Kweyol Clutch

This month is Kweyol (Creole) Heritage month in St. Lucia. The entire country celebrates the creole ( French, English and African) heritage with traditional music, dance, food, exhibitions etc. I attended an event, October Fest en Kweyol ( a fusion of the German Beer Festival with a Kweyol Flair) These handmade straw clutches were on display and I had to take one home.

The wristlets, clutches and small shoulder bags are carefully crafted by a local St. Lucian woman, Lil, who usually sells in the City's market, using straw harvested in rural St. Lucia , scraps of fabric and used plastic for the inside lining.

Top- F-21, Shorts - French connection, Necklace - a shop in St. Lucia, Sandals- Nine West

Other pictures from the event can be found at my Travel Blog, CaribbeanConservationChic.tumblr.com.

be good. do better. look your best.

Handmade St.Lucia

Yesterday I went to the duty free shops in Castries, St. Lucia. How tourist-y of me? I wanted to immediately take home this handmade lantern. The creation is by a St. Lucian expatriate...Becker( I can't remember), made with washed up sea fans, shells etc on canvas with rope and used light fixtures.



Do you like?

be good. do better.look your best.

I cheated. I am sorry.

So. I have been in St. Lucia now for 13 days. I started a new travel blog CaribbeanConservationChic at tumblr to document that journey and because I find that pictures are better looking there.

St. Lucia is good so far. Like my homeland Jamaica, but yet very different. I am working on biodiversity conservation( read: protecting trees, animals etc and managing how people use these scarce resources that are essential to the 'sustainability' of Caribbean economies)

That JCrew Button down skirt (Thrifted) Shirt- Gap, Necklace( Goodwill) Shoes(Kenneth Cole)

Shirt- (BCBG), Top- (NY&Co.), Khaki-( Gap) Necklace - (Liz Clairborne) Paparazzi, for the organization's press release.

Blazer -(Old Navy(Thrifted), Top( Max Mara, stolen form my sister), Skirt- ??? Lady Bug Necklace( Lucky Brand@ Macy's))

I have been enjoying getting dressed with less than a quarter of my closet and lots of accessories. My challenge is even greater because of what I call 'post-colonial mannerisms' that limits what "work wear" is. Typical work wear here is button downs, polyester suits, nylon stockings etc......I try not to stand out...too much. Although I had some critical commentary on pattern mixing. Still a little taboo.... I know what is expected having worked in Jamaica......but I choose not to pay attention.....While the island is usually 80 degrees the office AC is kept at 26 degrees.....so layering is okay...for me atleast.

be good. do better. look your best.

From St. Lucia

Wedding Day. First Day. Same thing.

Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue.

The itsy bitsy, little yellow polka dot ( okay, it's not a bikini) is old clothes for someone but new to me. I picked up the 'thrifted' (read:poop inna/old bruk), at Goodwill in Boston. The vintage Ralph Lauren silk shirt fits like it was custom made for me! The pin striped belt is borrowed from the best friend a girl could have and the pants are basic blue wide legs from the Gap. No, I didn't wear those flip flops!

See travel blog here http://caribbeanconservationchic.tumblr.com/ ( I find tumblr a better platform for posting photos) I will post here less for the next six months that I am in the Caribbean.

be good. do better. look your best.

From St. Lucia....

Birthday in Brooklyn

Click photo above to view

I celebrated my birthday this past Saturday traveling 12 hours to get to St. Lucia. The day was the most unusual one i have had yet. I enjoyed pre-birthday and farewell celebrations in Brooklyn on Thursday. With a hundred tasks to complete before jetting off for my internship I wanted an outfit that was easy but special. This vintage madras, silk Brooks Brothers shirt came together nicely with a few borrowed pieces from my best friend.

Denim- old pair cut off(Marshalls)

Shirt- vintage Brooks Brothers ( Goodwill)

Belt- borrowed

Cocktail ring- borrowed( it hurt to return it)

Platform Sandals- INC(Macy's)

Purse- Vintage Gucci( circ 1964) (Goodwill)

Thanks to Mr. Husband I got the SLR I wanted.

be good. do better. look your best.

