Monthly Giveaway (New Year's Edition): One tube of Maybelline Falsies mascara

This is the first edition of our new monthly feature. Every month on the anniversary of our founding, which was December 4, 2010, Kingstonian Lifestyle will have a giveaway under the theme of one of our topics of Beauty, Fashion, Arts, and Food & Eateries.

In short, every 4th of every month you'll get a chance to win free goodies. But our first giveaway is happening now!

Initially, Kingstonian Lifestyle planned to have the first giveaway on January 4, as should have been the protocol, but we thought it was a better idea to start our loyal readers' and visitors' new year off on a good note by gifting them with a hot beauty product that's a must-have in every makeup box.

We're giving away a brand-new tube of Maybelline Volum' Express mascara, the Falsies, like the one we featured in our 'Beauty: Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for her' post.

Though it's an exciting and completely free giveaway, Kingstonian Lifestyle is going to make you work for it. You will have to answer questions related to every blog post that we've had for the month. All the answers are somewhere within the respective blog posts and the first follower to answer all of the questions correctly is the winner!

The entries (answers) should be done by commenting on this blog post.

(Learn how to win this tube of Maybelline Falsies mascara from Kingstonian Lifestyle by clicking Read More)

Kingstonian Lifestyle has four Jamaica Blog Awards nods

Though the lifestyle blog is fairly new, being little over three weeks old, Kingstonian Lifestyle has managed to garner local and international attention. With daily readers from Jamaica, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and as a far away as Croatia and South Korea, the blog seems to be gaining daily readers with no promotion of any kind.

Many probably come across the site by happenstance, but many stay because of they recognise that the content, which covers beauty, fashion, arts, eateries and real issues, is truly original and that hard work goes into each post. And we all know that we're only as good as our last.

This is, perhaps, the reason that Kingstonian Lifestyle has been nominated in the Best Beauty and Fashion Blog, Best Lifestyle Blog, Best New Blog and the Readers' Choice Award categories for the Jamaica Blog Awards.

The first annual staging of the highly anticipated event will happen on January 16, 2011 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. Bloggers across the island will convene to watch the best in the local blogging community accept awards in categories such as Best Food Blog, Best Entertainment Blog and Top Blog Post for 2010.

The results will be based on public voting, which makes up 60% of the total tally, and the rest will be up to the judging panel. The blogs will be judged on five key areas: layout and design, content quality, reader engagement, relevance to the category and overall experience.

Voting has already begun and polling will end on January 3 at midday. One can vote at JamaicaBlogAwards.com and voting can only take place once.

We encourage you to support the lifestyle. Head over to the site and start voting.

Beauty (Video Tutorial): Loni Jones says kiss 2010 goodbye with red lips!

Loni Jones

What’s the hot makeup look for this year’s New Year’s Eve party?

Loni Jones, famed makeup artist and Extreme Lash stylist, says it’s “glamorous, seductive and sexy”.

And what’s sexier than hot, red lips? She says that’s the ‘in’ colour for kissing 2010 goodbye and ringing in the New Year on a very sexy note.

The former NARS makeup artist, who has worked on celebs like America’s Next Top Model’s Jaslene Gonzales and numerous Miss Jamaicas, including Carolyn Yapp, Kerrie Baylis and Yendi Phillips, has designed and shot a New Year’s Eve party makeup-look tutorial exclusively for Kingstonian Lifestyle.

And we’re already fans of those infectious video tutorials she does that reflect her quirky and colourful personality so well. So grab your makeup kit, a mirror and press play. Loni Jones is going to teach you how to be the sexiest belle during the celebrations, whether you’re doing it in the club or at a private party this year.

(Press Play to watch Loni Jones' video tutorial for the New Year's Eve makeup look)

Fashion: New Year’s Eve party dresses and tuxes

Now that Christmas is out of the way, the talk on everyone’s lips is which parties they’ll be at to ring in the New Year. Whether you'll be doing it big in the club or swanking it out at a private party, all the true fashionistas and on-to-the-next gents out there know that classy, highbrow threads are always the way to go for New Year’s Eve parties.

For this year’s New Year's Eve festivities, Kingstonian Lifestyle took to the malls to find show-stopping outfits that will turn heads. Of the bunch, trendy female boutique Alexxya’s and modish male clothing store MaxBrown are the fashion houses of choice for putting together New Year’s Eve party looks.

