mixing chemicals. It teaches you to think critically and that has helped me. I was a brand manager at Brydens St. Lucia for seven years.

That helped me because I was able to adapt what I had learned to my business. If you’re in it for the long haul, you need to operate like a business and market yourself. You must also know how to manage your expenses. I was lucky enough that my prior professional history has given me these business skills needed but I still seek little online courses in business management specifically related to the beauty industry. Many makeup artists, hairdressers etc., don’t function like a business and I think that’s why some of them don’t last. They come and go.

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DAZZLE 27

Dazzle: What prompted you to get into this line of business?

Andra: My journey started when I learned about and got certified in, eyelash extensions. I’d always loved makeup. In my downtime I’d sit and watch YouTube videos; that was my kryptonite. I started doing makeup on myself and then people began asking me to do it for them. I don’t do things halfway. I do everything to the best of my ability, so I went and got certified in makeup. I really believe that to master anything, you can’t figure you know everything. You have to keep learning. I keep training and use it as an excuse to go places I’ve never been. It doesn’t matter what field you’re in, you need continuous knowledge to be the best at it.

fun facts Skydiving or scuba diving?

Scuba diving If you could own one wild animal as a pet, what would it be?

The first thing that came to mind was a lion because they’re strong and beautiful, but I really want a pig. You know the miniature pigs? They’re so cute!

What’s your secret talent?

I don’t really have any secret talents. Everything I do is already out there.

Dazzle: What’s the most difficult and exciting parts of the job?

Andra: Dealing with troubled clients. I love what I do, and I love a challenge. A difficult set of lashes — it’s a challenge but when someone comes in with negative energy, I feel stressed. It drains me. That’s basically the hardest part of the job, dealing with people who have terrible energy. I pray in order to cope with the bad days. I’m not perfect but I learn to control me. When I get up on a morning, I pray and I read some motivational stuff.

The most exciting part is…wow! The other day, a client came in to purchase carnival stockings.

We got to speaking and by the time she left she was excited to go searching for gems, boots, Tuesday wear etc. My passion had ignited hers. Then I got some other clients for lashes, and they left so happy.

Their reaction was great. Seeing what I can do for my clients, it’s like a high for me.

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Dazzle: You feel responsible for how your clients look. What sort of pressure does that put on you?

Andra: The thing is, unless something really major has happened I’m not going to let you leave looking stupid. That’s why we talk. I like to find out what they like. The client comes in, we sit and you tell me if you like a more natural look. What’re you used to? I get inspired while we talk.

Dazzle: Do you feel like you’ve reached your full potential or is there still room for improvement?

Andra: Right now I feel like there’s so much to do. I’m always content but never satisfied, if that makes any sense. I always am on the lookout for more training and travel opportunities. I just opened my studio, so my focus is to make it a beautiful space. I’m always thirsty for more, so I always feel like I need to do more to make my clients happier. If they’re not happy they’re going to go somewhere else. Once they’re happy, I know the money will come in and then I could improve what I need to.

Kendell

‘Scady’ Eugene ‘I Love What I Do’

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6 Ways to Master the Art of Marketing

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s an entrepreneur, one needs to be familiar with individuals who have succeeded and continue to succeed - in their fields.

Whether you think of Jeff Bezos, Sean Combs, Richard Branson or Bill Gates, they have all been established as titans in entrepreneurship. While the grandeur of their success and work ethics may seem daunting to the aspiring entrepreneur, there are very simple techniques that they follow religiously to not only get to the top, but to stay there. Following are some tips to help you chart your own road to success.

People always buy the benefit, not the feature It is okay to be different, innovative and unique. Your product or service can have jaw-dropping features 30 DAZZLE

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and perks, however, if what you are selling is of no benefit to the consumer, why should they care about it? A feature may be authentically attractive, but if it does not improve upon the consumer’s way of life, chances are they would not be willing to pay money for it.

Remember to listen to feedback Always keep your ears to the ground. Most entrepreneurs you ask will tell you that one of the reasons they got into the business in the first place is to fulfil a need or fill a gap in the market. If you are making a product for a consumer, it is sensible to think that their advice would be key in developing your product or service and improving its overall quality.

