LiveStush @livestush-blog - Tumblr Blog

Mello-Go-Roun' 2013, Happy Birthday Jamaica!

Having enjoyed 50 years of performing arts grandeur interwoven in an array of expressions featuring highlights from Jamaican Music and Traditional Folk Forms to Drama, Dance and Speech, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission now offers "Mello-Go-Roun" 2013 "MELLO MANIA!"

The celebratory place of Mello Mania was at the mystical Palaces of Jamaica (Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre) where dynamic, highly energetic and entertaining performances are showcased. The three act show (Parading, Waves of Creation and Spectacular) was a full three course meal and STUSH got the chance to partake in this melting pot of culture. The patrons grooved to the percussive melodies of the Ardenne High School Drummers and awed at the the adorable girls from Little London Primary School in their "Bubbles and Clip". Belmont Park Primary left the patrons mesmerized by their dexterous and acrobatic dance routine, it was truly a jaw dropper! Michael Lewis from Dembigh High School left us in stitches when he shared with us the story of Anancy & Jerk Chicken and we jammed to Glenmuir High School's arrangement of Mavado and T-Pain's "Survivor". STUSH approves Mello-Go-Roun as "The Premier Family Entertainment Show"

Hurricane Preparedness

One wouldn't want to be caught unprepared this hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. So here are some helpful tips to get you ready this hurricane season, and keep you safe!

Before a Hurricane threatens

Look over your insurance policy to insure it provides adequate coverage.

Check the storm surge history and elevation of your area.

Make an inventory of possessions.

Photograph your house and all the rooms inside for insurance purposes.

Make sure your roofing is properly fastened and secure. Make all necessary repairs.

Obtain lumber, plywood, and concrete nails for battening up.

Know your evacuation route.

Organize a place to meet with your family should you become separated during the storm.

Clear your yard and drains of debris.

Prune trees limbs that are close to your house. They can cause damage to your home or utility wires during a storm.

Find a place to move your boat in an emergency

If your home is at risk, plan in advanced where you will stay. Call the ODPEM Disaster Co-ordinator for the location of the nearest shelter.

If you need transportation to a public shelter due to special needs -- such as age, physical disability, or mental disorders; register in advance with the nearest Parish Council Office and the Office of Disaster Preparedness.

When a hurricane threatens

Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest level. Freeze water in plastic containers.

Sanitize bath tubs and fill with water.

Tie down or bring in all outdoor objects (such as awnings, patio furniture, garbage cans).

Secure or remove satellite dishes, TV or radio antennae from roofs.

Pick fruits such as coconuts, mangoes etc., from trees. Clear your yard and drains of debris.

Remove all pictures, clocks, books, figurines, tools, office equipment, appliances and important papers (passports, birth certificates etc.); wrap them in plastic or in waterproof containers; and store in a safe room.

Turn off electricity at the main switch and remove TV and radio antennae from roofs.

Stock up on water and non-perishable foods. Refill prescriptions needed.

Fill your car with gas to avoid long lines after the hurricane. Also fill containers for portable generators.

Park your car in a place that is safest from falling trees and utility poles.

If you are in a high-rise, know the location of the nearest stairways. Don't use the elevator.

Batten down windows and doors with shutters or lumber. Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.

Turn off electricity from main switch 24 hours before the storm is expected to hit.

Unplug major appliances.

During the hurricane

Be calm! Your ability to act logically is very important.

Stay inside. Do not go outside unless it is absolutely necessary

Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. A windowless or interior room or hallway is usually the safest. Listen to the radio for information

If you are in a two-storey house, stay on the first floor.

If you are in a multiple-storey building, take refuge on the first or second floors. Interior stairwells and areas around elevator shafts are usually the strongest part of a building.

If your house shows signs of breaking up, stay under a table or stand under a door frame.

Do not go outside during the calm when the eye of the hurricane is passing.

After the storm

Wait until you hear on the radio or television that the dangerous winds are definitely out of your area.

Do not go sight-seeing

Do not go outside barefooted. Avoid wearing open shoes and watch out for sharp debris

Do not use phones or CB radios unless vital. Keep lines clear for emergency calls.

Bury all dead animals as soon as possible.

Beware of downed power lines, weakened bridges and washed-out roads, and weakened trees.

Purify drinking water by boiling or by adding bleach, 2 drops of bleach per litre of water, 4 drops if the water is cloudy. Do not purify all your water at once.

After adding bleach, let water stand for 30 minutes before drinking

Use perishable food first , then non- perishable foods and staples after.

Do not cook more than is needed for one meal

Be alert to prevent fires

Report broken sewer or water mains to local authorities

Be sure to check your house for structural damage before moving back in.

Emergency Supply Basic List

Water, enough to last 2 weeks

Foods that do not require cooking:

Canned or salted fish and meat

Packaged oats

Biscuits and crackers

Condensed or powdered milk

Canned soups and vegetables

Juices

Cereals

Coffee, Tea.

Flour, Rice, Cornmeal, Sugar and Salt

Infant formula

Bread

Emergency Supply Extended List

Battery-operated radio

Flashlight

Extra batteries

Matches and candles, Hurricane lamps

Bleach and other cleaners

First Aid Kit: petroleum jelly, aspirin, eye wash, bandages, cotton, diarrhoea medication, antacid , laxative

Tissue, soap, sanitary napkins

Disposable cups, plates, utensils

Can opener

Large plastic trash bags

Containers for water and fuel storage

Coal or oil stove, barbeque grill

Cooking utensils

Portable cooler

100 feet of rope, Tape

Needle and thread, scissors

Blankets and towels

Mosquito repellent

Tarpailin (canvas or plastic)

Storage tips for water and food

Store enough water to last 2 weeks for each person in your household. A normal active person requires a minimum of 1 litre of water per day for drinking and food preparation.

Water should be stored in clean, well covered containers.

Label the containers with the current date and renew your drinking supply each month.

Store emergency food in waterproof containers.

Arrange items so that those stored first will be used first.

Observe expiration dates on packaged foods.

Wrap bread, cookies and crackers, and dry goods in plastic bags and keep in tight containers.

Your storage area should be dry, cool and free from contamination by insects, poisons and other chemicals.

Several utility poles were uprooted and their wires and equipment left dangling on the roads after Hurricane Gilbert.

Evacuation and shelters

A shelter provides temporary housing for persons unable to continue their living arrangements in separate family units, as a result of an emergency incident such as flood, earthquake or hurricane.

It is advised to evacuate your home if:

In an area that continually floods, near the coastline or a stream likely to overflow, in a low-lying area,

you feel that your home will not offer adequate protection

advised by authorities

Take your own supplies to the shelter including food, change of clothes, medicine, sanitary need, battery-operated radio and flashlight important papers. Do not take alcoholic beverages, weapons or pets to shelters.

Below are the numbers for the various emergency centres.

PARISH EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

National EOC (ODPEM) 906-9674/5 754-9078/9

Kingston and St Andrew: Terry-Ann Foster - 967-3329, 922-0254 Portmore: Phillippa Ricketts - 740-0789, 740-7440-2 Clarendon: C. Williams - 986-2216, 986-2234 or 986-2403 Hanover: Desmond Dorman - 956-2951, 956-2131 Manchester: LaJean Powell - 962-2278-9, 363-3068 or 775-2630 Portland: Denise Lewis -993-2165 St Ann: Alvin Clarke - 972-2615-6 St Catherine: Patricia Lewis - 984-3111-2 St Elizabeth: Shane Taylor - 965-2265, 965-2267 St James: Tamoy Sinclair -971-9088 or 952-5500-2 St Mary: Yolande Williams-Jankie - 577-8307 or 994-2178 St Thomas: Millicent Blake - 982-9449, 982-2227 Trelawny: Dion Hylton-Lewis - 397-2269 or 954-3970 Westmoreland: Hilma Tate - 360-7686 or 955-2798

Stay safe, Stush fam!

SEZi’s performance may have been delayed but when she took the stage at Redbones, her voice and presence resonated with a wealth of emotion, and we have to admit – we became instantly enthralled. From the moment she stepped onto the stage she held the audience with an array of passionate words, stringed with longing and emotion - creating and weaving stories that can speak to the soul. Deep huh? We know, but not many local artists these days carry this level of conviction, so Stush is definitely excited to see what this new artist has in store for her future musical career.