New Spot in the Dot: Hidden Jules

I live in Dorchester. The Brooklyn of Boston. Large neighborhood that's just mixed up. Mixed up incomes, races, stories, motive and motivations! Historically an immigrant neighborhood since....whenever. The name "Dot" is an abbreviated version of Dorchester. The 'r' isn't pronounced in the Boston draawl. So it's Dotchester and Haavard.

Hidden Jules opened a few months ago. I consigned a few pieces and picked up some. Great service. Decent selection and price. Lovely decor!!

be good. do better. look your best.

Picked up at the library...but the boy couldn't carry me!

I bought this little cotton number on a recent "poop inna" shopping trip. 

Friday at the library.

Boy no more than 13 years old approaches me, " Hey there beautiful".

Me, flattered by the compliment, turns around to the surprise and replies: "Hi? Thanks. I guess?! [Pause] Are you old enough to even be here alone."

Boy: "Don't play me like that. You go to Madison Hyde Park right?"(referring to a local high school)

Me: "Excuse me?"

Boy: "I'm a be in junior high in the fall."

Me: "You are too cute. Do you know how old I am?"

Boy looking confused and realizing I wasn't a 'shorty', walks away.

I should probably trade this dress in and reconsider the flower in the hair ......

Blogger Style

Since my attempt at blogging, I have been introduced either through links, comments, blog rolls etc to a plethora of wonderful bloggers and sites.

One day. One day soon with no obligatory date I will make a comprehensive list. Until then here is one new ( new to me) blog I am loving and some of the vintage items on Etsy.

Introducing ......Sally Jane Vintage (all images are from the site)

I absolutely love how every item is set against this red brick wall. The prices are decent considering other sites ridiculous prices for vintage. Read more about choosing vintage here.

I am not sure if I absolutely love this dress. It's very Easter Sunday -ish. But something about it gets it a second look. Yeah? Nay?

I see me, this romper, and a pair of sandals, somewhere in the Caribbean. Sometime soon

Pintuck is quite popular again. I used to hate how long it took for my mother to do this style on my little outfits.

This red skirt reminds me of my "button down dream skirt' and would be super chic for a workshop, conference or meeting. Me gusta.

I decided to start featuring other blogs here, let me know what you think or send me a link to your blog. Have you found any good sites recently? Care to share?

be good. do better. look your best.

Floor covering

Could I possible make this? At $688 I could learn.

Vintage Belt Floor Mat
One of the coolest floor covering/mats i have ever seen. Its made of old leather belts and has a textures and colors that astound me. You can find them at Branch Home, along with a whole lot of other cool designed sustainable items and housewares.

Designer: Inghua Ting
Made from: Vintage leather belts
Price: $688.00
Buy it at: Branch Home

Source

Lunch

Today I had  a serving of $3.00 items from the GoodWill one day sale for lunch.

MENU

Appetizer was silk vintage Brooks Brothers button down

Main course printed maxi Skirt with teal skirt dressing and a vest a la J-Crew

Dessert was a silk Ann Taylor shirt

Sew What?!

Sew What?! is a fashion, art, shopping event featuring a Swap-o-rama-rama. The event will include vendors which produce handmade jewelry, accessories, clothing and home goods. Artists will be performing live during the event with an opportunity for the public to receive custom art. This event will also include a Swap-o-rama-rama which is a community clothing swap and do-it-yourself workshop in which attendees explore creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing. 

Tomorrow should be a lovely day. Check out Sew What?! if you are in Boston.

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

Sustainable denim style

 

This skirt is a tad bit too short and close fitting for my comfort. It is one of the many denim articles of clothing that no longer fit. What to do? Consign or Insulate? 

I do live in New England where keeping warm is a favorite pass time...even in June. Here's a snipet on how denim insulation works......

"UltraTouch cotton fiber insulation is made from recycled denim and cotton fibers, materials that act as insulators because of the looser structure, or "breathability,"of the fabric compared to tighter weaves. Denim dates back to 17th century France, when a type of wool-and-silk-based fabric called "serge de Nimes" was popular. Also popular was a cotton-linen-and-wool blend known as "jean." By the 19th century, denim had become the fabric of choice for sturdy work clothes, particularly in the West. Levi Strauss began manufacturing his version of "jeans" in 1873." Read more here.

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

I like her style!