So, as part of our ongoing New Year's Eve feature, Kingstonian Lifestyle is showcasing three á la mode outfits from each of the stores. We're also featuring a few accessories that suit the occasion from brand-new female Haute store, Gabriella’s Couture, and tuxedo experts, Male Ego.

Dresses from Alexxya's

This sparkly number screams New Year's Eve party! Glitter, shimmer and any material that catches light - even obnoxiously - will never go out of style for the annual fete. This fun frock is loose and easy to wear, and it truly delivers on the wow factor. 

This dress is dark and sexy; perfect if you're going for that smoldering look. It could also be paired with a chic jacket and interesting heels to have a complete, voguish look. But we must warn you, ladies. If you're going to rock this skin-tight dress without a jacket, you MUST have a banging body.

If you're going for a classy look, this is the dress. Though the cut is very stylish and conservative, the bold red makes it very sexy and will compliment the festivities. All you need is a good clutch and minimal jewelry, and the look is complete. 

(See more New Year's Eve looks from MaxBrown and see fine accessories from Gabriella's Couture and Male Ego by clicking Read More)

Food & Eateries: Bin 26’s New Year’s Eve champagne choices

Chris Reckord

Out with the old and in with the new! 2010 is going to be a wrap and it’ll soon be time to ring in the New Year. And what better way to do it in style than with a premium bottle of champagne?

Known as the wine of celebration, it's been used for decades as a New Year’s Eve tradition. So, if you’re playing host during the celebrations this year, you’ll want to have your guests sipping on the absolute best. And who else to introduce you to the absolute best other than renowned wine expert, Chris Reckord.

Reckord, who's also one of the owners of plush wine bar Bin 26, tells Kingstonian Lifestyle readers exclusively which champagnes are the ones to pop as the clock counts down. And he promises that these exquisite white wine choices will have everyone at your soiree thinking you’re a wine connoisseur as they party the night away.

Reckord's champagne choices are:

Drappier Carte Blanche Brut
Moët and Chandon Impérial

Ruinart

(See more of Chris Reckord's recommendations for New Year's Eve champagnes and his sparkling wine alternatives by clicking Read More)

Fashion: Get 'Booshed' out this holiday season

This season is all about bling. If it sparkles, it’s in. If it shimmers, it’s hot. And if it glitters, it’s got to be gold.

At least, that’s the theme for Boosh’s new Holiday collection. The new stock is now completely out and one can traipse over to the online virtual clothing store and start placing orders.

Tiki Boosh, the online boutique-runner, said this holiday season is about sequins, sparkles and the hot reds that compliment the festivities happening at this time of year.

She promises her loyal clients and potential ‘Boosh babes’ that she has the sexy styles to make each of them look like a “neatly wrapped gift” while wearing the pieces. And don’t take her claims lightly; some of the apparel in the collection even feature bows.

When asked how she goes about selecting pieces, Boosh said she goes for what gives her the “that boosh, ehhh!” reaction. “I literally shop everywhere. But [I only buy] what I feel gives me that reaction… or if I find myself wanting to buy an extra piece for myself, I know I have a winner.”

The overseas fashionista said she selected the pieces for this collection from particular trends she saw in clothing this season. She noted, “I see a lot of sequins here - in black, silver, reds and pinks ... a lot of jewels and embellishments on clothing [too].” These trends are reflected on the signature sexy dresses that are ever-present in her collections, as well as in the separates and accessories.

And it's no mistake that her clients, who are all miles away from her in Jamaica, trust her to style them though most have never even met her. She attributes this to her keen sense of style and her affordable prices.

“My customers know my prices are not crazy and that’s because I take the time to find the best styles at the best prices. To order, they can send an email or they can call my assistant, Kellye. They pay when they pick up the order or when the order is delivered to them.”

(See more photos of Boosh's holiday collection by clicking Read More)

Food & Eateries: Jamaican Eats magazine shares a leaf from Norma's cookbook

The great Norma Shirley.

Internationally, she was known as the Julia Childe of the Caribbean. Throughout the Caribbean, she was known as the Grand Dame of Caribbean food.

But to all of us who have had the pleasure of dining at Norma’s on the Terrace, she was simply Norma Shirley – the woman who could turn the simplest Jamaican dish into a truly ambrosial experience.