Stealth mode is not permanent

Be ruthless in your editing

There is this phase at the dawn of any business when you’ve finished your market research but you aren’t quite ready to launch it fully. This can be referred to as stealth mode. At this point you may be apprehensive about sharing your ideas or business plans. While this sort of incubation phase is crucial for anyone who is starting up, the phase itself cannot last a lifetime. At the right moment, your business must be prepared to face the market.

Most creative work tends to be precious to its creator, so much so that it becomes impervious to constructive criticism from well-meaning and knowledgeable onlookers. If a great product or service is your end goal, then learning to absorb good advice from others is a must. Similarly, when redrafting your business plan, project, or presentation, be your harshest critic to ensure that every gap is filled.

Stay up to date on what's hot in marketing Just like keeping your ears to the ground, paying attention to what other business owners are up to will surely give you an idea of how the market currently operates. Drawing inspiration from both local and international markets is important, but learning how to implement it in your market is the beginning of success.

Give back now and then Once you begin crossing off goals that you have set out for your business, it might be time to start giving back to your consumers. After all, they are the ones who support you by buying into your product, service or brand. Online promotions using social media or your business’ website is a great way to not only market your business but also build a healthy relationship between consumers and your brand.

NOW AVA ILA BLE a t Massy Stor es I sla nd Wi de

CT Di strib u t o r s 1 (758) 451 - 6 7 9 9 1 (758) 717 - 6 0 0 0 | 1 ( 7 5 8 ) 716-9600 ctdi strib u t o rs l u @ g m a i l . c om

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Kendell

‘Scady’ Eugene ‘I Love What I Do’

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ith a voice as familiar and attention-grabbing as his, it’s hard to imagine Kendell Eugene not being the biggest personality in every room he sets foot in. But as Dazzle Magazine has learned in conversation with the multi-talented artiste, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Coming off of a birthday celebration on March 24, he felt at ease reminiscing on his growth as a journalist and most of all, a human being.

“The person you know as Scady Dot P isn’t always who I was. It’s more of a persona I’ve developed in the media. The name came from my days as a member of the George Charles Secondary School dance group, ‘Sliders’. The Dot P came about when Jay Z released his S. CARTERS shoe line. In my wild world I imagined having my own shoe line someday and I would’ve called it Dot P’s.

“I’m actually a very shy person. Yeah, I’m the life of the party but I also have to be very comfortable with the people I’m around. At home, I’d be the quiet one playing NBA 2K or Assassin’s Creed on my PS4. Some nights I try my hand at the turntables, mixing difference sounds and scratch patterns ... or sometimes I read a book.”

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Scady is also an editor of Yo! Magazine arguably St. Lucia’s most popular and successful youth magazine and thevoiceslu.com the online version of the local newspaper, so his appetite for reading should come as no surprise.

“I really can’t stop stressing the importance of reading,” says Scady. He recalled his journey into the print media.

“I ended up in print unexpectedly, to be honest. I met Toni Nicholas while working at the music store and he told me about a ‘YO! Magazine’ that the Voice was starting and asked if I’d like to contribute to it. I sent in short articles over a three-year period ... none of which I ever saw in there, come to think of it (lol).

Eventually, I expressed an interest in working there full time but they weren't hiring anyone just yet.”

Despite this initial setback, Scady proved to have much stronger tenacity than most.

fun facts Favourite experience on the job.

The interviews, all of them!

Music or basketball?

Both.

If you could be any athlete for a week, who would it be?

Any Arsenal player.

Most inspiring quote.

Live the life you love, love the life you live, and make sure you’re living positive.

What five songs made your playlist in 2017?

5- Formula 4- Sully 3- Western Union/Most Wanted/Fever 2- Ric Flair Drip 1- Split in de middle Favourite sports car?

Nissan Skyline.

“One day Toni called and asked if I was still interested in working at YO! I said, yes. He said I’d be interviewed the following week for the position. Keep in mind, I had no prior experience with print apart from what I’d been sending them. Thankfully they were mostly concerned with what I’d be bringing to the table as a contributor.

