Worth a Click

You know how much I love an inspiring story about bellas making their way in the world…

Meet Window Snyder, head afrobella in charge of security at Mozilla Firefox. Her Kenyan-born mother, Wayua Muasa, taught her to program the early computer programming language Basic, when she was five years old. When I was five, I was all about Smurfs and Fraggle Rock. Go figure.

I love that Window is doing great work for my internet browser of choice, and knocking down doors within her field. That’s my kinda lady. (Thanks to Nichelle, by way of Talking Stuff for that one!)

Did your high school have a debate team? Mine did not, but I’ve always been fascinated by the art form — it’s a world that I simply don’t understand, where speed speaking and conviction are necessary tools for victory. HBO is screening an incredible array of documentaries every Monday this summer, and last week’s screening, Resolved, gave amazing insight to the stories of two debate teams — Matt and Sam from a rich Texas burb, versus Richard and Louis, two inner-city debaters from Long Beach, California with crazy skills. This documentary made me laugh, cry, and admire the discipline debate requires from its contestants. All of the debaters were great, but Richard and Louis are especially amazing to watch. I sincerely hope they take the opportunities they’ve been given, and go far in life.

I haven’t yet watched this week’s doc, Hard Times at Douglass High: A No Child Left Behind Report Card, which I know will just break my heart. The series continues through August, and I’m already setting my DVR for The Black List, which includes insightful interviews with Toni Morrison, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Thelma Golden, among others.

Even if you don’t have premium cable, you too can get an excellent documentary fix this week when CNN’s Black in America hits the screen. Soledad O’Brien’s six-hour television event promises to examine the issues, successes and struggles of black men, women and families.

I’m definitely looking forward to that. It premieres in a month — Monday July 23rd and Tuesday July 24th at 9pmET/PT.

I find it kind of interesting that there’s this recent uptick in multifaceted documentaries about African American life, and such a dismal lack of diversity on television sitcoms and dramas. Click here to read an interesting piece about the lack of black people on TV for the upcoming schedule of new network programs, and what the NAACP is trying to do about it. I find it extremely disconcerting that Cleveland Brown is being described as “television’s great black hope for the 2008-09 season,” and I agree with Racialicious– my WTF-o-meter went wayyyyy off when I heard that news and saw the photo of the cast. But maybe that’s just because deep down, I’m a South Park fan.

I say, meh. What say you, bellas and fellas?

Worth a Click — and finally, the Creme of Nature giveaway winners!

“When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I say is ‘Thank you for waking me up this morning.’ Then I look in the mirror and say, ‘You are beautiful!’ The third thing I say is, ‘I am going to have a fantastic day!’”

This is why I love Andre J, better known to Crunk & Disorderly readers as Gaymonn. I absolutely admire his unflappable joie de vivre. And I love the photos on NY Photo Forum.

Beauty blog superstar Tia Williams recently released her latest book, Sixteen Candles! Tia is truly an inspiration to me (and so many other beauty bloggers out there) — not only is she blazing trails with fun, clever young adult literature, but she co-wrote one of my bona fide go-to beauty bibles, Iman’s The Beauty of Color. If you’ve got a young adult in your life, click here to pick up some summer reading material for them.

And speaking of fabulous beauty bloggers… congratulations to the wonderful All About The Pretty, for winning Total Beauty’s Best Beauty Reporting Award! I love her blog.

Racialicious is one of my favorite blogs out there, and they’ve been doing amazing stuff of late. Now they’ve been collaborating with one of my favorite fashion blogs, Make Fetch Happen. Both blogs are really excellently written, thoughtful, and smart. I learn so much from Latoya, Carmen, and Brigitte.

Click here to read their take on Liya Kebede’s latest “exotic” Vogue fashion shoot, and click here to see a complete slide show of images.

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You’re Reading the Best Beauty Blog!

…According to you guys and the Glam Network, that is! That’s right, bellas — thanks to your support, yours truly won the title of Best in Beauty in this year’s Glam Network Awards! And a big ol’ photo of me is the front page photo on the slide show! Wow, wow, wow.

