Islandista Holiday 2012

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MUSINGS: Does UWI Still Matter?

ISSUE 1

December 2012

The Caribbean Stars of New York Fashion WeeK

The Islandista GUIDE to Carnival DIAMONDS WORLD TOUR KICKS OFF

BDS$2.00/US$1.00

IN MARCH

OLD YEARS NIGHT BEAUTY LOOKS

CONTENTS Celebs 5 Collection of news on Caribbean celebs Parties 6 Bliss profile 7 Upcoming events 8 Rock the Rock Fashion 9 Fashion season preview Beauty 12 Old Year’s Night beauty looks play mas 14 The Islandista Guide to Carnival 16 Carnival makeup looks 18 Carnival outfits Musings 20 Does the West Indies in UWI matter?

I am An ISLANDISTA 22 Zumbunnies 28 Patrice Grell Yursik Food & Dining 24 Healthy Eats Relationships & family 26 Baby industrial complex ISLANDISTAs we love 30 Shala Monroque

In the next edition ‘Is Motherhood for everyone?’

The islandista baker who is heating up the Platinum Coast!

A look ahead to Crop-Over

WORDS FROM

the editor

ISSUE 1

Iyou to the very first print

am beyond excited to welcome

edition of Islandista magazine.

What you’re holding in your hands is the culmination of a dream. When I started Islandista as a blog nearly five years ago, I didn’t have to struggle for a name. I saw islandistas all around me every day – my friends, neighbours, colleagues. They are women who show that glamour can be found in a small island and who bring a distinctive and proud Caribbean flair to everything they do.

I knew the things we were interested in – from the lighter stuff like fashion, carnival costumes, beauty tips and celeb gossip to more serious matters like the role of UWI. I felt like there was a distinct void in that kind of coverage. It needed to be filled so I started Islandista. Over the years, tens of thousands of you logged on – first to islandista.wordpress.com and then to islandistas.com to read, share and comment.

This first issue stays true to the Islandista ethos - it’s still all about the “spirit and tempo of the Caribbean woman.” In that vein, we’ve got some fantastic beauty and fashion spreads to get you ready for the festive holiday season and then the equally festive Carnival season right after. The amazing talents of Khalil Goodman, I Heart Makeup, Lauren Austin and Pink Lemonade’s Rotchelle Parris made these features truly come to life!

Editor-in-chief

Amanda Lynch-Foster

Senior Designer Mialisa Fenty

Advertising Executive

Barbara Gittens Cumberbatch

Photographers Khalil Goodman Andrew Browne Ryan Wills Nadia Foster

Makeup

Kamilah Codrington Shanelle Estwick Lauren Austin Rotchelle Parris

We also know that while Christmas can be a time of feasting, it is quickly followed by ‘Carnival body’ time. So we’ve got you covered with features on the Fitness Bunnies’ high-energy, uberfun workouts and Healthy Eats’ wonderful, guilt-free food. They will help you stay fit and healthy and still enjoy yourself from Christmas through to Carnival.

And on that note, we truly hope that you enjoy this first edition of Islandista magazine and the many more editions to come!

Mandy xxx www.islandistas.com

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Islandista Magazine is published by Islandista

ISLANDISTA CELEBS

CELEB NEWS Collection of news on Caribbean celebs

Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone biopic pick stirs controversy

Naomi Campbell to produce, host new modelling reality show ‘The Face’

The fashion gods have answered our prayers! Come February, the supermodel of all supermodels, the proudly Jamaican-British Naomi Campbell will star in a hotly anticipated new modelling reality show on Oxygen Television. The show, The Face will see Campbell and two other supers – Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova, judging and mentoring groups of aspiring models a la ‘The Voice’ or ‘X Factor’.

Considering that the feisty super model’s life seems drawn from a reality television show, we cannot wait to see what is in the works come 2013!

News that one of our favourite Islandista actresses, Dominican Republic’s Zoe Saldana has been chosen to play soul singer Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic has angered a lot of people. The news even inspired a change.org petition against the choice of Saldana to play the High Priestess of Soul. It’s not that anyone doubts the acting ability of Saldana, who has starred in blockbusters such as Avatar and Star Trek.

However critics question the casting choice of the light-skinned, thin-featured Saldana on looks, noting that the ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ singer was proudly and unapologetically dark and full-lipped.

Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ world tour to kick off in March

Although controversy is swirling around Rihanna amidst rumours that she has reunited with abusive ex Chris Brown, Barbados’ pop princess is forging ahead with plans for her world tour. The tour’s international promoter Live Nation has announced 40 dates so far in the United States and Canada.

The Diamonds singer faces a gruelling schedule which will see her criss-crossing North America for concerts in 27 cities in just two months.

From the catwalk to the kitchen: Model Jourdan Dunn to star in cooking show

Proving that there are models who do love food, British-Jamaican supermodel Jourdan Dunn is set to star in her own cooking show, ‘Well Dunn with Jourdan Dunn’.

The 22 year old will show off her kitchen skills on rap mogul Jay-Z’s Life + Times YouTube channel which was launched recently. Life + Times is one of dozens of online, channels offering original content which YouTube will be revealing in the coming months.

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ISLANDISTA PARTIES

A full (but never crowded!) house enjoying the vibes at Bliss.

(Photo by Nadia Foster/ Ryan Willz Photography)

BLISS

OAnd if you haven’t gone, you

The Ultimate Old Year’s Night Party

The gentlemen of Esquire Entertainment (from left to right) Paul Williams, Dr. Nigel Lewis and Dr. Anthony Roberts. (Photo

by Ryan Wills/Ryan Willz Photography)

nce you go, you know.

should.