Despite being an avid reader, none of this came easy to him. “Needless to say, my interview was successful and I started a week later. From then on the learning process for print journalism began for me. A year or two later I found out that I was going to be the YO!

editor. This really took me by surprise because here I am, only a reporter going around taking pictures, and writing on what I experienced. However, because the magazine revolved around entertainment, that helped me develop a knack for it. But when I learned my editor would be leaving and I'd be the one heading the department, it scared me.

“To prepare myself I read a lot of Teen Vogue, The Force, Vibe Magazine, mostly to learn how they structured their magazines and did their editorials, and then I took it from there. Mike Rogers from The Wave was a very big influence on me in both radio and print. He impressed upon me the importance of reading.”

Scady successfully completed a few courses at UWI Open Campus and earned his Diploma in Media Communications and Journalism from Monroe College. He admits this helped him with his editing and broadened his education.

“It's going well, we’re still up and running, still fighting the battle with online news. The whole situation is just crazy, that's the best way to define it,” he added.

Even with his success in radio, he isn’t hesitant about dishing out praise and thanking those who helped him along the way, including the Wave’s Mike Rogers.

“If Mike hadn’t given me a startup at The Wave I’d have been a lost soul on the radio. Even now, working with Franny every morning is a blessing. She brings out the best in me. I started off on RCI about 12 years ago and it was there Jerry George really pushed me to continue, even though I didn’t feel inclined to.”

It seems strange that Kendell would even need this push to continue something that he’d go on to be so versed in, especially listening to him tell about his days growing up in Goodlands, Castries.

“When I was younger I used to listen to the radio and try to figure out how a voice could come out of it, and saying to myself I want to be that voice. So it was always something I wanted to do. Alongside working at a music store and owning my very own radio station. I have done two of the three so far!”

Scady has high praise for his print and broadcast team (Dwayne, Ace and the Blazin Fraternity) and all those who had a positive impact on his professional life.

“Trust is crucial. For example at YO!, if you miss a deadline you’re throwing off the entire newspaper. So

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DAZZLE 33

you need someone you can trust to hold the fort in your absence because putting out 24 pages weekly is no easy task, especially as you need to put out fresh content. I’m really happy to see all the young people taking their own initiative and doing what they love

from music to dance, pageantry and spoken word, because that gives us content and we give them exposure. Finding the perfect support system is very hard but thankfully I’ve got that at YO!. Individuals like Rae Anthony, Mr. Gordon. They’re all a part of this” How has he been able to come up with brilliant ideas to keep the magazine going all those years? Scady says he reads a lot and keeps up with current trends.

“Right now the craze is photography. With thousands of photographers in St. Lucia, it seems like everyone has a DSLR camera. So whatever is current, I ride on that wave and bring it into the magazine in the form of ‘Views’. Also, I put away a lot of stuff that I write for later, which could end up seeming like a really great idea because of what's happening at the moment.”

Along the way, Scady has had to deal with criticisms of the YO! Magazine, or people asking “Why is he talking so much during the song?”

“You can’t please everyone. Some of the criticisms I got when I became editor of YO! was that we have too little local content on the cover. But for the four months I was in charge, I had only St. Lucians on the cover. They were angry that I had Cecile on the cover once. So for the next seven months I decided to localize the entire thing. At that point I had secondary school students giving me my business because I was straying from what they were interested in. You can never please everybody.”

Clearly he does a lot, but what drives him daily is surprisingly simple.

“I love what I do. It is not really a job for me. When it becomes a job, you need to find a way to challenge yourself because it means you're getting bored or comfortable. I loved music, so working at a music store was great for me. Once I started detesting going to work I had to find out why and the way out was to leave. I haven’t felt that at the newspaper or the radio.

Of course, there are days I wake up and dread going to work but that's just a fleeting moment. By the time I get to the studio and turn on the mic, all the negative feelings are gone and I just get in the zone. Then the part of me that people know as Kendell comes to life.”

A winner of an Outstanding Professional in Youth Development award and two media awards, Scady is currently working towards an MA in Mass Communications. We wish him loads of success in his endeavours!