Thank you all so much for voting for me. Honored isn’t the word. I am so excited and proud and… hang on a second. I am tempted to get all teary eyed Sally Field “you like me, you really like me,” here, but Mama Bella reminded me that they play off over-long speeches at the Oscars. So I’ll save the fabulous dramatics and keep it short and sweet.

In August 2006, I dreamed up a blog that captured the essence of the kind of magazine I wanted to read, the kind that wasn’t at the store shelves. Something that was primarily about beauty, but didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t just as precious, delicate and gorgeous as the models of the opposite race, size, and hair texture as me. Afrobella started out with the intention of being a pure beauty blog with not much beyond product reviews and musings about natural black beauty, but along the way it evolved into so much more than that. Afrobella is an outlet for everything I care deeply about — beauty, hair, music, fashion, politics, whatever. The variety of topics has led to my exclusion in certain circles, but that’s OK. It’s also led to some wonderful ongoing opportunities, like the honor of participating in the blogger’s round table on NPR’s News and Notes. (I’ll be on again this upcoming Monday, April 28)! It’s been a wonderful ride, and the lesson I’ve learned is to follow my heart, and never limit myself.

It is such a pleasure and a privilege to be able to write about my obsessions and musings, to share my Caribbean culture, to put my thoughts about being a naturally beautiful black woman out there, and to participate in the exchange of ideas with so many of you all over the world. You make my life so rich and wonderful. I have so many big dreams for this blog and for myself as a writer — my mother always said, “Thursday’s child has far to go.” I’m on my way! Thank you all so very, very much for making one of them come true, and thank you to everyone at the Glam Network for your continued support.

My prize for winning is a Flip video camera, so I hope to start making some makeup and hair videos on YouTube soon.

Click here to see the slide show of this year’s Glam Network Award winners, which includes one of my first blog inspirations Beauty Addict, Hollyscoop, Popbytes, the amazing YourCause.com, and In Case You Didn’t Know.

YAY!!! I love you guys!! Thank you so, so much.

Happy Earth Day To Ya!

Green is the color of the month, and today is the ultimate day to express your environmental concerns. It’s Earth Day! Lots of beauty and fashion retailers understand that for some, being green is already a way of life. For others, a little encouragement by way of sales, giveaways, and discounts, goes a long way. So here are some of the best online offers for today, April 22 — all intended to encourage you to reuse, reduce, and recycle.

One of the most obvious, easy ways to be environmentally friendly starts with shopping. Americans throw out 100 billion plastic bags each year, and the detritus of those unrecycled bags is killing the planet. Some stores are doing away with them altogether — plastic is no longer an option at Whole Foods, and it’s a trend many gourmet grocery stores have adopted. Using a sturdy cloth bag is a practically effortless, often quite stylish way to reduce waste.

You can score chic bags galore today, at places like Kiehl’s. The first 50 patrons to return empty Kiehl’s bottles to any one of their free-standing stores for recycling will receive a Kiehl’s reusable canvas tote bag today — one per customer.

Macy’s also has some chic bags for sale for $3.95, and in all Florida and Puerto Rico stores, they’re having a special charity-shopping event on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th. By making a $5 donation at Macy’s stores or online at www.nationalparks.org, customers receive a One Good Turn savings pass — a two-day in-store and online shopping pass — for 20 percent off most merchandise, and 10 percent off most home items. So you know where I’ll be this weekend — workin’ the plus size section with my discount card.

If you’re looking for a variety of natural and organic beauty products, check out Beautorium.com, a new site that features truly natural, truly organic, good-for-your-skin beauty all in one online store. For every purchase over $75, Beautorium will include a free “I Am a Natural Bag” fair-trade burlap bag.