“Norma has been a force in terms of taking Jamaican and Caribbean food to another level," said Grace Cameron, founder of Jamaican Eats, an international Jamaican and Caribbean food magazine. "She was a master at taking the traditional stuff and putting a spin on it, and taking it to a gourmet level. She’s well known and well respected for that.”

Grace Cameron, founder of Jamaican Eats magazine.

The culinary goddess, who has been featured in publications such as Bon Appétit, The New Yorker, and British and American Vogue, and whose restaurant boasted being named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the 60 best new restaurants in the world in May 2000, was given a very special place in the latest issue of Jamaican Eats. A space was dedicated to noting her numerous achievements and successes.

Cameron continued: “It’s significant, her role in the Jamaican and Caribbean culinary scene, so with her passing we found it necessary to make note of her and document it in our magazine.”

The quarterly publication, which can be read like a magazine and used like a cookbook, was also generous enough to share a leaf from Shirley's cookbook, courtesy of her friend Rosemary Parkinson. Before the magazine hits newsstands, Cameron has decided to give Kingstonian Lifestyle an exclusive sneak peak at Shirley’s Holiday Roast Pork recipe, just in the nick of time for Christmas Day.

And where Christmas dinner is concerned, Cameron doesn't leave us there. She's included two traditional Christmas recipes in Jamaican Eats for us to enjoy with our families at the dinnertable.

(Find two more holiday recipes featured in the December-March issue of Jamaican Eats by clicking Read More)

Fashion: Christmas Brunch and Fashion Show at The Jamaica Pegasus

Stills from the Christmas Brunch and Fashion Show at The Jamaica Pegasus last Sunday. The show kicked off at around 1 p.m. and excited all who indulged at the brunch. It featured
I Style designs by Antoinette Messam, world-renowned clothing designer and stylist, and Tweak Boutique's one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry, courtesy of designer Caroline Bruce.

(To see the captions, mouse over the slideshow and click the talk bubble beside the yellow character in the bottom-left corner of the slide. Be sure to press play afterwards.)


(To replay the slideshow, click the Christmas Brunch... blue link that's at the the bottom-left corner of the slide after the slideshow has run completely. A left arrow, a Play button and a right arrow will then appear at the bottom centre of the slide. Click that Play Button and NOT the large, green Play Button above it)

Beauty: Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for her

The holiday weekend draws nigh and it's no question that you're going to have a hectic week at work before you get that time off. The way it's looking, you probably won't even have the time to think up some sneaky way to find out what she wants this Christmas.

If you're sensible enough, you WON'T wait till Christmas Eve this Friday to walk the mall aimlessly, meandering through that crazy crowd to get any real shopping done.

Lucky for you, Gabriellas' Cosmetics is having a sale this week and everything is discounted by 20%. So if you want to get your mom something that will make her even more beautiful than she already is or if you're a guy who just doesn't have a clue what to get his girlfriend, you'll find something that all the ladies on your list will love.

MAC eyeshadow pots 
They're under $3,000 and if you're looking for top-of-the-line stuff, this is it! They come in eye-catching and showstopping colours that we're sure she'll have fun with.

Irie Rock bath and spa products
If your philosophy (or hers) is 'buy Jamaican', this is perfect. These body butters, body scrubs and body splashes all retail for under $1,000 and are locally made.

Maybelline Volum' Express mascara, the Falsies 
This is the hottest mascara out right now. Rarely do you find a mascara that actually does what it says it's going to. It gives your lashes that high-glam look, just as if you were wearing falsies. You'll have to get this under-$2,000 goodie ASAP too, because it sells fast.

(See more recommended beauty buys for her this Christmas by clicking Read More)

 

Fashion: Messam and Bruce - I Style and she ‘Tweaks’

Effortless, free and classic - with a conspicuous edge.

Simply put, that would be how to best describe I Style, the in-demand clothing line by Jamaican-born and world-renowned designer Antoinette Messam.

This Sunday, her exquisite collections will be complimented by Tweak Boutique's one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry, courtesy of designer Caroline Bruce, as the two make their debut collaboration. They’re unique and eclectic pieces will work in tandem on the runway to bedazzle stylish Jamaican women across the island, as their lines will be featured in a traditional Jamaican brunch and fashion show comprising their fabulous collections that will come together to create ensembles with special emphasis on party-wear for the season.

The show is happening at The Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and the admission fee is $1,700, plus service charges and taxes. An exclusive one-day sale for all the pieces will follow immediately after the show, where attendees can snag pieces for themselves or find the perfect gift for the holidays.

