Trend Alert | Exotic Prints

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‘Exotic’ Prints y’all. They’re everywhere, or will soon be.

This can be considered an extension of Animal Prints, just fresher and less ‘Cougar’-esq.

If you’re into channeling the motherland, this season is yours, Go for it. Though the looks aren’t necessarily authentic exotic/ ethnic wear, they are more inspired. 

It all seems to be about mixing and mismatching. A motley mishmash of [ethnic/ exotic] prints from all over the world. You know the kind of stuff that looks really creative on the runway but really WRONG at the food court in the Mall? That’s it exactly.

Mixing prints is sort of an art, so if you aren’t quite blessed with this talent, wearing just one print and opting for accessories will do just fine. Alternatively you can mix textures, this can work as well.

From bright, bold, rainbow mixes and candy-coloured, chunky (or layered) statement jewelry, to bold floral prints, the heavy print trend is just one cluttered statement.

Think tropical, wait. Forget that.

Lest you mind goes to those insanely unpleasant ‘Caribbean’ get ups that some [tourists] are seen wearing in the Caribbean. Head’s up… that’s not ‘Native Wear‘. That’s ‘Tourist Wear‘. No-one in the Caribbean really dresses like that, seriously. Except maybe the resorts that use them as uniforms, but that’s because that’s what they think tourists would understand ‘Caribbean’ to mean. 

Anywhos, back to the issue at hand, deep, rich, bold colours that reflect inspiration from the Caribbean, Africa, India, Indonesia… and everything in between. I love it.

Just BAT away the premise that spring is ‘dainty pastel season’ – take that. Fabulous. Me ‘n pastels don’t really see eye to eye anyways.

Accessories:

- Tie-died cheese cloths scarfs, tribal printed chiffon tunics, intricately woven textiles, embroidered dresses. 

- Wooden bangles and earrings, stone bib necklaces, and beads. Beads, beads, beads.

Those beaded jewelry pieces from my high-school days come to mind. Those same beaded necklaces that were forbidden as part of the uniform, that everyone so skillfully tried to hide under their blouse and tie combo… yeah.. just like those. Only bigger, more intricate. 

- Leather sandals. Leather earrings. 

- Huge stoned jewelry, – turquoise, tigereye, opal, river stone, quartz, red cherry amber, agate – large chunky, layered jewelry.
And the animals, God bless the animals. Not only the kitty cats get play this season. Python prints, feathers, 

But wait! the prints also extend to the shoes. Of course you can opt for that animal print pump, but what about an ethnic printed one?

And it should be no surprise that braided styles are back. You don’t have to get your Patra on, just one or two well placed braids will do fine. 

And leggings of course. Expect printed leggings to be around somewhere. Whatever you do stay very far away from white or horizontally striped leggings. <shudder>

The key to working all of this drama together?

FOCUS

There must be one focus, either:

1. Similar prints (shapes/ patterns) or

2. Similar colours/ same colour family.

no other iteration works. Try to test this theory and you will end up on in a picture with a black bar across your eyes that carries the title “Don’t”.

Minimalista Chic:

Minimalista Divas can get into the action too. Tribal-inspired assesories can really add a statement punch to an otherwise classic and sophisticated look.

- Beaded pumps,

- Patterned canvas wedges

- A python clutch, 

- Wooden necklaces

- Bold hanging earrings

- A patterned/ tie die scarf

Just one of these well placed accessories and you are channeling a more current version of yourself. It’s that easy. You don’t have to break the bank – just a little thought, a whole new you.

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The sick beats and rhythms too much flava’for you?  Black and white stripes work just fine.

There are at least 8 more trends for Spring/ Summer 2010 that we can chat about so, sit and get comfy. If this isn’t for you, you may like one of the next ones.

Next stop – The Safari Trend.

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POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Trend Spotlight: Animal Print 
Spring/ Summer Getups 2010 | Stripes and Cut outs 
Not-your-eighties Leggings  
Dress Your shape | M-m-m-m-melons
Mystery Fabric 
 

Spring/ Summer Getups 2010

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For those of us who were too busy with our own lives to make it to the Spring fashion shows somewhere around the turn of Fall 2009, no worries I got your back.