My best friend Kerrisha and host for my week end in Brooklyn. Looking quite retro and fab on Sunday on our Brooklyn Flea Market, lunch and bridge walk date. I couldnt pass up the chance to photograph the still functioning VW van.

be good. do better. look your best.
Tammyanka

Buttoned dream

I've wanted a button down cotton skirt since 2002. I was in my final year of undergrad when my housemate from the Bahamas had a lovely vintage one she found in Amerstand. My mother had similar styles in the 80's too.

On Thursday , despite the rain I ran over to local consignment shop to pick up some unsold items. Voila!!! Salmon + Button down +My size+ Cotton. +Vintage + J-Crew. On sale for $11 = Dream realized!!

I wore it in NYC the very next day while lunching& walking with my best friend in SOHO. I am so over my fear of poop inna.(Read the post here)

Vintage button down skirt - J-Crew(thrift)

Tank- AE

Silk scarf- LongChamps(thrift)

Bag- CK

T- strap sandals -Steve Madden

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

I like her style!

Again celebrities have what seems like endless wardrobe budgets, get lots of free stuff and are in a

a business where their image is apart of the product they sell. So I try not to get too caught up with their style.

  

But, come on, isn't Eva Pigford...opps Marcell's look to die for. Easy , flowy, maxi dress with layers of chunky arm candy and huge door knocker earrings at a flea market.

I like her style.

Be good. do better.

look your best.

Tammyanka

Images

Life is good. Happy Saturday!(Updated

70 degrees weather

7 books at 50 cents a piece at my library's yard sale

long walk to the bank with Mr. Husband.

1 stop by the newest and most chic consignment store in my 'hood to pick up ca$h

3 new-to me dresses

2pm tennis class

5pm youth 'crunk' fundraiser @ Close to Home (yup, that first image is me 3 years ago)

Images coming lata.....(update)

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

Mamma's Style

Today is my mother’s 50th birthday! She is my hero, friend, biggest supporter and style icon. She taught me to never carry large totes and handbags to evening occasions. Hence my obsession with the clutch! To wear what I had with my biggest smile and to look my best since you never know what the day will bring. She balanced style with comfort and was always creative on a 'third world economy' sized budget. 

With three growing girls and a father who thought clothing was only needed to cover the body, she made fashionable outfits from the scraps of her clients (she was a reluctant seamstress) and ‘remixed’ our clothes by adding patches, laces, buttons and miscellaneous things for a new look.

Since I cannot be in Jamaica with her today, I am wearing a cardigan that originally belonged to her. Both my sisters and I have owned this cardigan at some point.  The cardigan is imitation Calvin Klein, bought in downtown Kingston and commonly found in 'third world countries'.:)

I love you Mommy!

Cardigan-  imitation CK ( originally my mother's circ 1995)

Skirt - F21 (thrifted)

T-shirt - F21

Scarf - H&M

be good. do better. look your best.

tammyanka

Sprung!

Today was a regular old day taking on Social Capital and Income Inequality (who you know and how much you earn) and Eco-Tourism..again.

My economics professor stirred much controversy this morning with his less than popular view on the irrelevance of sustainability. His argument is that the earth and humans will self regulate or perish. Stop worrying about the unpredictable future he warns. According to him, nothing lasts forever so enjoy it while you can. 

While I am not quick to agree with his entire argument, I find some truth in it. Until, I am fully convinced either way, I'll enjoy my paradox lifestyle of preaching biodiversity conservation and consuming dozens of cotton and silk dresses, like the one below.  I'll buy them used when I can, air dry them to save electricity etc.... at least I am aware of my dilemma. What's yours?

Cotton eyelet dress - Roxy

Silk scarf - Longchamps (thrifted)

Denim jacket - Guess

Bamboo and Straw bangles - gifts

Purple flats - not shown( Nine west)

be good. do better. look your best.

T

Sunday Best

 

I'm excited about this dress. Mr. Husband bought it as a gift when after mixed up all the colors of the rainbow in the washer and destroyed some of my dresses.

Abstract wrap dress - Banana Republic

Nude sling back pumps - Anne Klien

Vintage Suede clutch - yard sale, (circa 1970)$1

Monet earrings - thrifted

Happy Easter, Passover or neither of the above!

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka