I FINALLY REGISTERED!!

This afternoon after work I made my way to the mas camp to register in De Mang.

Saw the frontline in the mas camp looking absolutely FAB! but was so caught up in trying on my bra, I totally forgot my camera in my bag.

I eventually had to make my way to the section leader's house to try on a bra, belt and I got a chance to view the larger headpiece as well.

I absolutely love the vibe I got from Arlene! Very nice young woman and I discussed my concerns with the bra with her.

The costume on the whole is very heavy with all the bead work on it, but I really like the costume after seeing it up close and personal.

De Mang bra

De Mang belt

The headpiece isn't as FAB! as I had hoped and some more stuff is being added, but as I told Arlene, I'll fix it up as well as other parts of my costume ;)

Arlene's costumes were designed by her and the female costumes were sent to China to be made. The mens' costumes are being made locally.

The place where she sent her costumes to be made also does costumes for Island People, and this was confirmed as ALL of the belts on her costumes had an Island People Mas tag sewn in! So she and her team now have to sit and rip out the tags on the belts.

I hope to go back to the mas camp this weekend to get a pic of the frontline as no pics are available on the internet.

Btw, when you register with De Mang, you get 10% off your costume as well as a free costme with Mudders International! Not bad at all.

My FAB Carnival Boots!!

So after taking chain up from Saucy's blog, I decided to go with traditional mas boots and not sneakers this year.

Once I registered in Chutney I found my way to Picadilly Street and purchased a pair of gold boots from Jomo.

Found my way to Samaroo's and purchased gold glitter and spray adhesive.
Didn't buy any gold or orange braid because I always have ends of braid home.

After I collected my costume on Carnival Thursday I determined that I would use parts of the costume to decorate my boots, namely the leg, arm and wrist bands, which I never use anyways cause they always need to tie over cause dey always falling off/down or some nonesense and they just generally annoy the shit out of me.

So I sat down just before Dimanche Gras on Sunday night (hmm...that's repetitive isn't it?) by Mummy and started decorating my boots.

These are the pictures of my boots before, during the process and after.

I am SO proud of my boots eh...

*DRUMROLL*

Plain gold boots from Jomo

Add gold glitter

Add wrist piece to heel

Add leg piece to top of boot

Add gold braid down front centre of boot

Trim and add arm piece to side of boot and...
Voilà...FAB! BOOTS!!

So check meh next year...ah go be decorating boots...LOL.

My Carnival Letters

Letter #1

Dear Ronnie and Caro,
I had a FANTASTIC time in your section, “Chutney” this year. Costume collection was effortless. My costume looked like it was supposed to and I didn’t need to alter even one thing on it. Food was as promised. Drinks flowed steady. I was really impressed to see Ronnie on the truck handling things in the bar as well on Monday.

The ONE problem I had was on Tuesday when one of your “security” was telling…sorry YELLING at me to get into my section (my pet peeve) when I was a mere foot away from the section. I watched him like he was mad and eventually one of the other security guys told him to leave me alone, cause like he realize what time it was with me.

The second problem I had (I know I said one before, but I just remembered something else) was the barmen. On Tuesday when my extra tall brother wasn’t around I had to stand up by the bar and got ignored but not by one, not by two but THREE of your barmen. I had cause to cuss way one who play he telling me he eh see me even doh he watch meh STRAIGHT in meh damn face!
Anyhoo, Ronnie got that complaint from me on the road Tuesday and handle dat one time!

Despite that, my brother, sister I law and I look forward to seeing what you’ll be bringing out next year. Thanks for a great first time with Legacy!

Yours in Carnival,
Afro Chic.

Letter #2

Dear Shurwayne,
I was to write you since before Carnival yuh know, but in between all de run around for stockings, accessories, boots etc, I just didn’t have the time.
I just have one thing to tell you.
You killed my section's vibes on Carnival Tuesday at our last competition point with yuh Open De Gate.
After signing up with Legacy, I had begun to mentally prepare myself to be brainwashed by Open de Gate on the road.
However, on Monday you were not around and our section became a smoothly choreographed machine to the tune of Jumbie.
Even at all the other competition points on Tuesday we did not cross with your truck. Our choice was Jumbie right through.
So is how you go come now and jumbie de scene with yuh Open de Gate nonsense? What is de point of dat? Yuh did done lose de Road March race…is like beating a dead horse.
Otherwise, on the road yuh wasn’t too bad eh. But yuh kill it fuh we dey man.

Ohnonono,
Afro Chic


Letter#3

Dear Carnival,
I enjoyed you this year.
Stage or no stage I had a time yes.
See you next year, God spear life.

Lovingly yours,
Afro Chic

AH COLLECT MEH COSTUME!!

I real excited.
If ah did like de costume before...ah like it MORE now!
If I had ay worries about playing with Ronnie & Caro for the first time...ah have none now.
The whole costume collection process took all of 5 minutes if so much.

Reach mas camp.

Hand in receipt...paid in full.

Caro gives me the rundown...wear both handbands both days...letter inside with details of where the band will meet etc.

Collect envelope from Caro.

Box with costume comes outside along with goodie bag.

Check through costume...trying not to smile too much or get on hyper in de people mas camp.

Change bottom piece...dey forget is a thong I ordered.

Turn to head to car.

WAIT!! Where yuh headpiece?!?!

Collect BEAUTIIFUL FANTASTIC headpiece...(check previous post in case yuh missed it.)

Leave mas camp.



I only hope everything goes just as smoothly on the road.