Here’s a quick rundown of ‘they said’ that we must wear for Spring/ Summer 2010, i.e what you found a few people wearing at last years end, what you would find some people wearing about now, and what you would find most people wearing around Fall of 2010, when it would be duplicated enough times to reach the mass market distribution.

Gotta love the fashion cycle. Just when you think you’ve nailed it, there is someone out there thinking that you are way behind.

1. LUCITE 

 

Gotta love throw-backs. You can be ‘in style’ without having spent a cent.

Spring season’s hottest accessories are of the solid, plastic, transparent variety, (think Plexiglas). 

I remember when plastic jewelry was in style, not too long ago, but it was the coloured variety. Well, these aren’t those times. The season’s ‘plastics’ are transparent.

Clearly, (pardon the pun) these accessories aren’t for the wallflowers, and can be worn as jewelry, shoes (platform soles and heels), bags, you name it.

Shoes

Don’t know, when I think of plastic accessories my mind always goes back to those plastic, glitter-filled, platforms that little girls and certain Grown folk wear. Remember those?

Anyways, these aren’t those, and if you select your plastic-soled, platformed shoes wisely you would look the epitome of fashion. Don’t however, and you will look like those aforementioned Grown folk. Feast your eyes on these Fendi babies.

 

 

 

The new breed of ladies called “Tigers” immediately come to mind.

Accessories

1. So that you don’t look too plastic, mix and match with metals

 

 

If plastic is just not your thing, some other jewelry trends are:

1. Bold jewelry.

Think bright/ striking and statement making, not necessarily large.

 

 

 

 

 

Not a big fan of transparent plastic jewelry myself, perhaps because I’m far from transparent. So I’d have to say that this trend appeals to me more.

2. Petals seem to be big too. 

From earrings to bracelets, as big or as small as you like it. 

 

 

 

 

For the uber femmes among us.

2. STRIPES

Spring usually welcomes the sailor, and you know how we at GC here LOVE lycra stripes as a fashion choice for the general public *side eye*.

Spring stripes are all H-O-R-I-Z-O-N-T-A-L so proceed with caution. Though most are black/ blue  and white or some combination of two colours, you can show your personality by opting to rock multicoloured,  horizontal stripes. Do limit your other accessories when choosing the latter. 

Unstructured (read WIDE), shorter than usual (read about belly button level) tops seem to be in stores everywhere. WHY? I have no idea. My advice would be to stay very far away. 

So long as you know when, where, and what your personal style limitations are you should be alright though. 

My advice is, unless you are a size 2, stick to stripes as your first or second layer and not your last. That would mean to avoid striped trousers, leggings and anything that can be called outer wear. 

Tip: Wear horizontal stripes where you think you can afford to add volume, i.e. a striped tee or blouse if you aren’t the bustiest, or a striped skirt if you’ve got the slim legs or athletic build (minimal hips)

And unless you’ve been successfully hitting the gym religiously for at least the last year, avoid 100% lycra stripes, no matter how great they look on the mannequin. 

Some stripey looks

 

 

 

Tricky? Yes, but cute if you can pull it off. At this length, not for the office though, unless you have a different kind of ambition.

An alternative could be:

 

Much safer.

In addition to stripes, plaid and chambray also seem to be getting a lot of play. Stripey-ish I suppose. 

Personally, I don’t really see the purpose of a striped shirt that’s also a boyfriend cut (read no darts or shaping to it, pretty much a boy can wear it) for a female, even if it’s Burberry, but I suppose it’s a look, so I’ll mention it anyways.

 

 

She looks as bored as this getup is. I feel ya’ girl, Next.

3. CUT OUTS

This cut out trend can be found anywhere from clothing to shoes, like oxfords; Wingtips, brogues and jazz shoes are all in this trend right now. 

Clothing

If you have assets that require maximum support, cut-outs that compromise the integrity of the fabric, and it’s ability to assist you with that support may not be the best idea. 

An alternative could be either:

1. Cut outs that are lined with sheer fabric 

2. Designs that give the appearance of cut outs, but do not affect the ability of the dress to provide support, like asymmetrical necklines or hemlines, i.e. no cuts happening within the bulk of the fabric itself, *cough* like right under the boobies.

