Casually Living

Photo By: Pexels.com Christmas is so nostalgic to me. I know that some of us really struggle with getting into the 'Christmas Spirit' but I feel like it's easy to embody Christmas once you think about your childhood. Now for sure not every Christmas was great as a kid- like that year you wanted a bike, but you got a new outfit, or sometimes nothing at all....not even coal, Lol, get it? On the more morbid side of things, some kids never even got a plate of food - on a regular day, much less for Christmas - so we really have lots to be grateful for. One of the things that puts me right in the Christmas Spirit is gift-giving. Just thinking about all the gifts I want to give to my friends and family always make me feel warm inside. Like hot-chocolate-with-marshmallows-on-top type of warm. I could use a cup right now in this cold office... the A/C is blasting. I love giving *and receiving* gifts so I thought I should share some thoughtful gift ideas with you to get yo...

I recently got candid with another Trini wanderlust, Dareece, whose dreams led her to Ecuador! Let's get into this new 'Dear Wanderlust' post before I babble too much: Let's meet her: My name is Dareece Polo; don’t you sometimes wish you could just stop there, without the additional titles? Anyway, I am a 24-year-old journalist currently employed as an Assistant Programme Editor with teleSUR English in Quito, Ecuador. I am also a freelance Content Producer for Loop TT. In my spare time, what little I do have, I like to look at series, reality t.v. shows, read or anything that peaks my interest. At the moment, I’m discovering what I actually like to do.  Q1. What made you want to become a reporter? Did you always know that it was something you wanted to do? A1. I didn’t actually ‘want’ to become a reporter. I wanted to become a psychologist because I was inspired by a cousin to pursue that course of study. Also, I felt like everyone was coming to me with their pr...

So the cat's out the bag! Bites & Banter 2 is loading!! World Mental Health Day is held on October 10th each year. This year, we've decided to celebrate Mental Wellness and promote Mental Health Awareness by launching Bites & Banter: The Mental Health Edition! Date: Sunday, October 13th, 2019. Time: A cool 3.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Venue: So glad to have @bellabites (Marabella) back on board! Hosted By: Paula J of the Casually Living Blog Guest Speakers: Reveals are loading.... Sponsors: @valerie_exotic_designs @khalcomm @simplyescape868 @betty_bakestt @paige__tt @servicewithasmilett @thecloset868 @itsy_bitsy_clothing_co @ldpsugarsuitett & more! Dress Code: Wear something cute. Tickets: $125.00 TT Interested Participants are asked to pre-register here as there are limited spots available! Refreshments, Goodie Bags & Door Prizes! Hope to see you there! About Bites & Banter:  Bites and Banter is a local women’s empowerment event, ...

So I noticed that a lot of you love the "interview-styled" posts. I quite enjoy them myself too,  because I get to interact with someone new and I also learn. So here's another one! Let's find out a bit more about the Trinbago Businesses Instagram account! Q. Who's behind the Trinbago Businesses account? A. Hello there! A liddle about me...My name is Sue Ann and I’m the gal behind the Trinbago Businesses brand. I’ve always found interest in the entrepreneurial world,and I also enjoy mentoring and sharing my knowledge with others.  Q. How long has the trinbago_businesses account been  active? A. Well Trinbago Businesses is basically a toddler. It’s been active for just a little over 1 year. Q. What motivated you to start the Instagram account trinbago_businesses? I just wanted to help our local entrepreneurs in some way. Being an entrepreneur myself , I know the struggle to get your brand out there. It ain’t cheap! Q. What does your account offe...

When I'm featuring an individual or a business on the blog, I usually let them answer a couple questions before I actually write the article because I want to get a sense of the person/entity and what they/it stand(s) for. I absolutely adore when an entrepreneur is sure of himself/herself, his/her business and his/her brand. It’s refreshing to say the least. For features, this is the last question/instruction I pose: " Describe your business (history, background information, products or services and any other details you think are worth mentioning). Be as explicit as you would like ". Here's Ms. Natalie Howe's ( owner of DÉ-COLLE-TÉ by Natalie Howe ) response: Natalie Howe is the Founder and Creative Director behind the name "DÉ-COLLE-TÉ by Natalie Howe", a lifestyle brand which specializes in fashion accessories made from printed fabric with an afro-Caribbean aesthetic. “ DÉ-COLLE-TÉ by Natalie Howe is the coalescence of a love for fashion and ...

" Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time ", Thomas Merton. I'm super excited to welcome Ms. Paulette Narinesingh to my blog! We're going to have a chat about her awesome art business! Check out the interview below! Q. Kindly introduce yourself and what items you create. A.  Hi there! I am Paulette Narinesingh and I am a visual artist. I create paintings using acrylic paints and I use various media to add texture to certain pieces. Some of my completed artwork are either photographed or scanned and then various products are designed with my colourful vibrant artwork! I wanted more people to be able to experience art in different ways! Some of the products created are magnets, mugs, bags, giclee prints and throw cushions. I invite you to visit my website  to view all of what I offer at the moment! Enjoy ! Q. Could you share how you became interested in art and what motivated you to start your business, Art De Joulie? A...

" Travel makes you modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world, " - Gustav Flaubert. Dear Wanderlust, The series continues....... Meet Kelsey and her beautiful daughter! Last time your eyes were glued to this blog, you read about a daring, young woman who gave her life wings and travelled all the way to Spain from a tiny speck on the world map, known as Trinidad. Now moving there on your own is a whole experience in itself, but what if you moved with your immediate family too? Would that make you feel less homesick with them there? Let's find out in this interview with Kelsey, who moved to Vietnam - from Trinidad -  with her family. Yes, you read that correctly. V I E T N A M. 1. Location: Q. Where are you from originally and where did you move to? A. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago. As far as places to be born, T&T is as good as it gets. However, for a year now, my family and I have...