Rumpled Charlie

Years ago, my bestie Zalika used to laugh at my very Caribbean tendency to not go out with un-ironed clothing. I used to heckle her very American tendency to leave home with obviously wrinkled clothing. Years later the situation changed, at least on my end.  I'm not sure if it's my friendship with Z or my living in the US for a long time that's to blame. At any rate, I no longer iron 'everything' before leaving home. My parents are sometimes appalled when I attempt to go out like a 'Rumpled Charlie or like 'I don't have an owner' (by the way, do these phrases exist in other countries or are  they Trini/Caribbean expressions?) In my parents' defense, I became a bit ridiculous with it...NOT Zee's fault. For example, I began to think that if it was denim, I didn't need to iron it...uhmmm! Not true! Thanks to photos capturing me in obnoxiously wrinkled denim, I realised this. Maybe I can strike a balance with the ironing thing.  I'll let you know how this goes. 

Chambray shirt:  Aéropostale; Thrifted 

Jeans: Vintage; Thrifted

Bag: Vintage Dooney & Burke; Thrifted

Boots: Steve Madden

Earrings: From Mali, bought at Cultural Accents, Atlanta 

Bangles: Collected from various places

Bandana: Thrifted

Photography Credit: Kaye Mc Coy of 7th Street Studio

Black Power

All black makes me feel like a bad@$$. When that includes a  leather jacket (vegan) and truly distressed motorcycle boots, you can't tell me that I'm not cool...With a pop of red on my lips, silver jewelry and a kilim knapsack, I'm ready to rock the casbah! 

Jacket: American Eagle Outfitters 

Dress: Thrifted

Boots:Nine West

Bag: Bought in Morocco

Cuffs & earrings: Kaartha Imports, NY

Watch: Timex ;Target

Photography: Kaye McCoy of 7th Street Studio

Barefooted & Happy

There is truth to the adage “Simplicity is more”. It seems to me that more peace, joy, fulfillment comes from doing the simple things in life...those things that don’t cost plenty money. Eating fresh from the land, basking in the sun, walking around barefooted and feeling the cool soil beneathyour feet, playing with animals and making new friends. Recently, I spent a day doing these very things with a Chari, a sister I met on Instagram. We knew that we wanted to take some photos at an old house but beyond that we didn’t give the whole thing too much thought. As soon as we met, I could feel that Chari was someone whose presence I would enjoy. She and I walked around my town chatting and keeping an eye out for an ideal location. It wasn’t long before we found it. The property’s gate was open but we didn’t want to tresspass. (Actually, let me give Chari credit for being cautious.) There was no bell to ring so the call of our voices had to do. Soon enough, an old man, his skin weathered by the intense tropical sun appeared. We all introduced ourselves, Chari and I explaining what we had in mind. Without hesitation, the elder (Mr. Prudent) welcomed us into his yard. 

Over the next few hours, we had a blast. We took plenty photos, played with fishes and adorable rabbits, who may or may not have been a little confused about the humans pestering them. Mr. Prudent offered us the bounty from his land: coconuts, tamarind, grapefruit, green plantains.  He pretty much let us roam free and make all the mischief we wanted to make. We left with dirty feet, leaves and twigs in our hair and a hoarde of fruits. Moreover, we left with a precious reminder that there are still generous souls in this world and that those who seem to have the least to give are often the most willing to do so. I hope that on those days when I’m tempted to feel selfish, I remember Mr.Prudent and his lesson that we always have enough to share.

Special Thanks to Mr. Prudent for graciously and generously allowing us to use his home for this shoot.

Photography Credit: Chastity 

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Cuffs: Kartha Imports

Necklace: Thrifted

   Earrings: Beauty Supply Store 

Ring: Shah

AM Reads: Between The World And Me

Rounding up my year's reading with this brilliant piece of writing. "Between The World And Me" is a loving, honest letter from a father to his son...a memoir of what it means to be a black man~ a black person in America...a hold no punches analysis of racism in the great, morally superior US of A.