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Loretta Collins Klobah , author of The Twelve-Foot Neon Woman , is visiting Trinidad for the first time since winning the OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry in 2012. On Monday 11 January, the NGC Bocas Lit Fest will host a celebration of her prize-winning book, joined by Trinidadian poets Andre Bagoo (author ofTrick Vessels and BURN) and Shivanee Ramlochan (whose poems appear in the recent anthology Coming Up Hot). In the work of these three writers, the forces of the natural world contend with human nature, and the supernatural erupts into the everyday. Join us at Alice Yard, 80 Roberts Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain, for an evening of startling poems and conversation. All are invited.

The ladies of "The Talk" win at the "People's Choice Awards" and one guy tries to pull a Kanye.

Brothers Theron and Timothy Thomas are a musical duo better known as R. City , Rock City and Planet VI , from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. After graduating high school they decided to make it in the music business, and embark on a journey to the United State via Atlanta before settling in Miami. Combining hip-hop, pop, and Caribbean flavors, the duo have written hits for Rihanna ("Pour It Up"), Nici Minaj ("Only") , Sean Kingston ("Take You There"), Miley Cyrus ("We Can't Stop") other artist such as Akon, Usher, the Pussycat Dolls, Ashlee Simpson, and many others while using the name Rock City , eventually shortened to R. City (for copyright reasons). The brothers also contributed to numerous Grammy-nominated albums including Rihanna's Unapologetic (which won Best Urban Contemporary Album), Jennifer Hudson's self-titled album (which won Best R&B Album), and Ariana Grande's My Everything (which was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album. R City performing in Jamaica While writing for Akon, in 2007 they signed a record contract with Geffen Records and Akon's KonLive . They later released the song " The Rain " landed on Akon's hit album Konvicted , songwriting for others kept them away from their own music. In 2008 R City released the infectious " Losing It " single, along with the mixtape Put the F*cking Album Out . The album in question was Wake the Neighbors , which Kon Live promised for later that same year. The label never delivered, and eventually the album was shelved, while the duo continued releasing mixtapes. In 2011, the duo parted ways with KonLive and founded their own label called Rebelution Records, briefly changing their name to Planet VI for a few years before settling on R. City. They intended to release their debut album, Free At Last , on their own label. R City/Rock City with Kaci Fennell at Shaggy for Friends Concert Dr. Luke signed R. City to his Kemosabe Record s, and in 2015 the duo released What Dreams Are Made Of , an album about the struggles involved with their upbringing in the Virgin Islands. The album's first single, "Locked Away, " featured Adam Levine and was a Billboard Hot 100-charting hit. "Locked Away, " was inspired their father, Miguel "Kiebo" Thomas, who spent five years in prison when Timothy and Theron were kids — and their mother's continued devotion to him through it all. So who is the Musical duo "R. City"? Two Caribbean Brothers with a story to tell.. A story 20 years in the making., from povery to chart toppers.

Step up your brow Game one tip at a time... FILL Smoother, fuller brows enhance your features. Brow Define & Fill Duo wax + powder pencil gives you naturally fuller, smoother brows that wow. Step 1 Define brow with wax pencil using fine hair-like strokes Step 2 Fill in brows with soft filling powder SHAPE The right brow shape frames your face. Brow Precise shaping pencil allows you to shape brows with flawless precision. Step 1 Shape brows with natural wax pencil Step 2 Groom with brush in upward and outward strokes SCULPT Brow sculpting transforms your look. Brow Drama sculpting mascara makes a bold brow easy. Step 1 Build brow by brushing from outer to inner corner Step 2 Finish by sculpting from inner to outer corner Via - Maybelline

Netflix, new series The Crown reveals the political rivalries and romance behind Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped the 2nd half of the 20th century. The company shelled out a whopping $156 million to make The Crown, making it Netflix's most expensive show to date. The Crown focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world's most famous monarchy while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the throne....a new era is dawning. Peter Morgan's masterfully researched scripts reveal the Queen's private journey behind the public facade with daring frankness. Prepare to be welcomed into the coveted world of power and privilege and behind locked doors in Westminster and Buckingham Palace....the leaders of an empire await. Netflix has not yet released a date for when the series will begin.