Of course, we’re talking about Bliss, which is the most IslandistaOld Year’s Night experience in Barbados.

There’s not even a contest – though the Islandistacrew would welcome some more events of Bliss’ calibre and vibes.

The gentlemen of Esquire Entertainment – Paul Williams, Dr Anthony Roberts and Dr Nigel Lewis have made sure of its unchallenged position by paying the most careful attention to details both big and small.

Their venue selection is unsurpassed and they are always first – whether it is at the Concorde Experience (2008), or at Lion Castle (2006).

Where there’s a theme, they commit to it fully – hence the dancing Chinese dragon for 2011’s ‘Enter the Dragon’ at and the free flapper wear for 2010’s The Great Gatsby.

And the food and drinks never run out! …Which is saying a lot for we have been disappointed at many events purporting to be all-inclusive or VIP. Far too many run out of food or run out of drinks or think that regular old rice and peas and macaroni pie is high-end fare worth hundreds of dollars.

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Never at Bliss.

But the best part is that the vibes never run out either. Promoters often walk a perilous tightrope when doing high end events for there is always the chance that the ‘bougie’ atmosphere will turn into more of a posing thing than a party.

Bliss pays the most careful attention to details big and small. (Photo by Ryan Wills/Ryan Willz Photography)

Now Bliss’ audience is a decidedly bougie doctor-lawyerbank manager crowd – literally, I’ve spotted my doctor, lawyer and bank manager all at one Bliss event!

But they are far from posers.

Somehow, Bliss has managed to maintain an atmosphere that encourages professionals to come out in their finest and then inspires them to kick off the Louboutin heels and back off the Tom Ford jackets to get on dibby for the whole night.

It is small wonder then that over the last seven Old Year’s Nights in a row, Bliss has become the standard for allinclusive enjoyment.

ISLANDISTA PARTIES December 22 BoomTribe - The Dirty Dozen Venue TBA December 23 Limerz Cruise – Jingle Bells Jolly Roger December 26 UV Breakfast Party - Rays De Noir Trevwin II, Prior Park Enchanted - Machel Montano Live Bagatelle Great House December 28 Roast Cruise Jolly Roger December 31 Bliss Venue TBA Northern Lights Lamberts Plantation Old Year’s Night At Priva Priva, First Street, Holetown January 1 Chill Venue TBA January 5 Shine Featuring Cover Drive, Rupee, Nexcyx and Philip 7 Ilaro Court January 13 Barbados Music Awards Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre Barbados Music Awards After-Party Priva, First Street, Holetown February 2 Girlfriends Expo Barbados Concorde Experience February 10 Roast Cruise – The Trini Carnival Edition

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ISLANDISTA PARTIES Jesse Foster from Threads of Scarlet moving the crowd at Bath.

ROCK

the Rock

Bsounds of rock and pop in mid-November ath Beach, St. John pulsated to the

Eager rock fans coated the beaches of Bath for the first ever Rock the Rock concert.

when the first Rock the Rock concert hit the island’s East Coast.

International superstars Cover Drive headlined along with a slew of local and regional rock and pop acts including Threads of Scarlet, Nexcyx, Simon Pipe, Fighting Traffic, Kite, EvaBlaze, Sarah Lloyd, Kadri, Farouk Jr, Psilos, Vanna Vee and Kin Sound System.

A great time was had by all and we’re already looking forward to RTR 2013.

Rawwk!

Lead singer of Cover Drive Amanda Reifer on stage at Rock the Rock 2012.

Soca singer Alison Hinds and radio personality Gaynelle Marshall rocking out to the Nexcyx vibe at RTR 2012.

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Mahalia Phillips of Nexcyxx.

F

ISLANDISTA FASHION

ashion never stays still. It is ever on the move, peering restlessly ahead to see what’s next – what hemline lengths, what fabrics and what fashion influences and influencers will be in style in the near future.

Tsheca White

17 year old Jamaican Tsheca White did what Jamaicans do best during the most recent fashion season – she hit the ground running! The Montego Bay beauty secured a number of major shows in during the Spring/Summer 2013 season, walking in New York, London and Milan.

So in full fashion spirit, Islandista is looking ahead too – to February 7, 2013, when the Fall/ Winter 2013 fashion season officially kicks off.

We want to see which s will lead the style charge for the Caribbean on the catwalk.

She held down the influential opening position at Emilio Morena and Christopher Kane, Missoni, John Galliano, Fendi and Marc by Marc Jacobs were among the other jobs she booked – an impressive run that gained her a nod as one of the Top 10 Newcomers of the Season from influential fashion forum The Fashion Spot. She can certainly look forward to more success in the coming season.

caribbean Catwalk Stars

Images sourced

Cora Emmanuel

The 20 year old Martiniquan is part of the hot streak the French Caribbean island has been having in fashion in recent years and follows in the footsteps of Sigrid Agren and her good friend Melodie Monrose, who is an Islandistafavourite.

Like Sigrid, Emmanuel was discovered in the Martinique leg of the Elite Model Look contest which her mother “forced” her to do right after piano lessons one day as the reluctant Cora thought at the time that “modelling was stupid”.

Since then, her career has taken off like a rocket and in the last season, she walked for Alexander Wang, Bottega Vennetta, Stella McCartney, Nina Ricci, Roberto Cavalli, Armani and Michael Kors as well as a host of others.

Marihenny Rivera Pasible

The 18 year old Dominican Republic Native actually debuted in September 2011 when she was given a boost by a fellow Islandista and walked for Cushnie et Ochs which is co-designed

by Jamaican Carly Cushnie.

She too enjoyed success in the most recent fashion season, walking for Philip Lim 3.1, Anna Sui, Kenzo and Zac Posen, among others.

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ISLANDISTA FASHION Puerto Rican/ Virgin Islander Joan Smalls

Jamaican Jeneil Williams

The

three Js

Ncomplete with scores of

o fashion season would be

appearances from each of the three juggernaut Js – Jamaican Jeneil Williams, Puerto Rican/Virgin Islander Joan Smalls and JamaicanBrit Jourdan Dunn.

If you know fashion, you know their names as they are impossible to miss, walking 30 and 40 shows each and every season. 24 year old Joan has had an amazing rise ever since her breakout season in the Fall/Winter 2010 season where she walked 40 catwalks – a feat even Vogue deemed “extraordinary”. Now sitting at the very top of the Top 50 models list of Models.com, she has recently been tapped to step in Cindy Crawford’s shoes, co-hosting MTV’s House of Style along with fellow model and good friend Karlie Kloss.

Ever since winning Pulse Models’ Caribbean Model Search in 2005 at the tender age of 15, there has been

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no stopping Kingston-born Jeneil.

She has done it all – from being featured in editorials in every fashion magazine of note to walking the runway for every designer anyone has ever name-checked.

And readers who have followed us over from online will know we cannot forget Miss Jourdan – absolutely our favourite model and one of our favourite Islandistas full stop.

Though born in London, the feisty Jourdan’s Jamaican heritage comes through loud and clear all the time, particularly on her popular Twitter feed which has become a fashion crowd guilty pleasure. She is beyond epic – in 2008 she was named Britain’s model of the year and has continued to rise, even after a break to have her son in 2009.

She has made the cover of Italian Vogue’s legendary all-black issue and regularly appears in the pages of other editions of Vogue, Elle and other top fashion magazines.

Jamaican-Brit Jourdan Dunn

Our readers are

...Smart

...Sophisticated

...Discerning

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ISLANDISTA BEAUTY If you’re looking to keep it classic and classy this Old Year’s Night, a smoky eye is the ultimate glamour look. The simplicity of a nude lip amplifies the drama of the dark eye makeup.

Hints of gold in the blusher and above the crease of the eye are a perfect highlight for the metallic outfits and accessories of Old Year’s Night.

Details: Boutique; Earrings – stylist’s own Necklace (bottom left) from Pulze Model: Zahira

Sparkle,

Shine Auld Lang Oof the year, true Islandistas n the most glamorous night

know they have to put their best face forward! Old Year’s Night is not a time for half-measures - it requires full on glamour from hair to clothes to makeup.

Furthermore, it has been clear to anyone with eyes that Barbadian women have become a lot more makeup savvy in the last few years. Maybe it’s the M.A.C. store effect or maybe it’s due to YouTube makeup tutorials but whatever it is – it’s working! We’re seeing a greater understanding of how makeup can transform one’s look

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and less of the horrid faux-pas that were far too common just a few years back - like using black eye liner as lip liner.

We’re also seeing the rise of the makeup artist. Whereas once it was unusual to hire a makeup artist for anything besides a wedding, now Islandistas hire makeup artists for a range of special occasions from Kadooment Day to – you guessed it – Old Year’s Night.

So for this Old Year’s Night, here are some makeup looks, courtesy of I Heart Makeup that will have you ringing in 2013 in fabulous style.

SHOPPING

Makeup – I Heart Makeup ihrtmakeup@gmail.com Kamilah Codrington – 233-8672 Shanelle Estwick - 230-3485 Photographer – Khalil Goodman

You don’t have to stick to a little black dress for Old Year’s Night anymore.

Increasingly, women are tossing out the rule book and opting for brightly-coloured outfits to ring in the new year.

With colour blocking being all the rage in fashion for the past few seasons, why not try it on your face and get ‘bright-eyed’ with shades of mauve and pink?

Stay bold with an equally brightcoloured lip.

Details: Necklace from Pulze Boutique; necklace – stylist’s own; Model: Zoe

Syne Mix it up for 2013! Take a dip into the traditional with a smoky eye, accented with gold along the brow line.

For the lip colour, go modern by daring to add a pop of colour - a juicy plum coloured lip should do the trick.

Model: Asha

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ISLANDISTA PLAY MAS

The Island

Jeunanne Alkins

S

o you’ve made up your mind!

2013 is the year that you will finally join the ranks of those getting on bad in the streets of Port of Spain.

No longer will you gaze wistfully at your friends’ Facebook albums of their revelry in Trinidad – this year you will be there in the living and bejewelled flesh!

So now the only question is – where do you start?

There are so many mas bands, jouvert bands, fetes and all-inclusives and all cost a fair piece of change – how do you make sure that you pick the best vibes for your money?

Lucky for you, Islandista has simplified the process.

We’ve consulted bonafide Carnival experts – Trinidadian makeup artist Lauren Austin, Barbadian attorney and entertainment promoter Sade Jemmott and Trinidadian Jeunanne Alkins, creative director of design studio Everything Slight Pepper. With a combined 20 years of playing mas between them, these diehard ‘Carnival babies’ shared some wisdom on how to do Trinidad Carnival right!

Lauren Austin

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Best Mas Band Lauren Austin: Tribe, Spice and Fantasy Trinidad.

Sade Jemmott: YUMA! Played with them from their first year so Yuma mi seh!

Jeunanne Alkins: I’m with Tribe for the hour, mainly because this is where my fun friends are at. The service

dista Guide to Carnival is good, bartenders remember my order and my section’s costume is always on point. I am single, Tribe is vibes and I don’t know where they magically appear from, but you are guaranteed a fresh batch of welltoned eye candy every year!

DOING CARNIVAL

Islandista consulted bonafide Carnival experts – Trinidadian makeup artist Lauren Austin, Barbadian attorney and entertainment promoter Sade Jemmott and Trinidadian Jeunanne Alkins, creative director of design studio Everything Slight Pepper.

Best Jouvert Band Lauren Austin: Blue brats or yellow devils.

That’s usually where my crew jump so I roll with them.

Sade Jemmott: Best AllI’ve only ever played Inclusive Fetes Jouvert in Trinidad Lauren Austin: Scorch with Dirty Dozen Duck Work, Beach and it was fantastic!

House and Sunnyside up That came about breakfast party. because some former Sade Sade Jemmott: Shades law school students are Jemmott breakfast party at the ranch involved and they visited is a must-go for me.

Hugh Wooding and made Jeunanne Alkins: For me it the process incredibly is all about vibes. My staples easy. I’d recommend them are Fatima Fete, Vale breakfast to anyone. party and Beach House.

Jeunanne Alkins: Cocoa Devils handsWhy do you love down! It is the perfect Carnival? mix of no fuss, no Lauren Austin: I love carnival posers and complete because it’s time to release and abandon. Cocoa devils forget all the stress of life. on Jouvert morning Sade Jemmott: I love expressions around 5am, alcohol of culture in general. Trinidad soaked, covered head Carnival is in my opinion such a to toe in cocoa and dancing fantastic mix of all their influences by myself alongside my friends and that it’s a wonder to observe and family is my perfect blissful place a joy to experience. Trini people both mentally and physically.

Sade Jemmont

definitely know how to have a good time and they put that above almost everything else. Something about that is especially endearing to me.

Life is short, live free!

Jeunanne Alkins: I’m an artist and a happiness advocate - Carnival is all about colour, creativity, expression and carries a feeling like the country is smiling. The idea that for two days of the year you can walk through the streets of town in whatever you please is intoxicating. On Ash Wednesday and the days thereafter when I pass through the same parade route observing people clad in stiff work clothes, I always think back, smile at the memories and immediately get excited about doing it all again next year!

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ISLANDISTA PLAY MAS

Carniv Wmay have said

hile Bunji Garlin

that we only watch waist and not face for Carnival, this surely isn’t the case anymore!

Ever more beautiful and elaborate costumes deserve the makeup to match and Carnival makeup has come a long way from the days of slapping on some lipstick and glitter.

Now, full-on makeup is an integral part of any any islandista’s Carnival look. Gems, handpainted designs, bold lip tattoos and dramatic feather eyelashes all play their role in creating spectacular mas looks.

Barbados-based Trinidadian makeup artist Lauren Austin will be in Trinidad for Carnival 2013 and previewed some Carnival Tuesday makeup creations.

The looks were inspired by some of our favourite sections in Trinidad’s hottest bands – the vibrant Joy from Island People’s 2013 presentation Rehumanize, the spectacular Queen Cobra from Bliss’ Savage Beauty presentation and the smoldering Panthera section from Fantasy Trinidad’s Savage.

Eyelashes are key to Carnival makeup. It’s all about drama, spectacle and going over the top anyhow - the perfect setting for fake eyelashes! Don’t be afraid to pump of the volume of your falsies with mascara. Colourful eye makeup, particularly with lighter colours will also help amplify the eye-opening impact of the eyelashes and mascara.

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val bedazzled!

The eyes definitely have it when it comes to Carnival makeup – it’s makeup artists’ favourite playground for creating a spectacle to enhance the costume. Electric blue eyeshadow is complemented by soft gold on the brow. Dramatic feather eyelashes complete the look.

Be the belle of the band with bright colours and bold designs.

Carnival is colour so now is the time to go for as much as you want – on eyes, lips, everywhere!

The hand-drawn design, accented by sparkling gems, leads the eye up the face towards every costume’s highlight - the headpiece.

Details: Makeup artist: Lauren Austin – laurenaustin1@live.com Models: Kenya, Cherese and AnyaPhotographer – Khalil Goodman

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ISLANDISTA PLAY MAS

She Ready to Get On She say she ready to get on She claim to have badness in she genes Say she’s de wining queen - Machel Montano, ‘She Ready’ Carnival 2013

Ywhile we do love it, there are

es, it is still Christmas time and

plenty Islandistas who are already in a Carnival frame of mind.

In fact, the true die-hard Carnival babies have been answering its sweet siren call for a while now. Their costumes have been picked since August, paid for since September and their tickets bought by October. They have been jamming Machel, Fay-Ann and Destra since November and now they’re just waiting.

Waiting for their chance to mash up all the best parties, get dutty at

You will be the one turning heads at the Scorch Duck Work Cruise in this patterned short romper. The cut of the sexy-but-sweet shorts is just right for the non-stop wining on the high seas while the deep V-neck is ideal for offering a peekaboo glimpse of your sexy bikini top which is practically required wear for Scorch cruises.

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Jouvert and then explode on the road in Port-of-Spain on February 11th and 12th.

Islandista Barbados knows just how you feel! So to help you get even more ready for the Carnival season, we have a line-up of fabulous fashion, styled for some of the hottest and most exclusive fetes of Trinidad Carnival.

Whether you’re breaking dawn at D’Original Vale’s iconic breakfast party or liming in luxury at Beach House, you will stand out in clothing from the latest collection of Rotchelle Parris’ Pink Lemonade line.

