UpMarket June

UpMarket is fast becoming a monthly must-happen for me....just like other things in my life like waxing, parking fees (I lie, the streets of POS are my parking lot) and the crimson flower (ha, so many corny euphemisms for that menstrual shiz). Except it's not nearly as horrible as any of those other events I just mentioned.
UpMarket is a breath of fresh air for me, amidst all the .com shopping and the busy, smelly streets of Port of Spain (I don't shop in West Mall...everything there is dull and overpriced, and all other malls are too inaccessible to me on the weekend). 
Housed in the Woodbrook Community Centre on O'Connor St. on roughly the first weekend of every month, it's a utopia for anyone seeking a different kind of shopping. I've been to two to date and both times it's been a total sell out. The demographic to which it caters is diverse and holistic - from children to young adults to the middle aged to the elderly (of course the kids are being dragged along by the middle aged, but they don't seem to mind - there's ice-cream for heaven's sake!) 
Fresh flowers, gourmet pepper sauce and chutneys, natural cosmetics and toiletries, cupcakes and home-made ice creams in all kinds of non-traditional flavours, jewellery (which of course we all know is my main reason for going there) both local, original creations, and your standard mass-produced jewellery that's being re-sold. There's also clothing but less so; the real attraction for me is the food, and the jewellery.

Designs by Nadia at UpMarket

My Roma St. Prix acquisition

In tandem with Designs by Nadia, which is a St. Lucia-based designer who came down especially to sell at UpMarket, there was a lady by the name of Roma St. Prix selling these beautiful hand-painted white cotton shirts. I fell in love with them, because they were exactly the kind of easy breezy aesthetic that island-fashion is inextricably linked to. I'm all for a little cliche every now and then, so I bought one for my mom, and then I decided to get myself one as well. A little pricier than something I would normally buy but I didn't mind because it's 'local' (I consider up-the-island artisans local too, CSME nugga!)
I can't remember the exact name of the label...Soleil something...will edit when I get back home and can check the tag.

BetchBum at UpMarket

One designer to note is there every month. Denise Hendrie's macrame jewellery is statement jewellery. I first encountered her at Chez Nous in December and since then I've only been able to find her at UpMarket. Seems like she works mostly with hemp and raffia and most if not all of the beads you see intertwined throughout her pieces are hand-made as well. 

Denise Hendrie at UpMarket

My Denise Hendrie acquisition

I also had a serious addiction to Cuptails Cookies & Cream cupcakes, so much so that I actually went back later in the day to get more. The Sangria cupcake was also a thing to behold. I love the idea and I like the fact that it actually tastes good, even though you would think a vodka cupcake might be a little...hmmm....questionable. It isn't. It's G*d-damn delicious. 

My second box of Cuptails, all Cookies & Cream 

So therein lies my visit to UpMarket. They are also having an event in South on July 21st at a location called the Oasis. Follow UpMarket on Facebook for more information. 

Koko Karibi

Heading to Meiling's 24 Hours Fashion Show

Black button up from H&M, Doris & Doris Pants, Koko Karibi Choker, Beids by Chuff earrings, Zara Pumps

Heading to UpMarket, Rob being silly behind me

F21 Maxi Dress, Koko Karibi Choker, Beids by Chuff earrings, Asos ring, Anne Klein watch, purse from Bang Bang

As you can probably tell (because you're observant like that), this Koko Karibi Choker is my truth...I've been wearing it every opportunity I get. It's intricate without being overwhelming and detailed enough to be interesting.

I have also been rocking these smaller 'Tumbleweed' earrings from Koko Karibi. They're small enough for work but unusual enough for me to not feel like I'm wearing anything out of my comfort zone (ie, boring). 

So check out the Facebook page. She recently launched a new collection called Landscapes, which I am yet to see, but I'm sure it's just as gorgeous as all her other work. Koko Karibi is also usually featured at the Monthly Arts Market in Belmont. Hit me up for details. 

Philosophy...is the talk on a cereal box

:: source ::

Was trawling the depths of the internet today - no, I was actually just on 9Gag - and found these great posters of philosophical quotes. Particularly love the one by Camus. Going to print it out and put it up in my cubicle so I can keep raging against the machine in my own quiet way. God I hate my job. Anyway! Hope you enjoy these as much as I do. The artist is Max Temkin and he's got great work on his website.

Look for Less

Hello lovelies, I decided to do the good Samaritan thing today and share the spoils of my persistent trolling of online retail outlets...

Today I'll just point out two must-have trendy items that you can actually secure through accessible online retailers (they accept our credit cards and ship to P.O. Boxes) for a minute fraction of the cost of the real deal.

Prada Baroque Sunnies

REAL
Available at Nordstrom for US$290.00



DEAL
Available at Amazon for US$9.99

  

Jeffrey Campbell Night Walk  

REAL
Available at Solestruck for US$169.95

DEAL
Available at Go Jane for US$34.00

Hey look at that...I'm finding you ways to save money. Assuming you were obligated to ever spend that money in the first place (which you most certainly were not). But let's be real, everyone loves a deal, and everyone loves copping merchandise 'inspired by' a designer that we simply cannot afford (if only on principle).

Happy shopping!

Snapshots...

• Veuve Clicquot at Naughty Grape Sale • Señor Jalapeños • Rachel Rochford at Chez Nous • Photoshoot in Trinidad Lookbook • Shopping With Me • iPhone Case • Heading to SoBe • Cola on Cole Haan • Beids by Chuff at Chez Nous • Words to Live By •

Here are a few instagram shots (follow me @ceolab) from the last few weeks...a handful of random peeks into my even more random life

Latest Buy

Check out the swanky ass pants I just bought (yesterday). I plan on doing some shopping this weekend at Chez Nous Accessories Show so I will be posting a haul at some point next week. Hopefully...if I find amazing things, which I'm sure I will. But I'm super excited about these pants/leggings. Obsessed with the print. And they're magic pants because they looked so tiny on the hanger but when I put them on they actually fit...amazing! Might just be part of my Le Brunch ensemble. 

Doris & Doris Trousers

Purchased from Mo Mosaique

Chez Nous Presents...

Chez Nous is back y'all!

Chez Nous is a must-go-to event that's held sporadically every few months, that features fantastic local (and sometimes foreign-based) vendors. The next installment is one that literally has me writhing with excitement (seriously, I'm practically frothing at the mouth), since you may have gathered I'm something of an accessory-phile (I'm a grade-A addict).

The following vendors will be in attendance:

• Janice Derrick
• Lupe Leonard
• Meiling (a Chez Nous staple)
• The Art of Fabric
• Rachel Rochford
• Sandalias Apparel Ltd.
• Kenneth Forde
• Thais & Rejane
• Immortelle Beauty (another Chez Nous regular)
• Crystal Cunningham
• Rachel St. Rose
• Beids by Chuff
• Antonia Fifi

Now I know some of these vendors, and some I will be encountering for the first time. Pay day is tomorrow and I will be withdrawing quite a bit to spend at Chez Nous. I know the value of a totally unique, amazing accessory and how it can complete an ensemble. There is something incredibly empowering about owning an article of jewellery that is not only local, but one of a kind...it becomes you, and it becomes part of your signature style. I may be waxing poetic, but try it and see what I mean. And to me, the best thing about buying local is that there is never any buyer's remorse :) See you guys there!