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Trini Christmas Gift Guide

Even the Grinchiest of us cower at the smell of baking hams, soaking fruits and steaming pastelles. Christmas time in Trinidad and Tobago is particularly special since family from abroad escape the cruel winter and come to us! What I'm always most excited about is the gift giving! I research how to wrap them extra fancy every year, and plan way ahead exactly what I'm giving to whom!
I remember last year, I went to collect specially ordered stickers I had printed abroad, that were meant to be labels on my ponche-de-creme. The Skybox courier office was ram packed! This went on for weeks! I did not get my stickers until January! In an effort to avoid that catastrophe this year, I'm getting everything locally!

I have put together a Trini Christmas Gift Guide. Here are some great gift ideas for everyone on your checklist! Did I mention they're all available right here in Trinidad?

1. For the Out-of-Towners

Dek's Black Sorrel Pepper Relish 

At some point each one of us has had to tote bottles of pepper sauce across borders to get to our family and friends abroad. What a great gift this Pepper Relish makes for them! It marries the hottest peppers in the world, with a Trini Christmas staple; Sorrel!
Large Jar TT$50, Small jar TT$20

To Order Contact Dek's at 868.498.9898, deks.tnt.gmail.com, fb.com/deks.tt

I really believe in making food with Love. Good people really just channel their positivity into what they do! I first met the maker of this fantastic and festive hot relish at an Outlet Market. I got there super late and famished, to find that all the food was finished! (Was really looking forward to his shell-less crab and dumpling!) Observing my disappointment and I'm sure after hearing my tummy growl, the gentleman offered me his own lunch! Will never forget the courtesy! Thank you Dek!

2. For the new Home-Owners

Hand Painted Silk Cushion Covers by Melanie Pontifex

Trust me, when you get into your own home, it's your baby! These absolutely exquisite cushions act as a conversation piece, as well as a room brightener. Bring luxe and style to the new home, and excited smiles to the gift receivers! More styles and colours available, including fuchsia for the bold statement makers!

Contact: melaniepontifex@gmail.com, 868.345.3269, fb.com/melaniepontifexartist

3. For the Girls

Amara Organics Savons des Artisans

This beautiful handmade soap collection results from a special collaboration with Artist, Danielle Boodoo Fortune. Amara Organics is already known for wonderfully made soaps, scrubs, balms and butters. This Limited Edition Collector's item just pushes it over the edge. They come in “LOVE SPELL”, “CHERRY MIST”and “LILY OF THE VALLEY” fragrances. Your girlfriends would feel special to be of the select few to have these! The 3 piece Collection costs TT$200.

Contact:868.384.0715, amara.organics@gmail.com, fb.com/amara.organics

4. For the glamorous ones

GLAM GOODIES

My favourite Salon EVER, Cahoots, is having a massive 40% off sale on all Redken, Matrix and Schwarzkopf and Body Bling products! This big name styling products are used by top hair stylists worldwide. They can be quite pricey, but with this amazing discount, put together gifts sets for  mom, sis, the in-laws and hey, why not do one for yourself?

Call Cahoots at 868.622.5393, Located just off of Long Circular road, Port-of-Spain

5.For the special lady in your life

Floralies

Your lady will love you forever if you were keen enough to have her unwrap these on Christmas morning! These gold plated earrings are sprinkled with white swarovski crystals. The design is classic yet simultaneously whimsical and charming. They come from the Anoushka  Line, which is brought to us from Ilmes Jewellery designer, Anna Sabga.  Other exclusive pieces from the Collection are available at Stechers Long Circular, Gulf City and Piarco branches. Floralies cost TT$1110.

To contact the designer email: info@ilmesjewellery.com

6.For the Guys

Dappered Bowties by Mark Eastman

Bowties look great on guys from casual to cocktail! Designer Mark Eastman has brought out "Dappered", his accessory line, catering to the stylish individual. Check out his City Series, inspired by the moods of Port-of-Spain. Styles vary in colour and print, suited to a range of personalities! Look out for them at The Cloth's Pop -Up shop at The Propaganda Space #24 Erthing Road Belmont. Each cost TT$125

Visit fb.com/DapperedbyMarkEastman/info

My fave is the "9 to 5"

Photo by Arnaldo James

7. For your special Guy

 Cufflinks From Rachel Ross

Make him feel special by presenting him with a tiny box this year (we all live by the small package adage). Rachel Ross creates stunning pieces of wearable art. Her Cufflinks are timeless and special, made with sophistication and detail. They are available at Phillipa on Saddle Road Maraval, as well as The Gallery in Long Circular Mall. Listen out for pop-up shops where you may find the designer.
Contact the designer at rrossjewellery@gmail.com, fb.com/rachelrossjewellery

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DIY Divali Glam Storage

Divali is a couple days away and to those of us who aren't frequenting the Indian Trade fairs, Nagars and Ramayans, it's time to dust off the sparkly bangles. What a pity that they spent all year hidden deep under your stash of more regularly worn stuff! Indian jewellery is so beautiful on it's own, often not needing a wearer to prove its gorgeousness.

