Advertorial
So folks, Christmas is coming and the struggle to find the perfect gift is upon us. I personally have changed my mind at least 5 times on gift ideas for the special people in my life. In fact, Liz from over at Sandals and Sunnies gives the most thoughtful gifts that I'm racking my brain as to what would be a truly special gift for her, as well as a few others that have been kind to me and brought sunshine into my life.
This year my gift ideas have been revolving around unique jewelry. I've been digging through the webosphere on Etsy, Pinterest, etc. looking for the most unique ideas and stumbled across this little gem. In my searching, I stumbled across the Emma Winston collection of floating jewelry.
Photo Credit: Emma Winston
Of course, as an artist, this instantly made it into my list of bookmarked gift ideas. It was the first time I saw these type of earrings made where it has the appearance of "floating." I've been granted the good fortune to be able to offer not only a giveaway on my blog BUT a 15% off discount to my readers (Promo code: AUDIENCE15OFF and you can click on my sidebar picture to go directly to the site).
Feel free to enter! You may win yourself a perfect gift for you or someone special in your life... and if you don't win, use my code to score any of your favourite pieces at a special discount!
*** Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, however I did receive a discount for myself and my audience. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
Due to my recent bout of sickness from gastro, which is typically waterborne, I have a new appreciation for bottled water. While I support local brands, I do support any brand that endeavours to quench my thirst with high quality H2O. With that said, I've been granted the opportunity to be a part of a campaign with Evian Natural Mineral Water to help promote a facial spray giveaway the Wilkes Group is hosting.
Evian is a French water brand. The water source starts it's journey from the famous French Alps down through glacier sand and rock filters to a deep underground catchment. Aside from providing high quality water, the world established brand launched the first facial spray in the US back in 1978. However, the facial spray was first launched at home in France in 1962 as per request of doctors for burn patients. How interesting is that? The water contained in the spray is tested 300 times per day to ensure that when the customer gets the product, be it 10 years ago, now or 10 years in the future, that two things are guaranteed - quality and consistency of the unique mineral content. The French Government takes great pride in ensuring the approved standards for the mineral water for consumption. Evian is the only brand to carry skin care product in the USA to contain mineral water, and one that is a popular first choice to drink worldwide. The Evian brand can be found in over 120 countries, including that of little Grenada. Let it be noted that when you're walking through NYC or any of your favourite cities and see your trusted skincare retailers like Sephora, they carry the Evian facial spray as well.
Photo credit: Brand Backer
So back to the giveaway! The Wilkes Group has brought together a French luxurious giveaway with Longchamp and Evian to giveaway a "Le Pliage" backpack, in stylish, durable, water-resistant nylon topped with a textured leather handle and logo-embossed flap, which retails at $125. It is filled with one 10 oz., one 5 oz., and a trio of travel-sized Evian sprays (over $175.00 total value)
That's not all...! Three runner ups will receive a Longchamp pochetter toiletries case, with embossed leather trim in durable, water-resistant nylon, accented with goldtone hardware, which retails at $50, and filled with a trio of travel size evian sprays (over $70.00 total value).
It has been that time of changing seasons where I was ready to give my blog a face lift. You may have noticed my blog looking unrecognizable from time to time over the last couple weeks.
The reality is that since last year I've been trying to decide what direction to take my blog in and what template can I live with for an extended period. I discovered a website called www.fiverr.com where you can enlist almost any service starting at $5. I decided to take a chance. Initially, it truly felt like a nightmare come to reality. I found myself rereading my correspondence thus far with the guy I hired for the job to ensure I did not misrepresent what I wanted but constantly found the blog looking worse than the day prior.
Here was a screen I did trying to explain to no avail what needed to be adjusted on the blog after he applied this weird Wordpress looking template.
Things escalated until I finally gave up and told him just leave it alone, that I'll do it myself. Truth is, I could do it myself. I had always done it myself. I just didn't have the time and felt rather lazy about it. I attempted to cancel the $30 US custom blog order out of frustration too. I know, it's only $30 US but I felt like in this dry dry guava season $30 US is a lot to give away for free and be unhappy. It was at this point he decided to re-build our correspondence and I realized that maybe there could've been a language barrier situation. Long after the payment was issued, he continued to work to adjust to my needs and suit my fancy. I started using simpler, shorter phrases as you do with folks who are learning English and I found to be getting better results than when I used more descriptive words.