 

 

.. and okay maybe not THAT high of an incline, though slits are very popular now…

3. Colour-blocking. Two toned apparel that gives the same idea as the cut out trend, but keeps your skin to yourself. 

 

 

or this type of look can work as well:

 

In addition to the obvious cut outs, ‘cold’ or  ’peek-a-boo’ shoulders as I like to call them, also seem to be pretty big, a safe alternative to the cut-out trend, either the classic cold shoulder or the updated ones.

For a classic ‘cold’ shoulder look:

 

 

This look also as the essence of the cut out trend, with updated colour blocking.

Or the ‘peek-a-boo’ trend:

 

Updated ‘cold’ shoulder. Feel free to switch up the shoes.

Or of course you can always do Hervé:

 

Hot.

So long as you’ve already organized your plan to keep the creditors off your back.

The other extreme end is also being seen, the super, duper, superhero strong shoulder look with the use of extensive shoulder padding. Wear with caution. 

Alternatively you can wear something that gives the ‘impression’ of strong shoulders like ruffled shoulders.

 

 

Much better I think, especially if you’ve already done the original 80s shoulder pads.

If you have issues with your arms, you might want to stay away from  these looks. 

Shoes

 

A fun alternative if you are into flats and ballet shoes.

4. SANDALS

Seems to be a hodge-podge, mish-mash of past styles for Spring 2010.

- Studs seem to be big, as well as ankle straps, in whichever heights you choose.

- After spending some years on the backburner, Wedges seem to be completing their comeback.

- And hope you guys didn’t throw out your gladiators from last year, and the year before… and the year before that, cause guess what? … they’re ‘back’. Surprise! They’re back, though not aaaaall over the pavement like they were last year. 

- Woven shoes and booties have a presence as well.

- Earthy accents like rope, raffia, jute, cork and natural wood are back  - typical spring.

- Platform sandals haven’t left us and aren’t going to leave us anytime soon apparently.

See some eye candy below.

Flat

 Embellished ankle strap

 

 Studs/gladiator-like

 

Here’s that clear plastic again.

 

Wedges

Studs and wooden heels

 

 

Gladiator-esq with embellishments

 

 

 

ohhh.. how ladylike.

Or, my personal favorite the Stilleto

Bandages and woven trend take. 

 

 

these babies…

 

And of course, platforms. Donatella was apparently inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’ for her collection:

 

I believe, my dear reader, what you’ve just experienced is called a ‘Shoegasm’.

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POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Spring Beauty Forecast
Mystery Fabric
Women | 6 Simple Style Rules
Dress Your shape | M-m-m-m-melons
Style | Shoe blues

Telephone Love | Texting Edition

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It can range from ‘innocent’ flirting to exchanging nude photos and basically channeling your own sex hotline. I used innocent in quotation marks cause come on, this is not high-school. We’re Grown so-and-so people.

There is nothing ‘accidental’ about flirting with someone in an extended convo thats happening via text. You can’t call on a body language loophole for example; you don’t ‘accidentally’ send a flirty message to someone, especially someone that you are NOT attracted to.  That’s like sexual harassment. Some argue that it’s only labelled such when the advances (male or female) are unwanted. But, that’s another entry, back to the topic at hand. 

‘Sexting’ is one of those hush-hush, iffy, soon-to-be taboo, relationship topics that’s made more of a big deal by the presence of technology. The same technology that’s evidently not going anywhere anytime soon, so we better either get comfy with the idea of talking about it with our partners, or make movements in such a way that we we never will have to.

It would seem that more technologically advanced we as a species get, the easier it is to engage in such activities, and it’s not just text with phone these days. Who texts anymore anyways? With all these smart phones around with wild abandon, text seems like snail mail.

Why not IM? It’s faster. Not only that, you can have a simple conversation that spans days, as the message is sent, and it remains on the phone until the person is in a position to read it – and respond, however long it takes. While on the other (the sender’s) end, anticipation builds, and builds. Considering how mundane and routine our normal lives can have a tendency to be, who wouldn’t welcome a little bit of fun? However, lewwe remember dat pressure does buss’ pipe eh. 

Then too, it’s not real. It’s a fantasy. You can escape the realities of your world and be who the hell you want to be. There is no time constraint, neither do you have to be in a particular place at a particular time.

It’s not an invasive activity; as long as there is access to a mobile phone there can be an escape. During a meeting in the board room, while you’re running your Saturday morning errands, while your significant other is taking a shower or, for the dare devils among us, reading a book/ meeting notes/ magazine in the bed while snuggled up in the bed right next to you. 