SEZi has been developing her craft in the Kingston underground music scene, performing with bands such as Protoje (who was actually at Redbones in support of her EP debut, along with Tami Chynn), Raging Fyah, No-Maddz, and others. The soulful songstress grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, but was born here in Jamaica – stating that she chose to launch her EP here as homage to her musical journey.

Her “Slow Burn” debut has each song reverberating with a heavy yearning, which captures the sentiments of the listeners and take them on an emotional trip of that moment when you were slayed by love. The first song, “Say it Ain’t So” (a personal favourite), will have you rocking to the catchy reggae vibe that generates from the background beat, with her vocals complimenting the tune nicely. Each song that follows has a different feel – from soulful and haunting to fast-paced and pop-like – with her remaining true to her Island roots.

SEZi is an artist who knows how to captivate her audience with conviction and emotion, and her live acoustic performance at Redbones was just that – captivating. This upcoming artist is definitely one to watch out for, and Stush cannot wait to hear more from this new Island gem!

There is a saying by Oscar Wilde that states, “No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” This quote definitely rings true for Jamaican-born fine artist, Kimberley Kaye, who seems to be able to visualise and capture the real beauty that resides around us and gives us a taste of this through her captivating artwork. Stating, that the beauty and tranquillity that she had experienced in Jamaica growing up, is what fashioned her into the artist she is today.

Her inspiration, which she said stems from her home and her people, has allowed for entrancing pieces focused mainly on landscapes, portraits, and seascapes. From her days of sitting in front of the TV at the age of five and drawing cartoon characters that danced across the screen, her passion for the arts consistently remained. However it was not until 2003, after she had completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology that she decided to devote herself completely to art. She then organised her first solo exhibition one year later and sold out her second show the following year. Not through with her artistic scope, she later enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and it was there that she discovered a love for figurative drawing, painting, and sculpture.

Kimberley’s work pretty much speaks for itself, which is evident in the detail of the aesthetic essence that is captured by her brushes and pencils, as well as the fact that since 2003 over 200 of her pieces have been sold to private art collectors both locally and internationally. The stories that are told by her artwork shows that this artist leaves bits of herself in what she does – and it is this untarnished ardour that she has that makes the true enjoyment of her work so effortless!

STUSH Carnival Fashion Dos and Don’ts

For women, Carnival is a time to let loose and revel in super short shorts and sequin outfits that some wouldn’t dare to be caught wearing in public at any other time. Mixing and matching neon colours and bright highlights, why not?! Let go of your creative juices and dive head-first into the endless possibilities. That said, one still needs to remain practical (to a certain extent) so they can truly revel in Stush style. So here are a few basic Carnival fashion dos and don’ts that can make your Carnival experience even more fabulous.

Dos

Wear skin toned underwear with sheer or thin tights. No one wants to be constantly worrying about the appearance of their underwear when trying to have some fun. Also, keep in mind, ladies, that wearing visible underwear under your tights is a definite no no!

Accessorise with a rag, handkerchief, or a flag. Show that you mean true Carnival business with your waving addition (on the side, if you get too sweaty you can always use it to dab your face – well, not with the flag, of course!).

If you have a tiny/flat butt and you’re uncomfortable wearing tights or shorts, then get a fake one. They sell like padded underwear, and there is no shame in getting a little help! Just take care to wear it discretely.

Don’ts

Big hoops are a danger hazard. There are too many Carnival stories that end badly with big hoops, ladies. Be forewarned. If you want to wear dazzling earrings, try wearing a chandelier-type one – without any hanging hoops or dangling hooks!

I know it can look pretty cute with your Carnival attire, but if you’re planning on getting wet – don’t wear those heavily fur-lined uggs. If they’re fake, when wet, they can get quite soggy and uncomfortable – however, if they’re the real deal, then you’re good to go, as the water does not get inside.

Leave the high heels/stilettos at home. It’s just flat out impractical to wear heels at Carnival if you’re planning on getting down, especially if it’s outside on soft ground. Unless you’re a masochist or have super feet – this is, for sure, advised against.