By far the nicest charity-supporting reusable shopping bag I’ve seen is by Star 50 Bags, a line of collectible handbags that are designed to celebrate each state of the union. Is the Louisiana Market Sac not to die for? It’s super sturdy, and works just as well at the grocery store as it does on the beach. It’s pricey — $115 — but 5% of all sales benefit Brad Pitt’s Make It Right foundation, which is assiduously working to rebuild New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, improving the living conditions there with environmentally friendly architecture. Click here to make a direct donation. I’ve got a special Star 50 discount for Afrobella readers!! Use the code Star50bella on your bag purchase, and you can get 50% off your purchase. This will only last for one week — until Sunday May 4 at 5 p.m, so click here for the Louisiana Market Sac!

There are some other initiatives and offers (besides bags) happening today —
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The Afrobella Guide to the Florida Keys

Hello, bellas and fellas! I’m back, and this is where I spent most of my last weekend. On the beach in the fabulous Florida Keys!

This year will mark a decade that I’ve lived in Miami, and consequently, I’ve gone on many a jaunt down to the Keys. We typically go camping in Big Pine Key — my husband’s family has been doing it as a tradition for more than a decade now — and it is always a good time. Here’s the thing. I am a lady who loves luxury. I need a bed. I need a private bathroom. I enjoy having four walls around me and a door to lock at night. I am not particularly outdoorsy, but I can be a trouper when it’s required. The benefits of camping in Big Pine versus shelling out bigger bucks for a hotel in Key West, becomes more than apparent when you add up your holiday expenses after the trip has ended.

The cons of camping —

if your tent’s far away, you have to do the 100 yard dash if you need to hit the loo in a hurry during the night. THAT SUCKS.

You tend to wake up super early, because the birds in the tree directly overhead are singing, and bright sunshine is beating down on you.

Bugs. Ick. Ouch. Where’s the Off?

I came home with a mystery rash on my arms, thighs, and elbows. No idea what that’s about.

The pros of camping —

Super affordable, and in a place like Bahia Honda state park, you can get a beachfront site for a ridiculous price. Sleeping in a tent isn’t THAT bad, if you’ve got a decent air mattress even better. And I absolutely adore our new Eureka N!ergy Family Tent. I highly recommend it to any reluctant camper.

I love Key Deer, so the chance to see them so up close is great. You REALLY aren’t supposed to feed them, but little kids always do. As I am sure I would, if I was six years old and a deer the size of a Great Dane came hungrily wandering up to me, batting its huge, adorable eyes. Awww.

There really is something magnificent about being in the great outdoors. The moon is so bright and the constellations so distinct. It’s romantic and beautiful and can be quite charming. But then, bugs. Ick. Ouch. Where’s the Off? And why do I have this frickin’ rash?

Every day is all about soaking up the sun, enjoying the beautiful weather, lying on the beach, and chillaxing to the max. Every night is about a delicious dinner, and there are so many great restaurants, fantastic beach bars, and great stores to check out throughout the Florida Keys. If you’re considering a vacation, allow me to point out my favorite things-to-do along the way.

On my way there, I discovered a fabulous, fabulous plus size swimwear outlet called Lion’s Lair Swimwear. Giant billboards promising special attention to measurements encouraged me to stop in on my way through beautiful Islamorada, and I was beyond impressed. It’s next to Burger King, at Mile Marker 82. Online, their selections are just alright. In store, it’s really impressive — a wide variety of colors and patterns and textures, with prices ranging at around $100 to $200, and there was like a 30% sale happening or something. A very friendly lady named Kim told me you can contact them and let them know if you’re looking for a leopard print tankini with DD cups, for example. They take photos to e mail to you and everything. I stpped by and bought an wide brimmed roll-up beach visor hat by Scala, which leaves my big afro puff poking out the top like I’m some sort of funky pineapple. It was super cute, cost $28, is made of 100% paper but didn’t melt when it got inevitably drenched in seawater.