Sticking to a conventional diet and exercise plan can be difficult. However, there are several proven tips that can help you “mindlessly” eat fewer calories. These are effective ways to reduce your weight, as well as to prevent weight gain in the future. Here are 11 ways to lose weight without diet or exercise. All of them are based on science. 1. Chew Thoroughly and Slow Down Your brain needs time to process that you’ve had enough to eat. Chewing your food better makes you eat more slowly, which is associated with decreased food intake, increased fullness and smaller portions. How quickly you finish your meals may also affect your weight. A recent review of 23 observational studies reported that faster eaters are more likely to gain weight, compared to slower eaters. Fast eaters are also much more likely to be obese. To get into the habit of eating more slowly, it may help to count how many times you chew each bite. Bottom Line: Eating your food slowly can help you feel more full with fewer calories. It is an easy way to lose weight and prevent weight gain. 2. Use Smaller Plates For Unhealthy Foods The typical food plate is larger today than it was a few decades ago. This is unfortunate, since using a smaller plate may help you eat less by making portions look larger. At the same time, a bigger plate can make a serving look smaller, causing you to add more food. You can use this to your advantage by serving healthy food on bigger plates and less healthy food on smaller plates. Bottom Line: Smaller plates can trick your brain into thinking you’re eating more than you actually are. Therefore, it’s smart to consume unhealthy foods from smaller plates, causing you to eat less. 3. Eat Plenty of Protein Protein has powerful effects on appetite. It can increase the feeling of fullness, reduce hunger and help you eat fewer calories. This may be because protein affects several hormones that play a role in hunger and fullness, including ghrelin and GLP. One study found that increasing protein intake from 15% to 30% of calories helped participants eat 441 fewer calories per day and lose 11 pounds in 12 weeks, without intentionally restricting anything. If you currently eat a grain-based breakfast, then you may want to consider switching to a protein-rich option, such as eggs. In one study, overweight or obese women who had eggs for breakfast ate fewer calories at lunch compared to those who ate a grain-based breakfast. What’s more, they ended up eating fewer calories for the rest of the day and during the next 36 hours. Some examples of protein-rich foods include chicken breasts, fish, Greek yogurt, lentils, quinoa and almonds. Bottom Line: Adding protein to your diet has been shown to cause “automatic” weight loss, without exercise or conscious calorie restriction. 4. Store Unhealthy Foods Out of Sight Storing unhealthy foods where you can see them may increase hunger and cravings, causing you to eat more . This is also linked to weight gain. One recent study found that if high-calorie foods are more visible in the house, the residents are more likely to weigh more, compared to people who keep only a bowl of fruit visible. Store unhealthy foods out of sight, such as in closets or cupboards, so that they are less likely to catch your eye when you’re hungry. On the other hand, keep healthy foods visible on your counter tops and place them front and center in your fridge. Bottom Line: If you keep unhealthy foods on your counter, you are more likely to have an unplanned snack. This is also linked to increased weight and obesity. It’s better to keep healthy foods, like fruits, visible. 5. Eat Fiber-Rich Foods Eating fiber-rich foods may increase satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer. Studies also indicate that a special kind of fiber, called viscous fiber, is particularly helpful for weight loss. It increases fullness and reduces food intake. Viscous fiber forms a gel when it comes in contact with water. This gel increases the time it takes to absorb nutrients and slows down the emptying of the stomach. Viscous fiber is only found in plant foods. Examples include beans, oat cereals, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, oranges and flax seeds. A weight loss supplement called glucomannan is also very high in viscous fiber. Bottom Line: Viscous fiber is particularly helpful in reducing appetite and food intake. This fiber forms gel that slows down digestion. 