Just for you nice folks.. a sneak peek

Don't ask how,why,where or when...just enjoy!(click on photos to make them bigger)

Sahara Sunset












Arabian Nights










Goddess and Defenders










Jewel of the Nile










Sahara Jumbie










Oasis










Nubians










Mirage










Sacred Sand










Le Soleil Brule










Sirocco Winds










Tuareg










Cacti










Raiders of the Desert










p.s. A little birdie told me the website will be up soon, the entire band is all-inclusive AND there will be online registration available!

Island People's Sold Out Sections

Gone are :

Oasis (male and female)

Sacred Sand (male and female)

Jewel of the Nile (male and female)

Goddess and Defenders (male and female)

Arabian Dancer (A &B)

This information was posted at the mas camp this evening, however when/if on-line registration begins it's anyone's guess if costumes were set aside specifically for overseas masqueraders.Guess we will have to wait and see!

About those fabulous Island People Boots!!

I found out where you can get them! The person who makes and decorates the boots is a lady called Natalie and she can be found at Vamp Boutique on Mucurapo Road in St. James. I went in to see her at lunchtime and she was very nice, explaing that she has to measure your foot in person (calf measurements etc.) for the perfect fit so I don't know how that will work for person not residing in Trinidad. In addition she has to get orders early, that is long before Carnival so the boots can be completed in time.

I was informed that Natalie did the boots for all Diane Hunts sections: Sacred Sand, Raiders of the Desert and Jewels of the Nile and she has the boots at the store so you can look at them. The only thing is Natalie indicated that she would be taking the boots to Island People's mas camp to be displayed so I guess in future you will be able to get her information there as well.



I asked the most important question, which was were they comfortable and she said yes since she has worn them for mas and she also did boots for Diane Hunt for this year's Carnival, hence the request to do boots for the launch. She did say that she wore the boots with her sneaker insoles and socks because I asked about using insoles for added comfort, for that fact the boots are made to accomodate the insoles. I tried a pair and they were comfortable, I could move my toes and the material was flexible and not stiff. The only word of caution that she gave was that in direct, hot sun your feet will feel hot (if you feet are shaded not a problem).

These are the ones I tried:


Prices are dependent on how you want your boots made, either plain or with lots of decoration or what materials you want used. I asked about doing short boots for my Fireman costume and she said that it could be done (I am so excited now because I also want mine decorated!).

Here is her contact information:

Vamp Boutique
12 Mucurapo Road
St. James Trinidad
Tel/fax 868-622-8429
Mobile - 736-8455
email :vampstore@yahoo.ca

Zappos for sneakers

For sneakers to match your costume I like to browse Zappos.com, they have a wide collection of sneakers in lots of colours. Even if you don't purchase online you can get an idea of a style and they also have customer reviews so you have feedback on the comfort, durability and overall style. Also, they have photos of the shoes from all angles so you can see what it looks like from top to bottom.

Warrior Spirit/Nubians:







Sirroco Winds/Sacred Sand:






Pierrot:





Fancy Indian:






Mirage




Jab Molassie:




Cacti

On the hunt for boots!

I called Island People's mas camp yesterday to enquire about where they got the boots that the models wore at the launch and was told to contact Nicole at the store "Vamp" on Mucurapo Road, St. James so you know I have to visit the store to get the 411 sometime today.

But I have been searching online for alternatives and found some boots that look ok, if anyone is willing to go in store and try these on and come back and give us feedback it would be very much appreciated (I boldface eh!).

These will work great with Warrior Spirit

PAYLESS:


$29.99US


MINNETONKA:



$69.95US

MINNETONKA:



$72.00US

And these can be spray painted gold or silver then decorated:

TARGET


$34.99

TARGET

$29.99

TRIBE's Sold Out Sections

So far the only section I am seeing that is "officially" sold out is Warrior Spirit but this little announcement is posted on their website:

NB - JAMETTE CORSETTE OPTION SOLD OUT. LIMITED NUMBER OF PLACES IN BRA OPTION STILL AVAILABLE.

