Dressing and tending to my planet

"It's a matter of discipline," the little prince told me. "When you are finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend to your planet."  

from Le Petit Prince  (Antoine de Saint Exupéry, 1943) TAMMYANKA

Source

All my emails go out with the above signature. I read this children's book when I worked at after school program for high risk, low income youth (code for kids whose parents were poor, had lots of trouble, parol officers and such). Beautiful children imprisoned by their circumstances.

The Prince spends his days caring for his "planet", pulling out the baobab trees that are constantly trying to take root there. The trees will make his little planet turn to dust if they are not removed. Throughout the book he is taught to be patient and to do hard work to keep his "planet" in order......(Wiki) 

It is a complex book. They loved it. I think this quote describes my daily attitude.

What inspires you? What do you live by?

be good. do better. live your best.

 TAMMYANKA

Chartreuse You!

When you are down. When you are unsure. When you haven't written your proposal that is due in 2 days.  You wear a brilliant very versatile  chartreuse v neck t-shirt that you got for $4.99.  You Dance! Sing Smile! Love! Pray!

'Cause this too shall pass!

Can't find my camera charger so I'm sharing old pics of how I wore it in the past!

On oral tradition and fashion blogs

German Sunday: Rudebwoy Electronica & Hold the Line (SoulForce RMX) »

WHY ISN´T THERE A JAMAICAN STREET FASHION BLOG?

© Gabriel Holzner

With the Caribbean Fashion Week coming up, I was asking myself once again why there is still no Jamaican street fashion blog out there and why there isn´t even one single Jamaican submission on sites like Lookbook.nu which has pictures from e.g. Malaysia, Mexico and Brazil.

Is it the lack of money for equipment? Is it the lack of access to the online world? Is it Jamaicans not being interested in style and fashion? Is it the lack of attractive people?

I don´t think so. Look at the music business which has always been at the edge of the technological evolution. Look at sites like the Afflicted Yard and the vast number of Jamaicans on social networks like Facebook and Hi5. Look at pictures from back in the days as well as shots from today. Look atthese girls.

So what is it then?

Source

I found this very relevant post. ( Relevant to who? Me, at least). I jumped in and provided my two cents. One reason I offered, was that the Afro-Caribbean culture, Jamaican in this case, is one rooted in oral tradition. Word of mouth, acquired norms, behavioral patterns, dress, food custom etc. This holds true for many non western cultures. Your mommy showed you how to dress, your grandma made the outfits and you learned to accessorize and re-mix out of dire need sometimes. Most of the documentation on the fashion of post colonial countries was, and still is done by foreigners, and natives who lived outside the country. The post below is from Seen , Jamaicans in Germany! Not to say we do not record our own history and culture. With the now prevalence of digital cameras, phone and web 2.0.....blogs, in particular, I've learned about the fashion of Nigeria, countries in Asia and South America. I can share the following dancehall sites:

Passa Passa

Yush

PartyInc

I still need to do some homework. Cultural survival is integral to sustainability.....not just the culture of the masses!

be good. do better. look your best.

Ted said

Most of my colleagues from school are playing a waiting game.  Oh yeah , I am waiting too. We are required to complete a 6 month professional internship at a development organization( think UN, USAID, UNDP and the other do gooders not known to most outside our field) in order to get earn our Masters. 

We are willing to work for food, housing, return flights and even free in remote places like Madagascar and Tajikistan. Yet some of us cannot find a gig or a simply waiting for phone calls! Some, who shall remain nameless have been procrastinating all year.

Took the pic of this post card at the ICA museum. Wish  I knew who produced it. Until then, I'll keep sharing it.

be good. do better. look your best.

tammyanka

On eggs, mayonnaise and honey

Two nights ago out of sheer boredom and annoyance with the drying effect of alcohol and  the other ingredients I cannot eat nor spell that are found in my conditioner, I went old school.  I just about forgot that there was a time when moisture immediately meant a concoction of beer, eggs, mayonnaise or some other moisture and protein rich food found in the fridge.  Now, a store bought product with the right description coined by marketing executives, dashes with the word natural and organic, detracts us from reading the labels.

It worked out well. I tried some bantu knots or what I called 'chinese bumps' as a child. The very next day I tried to dress like the items I had in my hair.

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

( I so need a new camera or a photoshop tutorial)

Guest Blogger over at BGLH

Blogging has opened me up to a new community of beautiful women ( no men just yet) with whom I have so much in common. An example is the lovely Leila over at Black Girl Long Hair.

Today is the start of her guest blogger week and I jumped right in with a my thoughts on the connection between Natural Hair and Sustainability. I tried not to be too preachy!

Funny enough, I do not say  as much and work as hard  in my own blog space. It must be the student in me...trying to ace a paper! Take a look http://blackgirllonghair.blogspot.com/

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

tamika on natural hair and sustainability [guest blogger week]

Tamika working in rural Jamaica
While I may be preaching to the choir here, I thought it necessary to articulate the connection between sustainability and the natural hair community. In particular this article speaks to the unprocessed hair of women of African decent. Sustainability according to UNESCO “means consuming goods and services without harming the environment or society. 

Living a sustainable lifestyle is essential to overcoming poverty and conserving and protecting the natural resource base for all forms of life.” 

For the most part style and sustainability are arc nemesis. The pursuit of all things stylish , conventionally promotes waste, consumerism and usually harms the environment.