6. Drink Water Regularly Drinking water can help you eat less and lose weight, especially if you drink it before a meal. One study in adults found that drinking half a liter (17 oz) of water, about half an hour before meals, reduced hunger and helped them eat fewer calories. Participants who drank water before a meal lost 44% more weight over a 12-week period, compared to those who did not. If you replace calorie-loaded drinks — such as soda or juice — with water, you may experience an even greater effect. Bottom Line: Drinking water before meals may help you eat fewer calories. Replacing a sugary drink with water is particularly beneficial. 7. Serve Yourself Smaller Portions Portion sizes have increased during the last few decades, especially at restaurants. Larger portions encourage people to eat more, and have been linked to an increase in weight gain and obesity. One study in adults found that doubling the size of a dinner starter increased calorie intake by 30% (21). Serving yourself just a little less might help you eat significantly less food. And you probably won’t even notice the difference. Bottom Line: Larger portion sizes have been linked to the obesity epidemic, and may encourage both children and adults to eat more food. 8. Eat Without Electronic Distractions Paying attention to what you eat may help you eat fewer calories. People who eat while they’re watching TV or playing computer games may lose track of how much they have eaten. This, in turn, can cause overeating. One review article looked at the results of 24 studies, finding that people who were distracted at a meal ate about 10% more in that sitting . However, not paying attention during a meal actually has an even greater influence on your intake later in the day. People who were distracted at a meal ate 25% morecalories at later meals than people who were not distracted. If you regularly consume meals watching TV or using your computer or smartphone, these extra calories can add up and have a massive impact on your weight in the long-term. Bottom Line: People who eat while distracted are more likely to overeat. Paying attention to your meals may help you eat less and lose weight. 9. Sleep Well and Avoid Stress When it comes to health, sleep and stress are often neglected. But in fact, both can have powerful effects on your appetite and weight. A lack of sleep may disrupt the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin. Another hormone, calledcortisol, becomes elevated when you’re stressed. Having these hormones disrupted can increase your hunger and cravings for unhealthy food, leading to higher calorie intake. What’s more, chronic sleep deprivation and stress may increase your risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Bottom Line: Poor sleep and excess stress may disrupt the levels of several important appetite-regulating hormones, causing you to eat more. 10. Eliminate Sugary Drinks Added sugar may very well be the single worst ingredient in the diet today. Sugary beverages, like soda, have been associated with an increased risk of many Western diseases. It’s very easy to take in massive amounts of excess calories from sugary drinks, because liquid calories don’t affect fullness like solid food does. Staying away from these beverages entirely can provide enormous long-term health benefits. However, note that you should not replace soda with fruit juice, as it can be just as high in sugar. Healthy beverages to drink instead include water, coffee and green tea. Bottom Line: Sugary drinks have been linked to an increased risk of weight gain and many diseases. The brain doesn’t register liquid calories like solid foods, making you eat more. 11. Serve Unhealthy Food on Red Plates One weird trick is to use red plates to help you eat less. At least, this seems to work with unhealthy snack foods. One study reported that volunteers ate fewer pretzels from red plates, compared to white or blue plates. The explanation may be that we associate the color red with stop signals and other man-made warnings. Bottom Line: Red plates may help you eat less unhealthy snack foods. This may be because the color red triggers a stop reaction. 12. Anything Else? There are many simple lifestyle habits that can help you lose weight, some of which have nothing to do with conventional diet or exercise plans. You can use smaller plates, eat more slowly, drink water and avoid eating in front of the TV or computer. Prioritizing foods rich in protein and viscous fiber may also help. However, I wouldn’t try all these things at once. Start to experiment with one tip for a while, and if that works well and is sustainable for you then try another one. A few simple changes can have a massive impact over the long term. By Hrefna Palsdottir, MS