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RECAP

Game of Thrones – Reflecting Everyday Life A Review

E

ver wanted to watch something you couldn’t anticipate? Game of Thrones is a must watch.

Granted, it’s not for the weak hearted but the grotesque scenes and complicated story line are riveting.

From the pilot we’re introduced to the leading families in the series; the Starks, Lannisters and Targaryens.

They live in the unified Seven Kingdoms of Westeros where summer is nearing a close and winter is approaching. Lord Eddard Stark initially makes a seemingly easy choice, but this alone fuels the dramatic storyline that makes up Game of Thrones.

I was a little hesitant at first to watch the episodes because they seemed like the usual 19th century TV fantasy dramas that really aren’t my style. However, I heard people raving about them so I decided to watch the first one and since then I’ve been hooked.

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Game of Thrones depicts our everyday lives— well, as much of it as could be incorporated in that genre.

War, sex, death, betrayal … it’s real life adapted to the screen to entertain, and it was done quite successfully.

The show has a reputation for making some people squirm, so fair warning; if you’re queasy around blood, then this is not the show for you. On the other hand, it takes getting used to. Game of Thrones is undeniably the best TV series in its genre. While some may argue that the grotesqueness of the scenes is unnecessary, it adds flair and drama to an already intense spectacle.

There’s nothing boring about it. From the actors — both the main and minor characters — to the plot and the sub plots, every episode leaves you wanting more.

T H I S C OU LD BE YOU RS

ADV E RT I S E WI TH US To advertise in The Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone (758) 452 0123 | (758) 729 2238 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information.

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Dazzle Magazine introduces

Pas Jalous – there’s Great Swimwear for Everyone

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hen a lifelong passion for swimwear meets determination, only one thing can result; Pas Jalous Swimwear, the brainchild of Kashima Montoute. Born and raised in the Caribbean, Kashima saw a gap in the market that presented the opportunity to cater not just to women seeking regular swimwear, but also to men, plus-size women and kids.

“It’s swimwear to suit the everyday person” says Kashima. Her goal was to create a brand whereby anyone who needs to purchase beachwear can find something that suits their taste.

Fresh Biz is a section within Dazzle Magazine dedicated to providing start-up companies and their founders with much needed exposure.

If you wish to be profiled in Fresh Biz Column please contact us at (758) 452 0123 or email freshbiz@dazzlethemag.com

Pas Jalous Swimwear produces men’s board shorts and ladies and kids swimwear in unique varieties. Drawing inspiration from her mother who once owned her own bakery, further inspired her to start her own business, which just happens to be something that she’s passionate about.

As for the name ‘Pas Jalous,’ meaning ‘don’t be jealous,’ it typically carries a negative connotation. Kashima wanted to change that by giving a positive nuance to the phrase.

Pas Jalous Swimwear was launched this year at Royalton St. Lucia on April 29. Along with international models showcasing Kashima’s creations on the runway, there were performances by Arthur Allain, Michael Robinson and Sedale.

Check out Kashima’s full video interview at youtube.com/dazzlethemag

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Vivre La Belle - Blazing a Trail of Innovation for Local Beauticians

T

asha and Queenie aren’t new to the business and they’ve certainly made a name for themselves. Their entrepreneurial journey started in 2014 where Vivre La Belle came to be, providing hair and makeup services.

“We don’t just sell stuff. We’re like a blog, kind of,” said Tasha. “We basically have a platform where we allow other beauticians to showcase their work.”

Tasha and Queenie first started using their beauty products on themselves before marketing them to clients. Realising that most of the products that were on demand were not available in St. Lucia, they decided to source them online and supply them locally. That’s how Vivre La Belle started. For now, their online store is the main platform for their business, but they hope to expand into their own studio in the future.

“We get clients, yes. It can always be better but if we’re talking about major challenges, there hasn’t really been any since our rebranding and relaunch,” said Queenie.

Vivre La Belle is definitely making a mark in St. Lucia’s beauty industry. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Check them out!