Here was when we started to make some progress.
He sent me links to pick a template I liked and wanted. In the end, I'm content with the results of how it looks and I feel satisfied to send anyone to him. What I've come to learn is that while he may not get it right the first time, he's surely dedicated to getting it right eventually... and sometimes KISS (keep it simple stupid) is way more effective than what I perceived to be a long list of clear instructions.
I'm not sure how long I'll keep this template for though. Now I'm feeling for a little bit of colour added in. However, I'm so in love with my new drop down menu that I think I'll stay with it for a while.
Like the new look?
Oh! And if you'd like to give him a try, here's the profile.
I know how much guys generally to love hats... and who doesn't love a nice snap back? A fitted could only do so much, but a snap back? A snap back removes the limitations of a perfect fitting so that you could wear your hat just... the... way... you... would like to. Thus, permitting versatility and comfort.
So a dear friend of mine has a wide variety of official New Era snap back hats for sale. There's a wide range of colours, teams, etc. You want it? There's a good chance he has it... and if he doesn't, he can most likely get it for you.
The following photos are from the selection currently available for sale.
Ok this is going to be a quick post that's back linked for more information. I'm sure everyone is already fully aware that if you want delicious pastries - salty or sweet, or cappuccinos, or coffee, or smoothies... The place to go is Sweet Traditions at Bruce St. Mall in the town of St. George's. I don't need to advertise that. Their goodies speak for themselves and spread the word.
Now... here's something you didn't know. I try my best to find and post stuff that's unique and that more people should know about locally. I, personally, haven't been to this place as yet but I trust my friend, Sher's, judgement. She's normally my partner in crime on the haunts for unique places/events.
Let's say you want a nice, classy, chill place to relax and just sip a cup of tea and ponder life... A health spa of sorts? Such a place is also at Bruce St. Mall, but upstairs.
You're interest is piqued now? Want more pics and information? Scoot over to Sher's blog and peek. She wrote a lovely post on this place, that's how I found out.
...and of course, in order to make that collision, you must first
muster up the confidence to take that first step.
***
It's funny how things happen. I've always been an artist at heart. I excelled in all the artsy subjects in school. However, I've always been on the fence about taking it seriously. I have a few paintings here and there. I've done the occasional gift, one or two commissions, nothing serious... but recently I have found myself trying to take my hobby seriously and develop a proper portfolio and such. I even did a quick portfolio blog page over the weekend.
Prior to this, I have always met discouraging people who don't believe it would make a lucrative career and so forth because of the time investment, markets, etc. involved. However, funnily enough, since I've started making a few tentative steps forward I've been meeting the most amazing artists who've made successful careers out of what they do - for fun. It's been a series of GMH (Gives Me Hope) moments to help keep my inspiration going to finish my current portfolio goal.
So last night, I was with one of my new friends, Caesar, who is a local graphic designer. Trust me when I say you must've already seen his work somewhere. He does illustrations, websites, flyers, business cards (and greeting cards), advertisements, logos, book covers, animations and the list goes on and on...
***
So what does all this have to do with me? As an artist, instead of selling all my originals, I've decided to do a few prints of those I'm reluctant to part with. So... I stepped over to Caesar's office to see what could be done. He showed me some hard copy samples of his work. I saw first hand, behind-the-scenes how the designs get created (I'm horrible at using software to manipulate a picture, I'm better at just using my hands), what other tools are used and how to use them, and the differences and difficulties in deciding on which mediums to use. I never knew that there was so much deliberation involved in deciding what kind of paper to use, much less which type of printer would do the job best.
***
Firstly, I didn't realize the blur in some of the shots until I uploaded it on my mum's laptop.
I took a few quick shots with my phone.
Business cards are roughly $150 E.C. to design and $0.50 E.C. to print single sided. $1 to print double sided. Design prices can vary from, but the printing price has to be followed because of running costs.
A match-box business card
It clips in....
It opens out... it's the business card that sells your product while reminding people who you are.
His personalized cards are about $ 7. I saw a few personalized birthday cards and mother's day cards. I didn't post those up because a few were collages of pictures of the intended recipients.
Christmas "Thank You" cards for clients
Experimental prints... which printer? which paper? which effects?
Trimming with the guillotine
A rough quickie example... the finished product.
The most important part...
....
....
....