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss is a mom for the second time! The 3 year old welcomed a son with husband Todd Tucker on Wednesday, Jan. 6, a rep for the couple confirms to PEOPLE exclusively. COURTESY KANDI BURRUSS Their “bouncing baby boy” arrived at 8:42 a.m., weighing in at 7 lbs., 6 oz. This is the couple’s first child together, but each had kids from previous relationships. Burruss already mom to daughter Riley, 13, whom she had from a previous relationship, and Tucker is dad to Kaela, 19.

Learn how to make fried shrimp wontons (wantons) in this episode of Tasty Tuesday's with Gourmand Award winning cookbook author Chris De La Rosa of CaribbeanPot.com. Wonton wrappers are stuffed with a wonderful shrimp filling, then fried until golden for an amazing snack or appetizer. For these shrimp wontons you'll need... 3/4 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined) 1 scallion 1/4 teaspoon grated ginger pinch black pepper 1/4 scotch bonnet (optional) 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine 1 teaspoon soy sauce pinch of salt wonton wrappers 3 cups veg oil for frying More Caribbean recipes can be found at http://www.caribbeanpot.com

Pittsburgh, PA - The late great Bob Marley once said " One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. ", those sentiment have always echoed in Afar Music Group and shared through their celebration of Reggae Fusion Fest , a Mind, Body and Soul experience through music. On February 6th, 2016, Afar Music Group invites you to celebrate Reggae and the life and music of iconic Bob Marley . The event which has become Pittsburgh premier Reggae Festival will take place at the Altar Bar and be headlined by reggae artist ORieL & The Revoluters and feature Ras Maisha, Neil Amos, Truth & Rites (featuring Jah Ques, Ayana, Zapollogy & Banga), African Dance and Drum ensemble and Cellist Joe Bischoff . Speaking on this annual event, Afar Music Group founder related "the idea is to make RFF into one of Pittsburgh's biggest out door festival at which time we would stage it in the summer time. Besides music we want to incorporate the concept of the Mind, which would include panel discussions on specific topics, authors reading from their books..The Body which would include yoga, exercise and culinary workshop from experts in these fields and the Soul which would be represented by the musical performers..but for now we wanted to start small like everything in the universe starting from a small point which gives us the ability to grow within the community and as promoters. Since its inception 2013 the festival has double in capacity ever year and on this the 4th staging we expect the same." Afar Music Group Presents Reggae Fusion Fest 2016 - Celebrating Reggae! Saturday Feb 6th, 2016 Doors: 8:00 PM Show: 9:00 PM 21 and over Tickets: TinyUrl.com/ReggaeFusionFest

As the New Year begins to make its way over the horizon, millions of people will take to social media making declarations of what they plan to improve in 2016. Health and fitness improvements may be at the top of many lists, but ladies I suggest we as women also aim to enhance our sexual experience. For years, women have struggled through less than pleasurable sex with little to no understanding of why making love isn’t as satisfying as they hoped. Approximately “53 million women in the United States have one or more sexual concerns,” according according to a sexual health study from the journal “Obstetrics & Gynecology, the average woman isn’t alone in her feelings of disappointment within the bedroom. The most commonly discussed topic in sexuality is the elusiveness of the almighty female orgasm— a sensation that is far less understood than many of us would like to admit. A common suggestion to heat things up in the bedroom is introducing sex toys during foreplay. Here are four must-have helpers to get the New Year started off right and help make sex more pleasurable for everyone involved. Hands Free The answer to women’s ability to orgasm with a partner lies within her foreplay experience, you know that time before intercourse when her body gets warmed up and her vagina is lubricated for penetration. Enter Fiera, a new hands-free, wearable bedroom assistant created by sexual wellness and intimate care company Nuelle. This wearable device utilizes a light suction to attach to the clitoral area and deliver pulsations intended for simultaneously arousing the mind and body. But it’s no replacement for a vibrator, according to Nuelle’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Leah Millheiser, an obstetrician/gynecologist. “A recent scientific study in postmenopausal women showed that Fiera’s gentle suction and stimulation work together to encourage blood flow to the vulva leading to an enhanced experience of genital arousal (warmth, tingling, engorgement),” Dr. Millheiser explains. “While vibrators typically use a stronger level of vibration to provoke orgasm, Fiera uses a more subtle vibration coupled with suction to accelerate arousal.” To find out more about the research behind the Fiera, visit www.fiera.com . Hidden Gem The vagina is a sacred place of creation and energy exchange, and throughout life’s experiences with sexual intercourse and birth, the yoni (sacred word for vagina) can collect energy and become stretched. Using Yoni Eggs to strengthen the muscles of the vagina help to prevent vaginal and uterine prolapse as well as prevent incontinence later in life. Yoni Eggs are created from gemstones that possess healing and cleansing properties, which is great for cleansing the yoni of energies that have been collected from previous partners or negative sexual experiences. Using a Yoni Egg regularly can help restore balance to the vagina, revitalize moisture and even help with soothing menstrual cramps when used prior to one’s period. Learn more about Yoni Egg variations and purchase your own at www.yonieggs.com . Magic Wand If you have nothing else in your arsenal of bedroom assistants, a massage wand is one essential tool you should not skip. Featuring a soft, cushioned flex head with several speed and function options, a massage wand is great for easing tension in tight muscles during full body massage and for clitoral stimulation when used on the vulva. Massage wands plug directly into a standard outlets to give the user the maximum amount of power and are easy to clean and store. It is also a non-threatening and unisex bedroom assistant that couples can enjoy together or partners can use solo. You can get 50 percent off any massage wand on www.adamandeve.com by using the code GLAM. Shower Sex In 2016, every couple (or single lady) should have a showerhead that also can be used for stimulation. For the woman that isn’t into vibes or dildos to reach an orgasmic release, the Klittrajet promises an orgasm on any mode setting. With a flickering center jet that flutters instead of “beats” like typical showerheads, any woman using this specially crafted showerhead will be pleased. It features an 8-foot-hose that allows the user to wrap and reach around with ease. The length of the hose also allows the tool to turn into a Jacuzzi jet using the Magic Lotus attachment under water for clitoral stimulation during a relaxing bath. The Klittrajet is set to launch in April 2016 but interested customers can join a mailing list for discounts and special offerings. Learn more about the Klittrajet on its official website www.klittrajet.com . Get Your Glide On Vaginal dryness can occur when foreplay is rushed through (or left out of the sexual experience completely), causing an uncomfortable experience for both partners. For the couple that may be taxed for time or perhaps isn’t the most knowledgeable about getting things flowing before-play, having a bottle of water-based lube is key for pleasure. There are several solutions on the market but my personal recommendation is Astroglide’s Natural formula. It’s free of parabens and glycerin and is formulated for all skin types. You can find Astroglide at your local drugstore or check out www.astroglide.com for more information on their various products. About the Author Glamazon Tyomi is a freelance writer, model and sex educator with a deeply rooted passion for spreading the message of sex positivity and encouraging the masses to embrace their sexuality. Her website, www.glamerotica101.com, reaches internationally as a source for advice and information for the sexually active/curious. Follow her on Twitter at @glamazontyomi. Via: EBONY