Talk about grey and fuzzy wuzzy.

- Is it technically wrong or is it technically okay? Are both of these arguments on the same side of one coin?

- Is it wrong only if you get caught?

- Is it only wrong when males do it but not females? 

- Is it wrong only when a certain line is crossed?  If so what is that line?

- Is it only only an issue when you make that jump from virtual to physical? Is that really a huge jump with the technology that we have today?

Some of us ‘virtually’ speak to people halfway across the globe more than we speak to people in our own households. 

- Is it okay if two people are single, consenting adults? Then, if there is an agreement of ‘consent’, is it okay that one shares the info with the world/ his/her circle of friends/ his/her bff? 

- Is it okay if it’s between bbfs who have no intention of being together, and are otherwise engaged?

- Is it just harmless interaction?

Can ‘sexting’ destroy a relationship or are people making too much of a big deal about it? Can ‘sexting’ actually save a relationships?

Does it count as infidelity? Should it?

Regardless of the technicalities, there is no denying texting ‘fun’ gone wrong. We usually don’t know when it’s happening, but we know when it goes too far. 

Some interesting tidbits about texting ‘like’/(love), especially if you find yourself threading in choppy waters:

1. Your texts are traceable.
No they don’t disappear just because you delete them off your phone. First there’s the other person who received the message, the people who may have then received a forwarded message, and last but not least your service provider/ whoever owns the server that’s transmitting the messages.

Text messages can stay on the server for an unlimited amount of time, and are accessible.

***UPDATE***

Well looky here. iPhone users now have the option of choosing how long a text message stays on the recipient’s phone, and can even choose that a ‘Delete on Read’ button. i.e. once the recipient opens the message he/she has 1 minute to read the message before it is deleted forever. 

Of course there are limitations, you can read more about online at the Apple Store.

The Blackberry Tiger Text app is scheduled to be launched in the middle of March 2010. 

2. They can be requested and used in court.

The court of LAW.

If you are married:
Legally your partner can request your texting records. For better or for worse/ two shall now become one… remember all of that fuzzy stuff? Legally you both have access to each other’s stuff. Increasingly, this form of ‘evidence of infidelity’ is being allowed in court. Recognize, especially if you have a whole heap of ‘ish on the line.

If you aren’t married:
If you aren’t married but your significant other’s name is on the bill that you are using, this also applies.

Be independent before you act independent.

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And that’s just the use of the phones. We haven’t started speaking about social networking sites and other such ‘day-to-day’ virtual yet social interactions that innocently (for real this time) engage in, in this world that we live in.

Businesses are incorporating the use of these applications to facilitate real-time decision making as well as a part of cost-cutting initiatives. Employees no longer have to travel to have a discussion, cue in Skype/ the webcam/ Googlewave. But when do the discussions end and the personal begin? Is there a clearly defined line, or does it only present itself when it’s clearly been crossed?

Sticky? Indeed.

Still, if you must ‘engage’, here are some  tips:

1. Intrigue rather than give specifics.

Make suggestions rather than be explicit. Develop code names or talk about talk about ‘it’ or ‘some’ for example. You don’t have to explain the how, why and where everything is going to be, and be done.

This will only sink you, further.

2. Think before you type

Easier said than done I know, because for years we’ve been telling people to think before they SPEAK. The advantage of text however, is that you actually HAVE time to re-read the text before you hit the ‘send’ button. Make the most of this advantage.

Another good rule of thumb is to only put out there you think you can, at most, survive after having seen it on CNN’s home page. 

3.Only text when sober.

As with calling, leaving voice-mails, and ringing people’s doorbells.

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Discuss.

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POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Relationships | Deal breakers
Relationships | When Love is Over
Q/A: Mistaken Identity (Pt. 2)
Poll: What would you do?: Human Nature 
It’s not me, it’s you 

Welcome to GC 1.5

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Hola amigos de nosotros!

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How’s it been?

No it’s not your aging eyesight, nor is it a browser or ISP hiccup.

As part of the upgrade that we mentioned a few days ago, the Glamity Calamity homepage experienced a little downtime as we changed to faster, more efficient servers, but no need to ring the alarm… we’re back.

Of course, though an upgrade with a slightly different look, what you now see at http://glamitycalamity.com, is not the new design, do hold your hats for GC 2.0.

