The ELIMU Phoenix has risen

Carnival is, yet again, around the corner. And this year, I am soooooo excited, and filled with pride, with the mas band I was born into. ELIMU.

Having been a member of this band since I was a foetus in my mother's womb, ELIMU has only ever been, in my eyes, a band of progression,  For the last few years, however (ever since some of our key designers went off to do other things) things have kind of...well, taken a dive.

Some of the new designers that took hold of the 'head designer' baton where simply overwhelmed, some didn't have the heart for it, or were dipping their toes into an area they had no real desire in, but were doing it simply because they were asked. But enough of all of that. This year, ELIMU has returned to glory.

Melissa Simon-Hartman

One of our former designers, Melissa Simon-Hartman, has decided to slip back into her her rightful role as Designer, and not just designer, designer, but HEAD Designer.

Tiffanni Thompson

Working with Melissa, we also have costumes by Tiffanni Thompson, which, again, makes me so happy. When I was little she was always the creative, artistic type, teaching me how to create the perfect bubble writing and graffiti text (on paper). Now she has cast her spell on us with her 'LUST' section.

A Resurrection has taken place people, and ELIMU has quite rightly noted this as an
 ELIMU Resurrection production.

THE FALLEN is the theme. And there are Seven deadly Sins playing it out. in the form of Sections
Here's a few to wet your pallet... 

ENVY: Section Designed by Melissa Simon-Hartman

'THE SNAKE CHARMER'

WRATH: Section Designed by Melissa Simon-Hartman

'LA DIABLESSE'  (Frontline)

'LA DIABLESSE'  (Midline)

PRIDE: Section designed by Melissa Simon-Hartman
'JASON & MEDEA'

'MEDEA' (Frontline)

'MEDEA' (Midline)

'MEDEA' (Backline)

'JASON' (Frontline)

'JASON'(Backline)

LUST : Section Designed by Tiffanni Thompson
(frontline - backline costumes)

        

ELIMU is a family who welcomes all with open arms, so if you're interested in becoming a member of the family for a day or two, and are looking for something exciting to do this summer, why not head over to Elimumas.com and pick a costume from a wider range. 

Don't hesitate, sections are filling up fast.

 I've already picked mine, hopefully I'll see you there.

xxx 

Kartonia

Diamonds in the Rough

They say that five good things can happen to you in one day, but that if one bad things happens amongst it, all five good things are forgotten.

Just like that, all of that good gets discounted.

Whilst I have not had five good things and one bad thing happen today, I have had a crappy last few weeks. And by past few weeks, I mean month and a half. And by crappy, I mean crappier than crap. Literally, April, and May so far, has been S*@%. Beyond S*@%. But today, after stumbling into the photo's and video's I took before everything went to pot, I remembered that...

 ...Yes. Life can sometimes knocks you down, and whilst your down it can, and often will, kick you over and over again, and when everything seems to have calmed, and you finally think it's stopped, and you make your way to stand once more...BANG. It'll kick you down again, but when I can (and I say "when I can" because sometimes your head's just too battered in do anything for a bit.) I have to take note of the good stuff, 

We so often miss, or take for granted the small stuff that make us happy, or the good people that surround us or come into our presence,

So right now, I acknowledge the diamonds in the rough. (I know that phrase is used in reference to people with great, but hidden, qualities, but I really feel this fits here, so I'm rolling with it) I  acknowledge those little (or big. I'm in no way discriminatory here) things that pop up, or are always there, but are overlooked, (especially during the crappy times.)

And for me, a good ol' diamond I've been focusing on to get me through, is family.

Mother's day (a good two months ago now) and that look on my mum's face = a Diamond moment.

The way this massive cupcake I made for my brother's 13th birthday turned out so yummy (according to him) and so gorgeous = a Diamond moment

The look on my brother's face when he found, and scoffed, said cupcake = a Diamond moment

The togetherness, and the Frozen cake I was given for my birthday = a Diamond moment.

And there are so much more.

So, even if I can only muster this for a day, today I refuse to feel the weight of my current circumstances. Today, whilst laying here   on this figurative floor, with my face crushed against its oak panels (for some reason it's an oak floor in my mind. Don't ask me why.) I shall acknowledge the greatness amongst all the crap. A shall acknowledge the beauty of the grooves in the oak. I shall find the diamonds in the rough.

xxx

Kartonia

VEGAS!

Last summer I spent a week in... VEGAS, baby!!!! 

And I know, I know. I should have filled you in then. but as much I had a story to tell, (shhh shh. "What happens in Vegas..." and all that), I hadn't the snaps to add. But all of that has changed.now. 

From an unknown source, (my cousin), came these little rascals. Photos. Evidence. And it's been a long time coming. 

So, without further ado, here's a snippet of my Vegas adventure in a few snaps. I daren't add the one of me passed out in a bath tub, mind. 

It all started off so sweetly. Here we are at Gatwick airport. "Ooh, Look. There's a massive teddy bear, Lets's go make friends." say's my cousin and I. So off we went.

Having landed in Vegas, the heat was a shock. As we searched for the taxi rank. I stated, '"It feels like when you open an Oven door and get a wafting surge of heat in your face. Except this is constant...and all over my body. Then off in an air conditioned Taxi we went in search of our hotel.

As each night fell, out came our drinks in the hotel room for a little preparation for the nights events...

And so our partying began.

Don't ask me who this guy is. I have no idea.

The day's were often filled with strolling and lounging around, often in search of these alcoholic Slushies.  

Having spent the first two nights at the Paris hotel, we moved to spend the rest of of our holiday in the Cosmopolitan hotel. (it was a lot cheaper that way, trust me). With the hotel being slap bang in the middle of the strip, check out the view that greeted us from our balcony both by day...

,

......and night

Day: Strolling, lounging, searching for more slushies...

Night: Slap on the make-up, and party.  And Repeat.

We were on a loop, but it was a good'un.

xx