It's FRIDAY: Pop-up Shop, Socamotion Giveaway and MORE!!!

It's FRIDAY, need I say more!

It's the last weekend before Trinidad Carnival, I'm literally covered in feathers, gems, and journals... *exhale*

So I have a lot to share! 

First, check out this GIVEAWAY on SocaMotion which ends tonight at midnight to win a Signature tshirt and one of my lovely Carnival Brag Books! And it's easy, just tell em' why you love SOCA MUSIC or why you love SocaMotion! CLICK HERE So for allyuh heading to Trinidad Carnival, you have something for Carnival Monday and a brag book to work on while yuh relaxing!

This weekend I will be at another Valentine's Pop-Up Shop at Juice Huggers in Brooklyn this Saturday, February 11th from 1:00pm - 6:00pm. It's on 85 Rogers Avenue, btwn St. Marks & Prospect Place! Trust me, you want to drop by, even if it's to window shop and pick up some juice, you're going to end up getting all of your Valentine's gifts! This will be the SWEETEST POP UP SHOP in BROOKLYN this weekend! 

See you next week, which will be filled with lots of LOVE & SOCA in time for Carnival!!

Have a great weekend and be safe,

Shanti

Celebrating 38 Years of Grenada Independence

Today is Grenada's 38th Independence Anniversary and I wish I was home for the celebrations. Right about now I could do with a lovely day on the beach with family, a nice BIG POT of OIL DOWN and the wonderful smell of spices and island love!
In honor of my island, I created this painting quoted by Maurice Bishop "Forward Ever Backward Never"... Somehow I added the extra "S" to backwards while painting this!

Check out this video from Spiceklyn's Youtube link from the Grenada Youth Fest Committee in NYC :

Here are a few jewels inspired by my sweet Spice Isle from the Aye' Shanti Collection:

Many blessings my dear Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique!

Black History Month Love: Celebrating Bob Marley

"If you know your history, then you would know where yuh coming from?" -Bob Marley & the Wailers "Buffalo Soldier"

courtesy of  http://www.marleycoffee.com (I WANTED HIS HAIR!) lol

courtesy of  http://www.marleycoffee.com 

courtesy of  http://www.marleycoffee.com 

It's nearly three decades after the passing of Bob Marley, and his voice seems to be stronger than ever. My parents actually had us listening to music from Soca, Jazz, even Rock! However, one of my father's favorite genre's reggae just resonated in the house. I grew up listening to the likes of Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse to name a few. However, there was a strong connection to the music of Bob Marley. I remember my sister and I dancing n' singing the lyrics of  Bob Marley & the Wailers verbatim, pretending to be the I-Threes with mi mum right next to us! After my sister passed away, the music of Bob Marley seemed to soothe my heart n' soul with memories and I purchased every single CD, Poster, book, even went into my father's vault of records and took them with me! In the Caribbean, when we're close to an elder, we tend to give them the uncle or aunty title, so with that said, after listening to you since I was a baby, I'm sending you lots of LOVE & VIBRATIONS on your Earth Day Uncle Bob! 


Love n' Light, 
Shanti

"Could You Be Loved" - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Check out my earrings in Shop related to Music & Culture:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91001068/hand-printed-fabric-button-earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87306304/aye-shanti-earring-greeting-cards

Black History Month Love: Esperanza Spalding "Black Gold"

For some reason, February 1st opened like a Lion! It's Black History Month and also early yesterday we learned of the passing of Soul Train's conductor, Don Cornelius "He was a Cultural Game Changer on a Global Level" - Al Sharpton R.I.P. Don Cornelius. 

Also, one of my favorite artist, Esperanza Spalding debuted her new video "Black Gold"

If you remember the talented afro'-rockin'-sista who received a Grammy for I believe, Best New Artist (literally had Beiber fans in an uproar, please tell dem sit down lol)! This video was a refreshing vibe of jazz, soul and just Brown Sugar vybes. The video featured a touching connection of a father teaching his sons BlackHistory in a book entitled "Black Gold". It brought tears to my eyes because it reminded me of my childhood with my parents and them teaching me not only Black History but CULTURAL HISTORY... THANK YOU ESPERANZA for blessing us with such a beautiful video!

(when you get a chance, look for the video or watch 106&Park and vote for her!)

Here take a listen: New Music: Esperanza Spalding – Black Gold | stupidDOPE.com

I’m not gonna sit around and waste my precious divine energy trying to explain and be ashamed of things you think are wrong with me.

  —Esperanza Spalding

© Johann Sauty from http://www.esperanzaspalding.com

Peace, Love, & Soul

Shanti

D.I.Y. Fabric Lined Calendar

It's the 1st of the month and my mum and I have a tradition where we say "Rabbit+Rabbit+Rabbit" (you can check out this post on my old blog about the meaning). I wrote out my list out for the month  and realized there's so many things going on, so I wanted to create an easy calendar for the kitchen where hubby and I can check and know what's going on for the month as well as making it available to be interchangeable and custom designed. This is an easy tutorial for a fabric lined Kitchen Calendar!

Supplies:
* Sheet Protector
*Adhesive (glue or double sided tape)
*Magnets (adhesive backed)
*Scissors
*Fabric (I opted for a natural looking fabric to look like the old sugar bags from Home)
*Print out of Calendar

Gather your supplies! You can cut a piece of fabric that lines that top or side binding which measured about  4" x 11". You fold the fabric and adhere to the back with double sided tape or glue and adhere to the front as well. 

I then  placed two (self adhesive) magnets on either side of the calendar and SWEET, you have your calendar holder. Then place your calendar in the protective sheet!