While we’re in the process of ironing out some of the new seams left behind from the crisp packaging, feel free to become a fan of GC by clicking the link below.

Become a fan of Glamity Calamity

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Glamity Calamity

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Relationship Rocket Science Revealed

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Like OMG! Shut the front door.

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Men are a lot of things. They’re loveable, dependable, strong, handsome, smart, unique creatures that can put themselves to a lot of good use. They are a lot of things yes, but they are not Gods. The sooner that most women recognize this, the better off our species would be.

The lawyer, the doctor, the pastor, the priest, the teacher, the judge, the father, the husband, ALL accomplished yes, but still all human and are all capable of making mistakes of colossal proportions.

Mars vs. Venus, it’s no surprise to anyone that men are different from women, so I’m not sure why each species still expects that they other thinks like they do; That must be a fault in the human code.

Differences are great – it’s what gives each one of us the ‘unique’ stamp, and that which brings dynamic to interaction, a dynamic that ultimately keeps the ‘love’ (or at least the ‘like’) alive. However, like anything else a good thing can be taken too far. It is when we as women ask of men something that they cannot and should not be expected to give, is where we look for trouble, and where we often find it.

Now, who you choose to be with and how you choose to operate in your relationship is indeed your business, I get this. What I don’t get is how anyone can expect  a relationship that is built on a myriad of double standards will sustain itself for any significant length of time. Do tell, exactly which combination of insanity, denial and blindness gives this result?

Take the issue of cheating for example, my favorite relationship topic.

Men are human beings, and just like ALL the human beings on the face of this earth, they will do nonsense, after all we women can do a good bit of foolishness too. But, it is what happens in the moments that closely follows the grave misjudgment, that makes all the difference; Some actions being more effective than others.

How a guy deals with infidelity and how a woman responds to it makes all the difference.

**Note to self - Apologizing to the world via airing your personal dirty laundry to the media may notbe a good idea.**

To my guy friends:

Now in all fairness, if you, as man, decide to sample the pie from de’ neighbour’ shop, then must you not expect that, yes you may be sloppy and that yes you may come back with sloppy pie drippings all over yuh chest? Clearly that must be a first level thought consequence of that action. I can barely eat my own breakfast cereal without making a hot mess.

So now, follow me, after realizing the God awful mistake you’ve just made, you go to great lengths to hide the pink elephant, like that’s possible. You do ish, chances are that you will get caught, regardless of what your surname is. You didn’t think about this before you did it? You didn’t realize that you were going to lose more than you gained, and what you would lose most of all would be respect? That’s logic 101 my friend.

Nobody not saying not to go ahead and sample stale pie, but geeze, when you reach the point where you lost more than you gained, put ya tail between ya legs, listen, hush and become the best yes man you can be. I’m guessing that if you wanted to be free from your relationship you wouldn’t be creepin’. Nobody didn’t tell you to go and ‘tief pie when you have [fresh] pie at home.

So because of the Venus/ Mars divide I will offer this bit of advice. Men, what we women like is to have the gift of choice – Tell us.

I know I might sound crazier than usual but follow me for a minute longer here.

If you make what you consider a huge mistake then, tell your girl. She may not like it, but she will find out anyways and a day old corpse smells a hell of a lot better than a 5 year old one.

If you’s really a man, then give your girl the choice to say either

“Oh? oh okay. Take your ish and ride out b—h”

or some such eloquent and ladylike remark or, if you have one of the good ones on your hands she may even say something like

“You’ve hurt me deeper than you know. I never imagined we would have been capable of reaching this point, but I love you… How can we get past this”

Granted she may not necessarily say that right away, but give her a few days to get over wanting to say the first option. God bless you if she goes with the second option though…

Things may never be the same, but, although she may not realize it at the time, she will come to respect you a whole latrine load more than if she found out via her friends/frenemies/family/coworkers that her ‘man’, has been running around behind her back. I mean, we come back to the whole human bit, which one of you likes to be referred to in the punch-line of the joke?

Cause when we come down the the brass tacks of the situation, what hurts more than anything else is the embarrassment of it all. Pride is a hell of a thing, and though we always try to keep it in check before we fall, basic embarrassment hurts like a mofo.