(Learn more about the I Style and Tweak Boutique collections that will be at the Christmas Brunch and Fashion Show by clicking Read More)

Beauty: Makeup tips for the beach by Mikaala

Makeup artist Mikaala

You're getting ready for a day at the beach and you think you're ready to be the most sizzling babe under the sun. You've got the hot bikini, you made sure to exfoliate and slough off that dry skin, and, of course, you wouldn't dare to bare if you didn't get that full-body wax.

But what about your makeup? Yes, MAKEUP, ladies. Contrary to popular belief, you can wear makeup to the beach. How else were you planning to look hot in those premeditated Facebook photos?

This is where Mikaala comes in.

And for fun frolic on the cays this season, the noted makeup artist, who operates her own successful makeup-application business, says that soft, natural, fuss-free makeup and looks that are natural to the eye are the way to go. She's provided exclusive tips to Kingstonian Lifestyle on how to get them.

Here are 7 tips to wearing makeup on the beach, exclusively from Mikaala, for all the girls who didn't know it was possible:

Mikaala in action.

1. Wear sunscreen or a moisturiser with SPF. There's no going around this. This is a must.
   
2. Use a tinted moisturiser if you need to wear some form of coverage. If you don't own one, mix a bit of moisturiser with your foundation. But keep in mind that where foundation is concerned for the beach, less is more!
   
3. If you choose to wear a bit of mascara or liner, go with a waterproof formula.
   
   
   
   
   (See more beach makeup tips from Mikaala by clicking Read More)
   
   

Arts: Wijicoon’s Grand Finale Sale

Whether you're an art connoisseur, a budding collector or just someone looking to decorate their home with interesting pieces, there is something at Wijicoon Gifts, Arts & Curios that will suit your palette and, not to mention, your budget.

Their closing sale is happening now and will continue through the month of December on the 18^th and the 24^th. Prices will be discounted on those days at the gallery, located on Red Hills Road, as they begin to set themselves up digitally.

For the new year, the gallery will launch its new website that owner, Stacey Mitchell-Fraser, says will temporarily replace the actual physical space that it now occupies. In addition to showcasing and selling the pieces, the site will feature articles on a number of issues that tie into the artistic world, as well as with happenings in Jamaica.

"The website will have a sort of magazine feel. I just wanted to put Wijicoon, as a physical location, in a box for a while and maintain an online presence,” says Mitchell-Fraser.

Though the gallery will go completely digital, prices will still be in a range that her clientele of all income levels can afford. She says, “Outside of our sale now, you can get something for as low as $4,000. At times, we’ve had things for under $2,000, and they go up to $400,000.”

(Learn more about Wijicoon and see photos and prices of some of the pieces in the sale by clicking Read More)

Fashion: Style that beach bum in All Wet Beachwear swimsuits!

Swimsuits from the 2011 collections of a few luxury lines carried by All Wet Beachwear.

The Christmas party season officially kicks off with beach parties, the first of which starts this upcoming weekend with Beach Bums, following soon after with the grown-and-sexy Maiden Cay party.

Year after year, it’s always been about wearing statement swimsuits while partying on the sands of Maiden Cay and Racquel Black, founder and owner of luxury swimsuit and accessories retailer All Wet Beachwear (AWB), is making sure that you’ll be making waves in white-hot bikinis and stylish monokinis.

Being a forward-thinking brand that caters to their customers’ every swimwear need, the mid to high-end swimsuit retailer is offering a 15% discount for all Beach Bums ticketholders this week!

(Learn more about the sale and other offers by clicking Read More)

Food & Eateries: Tru-Juice presents Christmas-season drinks

From left: Tru-Juice Sorrel with Ginger, Calico Jack Rum Punch and Cranberry.

It’s that time of year again and we’re all feeling the cool Christmas breeze incite holiday cheer. To go along with the pineappled ham, roast beef and stuffed chicken, Tru-Juice is having us ready for Christmas dinner with their three frontline drinks this season.

These are the Cranberry, Sorrel with Ginger, and the increasingly popular Calico Jack Rum Punch.

The Tru-Juice team is out in the streets test-tasting the three products, and if you can’t make it to any of the locations listed below on the schedule, you can purchase them from your favourite supermarkets islandwide.

(Learn more about the juices and see the test-tasting schedule by clicking Read More)