The folks over at Hair.lovetoknow.com writes, “As society grows more conscious of the effect chemicals have on the environment, trends like natural hair care become more popular. While it may not seem like a few bottles of shampoo or other products affect the environment, each time those products are washed down the drain they have the potential to contaminate water supplies and harm the surrounding ecosystem.”

Here are my top 5 reasons why your natural hair, in addition to its fashion forwardness and fierceness, promotes a healthy environment and why our kids will thank us . This list is no way scientific and based on my own observation, research and conversation with peers.

1. Reduced use of Aerosols. Many aerosols such as hair spray, spritz contain CFC that are proven ozone depletory.

2. Reduced Toxic Runoff- Reduce use toxic chemicals passing into drains– relaxers etc

3. Potential to Save Energy - Due to reduced heat styling, fewer hood, drying, hot curling etc

4. Greater demand and use of natural and organic products. Most of us have tried honey, shea butter and other home concoctions thus reducing consumption. (Raise your hand if you have made your own treatment)

5. Promotes greater conscious for social justice. It starts with our hair, our search for natural products, pursuit of community building (I am blogging on the page of a otherwise stranger) and eventually greater conscious of issues related to products, consumerism, health and the environment.

What are your thoughts? Are you even aware that your hairstyle choice can have an impact on wildlife and potentially climate change?Okay….indirectly!! But as the Jamaica adage goes “One, one coco full basket!” (Translation: Every small gesture makes a difference)

Be good. Do better. Look your best.

Tammyanka


Tamika has been wearing her hair natural for the last four years. She recently transitioned from locks. A native of Jamaica, currently residing and pursuing a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Development in Massachusetts. She struggles with balancing her passion for style, sustainable development and conservation. Tammyanka blogs athttp://sustainabilityandstyle.blogspot.com/.

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

Borrowed from the boy

I need an oversize cardigan. Okay,…I want one because the images in the magazines and my habit of buying new items dictate that I should get one. After realizing that I really can’t live without it, I raided Mr. Husband’s closet and found his well fitted J Crew sweaters are great as ‘this seasons must have’ over sized sweater for me.

I used to wear my mother’s clothing as a pre-teen when I wanted to achieve the tomboy early 90’s hip hop look. (I also remember trying to moon walk tooo...)

So I took it further and borrowed a few other pieces from Mr. Husband that I’ll mix sparingly into my wardrobe…….

Dress- FCUK

Sweater- J Crew(Mr. Husband)

Basket- Gap

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

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 wish I were here....

..instead I'm in rainy Boston planning a workshop.





be good. do better. look your best.

tammyanka

The Synful Collection

I am addicted to clutches. My mother carried them to distinguish casual from dressy looks in the 80’s and 90’s and for me,as a child, carrying a clutch was the epitome of being a fashionable lady.

The lovely pieces above were designed and created by one of my best friends, Synethia. Synethia is perhaps the only friend who can 'out shop' me in terms of number of hours and show continued militancy. She is living in Japan( again!) and made these beauties by hand from silk Japanese Obi sashes/belts. Me likey.

Now, my only challenge is which of the pieces will she 'gift' to me , just because. I’m trying to get her to sell them on etsy….leave a comment if you think she should.

The lady above is the empress herself…..always looking divine.

be good.do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

Going bananas....

Being an island girl, bananas are important to me. While I hate the texture and taste of the fruit, it represents the complexities of the unjust world we live in. While doing some reserach for a paper, I found the following article:

''Although bananas may only look like a fruit, they represent a wide variety of environmental, economic, social, and political problems. The banana trade symbolizes economic imperialism, injustices in the global trade market, and the globalization of the agricultural economy. Bananas are also number four on the list of staple crops in the world and one of the biggest profit makers in supermarkets, making them critical for economic and global food security. As one of the first tropical fruits to be exported, bananas were a cheap way to bring “the tropics” to North America and Europe. Bananas have become such a common, inexpensive grocery item that we often forget where they come from and how they got here.

In a number of countries such as Brazil and India, large amounts of bananas are produced but consumed mostly locally. Other regions such as Central America and the Caribbean include a large number of banana exporters. Some of the nations in these regions are quite dependent on banana exports, often to their former colonial rulers.

— Rebecca Cohen, Global Issues for Breakfast: The Banana Industry and its Problems, The Science Creative Quarterly, Issue 3, September 07 - April 08

Read more here

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

A night @ the museum....No. Not the movie.

Last night I had a date with myself to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. My trip was part recreation and part research. As part of my job ' coordinating a network of park and green space advocates throughout Boston' , I am planning a workshop on graffiti and vandalism in urban parks. Coincidentally the infamous Shepard Fairey has his exhibition on show and multiple cases pending with the Boston Police Department on charges of vandalism. His art. Their dilemma.

I went to see what all the fuss was about. Shepard is the guy who did the popular Obama collage. See: ICA Home | Shepard Fairey: Supply & Demand

No photos were allowed in the gallery so I only snapped the sign :)

I decided to take the public transportation so I could read a chapter or  two of the very funny Holy Cow, but the rain came and soaked me on the 5 minute walk to the T( train ) stop. We island girls love the New England weather .......(can you smell the sarcasm?)

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka

Caribbean Fashion Week

Caribbean Fashion Week began yesterday. I wish I had a pair of red shoes so I could close my eyes and reopen them in Kingston. Until then, the internet provides a glimpse of the grandeur , pomp and finesse of a show that Pulse produces each year. Visit the website...it's a real treat!

be good. do better. look your best.

Tammyanka