The Great Gatsby

When I lived in NYC, I decided that I needed some extra cash, so I began tutoring a high school student in history and english. Even though my pupil was lazy – which made my job harder, I enjoyed the experience!

The high school curriculum in Jamaica is very different from that in the US, as a result, I actually learnt a whole lot because I had to teach myself a whole bunch of stuff in order to effectively teach my pupil.

Our arrangement never covered assistance with literature, but I guess they figured I was flexible, so one day she asked for my assistance with some questions from a literature book she was using. It was called The Great Gatsby. I admitted to her that I perhaps couldn’t be of much assistance, because I’d never read this book (Neither did I have any plans to read it because I was completely immersed in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude). She couldn’t believe it. Anyway, I read the passage, read some Cliff notes and assisted her as best I could.

Last year, a blogger I follow, mentioned fashion from the novel and earlier this year a friend stated that she’d love to throw a party similar to the ones in the novel. By the time I heard that Baz Luhrmann was doing a film, I decided it was time for me to read the novel!

The Great Gatsby

Except in a few cases, I am normally disappointed in movies based on novels. so I soaked in all that F. Scott Fitzgerald had to offer and as is typically the case with me and a good book, I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I’d read it. I analyzed and wondered about certain things – a lot – especially since money class and love are themes/issues that I’ve been seriously thinking about lately.

The movie opened in Montego Bay last Friday and my ‘other kind of sister’ and I went to see it. I think it is marvelous! I found that Luhrmann stayed very true to the book and loved how he portrayed certain little things like Nick saying he was without and within at the same time. I also liked that Luhrmann found a way to show the actual words on the screen in some instances.

The parties were as lavish and over-the-top as I imagined them to be from reading the book and the fashion was more than I could have hoped for. My goodness these girls looked goood! I especially adore the little black veil of a hat that Jordan Baker wore to the first party!

Jordan Baker’s veiled hat

And while we saw the Vogue spread which featured Daisy’s fab dresses, I very much liked one that she wore in two casual scenes in the house.

Of course, because of Fitzgerald’s writing style, many things are left open to interpretation. For example, what may have been written in the letter Daisy received on the day before her wedding. And I have always wondered whether or not she had told Tom that she was actually behind the wheel when Myrtle was killed (would love some feedback on this).

The soundtrack I think was great. With the exception of Izzo (if someone could explain to me how it was relevant…) -_- and one other song which I can’t remember at present. I was however completed captured by Lana Del Rey’s Young & Beautiful. What a beautiful piece of music! Her voice is ridiculously mesmerizing and haunting…and beautiful.

With all that said, I believe the movie is brilliant and I’d watch it again in a heartbeat.

Kicks & Crop Tops

I looove hi-tops (sneakers), so I recently got myself a pair that I absolutely adore! I showed them to my (older) brother, who I believe has great taste in shoes and while he was quick to point out that the brand (Creative Recreations) is no longer trendy, he admitted that he thought they looked pretty darn good

Creative Recreations Galow Hi Multi Patent sneakers

And I’m pleased, because that once again proves my philosophy that great style is not about donning what’s hot or trendy or fashionable; it’s about finding high quality, good looking pieces and wearing them well!

Many years ago my little brother told me he thought I was getting too old to wear hi tops… but I can’t be the picture of perfect sophistication every time I get dressed! Nope, gotta switch it up sometime.

That said, I think I’ll be rocking a few crop tops this summer. I figure since I don’t look my age, I don’t always have to act it Below is a look I put together on Polyvore that I think would be cute with my new kicks!

Summer Style

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder!

This post has absolutely nothing to do with style or even fashion.
Today is the great Stevie Wonder’s birthday and I really do hope his birthday has been as special as his music has been to me!

Here’s one of my favourite songs of his (with horns)!

Beauty and Beyonce

After Beyonce’s big Superbowl performance, it had caused some furore that she had asked the media to remove some photos that she and her publicist considered to be unflattering (In all fairness, the news reports I have read said her publicist wanted it removed and never once mentioned her name…).

One of the seven ‘unflattering’ photos

another of the seven

Maybe two weeks later, I come across another article stating that Beyonce has now banned photographers from her concerts excluding one which she hires. Photos that are released to the press will be those taken by this person and approved by her? and her publicist.

Insert –> Hand on jaw, head cocked to the right, eyes rolling and looong sigh.

No those pictures are not the cutest, but Beyonce, you’re a performer; an enetertainer. We are well aware that your act consists not only of singing, but doing choreographed (and sometimes un-choreographed) dance moves that involve, neck-jerking, head-spinning, booty poppin’ and twirling and twerkin’. And we most definitely do not expect you to do all that while remaining cute as a puppy in spring!

‘na mean?!

Yes, despite the fact that you’re hailed a queen and considered a celebrity – no one expects you to look like a doll 100% of the time, because we know that you’re actually human!

.

So please, keep it real. Don’t become America’s flawed perception of a diva – be a real one!

In case you missed it, here’s the performance. I’d be damned proud of those photos – girl can worrrk!