You can find the nicest beaches at Bahia Honda state park. Peaceful, relatively shallow aqua waters, pale sand, and enough breeze for kite surfing, which is super fun to watch. There’s a little concession place that sells spicy, spicy Jamaican curry chicken patties. Don’t forget your sunscreen, your beach umbrella, and a big widebrimmed hat or sun visor — we don’t want you to get burned. I prefer a high SPF, and my current favorite sunblock is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with SPF 30. It really just absorbs effortlessly into your skin, and protects you extremely well. For lips, Shu Uemura’s Depsea Therapy Moisture Recovery lip balm is the way to go.

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TTFN

Me, fishin’? Not really. But my in-laws are here, and I am going camping, in the National Key Deer Refuge! I am SO not a camper, but the experience will be more than bearable because I insisted on getting the Eureka N!ergy Family Camping Tent. It’s big, tall, comfortable, and has power so you can charge your cell phone and plug in a fan. It’s not cheap, but it’s the next best thing to an RV, and will last a lifetime of camping. And word to the wise, buy a tent like this online rather than go to someplace like , Bass Pro Shops, where if I might vent for a moment, the service was rude and unprofessional.
Online, from someplace like Amazon, you can be sure that you’re getting a brand new item and not a completely different tent repackaged in the wrong box. In the store, you might wind up with an unfriendly manager when you arrive with a legitimate complaint like that. Just speaking from a recent bad experience.

I’ll be back on Monday with a big Earth Day post, and for now, here are some great articles I’ve been reading online.

How Young is Too Young? — an absolutely ridiculous article about kids as young as eight going to the spa for waxing and manicures. Insane. This one made me mad.

Great musical flashback at Stereohyped.

Don’t Forget That Curly Hair is Beautiful Too, an open letter to Oprah, by way of Jezebel.

Racialicious on last night’s debates, which I hear was a trainwreck of rehashed media hot-button crapola.

OMG I want the NARS Exotica collection! Love that lipstick color…

When did Motown Girl get a fly new look? I love her site so, so much. She’s such a tremendous resource. And now she’s got me thinking about finally trying that Aphogee treatment! I was kinda scared, the instructions are so vague.

Happy weekend, bellas!

Worth a Click

I’ll take “self-inflicted political scandals for $800, Alex.”

Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up! Or… maybe you can? What an utterly insane campaign season this is proving to be. And I really don’t mean to needle any Clinton supporters who read Afrobella — at one time, I too admired her simply for her intelligence and capability even though she was never my candidate of choice. But as the campaign wore on, my disdain for her tactics grew stronger. And now here we are, with Sinbad of all people, at the epicenter of an unraveled, repeatedly-told lie. Comedians, bloggers, and news anchors are having a field day. I’m not wading into the campaign waters any deeper than this for right now, y’all. I’m just saying, the iron is sizzling for a Sinbad comeback! I just want to see him on like, the Colbert Report this week or something. And strangely enough, when my brother in Trinidad mentioned Sinbad during my Earth Wind and Fire music post of last week Thursday, I was like…. man, SINBAD! I haven’t thought of that brotha in FOREVER. Flash forward a week and he’s on the news every night. Strange.

My days of being “the tall girl” ended when I was oh, eleven or twelve. Then I became the average-height girl. But I was still able to identify with Life as a Tall Girl, an essay written by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh senior Rebecca Thomas. She’s 6 foot 4, and has always attracted gasps and stares from obnoxious onlookers. “I often wish people weren’t so rude. How can they act so unabashedly shocked when they see someone who is different from them? And I’ve got it easy; I’m a minority only in the sense of height. I can only imagine how those under the burden of a group prejudice based on their race or religion must feel. I like to think that those who have insulted me didn’t intend to. I do believe that most people are basically good, but they can be insensitive,” she says. Finally, she’s wearing her height with the regal bearing it demands. “In fact, sometimes I wear heels. Just to make them look twice,” she adds.

Go ‘head, Rebecca! I found her story to be inspiring, and maybe you will too. In somewhat similar news, the world’s tallest man just got a new bicycle! Totally random, but I love to know about the lives of Guinness World Record holders.