 When my friend, Praveen got married, she served indian sweets in small jewel toned fabric bags with gold ribbons. Like a klepto, I grabbed more than my share, and saved the bags to keep my bangles in! I keep them out on my dresser like a display!

So several weeks ago a couple of my best girlfriends came over to my humble home for good food and girl talk. They brought me a beautiful bottle of Raspberry wine- literally, the bottle was beautiful! Reminded me of I dream of Genie! I've held on to the empty bottle like a hoarder, and today when I was on the verge of dumping it, Eureka! Bangle stacker! I sprayed it with glue and drizzled glitter all over it! Now look who's going to save all her bottles. (This works best with a bottle with a slim long neck and wider base)

First Fete for the season

Casually one evening, as my Bestie, Esty and I were taking our weekly power-walk around the neighbourhood, he says to me “Oh by the way Leecy (His younger sister Analicia Dubrisingh) is applying for Parsons and wants your opinion on some things that she’s submitting.” I always knew that their entire family was Fashion oriented, starting with their Beauty Queen Mom, then their Mc Queen obsessed older sister and Estevan with his modelling and immense knowledge of the fashion world. Looked like the baby of the family was about to wade in the style pool herself, with her hand-made beaded jewellery. “Cute” I thought.

What I met on their kitchen table was not “Cute”. It was PHENOMENAL!!! Little Leecy did that?! I was flabbergasted! She had this elaborate multi-strand pearl necklace that weighed heavily enough to create amazing drape along the collar bone. There were several pieces that I saw that had me just speechless! I could not believe that someone so young and without any formal training in jewellery design and construction, could create such masterful pieces of art. She imported beads in a plethora of materials and intricately weaved them securely with wire, and fastened with ribbon, trimmed with even more detail. So needless to say, over a year later when Esty invited me to the launch of “Fete”; the debut of Analicia’s jewellery line, at The Gallery last night I was thrilled! Then I was even more excited when they asked me to wear one of her pieces and strut around in it all night at the show! 

Fete oversized blue beaded cuff

Rachel Ross

The Gallery is sort of a hub for the “who’s-who” of fashion and extravagance in Trinidad. It is essentially a gift shop, but what founder Sheena Thorpe provides, is far beyond your everyday “gift”. It is an experience of luxury and visual decadence, from the smoothly carved mahogany bowls, to the aromatic room diffusers and exquisite “Toffees to go”. The Gallery plays a remarkable role in highlighting the opulence within the fashion and creative industry in Trinidad. For too long had the image of a turtle carved in a coconut been the perceived standard for what we have to offer creatively. At the Gallery one can find E Coudray (a two century-old Paris perfumery) alongside Meiling’s line of scented candles and silk sleepwear. You will see Kenneth Jay Lane jewellery (donned by Jackie Onassis) next to Trinidad’s own Rachel Ross’s exquisite accessories, and now “Fete” by Analicia Dubrisingh.

A few pieces from Fete

Chejo

There was another exhibition last night for Chejo; a jewellery collection by Kristy Collado (from the Dominican Republic). Her huge display showed a variety of different Tribal style necklaces and body chains. She also had a bowl full of leather knotted necklaces that I thought were pretty interesting and fashion forward!

At the debut Analicia showed five pieces from her Collection. The earrings she wore are also a prototype for the line, with an Indian Inspired pearl beading in concentric layers. The rest will be at the store soon and just in time for Christmas. I coveted this orange and turquoise double stranded necklace (see picture below) for TT$1300.00, however due to the overwhelming demand for the particular piece, I’m going to have to wait for a replica to be made.

My favourite part of the night had to be speaking with Mrs. Dubrisingh; mother of the designer. We talked about how there is talent bubbling over the rim in Trinidad, but so few people are fortunate to have the opportunity to have their work showcased in a legitimate way. She told me that Analicia’s history with bead work started when she was a small child, and would get lost for hours in her Lisa Frank bead kit! She never ceased her interest in creating jewellery. She never thought that something big would not happen. “Fete coming together and being sold at The Gallery is purely the result of preparation meeting opportunity” I told her. With enough passion and focused energy, magic will happen.