Details: Black and grey and white necklace – model’s own; gold necklace – Aldo’s; bracelets and earrings – stylist’s own; shades – Cole Haan.

Model – Danielle Brathwaite–Lynch Makeup – Rotchelle Parris Photographer – Khalil Goodman

Beach House is hailed by many as the best fete of the Carnival season – so make sure to step up your style game with a daring and colourful bespoke outfit like this Pink Lemonade jumper. Slashed practically to the navel, it’s an outfit for a confident Carnival queen. The details matter on this outfit and the patterned pants are tied up at the bottom, adding an extra hint of interest to a glamorous getup.

A fun and flirty mini dress in a bold African print hits just the right notes for D’Original Vale Breakfast Party, the king of all breakfast parties.

The eye-popping colour combination will stand out even amidst the early morning shadows and when the sun rises and waistlines turn up the heat, you will be glad to be wearing cool cotton.

Pair with funky sandals and chunky, funky jewellery to complete the look.

Short and sexy is how they do it at Bacchanal Wednesday so follow suit but still stand out from the sea of black and metallic in this sea-foam green mini dress. The abbreviated hemline and the low-cut neckline and backline fits the body-conscious vibe on display while the colour and gives it a touch of whimsy.

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ISLANDISTA MUSINGS

As Cave Hill Campus celebrates its 50th anniversary we ask…

Does the ‘West Indies’ in “The university, therefore, has been suffering a gradual erosion of its regional character, and we must be very careful that we may not be left with the chain of insular politics, held together by a very fragile medium.”

- George Lamming

SBarbadian writer ome years ago

George Lamming made these spot-on observations about the state of the University of the West Indies. He noted that with the increasing decentralisation of UWI, our regional education institution is losing the Caribbean diversity that is supposed to be central to its character.

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UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris agreed, tracing it back to 1984 when the university was decentralised according to campus. So it has come to pass that Jamaican, Trinidadian or Barbadian students don’t have to leave home to study unless they are doing one of the few subjects that are still

specific to a particular campus like law (Cave Hill), mass communications (Mona) or engineering (St. Augustine). And as the years have gone by, UWI has grown even further and further apart, with St. Augustine and now Cave Hill offering medicine and Mona promising to implement a full law program.

But is this a good thing?

Cost-wise of course, it is hard to argue with it – in fact, there are many who would probably like to see UWI even more decentralised, with campuses in some of the Windward and Leeward

islands. This would help students and their parents save the money in airfare and rent that they have to spend while studying elsewhere.

UWI Still Matter?

However, despite the fact that I took out a student loan to cover the extra costs associated with going to UWI outside of Barbados, I consider myself lucky that I had the opportunity to attend UWI in Jamaica.

It was an amazing, enlightening experience.

I have friends from just about every Caribbean country. I can hop on a plane tomorrow and anywhere in the Caribbean and I know I will find someone who will be glad to see me and put me up.

But more than that, I learned. My world was

widened. I got to really understand the quirks and idiosyncrasies of different Caribbean countries. I get the dry, limer wit of Trinis just like I understand the hype and ‘nuff-ness’ of Jamaicans. I appreciate the cadence of Bahamian accents and I know now that there is a world of difference between that and an American accent.

And don’t even talk about the food! From jerk pork to rotis, conch fritters to oil down, I shared meals from around the Caribbean and over these meals we shared the news, gossip, hopes and dreams of our isles.

I feel that is an experience others should have, but with UWI’s modern structure, a student could miss the whole experience of regionalism.

For most students now, UWI is basically an extension of secondary school life, with the same friends, the same parties and the same experiences.

The ‘West Indies’ part of the University of the West Indies is lost to them.

The few opportunities to experience their neighbour’s cultures are very ‘surface’, with displays and fetes when the different islands have

AMANDA STER H LYNC -FO EDITOR

their week of activities.

And is a Vincy beer lime really a true experience of Vincentian culture?

I think there is more that can and should be done to give students the opportunity to experience the true UWI character – like making it easier for students to transfer and study in another territory.

I think given the chance, students would take the opportunity to experience another island.

I still think that regionalism has some appeal… but maybe I’m just one of those oldfashioned UWI idealists.

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I AM AN ISLANDISTA

Fitness

Bunnies

Ttaking Islandistas by

heir classes have been

storm for over a year now, making sweating sexy and fitness fun with dynamic workouts.

Originally known as the Zumbunnies, Leslee Reynolds-Holder and Nadia Brancker are professionals who crunch numbers by day – Leslee as an actuarial

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analyst with the Royal Bank of Canada Insurance Company and Nadia as a business journalist with the Barbados Advocate.

On evenings, the ladies now known as the Fitness Bunnies, crunch abs with their popular Zumba and fitness classes. They have brought humour and the simple joy of playing

dress up to working out with themed classes such as ‘Diva Day – Doing it Like Beyonce’, ‘Who’s the Best Bunny?’ and a Carnival costume session.

In the process, they have motivated hundreds of Barbadian women to get fit.

So who motivates the motivators? Read on to find

out a whole lot more about the Fitness Bunnies.

WHO Islandista: … are the Fitness Bunnies?

Leslee & Nadia: The Fitness Bunnies are two fun female Zumba Instructors: Leslee Reynolds-Holder and Nadia Brancker. We were originally called the ZumBunnies however, when we changed our name we knew we had to keep “bunnies” as everyone always says “you girls are like two Energizer bunnies!” Some people originally thought we were trying to make a reference to “Playboy Bunnies” which is just ridiculous. When you think of a bunny what comes to mind is a really energetic creature. That’s what we try to bring to our work-outs: high-energy, hype and of course loads of fun!