Instagram: vivrelabelleslu Snapchat: vivrelabelleslu Tel: 716-4616/723-7500

Celebrating the One-of-a-Kind BodyB Wired Bra

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icole Joseph started it all when she decided to make something she could wear for carnival in Trinidad. We all know how costly jumping carnival could be—too expensive—even in your own country. Still, that doesn’t deter carnival enthusiasts who want to join a band and enjoy the experience. She made a quick decision to make her own wire bra and one picture online set everything else off.

“I’ve always been a creative person. Even as a kid,” said Nicole. “I was into beauty and fashion, and I love carnival. I like to work with my hands, especially if it saves me money.”

After some in-depth research, help from fellow bra makers and added support from celebrities, BodyB SLU was created.

It’s interesting to know how consumers react to her product. “Business has been overwhelming from inception. I have way more demand than I could supply, so business is booming,” said Nicole.

In the near future, Nicole wants to branch off from carnival and provide services all year round, possibly in the form of perfume or lipstick.

You can check out BodyB on Instagram @bodybslu or place an order by calling or messaging 286-9494.

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DAZZLE 39

Up Close and Personal with Riddim Master

Lashley

motto Winter “It’s just a matter of me knowing where I want to be in my musical career” - Lashley Wendell Winter

T

he argument can be made that Dennery Segment is one of the most beloved genres of music in the Caribbean.

One name that is sure to come up in the genre which has become such a widespread phenomenon, is ‘Motto.’

Lashley Wendell Winter, as he’s formally known, from Grace, Vieux Fort, has more than seven years in the music production business, and has been a performance artiste for about four years.

He’s the mastermind behind massive hits like Bend Down, Guttah, Shell Dong, Party Lit and much more — either as producer or songwriter. His brand has crossed borders, not only regionally, but to the U.K. and the U.S. as well.

Undoubtedly, that’s a lot to achieve at 23 years of age, not to mention a lot to boast about. Yet, he carries this sense of calm with him. It’d be hard to see him without our flag dangling from his pants pocket — at all times too. Here’s how Dazzle Magazine’s candid conversation with the Dennery Segment superstar went...

For our readers, give us a brief background on who you are.

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Lashley: Well they call me Motto (lol). It all started when I left St. Lucia in 2009 before

I graduated from the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School. I migrated to the U.S. where I furthered my studies at the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York. I then went to Monroe College (to earn my Associates Degree in I.T.), and Barton College in North Carolina. There I earned my BA in Mass Communications. At all of my schools and colleges I was really into long distance running, until I got injured and decided not to pursue it further during my senior year in Barton. But I always liked music, even though no one in my family was into it.

Somehow, I got into it and started off by producing beats and sending them out to local artistes back in St Lucia. That’s how many “local” songs from the early days of dennery segment was made possible. Classic local songs like “Pork Sauce”, ‘One Drop Talon’ and ‘Shak Shak’, just to name a few was all was produced by me.

fun facts

Craziest moment you’ve ever had?

My first car accident with my very first car in 2014 ...I loved the car so much, to see it totalled was heart breaking, I had a short panic moment.

What’s your zodiac sign?

Libra.

Favourite sports team?

Fox Racing.

If you could be one movie star who would you be?

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Least favourite food?

Pickles.

Do you prefer being an artiste or a producer, and why?

Lashley: I’d say performing; being an artiste. It’s all about the vibe that it brings. I definitely enjoy putting stuff together behind the scenes to make a great sounding beat. But there’s more life to it when you perform and you see thousands of people jamming to the song and giving a live reaction. Of course, I’m a very crazy performer. I love doing things that people would not expect, to make them laugh. So when you hear ‘Motto’ people already know he’s “the crazy one”.

How would you describe your production style and do you feel like you have a recognisable brand?

Lashley: Yes! (lol). The type of music I produce is Dennery Segment, previously called Kuduro. Before

Kuduro we called it Local Music. But when talking about the elements of Dennery Segment, it’s, very unique and has nothing lower than 130 bpm (beats per minute). It consists of heavy drums, kicks and snares, a conga drum and lead instrument. So it’s different from regular soca music, which has much more melody and chords. Dennery Segment is RAW and gets straight to the point, it’s not meant to be deep and thought provoking.

What’s the most successful production you’ve done and how did it come about?