I know I said to let your creative juices run wild, but don’t overdo it. Fluorescent colour tones can be fun and cute, just don’t mix too many together – three solid colours, at most, is fine – none of us would want to give the impression of a circus runaway.

This is something that is seen at pretty much every carnival event – if you’re a big girl, don’t wear a full body suit. Wear an outfit that can compliment your mounds and curves, not insult them!

Carnival is about enjoying the thrills of life and having fun. So this Carnival season, go out with the best accessory that a girl needs – Stush style! ♥

STUSH Guide to Partying like a True Carnival Pro

Not all of us are Carnival pros – it can actually take a few tries to get it right. So we thought we’d combine some common mistakes, and create a Stush guide for our Carnival rookies. This way, you can avoid suffering from blunders faced by previous Carnivalites, and carouse without worry!

Carnival and the Sun

If you’re going to be revelling in the sun, then throw some sunscreen in your bag/pouch, and use it. No matter how dark your skin is, you can still get burnt from those harmful UV rays. Also, don’t forget that water is your best friend. With the sun, alcohol consumption, and jumping around you might not even realise that dehydration has crept up on you, so replenish with some water once in a while – you wouldn’t want to end up grasping for air on the ground (it happens!).

Vex Money

Have you ever heard of ‘vex money’? Well ladies, make sure you pack a little extra cash so you can hold your head high and get a taxi to go home when you’re ready - without having to depend on anyone.

Safety First

If you’re female, don’t go to the bathrooms alone – try going in pairs, and don’t accept drinks from random strangers, unless it’s a serving party official and you can see your drink being made. Additionally, neither sex should carry around large sums of money, visible wallets, or change purses.

Speaking about sex, it can get pretty easy to get worked up with all the sexual energy floating around at this time, so make sure to have your own condom and use it if you’ll be copulating – Carnival babies is not a myth – neither is STDs!

Think ahead

Bring a small messenger bag or a pouch (worn on the front) that you can put your cash and valuables in. You can also secure your cell phone in a small clear plastic bag to keep it dry - you’ll still have the option to use it through the clear bag. If your phone is prepaid, then either put on some credit or bring an extra phone card. Don’t take it for granted that there’ll be a vendor around with available credit.

Alcohol Consumption

If you’re planning on doing a lot of drinking, make sure to eat before you start. You wouldn’t want to prematurely become drunk before you can truly enjoy the event, would you? Also, know your limit and don’t go over it. If you don’t know your limit, then when you get to that point where your thoughts and actions are not of your usual self, and you start to feel a bit disoriented – stop – have some food and/or water and take a breather from the booze.

With the Carnival season, there are many unexpected things that can occur – some we can predict others we can’t. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to use your better judgement, and not become a Carnival victim of mistakes past!

The ISSA Boys' and Girls' championship 2013.

Suzuki Celerio - Ride in Assured Comfort!

The Suzuki Celerio is sleek, smart, and admittedly cute with its aerodynamic body and practical conveniences. The Celerio not only has your convenience in mind but also your environmental footprint, with a low weight and efficient 1.0 litre engine coupled with a three cylinder design, it treads lightly, cuts down on emissions, and has a low fuel consumption – which with today’s economy is definitely an awesome thing.

Despite its compact appearance, comfort for both driver and passengers are held in high regard, as it seats four adults with ease. In addition to having supportive adjustable front seats, the Celerio also has modifiable back seats that can be folded forward to a flat floor and provide additional storage space for those major shopping days or trips out of town. There is also a wide tailgate opening with a low lip, which takes a lot of the stress out of loading and unloading your luggage. Additionally, there are inside storage pockets, both in the front and the back that is large enough for you to fit a 500ml juice bottle or A4-sized documents.

Think of the Celerio as that fashion accessory that can go with your casual look, and if you want to make a fashion statement, it has the flair and unique design to take you on that journey. The Celerio also caters to the modern man, with a high-legible speedometer that digitally displays up-to-the-minute driving information. Furthermore, a rarity in small cars, the Suzuki Celerio is available with an automatic gearbox, and is easy to maneuver into those tight parking spaces with a minimum turning radius of 4.5 metres. Also for that comfortable ride where your safety is not a nagging distraction – the body is built on Suzuki’s proprietary Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) system, which makes it able to resist impact forces and direct them away from the driver and passengers. And for an even greater piece of mind, the cabin has dual airbags as well.