Islandista: … is Leslee?

Leslee: Leslee is firstly a wife to the most wonderful man, Jason Holder. I am an aunt, a sister, a friend, and a fitness enthusiast. I am an actuarial analyst at RBC Insurance Company Ltd. by day and a Zumba Instructor by night. I love to talk, I love teaching and I love shopping for make-up! Of course, I absolutely love dancing! In my perfect world, I would

be a professional dancer.

Islandista: … is Nadia?

Nadia: I have always been passionate about dance from a young age starting at the Barbados Dance Theatre and Dance Strides in Barbados. My grandmother would say “child you are always moving!” But they are always two sides to any coin and I’m also a business journalist at the Barbados Advocate.

Islandista: … has most influenced what you’re doing now?

Leslee: The person who would have really influenced us to be able to do this would have been Sheron Trotman of Dance Strides. Nadia and I are able to put together our routines as a result of the days spent dancing with Sheron. Our routines are not as complex as a dance for a show of course, but having her guidance from early stages definitely helps us now.

Nadia: Actually, Leslee has influenced me most in teaching Zumba. I have always wanted to teach aerobics or some form of fitness class and Leslee said let’s just do it and become certified and see what happens. A year later we are still growing and having fun working on routines. I could not have done it without her support.

WHAT Islandista: … is an Islandista to you?

Leslee: An Islandista is someone who loves all that the islands have to offer the warmth, the delicious foods, the sea and sand and of course the music.

When it is time to work we give 100% but when it is time to party or lime we can just relax and have fun.

WHERE Islandist: …do you see yourselves in ten years?

Leslee: In ten years maybe I may have my own gym!

Who knows? Ten years ago I never thought that in 2012 I would be in a career in fitness at all.

What I do know is that what whatever I am doing in ten years, I hope it is something that I am passionate about.

Nadia: An Islandista is someone that enjoys the Caribbean life - who loves the weather, people, music, wuk up and food! The essence of being a Caribbean person is colourful, loud and passionate.

WHEN Islandista: …you worry, what do you worry about?

Leslee: I worry about not living my life to its fullest potential.

Islandista: … do you love most about your island?

Leslee: I am particularly proud of the fact that education is free up to the tertiary level in Barbados.

It always amazes me that any Barbadian can gain up to a first degree and even a Masters without ever paying a cent.

Free education has afforded us the opportunities to pursue careers which may have been impossible if some of us had to pay!

Nadia: I love what most people complain about - the hot sun! It is a great feeling to wake up to a hot beautiful Barbadian day. I also love the intimacy of a small island where your family is never far away.

Islandista: …are you happiest?

Leslee: I am happiest when both my husband and I are free during the weekends and we get to spend the entire weekend together.

Any time that I get to spend with my nephew Kai is also a great time for me.

WHY Islandista: …do you love what you do?

Leslee: I love the ‘feel good’ stories we get from our clientele. Whether it is [hearing] that they have lost weight since coming to Zumba and are now down two dress sizes or that they feel so much sexier and more confident with themselves, it gives me a great feeling to know that I have contributed to that.

Our Fit Bunnies are great!

Nadia: I love to teach Zumba because I’m able to do what I enjoy which is dance. It is a rewarding feeling to see people after a hard day of work just let it all go and have a great time keeping fit and feeling confident but also fostering friendships.

HOW Islandista: …would you like to be remembered?

Leslee: As a good person.

If people remember me for being a great motivator who got people excited about fitness that would be fantastic as well.

Nadia: I would like to be remembered as someone who is caring and concerned about others.

Islandista: … do you unwind?

Leslee: How everyone one should unwind. At a Fitness Bunnies class of course!

Nadia: I unwind by dancing and by teaching classes. If you haven’t tried a class with the Fitness Bunnies, come unwind with us! It will be a fun, high energy and rewarding work out.

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ISLANDISTA FOOD

Healthy

Eats

Tfrom Healthy Eats Café is that

he very best thing about the food

you don’t have to persuade yourself to like it just because ‘it’s good for you’.

From Monday to Friday, customers can look forward to flavourful, inventive and fresh meals from the eight person team based at their Wildey Business Park headquarters.

The menu, which changes weekly, challenges all preconceptions of healthy food. There’s meat! There’s cheese! You eat your veggies and love it!

So who are the mad geniuses that came up with this great idea?

They are Stuart Kirton and Cora Freer, who first started Healthy Eats in September 2010 as a catering-anddelivery operation. In March 2012, they opened at Wildey Business Park.

Stuart sat down to speak with Islandista about the Healthy Eats vision and how they can help Islandistas eat right and still eat well through the Christmas season and on to Carnival.

1.

How and why did you come up with the concept for Healthy Eats?

We came up with the concept after plugging away at what we thought was lacking in Barbados.

Cora suggested that a move in the healthier direction seemed to be what Barbados needed.

2.

What were you doing before Healthy Eats?

We were working together, although years apart, for the second time in our lives in the food & beverage department of a local hotel.

3.

What kind of support did you get in the beginning?

We cannot thank our friends and family enough. They have all been

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so supportive from the inception and have helped us to build Healthy Eats to what it is today.

4.

Tell us about how you started out?

We were working out of a very small kitchen as a delivery only company. We originally and intentionally opened as such to make sure we were able to control our quality and have personal interactions with our Healthy Eats family, with our one employee personally answering the phones, doing the cooking and making all of the deliveries.

5.

What has the response been?