Lashley: I’ve worked with the artists throughout the Caribbean. Speaking of names like Mr Legz, Problem Child, Hypa 4000, Lavaman, Loose Canon, Machel Montano and more. But the most successful one is the ‘PIM PIM Riddim,’ featuring Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous, Lyrikal and then myself with the song ‘Party Lit.’ I’d say that is the most successful in regards to how it branded Dennery Segment for the rest of the region to see that this is what St. Lucia produces. Also, the fact that a powerful performer like Machel Montano is on the beat makes people want to know more about the new genre, more about St Lucia as an island too.

PIM PIM Riddim came about from the ‘Force It’ Riddim.

On the latter, I got Problem Child, Mr. Legz, Patrice Roberts, Lavaman and Hypa 4000 among others.

Skinny Fabulous was supposed to be on it as well but it didn’t work out initially. That being the case, I did an entirely new riddim for him to be on because he did send me vocals for the Force It Riddim. Also, since he (Skinny Fabulous) writes for Machel Montano he figured that Machel would really love the “island” sound of this riddim. So while we were both trying to find a sound for him, I ended up writing ‘Party Lit’ and he wrote ‘Showtime.’ We submitted both of them to Machel and he chose ‘Showtime.’ Obviously I ended up going with Party Lit as my own song.

You’ve worked with so many artistes across the region. How do you represent St. Lucia in your music?

Lashley: Ha, the Kwéyòl! Even though it’s gotten a bit of backlash, it’s what makes our music unique.

So now that our music is on the market, everybody wants more of what we have to offer. Even when I use Kwéyòl in my songs I structure it and plan where I use it carefully so that everyone could enjoy and relate to the song. Lyrically, that’s how I represent my island. All my songs have creole in it.

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Satisfying the general public can be tough. How do you respond to criticisms?

Lashley: Oh, I love the critics, they’re my best friend!

I don’t let any criticism affect me no way whatsoever.

At the end of the day, an artist is an artist. Whatever art you create, you have to stick to it because that’s what’s authentic to you. People will adapt. There will always be someone who’s going to criticise and not appreciate what you’re going for. Of course, you should always work on improving your art ... like if you’re a songwriter you should improve your lyrical content as you grow. But for me, I don’t take criticism to mind at all. Every critic is good critic.

How do you maintain your relevance in an ever-changing music industry?

Lashley: Promotion. Marketing is important, having a consistent presence in the media and the public ... but especially social media, which is a very powerful platform. Since I’m the type of artist who loves entertaining, I’d put up the content that people would want to interact with.

In terms of my relevance in music, there’s a formula.

You have to look at what the new generation likes and what’s trending. With ‘Party Lit,’ Caribbean people rarely used the word “LIT” because it’s an American term. Being in the U.S., I had the advantage of hearing it first-hand and applying it to something that St. Lucians could relate to. By the time the Caribbean adopted the phrase, the song was released, not too late and not too early, and it was a success. It’s just about staying grounded and knowing what the people want to hear. It helps to imagine yourself in a party and thinking of what people would want to sing while they’re enjoying themselves. Example, “Yo di party was lit “is a common phrase, so I just made a song out of it.

You’ve achieved this much in the past, where do you see yourself in the near future?

Lashley: Ultimately, I want to create a fusion with both a St. Lucian and an American vibe, vibe in the terms of music. A genre where both cultures could come together and music can speak clearly to everyone - I want to penetrate that American market, this is my biggest goal as of right now. Without growth I won’t be able to achieve that. Also, me being in the U.S. was the best thing that could happen to me because there I experienced many different things, failures included, and that helped me grow too.

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Having achieved so much, Motto is now planning on pursuing even bigger ambitions. Dazzle Magazine wishes him the best in attaining those goals!

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Choosing the Smart Speaker that’s Right For You

B

y now it’s no secret that most of us who carry around smartphones in our pockets are aware that these tiny computers are smart.

Some of us who own iPhones or certain devices running Android can call upon our phones to provide information, set reminders for us, make calls, send texts and do a whole lot more. While this is not exactly groundbreaking news, a handful of companies are taking voice assistants to new levels each year in the form of smart speakers.