If you even SUSPECT that your rope of lies is starting to unravel then open yuh mouth, and ease into damage control gear, cause I can guarantee that ‘yuh girl done already know ‘de score. You lied, ain’t nothing can cover that up, no matter how much you pay people to STFU.

Of course there’s her cascading thoughts of now having to be tested for AIDS and all the STD goodies in the bag, but yeah it’s the embarrassment of having to face everyone who already knew that’s the real, or at least the first,  deal breaker. The fact that you thought she was foolish enough for you lying to her to be considered a viable option.

People cheat, people lie, Trinidad Carnival is the greatest show on earth… there are some things in life that we know for certain.

Not that I’m taking sides though, both men and women can yield to temptation and cheat, but it’s how we deal with the aftermath is what labels us either a cheater or a recovering addict. Jokes, but you get my drift.

To my lady friends:

But I feel the need to talk to my ladies, cause sometimes we can act real chupid. We GET that feeling man, the female intuition thing, we FEEL that. That feeling that comes out of nowhere and resides in the pit of your gut – the red light that not all is not right in La La Land.

Correct, some of may be labelled as ‘paranoid’, but yet again, that’s noone’s fault but ours as being perpetually paranoid is usually a signal that we’ve allowed ourself to stay in a few relationships too many where we ignored our flashing red lights. In this case we  ought to keep ourself company for a how ever many minutes it takes us to successfully part ways with our paranoia, and quit inflicting it on otherwise normal folks.

We get it, we just IGNORE it. But if it walks like a duck, and it looks like a duck, and then it starts quacking like a duck, I’ll give you 3 guesses as to what it most likely is.

While you’re guessing I’ll end by saying this, ladies if you get proof of betrayal, and your man isn’t man enough to own up to his ‘tiefin’ and cheatin’ ways either deal with it or WALK AWAY. Don’t resort to public breakdowns and midnight screaming matches, they may feel like good releases at the time but they aren’t very constructive.

If you do choose to leave, no slamming; just gently close that relationship door and go about your business.  And don’t threaten to leave and don’t leave either, no-one’s going to believe you when it happens again. Think long and hard before you flap your feathers.

This may sound basic but, the best way for a someone to realize that they’ve lost something that they value, is for them to realize that something that they value is no longer there.

Forward ever…

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POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Relationships | Foul Romance
Break up, No make up.
Relationships | When Love is Over
Finding the strength to ride the hell out.
Relationships | Deal breakers
What would you do?: Mistaken Identity (Pt. 1)

What would you do? | Phone edition

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Alexander Graham Bell would be a proud papa, we’ve come along way with this phone ‘thang, baby.

One simple phone call can save lives, unite countries, warm hearts or break them mercilessly. SPLAT! All over the floor.

In most cases people feel a sense of security having a cell phone, after all ‘in the event of an emergency’, you got your technologically enhanced, electronic bff right in your pocket, that can do quite possibly every and anything you need it to, except perhaps have your babies.

Some argue that they don’t need a cell phone. Based perhaps on the simple fact that most of us have not and will never experience a life and death experience that will either warrant us to make such a call, or one where we will physically be able to make a call on our personal cell phone that will save our life. Their argument is that, if fact our lives were to be saved, it would be by someone or something else entirely. Debatable? Definitely, but I can see how this is still valid.

There are many reasons why people REALLY own cell phones. For example, people own cell phones because:

1. They can’t qualify for a land line
2. They can’t afford a land line
3. Their employers provided one
4. Their friends own one
5. Everyone owns one.
6. They wish to keep in touch with their friends and family
7. They wish to keep tabs on their friends and family
8. Their significant other requires all day access to them
9.  They wish to keep up with the Jones’ 
10. They have no time, to make time, to speak with real people, face to face.

Still, for the sake of argument if not logical reasoning, let us say that ‘personal security’ is the main reason to own one, although for some, scandal is as simple as misplacing said [wireless] device that is supposed to be used for ‘personal security’ reasons. 

Food for thought: The type (that combination of model and make) of cell phone a person purchases also appears to, in some way, be aligned to that person’s personality, ever noticed?

Much like with cars, shoes or clothing, even within the same brand of phone, themodel that the individual chooses or feels comfortable with may be able to answer many of the ’strange feeling’ questions that we may have regarding the individual but…

I digress.

The extent to which you use (read depend on) your mobile phone seems to be exponentially proportional to just how many bullets you sweat if it were ever to go missing. 