People were excited to find out about us and that a company like ours had finally opened up in Barbados. We have Healthy Eats ‘die

hard’ customers who have been with us from the beginning and two years later are still with us!

6.

Do you have to deal with any preconceptions about what healthy food is?

Absolutely! The idea that it has to be vegetarian food or the idea that it’s only salad or that the items will not have any flavour and also the idea that healthy means the same for everyone, that everyone has the same requirements and objectives.

We are happy to report however that for the folks who just come in looking for good food...we’ve had some pretty awesome reactions and have been lucky enough to see those faces again.

7.

So what makes Healthy Eats food healthy?

the cafe.

I understand you’ve been experimenting with a brunch menu - how does Healthy Eats do brunch food?

As we love to remind people we do have what we call a ‘healthy indulgent’ side. We believe in striking a balance so while you might find our mouth-watering breakfast frittata, or our mini lentil burgers on the menu, you can also find our whole wheat French toast with caramel apples.

9.

As we like to tell people, we are not nutritionists, we just use smart cooking methods to achieve great flavour while leaving out many of the additives that are thoughtlessly poured or shaken into your average lunch time offering. [We use] fresh ingredients, low salt and sugar contents. It’s really just about finding smarter ways of preparing all the foods we already love to eat while achieving great flavour.

8.

Tell our readers why they should come seek you out at Wildey Business Park?

Why not? It’s a great location, cool, cosy patio seating, great food that you can feel good about eating and a friendly staff. As it’s a small company, you’ll undoubtedly meet or be served by one or both of the owners as we are very hands-on in

10.

We’re heading into the Christmas season – will you have any Christmas themed offerings?

Most definitely! As with all holidays we like to offer something current that our Healthy Eats Family can enjoy and know they are eating something in the spirit of the holiday season so there is no feeling of ‘missing out’. Last year one of our items was a great roasted chicken plate - no skin of course, served up with a vegetable stuffing, oven roasted potatoes and a lemon

cranberry sauce.

After Christmas, it’s straight into the Carnival season and our Islandista readers will be looking to get into shape. What does Healthy Eats have to offer to help our readers get their Carnival body right?

Last year a big hit was our Carnival time low Carb options, offering not just good for you food but for those who had a goal to look a certain way in their costume it was a great way to complement their work- out regime.

11.

12.

What is your vision for Healthy Eats in the

future?

It is the same as it was the day we started, to bring a healthier way of eating to all of Barbados - more accessible and more affordable, with good value-for-money food options and service that goes above and beyond. That being said, we’ll just say we’re not stopping here. We just may have to open a couple more locations!

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ISLANDISTA RELATIONSHIPS & FAMILY

The Baby Industrial Complex

I

have an addiction.

There I said it. It’s a relief to say it out loud.

I’ve always considered myself a pretty restrained person so this makes it all the more surprising.

But ever since I became a mother last year, I have been absolutely addicted to buying baby stuff.

Forget about the military industrial complex – I am here to tell you that the baby industrial complex is real and powered by first time mothers like me who cannot pass a frilly dress.

See, the forces behind the baby industrial complex are clever. They persuade you of how much easier your life would be if you had this… and that… and this other item. So despite my mother’s sound advice, my child has a plethora of ‘essential baby gear’.

A ‘travel system’ the size of a small SUV. Two bassinets. An ergonomic, Swedishdesigned baby carrier.

A steam steriliser. A bottle warmer. A bottle drying rack. A chair that rocks, vibrates and plays music at the same time. And so on.

And try figuring these things out!

Between me and my husband it

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took us two and a half hours of puzzling over vague instructions to assemble the travel system.

Still it wouldn’t be too bad if I was just buying the things that the baby industrial complex has tricked me into thinking are ‘necessary’.

But since I’m being honest, I must confess – I buy some real foolishness.

I buy things that make no sense and have no practical use, just for the entertainment value.

Which is why I bought the teeny tiara with furry pink trim and a pink heart in the middle.

Pointless. But so cute!

I also snapped up a red Santa hat that says ‘Mom’s Favourite’ – and comes with a matching red bib that says ‘I love Mommy’. In my defence, the hat and bib were on sale.

Yes, that is the only defence I have.

My husband wasn’t impressed either.

It’s not like I get any support from my family and friends in overcoming this addiction. With the exception of my continually headshaking husband, they are enablers, squealing “oooh, it looks so cuuuute!”

A major part of the problem is that I have a little girl and the

baby industrial complex is about 70% skewed towards the parents and family of little girls. I feel kind of sorry for little boys but I’m sure their parents save lots of money.

Frequently as I prowl the aisles of stores, I encounter little boys’

mothers complaining about the lack of variety for their sons, huddled over the one shelf of blue and green items. Meanwhile, I’m sailing through the store, my basket packed with frilly pink this and frilly pink that.

The irony of all this of is – I am not

a big shopper otherwise. I’m not one of those people that has to hit the mall as soon as I travel.

So how did this happen? I blame the baby industrial complex.

1 868 371-1772

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I AM AN ISLANDISTA

The Godmother of brown blogging

Whonoured to get e are super-

Trinidadian-born uberblogger Patrice Grell Yursik to share her thoughts on Islandista-ness with us.

Named as one of Ebony Magazine’s ‘Power 100’, Patrice is the godmother of brown blogging. Her natural hair blog Afrobella is widely seen as the gold standard and she has been featured in Essence, Ebony, Glamour and the New York Times.

Her authority on black hair has garnered her advertising campaigns for Lancome and Cream of Nature. In 2011, Afrobella partnered with MAC Cosmetics to create her own custom lipglass called “All Of My Purple Life”.