Google Assistant While the Google Assistant is on the latest Android smartphones, it is also a physical piece you can add to your home, and it is fittingly called, ‘Google Home.’

It comes in three sizes; the standard, mini and max, all of which feature the same functionalities but with different sized speakers and prices. Chromecast users may also find the Google Assistant especially useful as it enables more voice functions with your TV. Example: You can ask the assistant to play specific videos on Netflix, YouTube...even stream music from Spotify among others.

By far the biggest selling point that Google has over its competitors is the fact that your Google Assistant is aware of context. Asking it “Who is Cristiano Ronaldo?” will give expected results, but if you follow up right away with “Who is he married to?” it will understand and give the correct response. Asking what her height is will also produce results.

Amazon Alexa You can find Alexa in the physical form of Amazon Echo and the much smaller Echo Dot. While the Echo’s appearance may not be as appealing to you, its two-

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year head start means that it’s a bit more capable as far as home control goes; turning on/off lights, opening garage doors and so on ... but your mileage will vary.

Alexa’s speakers are also powerful but they’re not the kind that you would use to drive a house party with your peers. If you’re an Amazon user, as most people probably are, you would probably enjoy Alexa’s ability to order products from Amazon using only your voice.

These two assistants aren’t your only options though.

With Apple’s HomePod available now, you’ve got another option, although it’s USD$350 price tag is hard to justify compared to Google’s and Amazon’s price of USD$130 and USD$99 for the Standard Google Home and Amazon Echo respectively. But again, it all depends on which ecosystem you’re integrated with already, thus making Apple Homepod more appealing to Apple users.

Another reason you may opt for this Smart Speaker is its superior audio quality. It provides 360-degree surround sound and even at high volumes it doesn’t get distorted. Keep in mind that you can only connect it to Apple devices and you can’t use is with an ordinary Bluetooth speaker. There’s also a huge amount that HomePod can’t do compared to other home assistants, which is really worth looking into.

Over time software updates are sure to improve all of these assistants, and that shows promise. But no matter how much you may desire one because of how much it can simplify your day and make life much easier, this question must have popped up in your thinking at least once; “Am I ready to have an always listening assistant in my home?”

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DAZZLE 45

s u rv ive car ni v al stay hydrated When chippin' down d road, don't let the heat stop you from enjoying yourself.

r ema i n i n gro ups

Whether you make new friends or stick with your crew, never wander off alone.

use su nb lock Don't be the one with sun burns long after the reveling, keep your sunblock close by.

have your sunglasses on hand Slip on a pair of flashy sunglasses for eye protection and stylish accessorizing.

keep your belongings safe

Don't regret it the next day, take time to secure your keys, wallet, phone and other valuables.

use condoms Use them! babies & avoided.

Because carnival STDs can be

drink responsibly & designate a driver

Enjoy your drink responsibly! If you are too drunk or tired find a designated driver or hire a ride. Better safe than sorry!

ingredients

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp. unsalted butter 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 tsp. vanilla bean seeds removed (or 1 vanilla) 3 eggs 2 cups all purpose flour

Crumble Cake 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt 4-5 apples CRUMBLE 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

method

Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Butter a 10-inch springform pan. To make the cake: in a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla essence for a few minutes or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg in before adding the next.

Beat until creamy.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the butter-sugar mixture and mix for 1 minute or until well combined. Scrape the batter into the pan and arrange the apples on top, pushing the apples slices gently into the batter.

2/3 cup + 2 tsp. granulated sugar 1/4 tsp. vanilla essence 2 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp. unsalted butter melted

For the crumble, whisk together the flour, 2/3 cup sugar, vanilla essence, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until crumbles form. Sprinkle the crumble over the fruit. Then in a small bowl, whisk together 2 tsp. sugar and 1/8 tsp. cinnamon, sprinkle over top of the crumble.

Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden on top. If you insert a skewer in the center, it should come out almost clean. Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before taking it out of the pan. www.dazzlethemag.com

DAZZLE 47

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Carnival Queen Sashing

Fuzion Mas - Drenched

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White Nights in Saint Lucia

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DAZZLE 49

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