For some it would just be an inconvenience of unimaginable proportions because they weren’t smart enough to heed the various data backup warnings, for others it would be the end of their life as they know it –  their career, family and friends.

With so many reasons for owning a cell phone, I can’t help but ask:

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POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Q/A: Have I been one nighted?
Upgrade YOU
Career | Email Etiquette
Poll | Apple’s iPad
Career Tip: Online presence

What a pain in ye eyeball.

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Mr. Migraine.

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What a pain nightmare.

The headache from hell that just keeps mutating, just before it starts to rot inside your mental.

The type of pain that makes you think that in your past life you used to butcher squirrels for coats and now karma has finally come to get you. Boo!

The type that can lead one to behead another for simply letting their little light shine… through an open window.

Keep that little light of yours under a bushel dammit you think to yourself, for all those tiny people drumming incessantly in your head is far from cute.

You’d tell the drummers to stop, but you risk opening your eyes, not that you’d see anyways cause your left eyesight went MIA-mi. Just the thought of your apparent lack of control over your body workings makes you smile… oh,…. there goes the little pa-rump-pa-pom-pom-ers again, only you know it’s not Christmas cause these guys come with a little fella in the band who scrapes his nails on the blackboard music sheet.

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech.

Day in day out, there is no respite from this torture. Only death will save you now.

What is a migraine?

Trusty old Wikipedia says that a migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe headaches, and nausea. Physiologically, the migraine headache is a neurological condition more common to women than to men.

Just great.

The typical migraine headache affects one half of the head, is pulsating and lasts from 4 to 72 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting,  increased sensitivity to light (photo phobia) as well as sound (phono phobia).

About one in three people who suffer migraine headache receive some sign that the migraine will soon occur. This can be some aura or experience in the form of an unusual visual, olfactory, or other sensory experience.

Interesting isn’t it? Not exactly being able to see into the future, but close. Still, this is nothing that migraine sufferers don’t already know. What we would really benefit from rather is how to STOP this beast.

Common migraine triggers

As it turns out, common triggers for migraine attacks include:
- Allergies
- Bright lights or sounds
- Odors/perfumes
- Stress
- Skipping meals
- Alcohol
- the Menstrual cycle and Menopause and
- Certain foods, including red wine, cheese, figs and diary products including chocolate*

Migraine Management

What the doctors say:

Knowing such, an important factor in migraine management is preventative treatment, which would largely be lifestyle changes – from proper nutrition plus perhaps taking nutritional supplements, increased exercise, to just plain avoiding the migraine triggers. Engaging in such constructive behaviour may result in reducing the duration, painfulness and/ or frequency of the migraines. 

Of course when all else fails, there’s always the option of reaching far enough to grab a handful of those pain killers, and swallow hard, not that I’m promoting drug abuse. Naturally, Smarty Pants, this doesn’tfix anything, it just eases the pain to allow you to get your life in order before the next attack that’s bound to happen if you don’t change something soon.

This however is not a fool proof remedy you say, as the surely the above only addresses the problem in about 60% of us, if so much. What about the others?

What the herbalists say:

Well, there’s always holistic medicine.

Thing is, as high as they may sound sometimes, their advice concerning migraines is pretty much the same thing, minus the crazy pill popping of course. 

Their view is that migraines are caused by a lack of serotonin to the the brain, and that lack of sleep, and the effect of foods, yadda yadda, are thought to be the causes. 

Some recommendations include increasing your intake of:

- Ginger,
- Water
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Food high in fibre.

Also reducing your intake of
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Soda and
- Salt as preventative measures.

Well there goes the fun. We come back to proper nutrition again. 

Direct sunlight is also thought by herbalists to cause migraines, so avoiding it may be a good idea. The idea goes something like this – when the sun rises, the very hottest rays irritate the blood vessels and cause them to shrink thereby causing pain. Moonlight walks are thought to help alleviate the pain. (See Ayurvedic Cure)

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Migraines are painful and debilitating. 

As a migraine sufferer, I decided to see if I could help myself and some of you, my suffering peeps out there, fight this horrible monster that attacks when least expected. Hope this helps

At the end if it all it seems like we are encouraged to:

Eat Better | Exercise more | Stress Less | Avoid Sun | Sleep

Seem easy enough. After all, according to GC if we do just that we’d alleviate a whole host of other issues as well.

