Twenty Seventeen was the year that Barbados hosted Carifesta. Carifesta or the Caribbean Festival of Arts, is a multicultural event establis...

Twenty Seventeen was the year that Barbados hosted Carifesta. Carifesta or the Caribbean Festival of Arts, is a multicultural event established in 1972 and hosted every couple years in the territories of the Caricom region. The festival gives creatives and artists across the region the platform to showcase their skills and craft in music, dance, theatre, film, painting, sculpture, photography, literature and fashion.

The events included film screenings, dance showcases, concerts, symposia and gallery displays. I tried to take a little bit of each but there was so much scheduled there was a lot I missed. The Carifesta event I was most excited for though, was the Grand Market.

My wallet wasn't as excited as I was, I definitely had to put myself under some budgetary constraints. It was a good thing it was free because I went back probably 3 or 4 times.....yea I know I'm a mess but there was so much to see and take in and the different cultures were astonishing. The first time I went, I browsed, made note of what I was interested in and also how much stuff cost. The next couple times I purchased here and there, networking with some of the vendors and even scoring discounts!

One of my FAVORITEEE fashion purchases was from Daphnee of Bijou Lakay from Haiti.

Earrings-Bijou Lakay

Image from http://www.bijoulakayhaiti.com

Photography by Brendon Carrington

I've been on a journey to obtain and maintain clean clear skin. I do enjoy the art of makeup and the work that goes into creating the m...

The scrub helped the acne clear up but now to fix the dark spots

Excuse the rusty hair and dark under eyes....that was after a pretty long but fun night!

1. First off, I make sure I remove all my makeup with some vitamin E oil and a makeup wipe. ( I know it can be pretty difficult after a night of partying...BUT IT MUST BE DONE!)
2. Next up, I cleanse with my Simple facial wash and my facial brush, sometimes once, sometimes twice if my makeup was pretty heavy.
3. Then I moisturize right after with my Bio Balance.
4. I don't use my scrub daily anymore, just every couple days to remove dead skin cells and even the plane. 
5. I've started back drinking a lot more water and my meals have been pretty healthy as well. What you put in, most certainly shows on your skin. 

How late in the year is too late to say Happy New Year? I just saw myself in my head busting in the room with confetti, whistles and exube...

How late in the year is too late to say Happy New Year?

I just saw myself in my head busting in the room with confetti, whistles and exuberance...shouting out the New Year greeting to the top of my lungs. After long awkward pause, everyone looks at me, wide eyed, dumbfounded and unimpressed like...."It's almost Christmas fam....sih-down!!!"  LOL

But anywhoosiesss. Life's been life man. What can I say. The transition from 2016 to 2017 was everything but smooth. I wouldn't say like some, that my 2016 was the worst yet and roughest thing ever, but it definitely was a learning experience, like it should be.

I even missed my one year blog-iversary which was on the 1st of January. ("I know it's a damn shame but YAYYY VIOLET EMPORIUM the blog"). I know I'm sort of a negligent parent, but hopefully with time, I'll be able to put all the love, care and attention into it that it truly deserves. I even assigned myself an accountability partner to help me get back on track and stick to my word. (I'll address the newly adopted concept of accountability at a later date)

So just a quick pop in to say hello, and share some love. I know this post seems hella random but yeaaa to working on consistency and accountability in 2017!!

Don't be shy...say Hi and lemme know you're still tuned in.

Loads of Love
-V

The closest thing to a new year "selfie" I could find.