I always welcome an opportunity to be a part of the News and Notes bloggers’ roundtable, but alas, I was sick this weekend and had to back out on Monday. Monday’s discourse focused on Obama’s marvelous speech, the website Stuff White People Like (which yes — is a classic, lazy, con-job, but an oft-hilarious one, IMO), and Kwame Kilpatrick’s indictment on perjury charges. If there could be a soundtrack to this indictment, might I suggest Radiohead’s Just? You did it to yourself, Kwame. You and no one else. Can’t blame the media for everything.

Even though I still think of this as a quote-unquote beauty blog, sometimes I get political on Afrobella. OK, often. Maybe too often. Especially recently. But sometimes I prefer to keep things light and positive, cause truth be told, too much politics makes my blood boil. So in the interest of keeping things relatively light, I’m just going to address this burning political fire in my belly real quick then get back to the calming seas of beauty and style.

This weekend, I wound up in one of those conversations where you can’t lose your cool. You know — you’re at the office, or in a doctor’s waiting room, or at a social event where you’re required to keep the polite face on… then someone goes and says the thing that just gets under your fingernails the deepest. I wound up in a doozy this weekend, filled with gems like, “I just don’t like Obama because he’s a Muslim and attended a madrassa,” and “President Bush was right to invade Iraq.” Anyone who knows me, knows how hard it must have been for me to respond to inflammatory statements such as these without raising my voice and my pressure. But I’m proud to say, I did neither. I implored with the ignorant party to educate themselves, I pointed them in the direction of the Obama Fact Check — note, not to be confused with the LOL-worthy The Obama Facts. Regarding the issue of President Bush, I wish I had told this person to see PBS Frontline’s special series, Bush’s War. Exhaustively reported. Unflinchingly examined. It should be required viewing for anyone still driving around with a W sticker on their car. Be forewarned — as this Reuters review would indicate, “the level of incompetence uncovered by “Frontline” is stunning.” And if you feel like I do, it’ll make you mad as hell.

Whew. I need to cool down with some fashion. How’s about a giveaway?

I love funky jewelry, I love indie designers, and I love shouting out blossoming businesses. So when singer, songwriter, artist, and jewelry designer Rhonda Ray contacted me about her banging earrings, I was excited. Rhonda’s taken this natural hair thing to a whole new level. She even wrote a song about it! Like to hear it? Here it goes. It’s Afrolicious!

Besides banging out beats and tunes, Rhonda weaves some magically beautiful earrings. I absolutely love them! They are meant to ideally compliment a big fabulous fro. I’ve been rocking the reggaelicious hoops, and I also got a gorgeous pair of pear earrings in her “lavender dreams” color range (which is so Pisces, so soft, so my favorite calming colors). Rhonda’s earrings cost $20, and if you buy three pairs, you can get a free Afrolicious tank top with her fetching logo on it. Or, you can enter this here giveaway and possibly win a pair of Afrolicious earrings for free!

Rhonda has graciously made these five earrings for Afrobella readers. Do you want a pair? Do you, bella? Well then, you know the drill, it’s totally random. Just leave me a comment that begins with the phrase, “I’m totally afrolicious!” And tell me (and Rhonda Ray!) why you deserve to rock these fly hand-woven earrings. And make sure to visit Rhonda Ray’s site and show her some love!

I’ll close these comments by Saturday. Good luck, my afrolicious afrobellas!

Worth A Click

Here’s a random assortment of the Afrobella-related issues I’ve been meaning to address…

One Door Opens Where Another Door Closes —

Today at 1 p.m., New York Governor Designate David Paterson will be sworn in before the State Legislator, effectively ending Eliot Spitzer’s in-office shame spiral. Thus far, the result of this whole incident has been history-making — Paterson will be the first African-American governor of New York, and only the fourth African-American governor of a U.S. state in history. He is legally blind, and is also an unwavering Clinton supporter. In the whirlwind of scandal, life is about to change dramatically for him and his family, and the burdens of responsibility will be placed squarely on his capable, well-respected shoulders. Congratulations to Governor Paterson! Here’s hoping he’s steeled himself for a strong dose of overnight political celebrity, and the scrutiny that’s bound to come with that. He certainly seems to be the best man for the job right now.