The Celerio not only gives you comfort and safety assurablility, but the impact on your pocketbook – like your environmental footprint – is a small one, with its starting price of only $1.79 million. So take the worry out of your everyday comfort and drive in Stush style!

Suzuki Celerio - Ride in Assured Comfort!

Hangover No More!

It's Carnival time again! And with this time of year comes a lot of drinking and revelling and uhm drinking – so we at Stush thought we’d help you out in getting rid of those pesky hangovers and fully enjoy this season the way its suppose to – with booze and sweat! So here are some easy ways to avoid or get rid of your hangover.

Got Milk? – Milk is said to coat the stomach, so you will experience a reduction in the amount of hangover symptoms the next morning. You know the saying “drinking milk does the body good.”

Good ol’ H2O – Water is the other drink to chug when you’re out partying with your peeps. Drink one glass of H2O for every alcoholic beverage you consume, and then finish off the night by downing a couple glasses before bed.

Banana Wonders – Eat a banana the morning after you drink to help reduce or prevent a hangover. The fruit contains potassium, which gives you electrolytes. People loose electrolytes after downing several drinks.

Have an Egg – Eggs are a good choice when it’s time for breakfast the next morning. You may not feel like eating but try to eat a few bites. Eggs contain cysteine, which help your body break down what causes the hangover, a toxin known as acetaldehyde.

Finger lickin’ Fried Food – Eating fried food is one way to prevent a hangover. The fat in the greasy food helps your body to absorb the alcohol you drink by sticking to the stomach lining longer.

Avoid Caffeine – Caffeinate drinks such as coffee and soda should be avoided because they cause dehydration, which you don’t want to be when drinking alcohol.

Have a Multivitamin – Take a multivitamin the morning after downing those drinks and it will help in reducing or even getting rid of the hangover symptoms. What nutrients alcohol takes away from you, multivitamins will give you back.

Drink Some Gatorade – Gatorade contains electrolytes, which is important for hydration. There’s a reason why athletes chug this stuff and it’ll help you stay hydrated while you drink and dance the night away.

Take B Vitamins – B vitamins are really good for stopping a hangover before it even starts. They help to relieve and reduce hangover symptoms by replacing the nutrients alcohol takes away. Also, before you head out make sure to only take the recommended dosage

Munch on a Pickle – Try eating some pickles before you hit the streets. Pickles contain salt, which your body needs when you drink. Add a couple to a burger, place some fries next to it, and chow down. The fries will help your body absorb the liquor

Avoid Mixing Drinks – Avoid mixing your alcoholic drinks. Decide what you want and stick to it - your body has trouble processing more than one alcoholic drink at a time.

Have a Glass of OJ – Fruit sugar (fructose) is said to increase your energy. Drink a glass the next morning to help speed up the rate that your body gets rid of toxins. The vitamins found in fruit drinks help to get your body back in shape.

Old Wives Tale – People in the Mediterranean say that eating a spoonful of olive oil will prevent a hangover. We think that sounds kinda gross. Drizzle olive oil onto a salad or dip a piece of bread in it to help prevent a hangover from forming.

So now when you head out to your carnival thrills, don’t worry about how you’re gonna get to work or class the next morning, just heed these hangover remedies and you’ll be good to go!

For the bride and groom-to-be, and even the already connubial, Wedding Spectacular was definitely the place to be last weekend. They featured a wide array of booths, which caters to that special day – from Stush hair and makeup grooming, to elegantly aesthetic dining arrangements, too-tempting cake displays, and of course those gorge wedding gowns, which are hard to mention without feeling a shudder of excitement run up our spines! The event definitely had entertainment down packed as they roused the crowd with tips to keep it sexified after the ‘I dos’, exhilarating giveaways, a trashing of the dress demonstration, entrancing fashion shows, and uhm can we talk about those divine men?! All in all it was a fabulous event that certainly brought out our dreamy romantic side. Check out the glamour and excitement in this Stush coverage, brought to you by KIA Motors and Bliss Bridal Boutique.

