Sartorialist Ambition ^ ^

I think this country get up is in fact Sartorialist-worthy. Who's with me? Uhmmmmmmmmm.... anyone? Alors, it's the weekend, strike a pose!!!

Going Home For Inspiration 4: All Fruits Ripe!

Going Home for Inspiration 3: Kids in the Bush

Before life got complicated, there was childhood. No bills to pay, no decisions to make about dinner or exercise, career moves and definitely no worries about a supposed Mr. Right and the time of day he would finally stop by. Before busy highways and gated communities, before energy conservation, fatty snacks and obesity, there was the bush.

I grew up in Jamaica without what we now hail as basic conveniences. In my home/yard, there was no electricity, no running water or television. Such were luxuries. Looking back, I may have been a statistic, numbered among the poor. But so what, I was happy, I was free roaming through the bushes, searching out mango walks, harnessing firewook but igniting my imagination through the smells, textures and tastes of a well-scoured countryside.

Maybe for parents, it really was difficult economically and so it was better to trade in such sanctuaries for development and progress.

For me, I'm happy knowing that there is still such a pocket on the island where children can run free and create their own entertainment and happiness instead of waiting wholly on the servings of cable television. And as a grown child, I'm glad there is such an escape.

Going Home For Inspiration 2: Bernard Hoyes' Revival Tours Europe

So after travelling and making discoveries overseas for nearly a calendar year, I was a bit apprehensive about going home, even for a month. I was loving the fact of being a roaming hippie, preaching peace and love, not judgement and simply was not eager to come back to earth. But when I touched down in Kingston, something happened. I'm still not sure what. It was the harbour, it was the heat, it was the people, it was home, it is where I'm from.

Yes, the most striking thing about Jamaica, I think, is the richness of its colour. The dirt isn't just brown - it's distinctly red. The faces of my friends aren't grey, they are brown with a golden tint. It is no wonder then that our art has a distinct vibrance - colour, energy and movement that give it a unique look. I think painter Bernard Hoyes' new collection Revival captures the colour, energy and spirituality that is Jamaica. And for Jamaicans, no matter where you've been, coming back home is like a revival, giving inspiration - both artistic and spiritual. Here are a few pieces from Hoyes' collection now on exhibition at the Mutual Gallery until October 9.


Spiral Rhthym

Abundance of Ribbons

Day Into Night

Yael Naïm

(Via Amazon.com)

I fell in love with French-Isreali singer Yael Naïm when I first heard her single New Soul. However, when I finally got the album, it wasn't New Soul that got me excited. It was the jazz spin she gave to Britney Spear's Toxic. Listen to the album version here or watch her perform it live here.

The Two Audreys

When I think of Audrey Hepburn I immediately picture the feisty flower girl Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady and that bouncing Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Who could rival such an iconic, classic and feisty fashionista? Only Audrey - Audrey Tautou - the young French beauty noted for her priceless roles as Irène in Hors de Prix, Amélie in Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amélie Poulain and Sophie in The Da Vinci Code. Get a hold of these movies and do your own comparison.

OMG

(Photo: Robert NZengou-Tayo)

My friend Robert recently moved to a new city, Bristol and has been making quite a few discoveries of his own. This is a picture of the Suspension Bridge he dared to walk in Clifton. All I can say is OMG!! The bridge sits over the Avon Gorge in Bristol, 245 feet above high water!! Isn't that insane? To get a sense of how high up the bridge is, just look at the road below snaking along the river. Just seeing this picture gave me a thrill, started my blood boiling and has my spirit craving yet another adventure. Ideas, fantasies, wishing and dreaming again, oh how I would love to conquer my fear of heights here.