Spring Shopping Spree

Having just turned one-year-closer-to-the-big-three-o, I’m having all kinds of swirling emotions about this new age I’ve found myself at. It’s all expressing itself as a deep burning need for a fabulous new wardrobe. Will all of my age crises manifest themselves this way? Lane Bryant hopes so!

I have such a love/hate relationship with the LB. One one hand, I completely agree with Too Fat For Fashion (love that blog!), LB seems to specialize in loud prints, muumuu shaped tent tops, and generally uninspiring dresses and shirts — the kind of thing I’ve sworn not to wear. But on the other hand, their wide leg pants (like these) are incredibly flattering, and make for a great, effortless day-to-evening wardrobe staple. (Has anyone tried the Secret Slimmer pants? Are they worth the money?) Lane Bryant does basics pretty decently, and these days, I’m all about the basics. Oh, and BTW, LB’s currently hosting the “Closet of Your Dreams” sweepstakes, and if you enter you could win a closet makeover by ClosetMaid (valued at $2,500), a Lane Bryant wardrobe (valued at $2,500), and help from a personal shopper. Click here for details.

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Mama’s Got a Brand New Blog

Say hello to my little friend!

I’ve already let you all know about my job — calendar editor of the Miami New Times reporting for duty. Now in addition to writing the calendar, I’ve got a new weekly blog! It’s very different from Afrobella — Pretty in the City is all beauty all the time, and it’s all about Miami. I’ll be reviewing the places where you can go to look and feel beautiful around the 305. Stop by and say hi!

ps — my super cute logo was designed by my coworker Alex Izaguirre. Besides being an incredibly awesome guy, he’s in a cool Latin rock band called Soniko. Check ‘em out!

** editors note — I promise you all that I won’t be Afrobella-ing any less! Don’t worry, bellas. I still promise to have a new post up here at least four days out of the week. And I am WAY behind on product reviews and Ask Afrobellas. I’ve got some good ones coming up!

** edited again on Sunday at almost 3 a.m. — Because of the comments that it wasn’t clear who writes Pretty in the City, my editor graciously agreed to make it a bit clearer. So now it’s Patrice’s Pretty in the City! Whaddya think?

My Childhood Dream House

When I was little, I used to play a little game called “that’s my house.” It wasn’t so much a game, I guess — whenever I drove past a beautiful home, I’d declare, “that’s my house!” I’m sure you might have played the same game whenever you drove through nice neighborhoods as a young’un. Every Sunday when we drove around the Queen’s Park Savannah on the way to All Saints Church, we passed “my house” — the Boissiere House, popularly known as the Gingerbread House. It’s the most fanciful fairytale of a house I’ve ever seen. Now it’s up for sale, and in the opinion of local activists, it’s also in danger of being destroyed forever. Editor and writer Nicholas Laughlin has penned an e mail alert that is being circulated among Trinidadians worldwide. It says in part:

“There are so many things to be anxious or angry about in this country these days–crime, corruption, smelters, steel mills, dolphin-slaughter, traffic–that the fate of an old house may seem trivial.

But 12 Queen’s Park West, the Boissiere House, is not just an old house. It is a gorgeous example of the late Victorian gingerbread style that was once typical of Port of Spain. It is a major city landmark, familiar to tens–even hundreds–of thousands, and known to many simply as “the Gingerbread House”. It is the ultimate creole house, part Amerindian ajoupa, part French chateau, part Chinese pagoda, built with the sweat and labor of forgotten ancestors. It is a national architectural treasure.

It is also, I am afraid, in peril.