Threading to Perfection

Eyebrow Threading is a technique that involves the use of a doubled and twisted thin cotton thread, which is rolled over the area of the unwanted hair and plucked at the follicle level. Though this technique is a relatively new one in the Western world, it is an ancient hair removal practice, believed to have originated in South Asia and the Middle East, then becoming more popular in countries in the Far East, like China. Now it has landed in Jamaica, though only a handful of persons on the Island can do this procedure.

Eyebrow threading is a precise art form that, unlike shaving, plucking or waxing, does not leave hair remnants behind and only removes the hair and not the skin as there’s less contact with the skin than any of the other methods – so if you have sensitive skin, then this removal procedure is definitely best for you.

The technique makes it easier to create definition in your eyebrows because of the precision that is used to remove the hair – and despite this meticulousness it’s a pretty quick procedure, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes and can last up to four weeks (the more you thread the longer it will last!). The general consensus is that it’s a relatively painless procedure, well less painful than plucking, still, only you can state for sure how much ‘pain’ you can handle. Furthermore, there might be some puffiness or redness after the procedure (depending on your skin type) but a little hydrocortisone can go a long way!

Although not many people in Jamaica are familiar with this hair removal technique, it is slowly but surely catching on. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone can execute this task, so be careful who you select to do this job. You can get your brows done by Pooja in Barbican, just call 459 2725. So if you want to try something different with your brows, threading would definitely help to articulate fabulousity!

And the Future is, Now!

Remember when we thought about the future and the first thing that would come to our minds would be hover cars, sleek techy eyewear, and a kind of creepy uniformity in our clothing? At least that’s how movies in the 90’s and earlier would portray it – well, based on that, it seems we’re already in the future my Stush peeps! Let’s see, Volkswagen had introduced its own hover car a few years ago, and now Google has unveiled the Google Glasses. This revolutionary and super cool piece of technology is not only like walking around with your own mass of ‘google’ information, but it also serves as a camera, video recorder, voice translator and message-sender, plus you can even share whatever you’re seeing live! No hands are needed to manoeuvre this nifty gadget – all that’s required is a clear voice and you’re good to go! Pretty cool huh?

We all know that when this product hits stores, it won’t take long for it to grace our Jamaican shores – and what a day it will be! There is a probability that this awesome tech will take off like cell phones in the early 2000s – and just like cell phones there would be drawbacks. One, it’ll be way more visible than cell phones and therefore more prone to thievery. Two, all you need to do is a voice command and it starts recording, can we say sex tape anyone?? Three, just picture us all walking and driving around with this highly technologically advanced thingamajig over our faces – and texting and driving is a problem now!

Still, we would love to get our hands on these Stush glasses, which range in colours from tangerine, to charcoal, sky, cotton, and shale. So if you want to try your luck in getting one today then follow the link: http://www.google.com/glass/start/how-to-get-one - this promotion ends on February 27th. Additionally, here’s a video to give you a feel of this amazing gadget – enjoy!

Harlem Shaking the Globe

The oh so hilarious Harlem Shake craze has blown to our little tropical paradise and Jamaica has responded with fervor! The internet phenomenon began on January 30, when a video blogger in America posted a video of himself and three others in colourful latex suits thrusting comically to the electronic Harlem Shake mix.

Since then, random videos from all over the word began appearing on YouTube with each adding their own unique spin to the meme.

Now Stush peeps, we all know that when Jamaica do soen we do it bad! So it wasn’t surprising to see some really entertaining videos - but hey, we all can’t do it right, so a few of them were a little less for laughs. Nonetheless, it’s in the name of light hearted fun - and Stush loves it all! From Tami Chynn cheerfully thrusting her pregnant belly in the KERRYmanwomanhome Harlem Shake video,

to the boys at Wolmers High,

the students at the UWI campus,

and of course the previously shown telecomm giants going at it: LIME -

(who has been getting a lot of positive buzz for their video), and we can’t forget Digicel (who later removed their video because of numerous negative comments and the fact that, well, it was just plain unimpressive).

That said, although the economy’s looking well tight right now let’s try not to get too overwhelmed, just take a breather from our taxing days and try to Harlem Shake the stress away!!

Enjoy a few more pics from the Big Sexy Hair Red Party!

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

LiveStush