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Forward ever…

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Sources:
Ayurvedic Cure – Migraine
Wikipedia – Migraine

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*For a full list see the Medicine Plus Medical Encyclopeadia.

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Carnivalcoholic Anonymous

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My peoples, my peoples, I’m back. I’ve been MIA I know, but for good reason.

Ah chip down the road, an ah wine, on anything, until ah drop.

I even Palance in the Queens Park Savannah with the Queen Bey, but that is another story for another day.

Trinidad & Tobago Carnival was just about ten days ago, and now I just dont know what in the world to do with myself. I mean, after all the ‘palancing’, and the fétèing, and the shaking of my nether regions, and the feathers and glitter, and the general dont care-ishness , I find myself at a loose end. It’s all so abrupt; are we seriously expected to go back to normal now, like nothing ever happened?

PCD. Post Carnival Depression.

Of course, now it’s the Lenten season and so Soca being on full rotation on the nation’s airwaves is over. We have gone back to the ‘foreign’ music – a legacy  that has come down from the days of yore, the times when they took the Lenten season a lot more seriously that we do now, to the point where Soca was really more of a seasonal thing than a joyful staple, but thankfully these days we seem to be moving further and further away from that concept. Yesssssss.

But after the high of the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival season comes the big heroin-like crash and bang withdrawal. Yes you heard it : My Name is Superflygirl and I am a Carnivaloholic.

I literally mark time until August, when my bestest band launches it’s offering for the next year, and I have my people link me to get into the best sections, even after having played with them for going on 4 years. Mhmm… it’s that bad. I even have a ‘loyalty card’, a debit card of sorts for fétès thrown specifically by that particular band, that you charge with moolah and use at the event to pay for drinks and whatevers. Kinda sorta like a junkie having a credit line at his/ her local dealer. Ah meeeeeeeee dat!

Just talking about it is killing me. Murder, bloody murder!

However, I’ve found out that I am not the only one. Everyone seems to be walking around in a daze, not knowing what to do with themselves either. Lingering at the rumshops like the undercover alcoholics that they are, hanging outside the gyms but not actually going inside, sitting around on their porches and in their yards with a dazed look on their faces, going to the savannah but not running as they were two weeks prior…

I guess it is really over; We really do have to wait for a whole year for the two best days of our lives.

No more feathers, beads, stockings, and pee-pee trucks for a whole year. No more music trucks, no more furry boots, not a drop of anything, pure nadas.

Please excuse me while I take a moment to get myself together…

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I’m okay guys… I’m okay, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I suppose I will survive. *exhale*

So now I need to find something to do with myself. Maybe I will offer my services to the TTSPA. I hear they need some volunteers to teach the new puppies how to PALANCE!

Forward ever…

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What is your skin cancer risk?

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Noone is immune to skin cancer. However some factors make some people more prone to skin cancer than others. Calculate your sun safety using the following guide:

Do you:

1. Have Blonde hair?

2. Have Light coloured eyes?

3. Freckle easily?

4. Burn before tan?

5. Have many moles in areas not normally exposed to the sun?

6. Experience/d blistering sunburns?

7. Live in a tropical climate?

8. Family history of skin cancer?

9. Work outdoors during the spring and/ or summer?

10. Spend a lot of recreation time outdoors?

Assign a value of 1 to each “YES” answer and then check the guide below.
 

Results:

7-10 – High Risk

4-6 – Medium Risk

1-3 – Low Risk

Of course, this is not a complete or absolute risk, as there are many other risk factors including age and gender.

Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen daily, one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays – a minimum SPF 15 on the face.

Always be aware of any new abnormal looking growths on skin particularly those parts that are exposed to the sun. Those who have a lifetime of sun exposure should be particularly vigilant. Make note of any unusual lesion(s) and/ or mole(s) and speak with your doctor/ dermatologist about it/ them.

Early detection is key.

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Vid | The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

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Talk about getting your point across. The possibilities are endless when your man smells like a man. 

How so? check the vid below.

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Thanks Lise!

Ladies, there’s another idea for V-day, some appropriately scented stuff for your bmf.

It may not turn him into a multi-millionaire Rico Swave, but at least he’ll smell like one.

Have a ‘manly’ smelling day fellas.

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