Why? Because after remaining in the Boissiere family for 104 years, since it was built in 1904, it is now being offered for sale, at a price of TT$50 million. Any private buyer willing to pay that will almost certainly bulldoze it and build an office block or posh condominiums to recoup their investment.“

$50 Million TT? Damn. Newsday sets the price at $63 million TT, or $10 million US. It’s times like these when I regret my complete lack of aptitude in math or science or business… you know, capabilities that lead to professions that make loads of money. You don’t get into this writing biz thinking you’re gonna make enough to buy $10 million dollar houses, that’s for sure. Hmph.

Every time I go home — yes, even though I’ve been living in Miami for a decade now, Trinidad will always be home to me — I notice the changes. Another elegant, crumbling architectural oddity razed to the ground, its legacy disrespected with what stands in its place — another gleaming cookie cutter modern structure. So many of the houses that I wanted so desperately to claim as “mine” as a wishful child have been demolished.

From that e mail that I mentioned earlier, Nicholas Laughlin revealed “We’ve seen this happen so many times before. Just in recent years we’ve lost the Lee House on St. Clair Avenue, Bagshot House in Maraval, the Union Club on Independence Square, Coblentz House in St. Ann’s, and numerous smaller gingerbread houses all over the city. Just a couple months ago, the big orange Pierre house on the Roxy roundabout disappeared, after years of neglect.”

That last one hurt. That big orange house is in my dreams sometimes. I haven’t been home since it was destroyed, and it sucks to know that it’s gone. In all my years, that house never gleamed. It was never as beautiful as it could have been. It always had a cloud of neglect over it. But I dreamed of owning it and restoring it to the glory it never seemed to have. Ugh. Sucks to know that it’s gone.

I’m sure this rambling remembrance rings a bell with you readers who aren’t from Trinidad and have no idea what these landmarks mean. This is a familiar story all over the world. Maybe it’s happened in your own hometown, old things are pushed aside, new things take their place. And we’re all supposed to loooove the new things, and forget the meaning and history of the old things. I wish I could do what genius makeup artist Billy B has done — he went back to his home town of Aberdeen and just bought up like twenty houses. Now he’s spending the time to refurbish them and make them beautiful again. (On a total side note, I interviewed Billy B. recently, and it was AMAZING! Such a sweet man. A LOT more on that very, very soon).

The Bookmann lamented this more poetically than I — only we to blame for a Capital with no character. There’s a petition to sign in the hopes that the government acquires and restores the house as a museum of architecture, itself being its chief exhibit. That’s a beautiful idea, but I distinctly recall the condition of the current national museum in Trinidad. Dismal. In dire need of updating and expansion and vision. I don’t have high hopes for the government in this case. I do think private, profit-making enterprise could step up and show some ingenuity here.

I hope some rich benefactor steps in and saves the Gingerbread House. I hope its someone with $10 million US to buy it, and another 10 to refurbish it, bring it up to modern standards, and maintain its dignity. If it doesn’t become part of some new family’s proud legacy, I hope the new owners of the Gingerbread House cherish it for its quirkiness and preserve the building’s structure. I hope it doesn’t become an office, or a government bureau with wasted potential a la Knowsley.

In my humble opinion, the building could make an amazing location for a high end boutique hotel, with a fabulous restaurant on the ground floor. If I had the cash, that’s what I’d do. You’d be able to rent a room in the Gingerbread House, and it would be known for its amazing Sunday brunches, natural fruit smoothies, and big luscious salads. Set up a stage for live music, and have a different theme every night, soca on Saturday, reggae Sunday, jazz Tuesday, you get the idea. Lord knows Trinidad has enough talented live acts seeking an audience. Have an affordable happy hour. Rent the place out for themed fairytale weddings, fancy birthdays, and corporate events.

I’m getting away with myself here, so I’ll just say this. I hope whoever winds up with the keys to my childhood dream at the very least, makes it a bed and breakfast so I can come and stay there just once. Just so I can pretend that it’s actually my house.

Click here for the petition, and click here for a series of photos of the intricate details of the Gingerbread House — fretwork, stained glass, gables and all. And tell me who could have the heart to destroy all that hard work and history.