My prints!!!
I have to re-confirm the pricing. However, it varies upon size... An 8*11 inch print would cost about $5 E.C. and the price remains the same regardless of which printer or type of paper he uses... or even which effect you're going for - matte or gloss.
***
I didn't do many prints as it was just a test run. Much thanks to Caesar for taking time out of very
busy schedule to help me out. I'm extremely pleased with what I have thus far.
OH! And in case you're maco-vision didn't pick up his contact information in the pictures... and you're interested in contacting him. (His name below is hyperlinked to his Facebook page for easy clicking)
I've been stressed out so much recently. My schedule is out of whack. My eating habits are off. I'm on a busy hustle most of the time, trying to get my art portfolio up and ready. Plus, there's school. Long story short, a lot has been happening. I don't want to say I'm overwhelmed, but I can really use a break.
On one of super-exhausted, dreary days, a gf of mine dragged me out my house reluctantly under the guise of brunch to meet her in town and get my energy up a bit. We did the brunch thing, and then I went with her to the hairdresser. I normally don't get my hair done in Grenada unless it's by Shads, a friend of mine, who has gifted fingers with my hair type.
So, upon enquiry as to where my friend was going to take me, she said 'Horizon Plaza.' I didn't even know there was a place called Horizon Plaza in town. For those of you who don't already know it, or don't know your way around town like myself, it's on St. John's Street. Where is St. John's St.? It's that street that buses turn into when they're going up the hill to Convent or that street opposite the bus terminal on the corner of Beer Gardens (3 for 10). If you don't know which is Beer Gardens, it's the bar with all the mirrors in it.
End of digression. As you proceed up St. John's St., there's a tall cream building that says 'Horizon Plaza' on the very top. Enter, first floor, Judy's Beauty Salon.
Now, I must say I did not regret going. My friend Nata went to get her hair washed and curled. You know how this story tends to go... You go out with your friend, you have to wait with them somewhere, you end up being intrigued by something while you wait. This story is no different. If you've been following my blog you might've noticed my hair and I have had a strange, recent love affair. One in which it seems I'm most restless and dissatisfied and seemingly on a curiosity quest to try something new. I found myself asking the hair dresser about colouring my hair, pricing, etc... and I was so pleased by her responses that I ended up getting my hair done myself.
At the end of the photos, I'll tell you how much we ended up paying.
Renata post-hair wash
Me, pre-wash, having a vain moment. Notice, my hair is finally growing back.
Disa, the hair dresser, putting the curlers in Nata's hair.
Yes I know my mouth is open... blame Nata. It's only pic I have washing my hair that I like.
This was the part I loved - the service. Disa explained step by step what she was doing and why. She used the Vitale Shampoo & Conditioner. She also deep treated my hair. I learned that my hair is actually healthy. Also, got some advice on hair products that would work more effectively to moisturize my hair without making it greasy, or get dirty fast.
Getting it blow-dried.
Hot curling iron.
Flat ironing.
Completely flat-ironed.
I cut bangs.
All done.
G.P.O.Y. (Gratuitous Picture of Yourself)
Inside.
***
Guess how much we paid?
This is what we both did
Shampoo-ed & condition
Deep conditioned/treated
Blow-dried/(Nata went under the dryer)
Nata curled/I flat ironed
I cut a bang
It all costed...... (each)
$ 25 E.C.
Mind you, my hair is long. Generally, the hair dressers I've encountered charge according to length. Disa, our hair dresser, says that she sincerely loves doing hair so she doesn't believe in over pricing. While I was there too, I used like 4 towels. She doesn't like to see wet towels so she kept changing them throughout. And as I mentioned before, she answered my numerous questions. I was very pleased with the service received. I've been gushing for days about it. 4 days later, my hair still smells like strawberries, and still manageable and most importantly, still straight.
I prefer my hair with big waves, rather than bone straight. If I comb it out, it gets back bone straight... But if I finger comb it, it looks like this. This is my "movie star hair" look.
Also, notice how tired I look? I took the pic tonight... after I got home.
She does everything but jeri curl, and her prices are reasonable.
Wanna make an appointment?
I encourage you to try her just once and see for yourself.
Welcome to my little piece of the blogosphere. I'm a Caribbean artist/ wildlife conservationist/ adventure enthusiast. Hope my blog brings a bit of sunshine into your life.