What To Wear In Case Of a Fire

I was on the phone with a friend ’til veeery late on Saturday morning (about 1:30 a.m.). While we were talking, I said to him, “I smell something like incense burning.”

“No. It smells like smoke,” I retorted.

“God I can’t stand it.”

I get up and look through my windows and door, I don’t see any hint of smoke. I get back into bed and we continue to talk.

“No man, it’s really strong. It smells bad,” I continue.

I remember thinking that my dog whose nostrils are way more sensitive than mine must be dying.

Anyway, I didn’t smell any smoke after that and went to bed.

I woke up at some point coughing and went to relieve myself of some mucus, thinking my sinuses were up to no good.

At some point (turned out to be after three in the morning), I heard the guy who lives in an apartment below me shouting to a guy who lives above me. He was repeatdly shouting the guy’s name. So I got up, and lo and behold all I saw was a billowing, angry red-orange row of flames; hissing, popping and crackling.

I immediately started looking for a bottom, since I’d gone to sleep in just a camisole night top.I saw my itty bitty pink shorts and figured those wouldn’t do. My head was a whirl as I wondered where to find some decent pants and ran to the closet. I frantically rummaged through the closet. It may have been one, but I felt like it had taken me 5 minutes to find some jeans and pull them on.

I ran upstairs to get the guy (mentioned earlier) and when he groggily came to the door, I told him he had to get out because there was a fire below him. As I ran back to my apartment barefooted (because Fela chewed on my indoor slippers and destroyed them), I figured that since the fire was practically just outside my window I’d better grab some stuff. I figured I can’t live without my laptop and perhaps I should just zip up the suitcase full of clothes lying on the floor and take that out too.

But before I could grab anything, the same guy from upstairs pushes his head in my door and tells me I need to get out because the stairway is full of smoke and soon we won’t be able to get out. At that point I became an even more nervous wreck. I grabbed my bag (pocketbook), then put it down. I ran to the closet, grabbed a pair of sandals. Ran to the bed, got Fela, picked up my bag and with slippers in hand ran through a back exit and outside.

Once there, I was prompted by someone to call 119. Lots of other dramatic events occurred, but while I sat there in ‘unknowingness’ (… that would be the unknowingness of whether or not I would have a bed to sleep in once the sun had risen and other such things), I desperately wanted to go back. And when I say desperately I mean like Lot’s wife during the escape from Sodom & Gommorah.

I really wanted my laptop, I remembered my passport and I needed a sweater! I was cold and then when a guy stopped to say something to me was when I realized how absolutely uncomfortable I was in my worn out little night top which made my boobs (which I don’t think are nearly as perky as they should be) and pointy nipples stand out most disturbingly! Lord how I needed my cardigan! 

White cardigan

So for the rest of the morning until the fire was put out, whenever anyone approached me, I would pull the bag across my body (as best I could) to avoid them seeing my boobies. And when I was finally able to get back into my apartment, two things occurred to me:

1. I NEED to have a little emergency bag – in case of emergencies But seriously though, I have at least two empty small 2-wheel suitcases. I shall fill one with a few items like a change of clothes, pj’s maybe a bar of soap, my passport and other super important documents that would be time consuming and difficult to replace, my mom’s watch and  such items!

2. When clothes get old and seedy, they shouldn’t be in my drawers. It must be my upbringing, but I have a habit of keeping old, worn clothes and wearing them to bed or around the house. Well on this particular night, I only became conscious of the fact that it was sorta stretched out and a bit worn, when I was out in public! Now I’m gonna have to make sure my pj’s are camera worthy! That way, if I get caught on the news with my last piece of clothing on my back, I can be at least 1/2 way fab!

the little bit of roofing that used to be there now burnt out (and a small section of the inside)

See the arrow which shows how close to my apartment this fire was… and why I was freaking out!!

They’ve taken down the remnants of the roof now – and repainted Rose’s railing.

Inspiration for the Cut

In her video Bossy, there’s something about the way Kelis rolls out of bed, looks in the mirror, casually decides she wants to change her hair, grabs a pair of scissors and starts snipping away! It must be total and complete liberation, spontaneity and confidence that would make you get up and ‘change it up,’ just like that. And I LOVE IT!

A clip from Kelis’ Bossy vide

I am no stranger to that and have cut my hair on three occasions. Two out of three times it was done as spontaneously as the above example

I’ve  long loved Kelis’ trendsetting hairstyles and had my eye on one particular do since 2011.

the hairstyle that started it all! 

I just got around to it for my birthday last month after drawing additional inspiration from Rihanna

 

Loved this Rihanna look!

and some lady whose photo I saw in a local newspaper.

Photo I saw in a local paper

In order to achieve the style I needed, I had to get a perm, but I love my new hair so much that I don’t regret it! Since I got it done, I’ve gone back and had them shave the sides right down, because it’s way easier to handle when it’s low like that. And I’ve gotten hella compliments! Ching

What do you think?

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If we wait unti...

Reblogged from Miracle Corporation:

If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives.

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