JEAN AND DINAH available for sale in-house and at Peter Elias Boutique (Ellerslie Plaza) ONLY. Please call 868-622-0442 (10am to 7pm) for further information.

A little birdie told me that Dragon is also sold out as well as Jab Jab Orange but I think after the last of the TLC card holders register today the website will be updated to show what is still available for those registering on Saturday the 23rd.

I know Jean and Dinah was being shown as sold out on the website but as stated above you can only register for that section at Peter Elias' Boutique or at Cascadia, hence the reason it was "sold out" online, i.e. not avaialble for online registration. I think my hairdresser will be quite happy since, to my utmost surprise, she wants to play in Jean and Dinah long skirt option! I always figured she was a die hard Poison fan but she says she loves that costume.

So for those waiting paitently for Saturday looks like there might still be some decent costumes available then. I just wonder what the crowd will be like when the rush will be not just to register but to get those few preciuous spaces that might still be available in the section you like before they are gone in a flash.

Island People's registration begins ...

Some photos from Stone Street this afternoon at 4:30 pm:











Today is the "official" registration date for Island People and it looked much different from when I popped in on Saturday as is to be expected, since Saturday was for past masqueraders only. I heard that later on that the crowd increased and the doors were not open promptly at 5pm which caused some anxiety. Hopefully all those hoping to register will get into their sections of choice.

On another note Sonia Mack was open for registration all day today, her mas camp is located at her store on Delhi Street in St. James and when I popped in to take a look I was informed that all her front line sections are sold out. She still has three other versions of the costumes available , one is the fabric option (no backpack) for $2895.00 and the one with the semi circular feathered headpiece is also the same price. The other option is the same costume as the one with the semi circular headpiece but minus the feathers, that one is $2595.00. It has to be said that she is giving preference to her past masqueraders before opening registration to new persons.

The countdown is on

I know I have not been posting about my "diet" since I was caught up in the wave of Carnival excitement the past week, with registration, another band launch and keeping abreast of all the rumors I was swamped with information to write about.

My diet has been going great, I actually switched my reward day from Sunday to Thursday since Survivor's new season premiered that night (I am a Survivor addict) and to celebrate I had a Miller Lite (only 2.6 carbs).

Today I am having eggs for breakfast, the lunch menu is green fig pie, carrot sticks and beef with pigeon peas and I am snacking on peanuts. Not too sure what I am doing for dinner since I need to replenish stocks this afternoon. I know beef might not seem like the ideal diet food seeing as everyone says red meat is not good for you (takes too long to digest) but I was not eating beef for years and became iron deficit to I try to eat incorporate it within my diet, and also lots of green leafy vegetables.

Now that I am registered in FIREMAN I am keeping my promise and will sign up in the gym this afternoon!(yay) I noticed results so far since I have started my diet (clothes fit differently) so I want to couple that with regular exercise so I can be in optimum shape for Carnival 2007!

And if you think all the stress is over now that I am registered think again! Like Hottie Hottie I am already thinking accessories, I am torn between the idea of boots and wearing the foot piece for my costume which I think adds to the overall effect. Maybe I can wear short boots instead of sneakers, but I am not too sure as yet what will look better. The boots that the models wore at Island People's launch looked HOT and also custom made, I especially like how they decorated them and used a glittery material for the actual boots:





Plus I have to decide on what I am doing with my hair since I am wearing a hat hairstyles are limited and I need to organise my make up. My husband wants to "add" to his Indian costume as well (I think he wants to decorate it with mirrors and stuff like the ole time Fancy Indians) and I also plan on doing a "surprise" for Monday mas (looking at being a two section H.O.) see all the decisions I am still faced with?

I tell you, one chapter is now over with and another has begun on the countdown to Carnival 2007 and I am loving every minute of it!

More Dream Team Pics

Can be found at Islandevents.com