Braids have become particularly popular in the natural hair community due to claims that they can grow your hair. In reality, braids don’t make your hair grow, they assist with length retention. Each time you style, detangle or manipulate your hair in any way, there’s a risk of breakage. Keeping your hair in a confined style protects your locs from the daily breakage it would normally encounter. This increases the amount of length you will retain, but there are a couple of reasons why you should not get braids. Don't wear braids if you... Have Severely Dry Hair If your hair is really dry, keeping your hair trapped in braids for an extended period of time may not be such a good idea. With limited access to moisture, your hair could break significantly while you have the braids installed. Make sure your hair is healthy before moving forward with any kind of style that restricts the amount of moisture that can reach the strands. Have Thinning Edges or a Scalp Condition If you suffer from dandruff, psoriasis, alopecia or thinning/balding of any sort, braids will only add stress to the follicle and could create even more hair loss. You should avoid any styles that will add any additional tightness and tension to your strands. Marley braids, kinky twists, and box braids are all dope styles but not at the expense of your natural hair. My advice: never compromise the health of your strands for a temporary look. Via: Essence

It's a fallow month for movies, but there are still some gems. Most moviegoers will spend January doing one of two things – catching up with some of December's many award-courting releases, or watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the seventeenth time. But don't miss the handful of new films well worth your attention. From a Benghazi movie helmed by Michael Bay (!) to a martial-arts import co-starring Mike Tyson (!!), viewers will have a variety of choices from which to choose. With our handy guide, you're sure to find the non-Star Wars sequel you're looking for. The Hateful Eight (January 1 wide-release) Quentin Tarantino's sprawling, bloody three-hour Western charts the nasty business perpetrated by a group of strangers (including Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen) who all converge during a blizzard at a remote cabin. The Revenant (January 8 wide-release) Perhaps the most visually stunning film of 2015—now getting a nationwide release —this based-on-real-events survivalist saga by Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a fur trader who, after barely living through a bear attack, seeks revenge against a traitorous comrade (Tom Hardy). The Forest (January 8) The forces of evil rise up against a young woman (Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer) after she goes looking for her missing sister in Japan's Aokigahara Forest in this ominous horror effort. Anesthesia (January 8) Writer/director/co-star Tim Blake Nelson assembles a sterling cast—including Sam Waterson, Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close and Gretchen Mol—for this drama about the fallout from the violent mugging of a Columbia University professor. The Benefactor (January 15) Richard Gere's mysterious philanthropist nudges his way into the life of a newly married couple (Dakota Fanning and Theo James) in this thriller from writer/director Andrew Renzi. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (January 15) Sure to provoke considerable debate over its depiction of real-life events, this Michael Bay action film follows six American security operators as they try to repel terrorist invaders at the US. State Department's compound in Libya. Mojave (January 22) An artist (Garrett Hedlund) faces off against a dangerous drifter (Oscar Isaac) in this two-person-showdown indie from Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed). IP Man 3 (January 22) The third entry in the popular Chinese martial-arts saga starring Donnie Yen should deliver more of its trademark ass-kicking action, especially given the presence of Mike Tyson as Yen's adversary. Jane Got a Gun (January 29) After a notoriously difficult production (which began back in 2012), this Western—about a woman (Natalie Portman) forced to fight back against a troublesome gang (led by Ewan McGregor)—finally sees the light of the day in late January. Whether it's a train wreck or a masterpiece or something in between, this'll be worth watching. Via: Esquire