Part of the Bloggers› Obsession collection, the lipglass sold out in a week!

So yes, she is kind of a big deal! And we are thrilled to feature her in I Am An Islandista.

most influence on what I’m doing now. My sister Petal instilled a love of reading in me when I was just a baby — I was such a big reader all through my childhood and high school, some of my fondest memories are of going to the library or the bookstore with my sister.

My mom has always been a great beauty who values high quality products and I started going to fashion shows in Trinidad with her when I was very young. I learned to love makeup, fashion and beauty directly from watching my mom.

WHAT Is: …Is an Islandista to you?

P.Y.: an Islandista represents her country beautifully, with elegance and class. She is glamorous in a real and accessible way. She is comfortable in her own skin, and shares her culture with the world.

WHO : …Is Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik?

Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik: I am a Trinidadian born and raised woman who now lives in Chicago. I am the creator of a beauty, fashion and culture blog called Afrobella.com and I work from my home as a full time blogger and writer for a variety of online publications.

Is:… Do you love/miss most about your island?

P.Y.: I miss the food, the music, and the diversity of Trini culture. I miss the melting pot. I miss standing with a bake and shark in my hand at that big table of condiments, while hearing the crash of the waves off Maracas Bay. I miss Trini Christmas and my family’s Old Year’s Night party. I miss Sunday lunch and the rituals of home.

Is:… Has most influenced what you’re doing now?

P.Y.: I can definitely say my family has had the

WHERE Is:…Do you see yourself in five years? In ten years?

P.Y.: In five years, I hope

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featuring Patrice Grell Yursik of Afrobella to be much more welltraveled, I hope to be a published author, and I hope to be a mom! My husband and I are at that point where we talk about creating a family, so by the ten year mark I’m sure we’ll have some news in that department.

Is: …Is your ‘happy place’?

P.Y. : I am happiest at home, with my husband

and our cat Max. WHEN Is: …You worry, what do you worry about?

P.Y. : I worry about my health and the health of my loved ones. I worry about not spending enough time at home with my family. I worry about finding ways to increase my income, but still

maintaining my integrity at all times because that comes first.

Is: …Are you happiest?

P.Y. : I’m happiest on a Saturday morning, when I wake up with my husband knowing we both don’t have work obligations calling us and we can just enjoy the day together and make the weekend whatever we want it to be!

WHY Is:…Do you love what you do?

P.Y.: I was blessed enough to be able to create my own career path. Every day I wake up and I write about hair and makeup and clothes and things that make women feel beautiful. I inspire others to celebrate their own beauty and very often I hear from women who

tell me they were inspired to love their hair, their features, their skin color, and their bodies because of me. That’s more than I ever could have dreamed of and I’m so proud to share that with the world.

HOW Is: …Would you like to be remembered?

P.Y. : I’d like to be remembered as someone

who did good work, did her part to help others, and who shared her gifts with the world.

Is: …Do you unwind?

P.Y. : By spending time with my husband and my friends. By playing with my cat Max. By having a fabulous cocktail – I’m a Trini to the bone and I love a good drink! Nothing wrong with that!

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I AM AN ISLANDISTA

Shala

Monroque

IShala Monroque has been killing t’s been a few years now that

the scene in New York, Paris and Milan with her signature islandista style. The New York City-based creative director of Garage magazine has been featured in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar with her distinctive style. A friend and muse of Miuccia Prada, she’s also graced the covers of New York Magazine and Town and Country Magazine.

The 33 year old girlfriend of multimillionaire art dealer and gallerist Larry Gagosian was a fashion and art world insider for years, hanging out with Margherita Missoni, Charlotte Casiraghi and Dasha Zhukova.

However, in one very islandista moment she moved from fashion insider to well-known style icon.

Sitting in the front row during Prada’s Spring/Summer 2011 show in Paris in 2010, Shala rocked Miuccia’s black, green and yellow banana print skirt, days after it had debuted on the

30

runway in Milan.

While that collection was inspired by legend Josephine Baker and her “danse sauvage” (there were even little Josephine earrings!) we can’t help but think that Shala’s choice was also inspired by her upbringing in rural Choiseul in St. Lucia during an era when the banana industry dominated.

Meet a lady who embodies what it means to be an islandista - smart, fascinating and proudly Caribbean, St. Lucian Shala Monroque Islandista: Who has most influenced what you’re doing now?

Shala Monroque: My mother.

most about your island?

Shala Monroque: The simplicity of life.

Islandista: What is an islandista to you?

Shala Monroque: Smart, intelligent and stylish women from the WestIndies or of West-Indian descent who carry with them a strong sense of pride for the country.

Islandista: Why do you love what you do?

Shala Monroque: I get to engage in intelligent conversation.

Islandista: What do you love/miss

Islandista: Where do you see yourself in five years? In ten years?

Shala Monroque: I can’t see that far.

Islandista: Where is your ‘happy place’?

Shala Monroque: In my memories of childhood in the St. Lucian countryside.

Islandista: Where do you call home?

Shala Monroque: My happy memories.

Islandista: How would you like to be remembered?

Shala Monroque: As a girl who loved to dance.

DIRECTORY Khalil Goodman Photography khalil.goodman@gmail.com Flickr.com/khalilgoodman

I Heart Makeup ihrtmakeup@gmail.com Facebook.com/Ihrtmkup Youtube.com/Ihrtmkp 233-8672/230-8435

Pink Lemonade

thepinklemonade@gmail.com Facebook.com/ PinkLemonadeBarbados

Makeup by Lauren Austin Laurenaustin1@live.com 267-2900

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