Almost sold out sections in SPICE

So there have been a few people asking about spice and what is sold out...so for those of you who think you have months to wait if you want in on the following sections...

"Driselle Ramjohn sent a message to the members of SPICE CARNIVAL 2010 - The Spice Route!!!!!!

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Subject: Spice Carnival costumes going fast!

Hey Spice Peeps,

Just letting you all know Thailand, Wings of Isis, Rubies of Mumbai, China and Greece are almost sold out online...however you can still get your sizes @ our showroom...make sure you secure your first choice early!

You can message me right here on facebook or e-mail me at pr@spicecarnivalband.com if you have any questions or queries!

Thanks much!"

I just have one question....since when China was on the scene? I though China Female was scrapped...as in never to be seen again?

SPICE collection review!!!!

So I was aiming to reach Spice at 2pm but due to certain issues, yuh girl did not reach until 3:15pm.
Anyway, when I arrived, I was greeted by a tenet and about 10 people for the most sitting under it.So my boy CJ who was handlin the tent, told me to take a seat n wait in a while, I probably waited for 15 minutes and then was called upstairs, we I meet 5 people in the front room, seated waiting to be called for payment.

After I waited about 10 minutes there, we were called to sit and wait till a cashier clears up in order for us to cash. ( Does this musical chairs sound familiar? :::(Insert cough here)TRIBE(and here)::: Anyway, moving, now this is where the real test of patience and waiting came through. I probably sat waiting for the cashier to clear for about 30 minutes. No lie. There were 3 cashiers, one dedicated to the right side of the room, and there were another 2. The other 2 were kept up for about 30 minutes. The first cashier, apparently a couple who register in Prive, their registration info was not entered on the computer so they had to go in d filing cabinet and manually find their files. The second cashier had a couple who were collecting for like the wholeee nation!

So after my mother unleash the bad Grenadian in her, and had some words with Anya ( no foul language! my momma has class ppl!) Anyway, the cashiers cleared up, we waited for about 5 minutes and got on our way. The cashier however did not check my ID and I am worried that if that is her regular practice that ppl could be walking away with costumes.

Anywho! I got my fully printed receipt and was then ushered (by the same girl who registered me, the one who modeled Peppercorns (she nice eh!)) Anyway, got ushered where i got FHO treatment, I was asked what bra size I would like to try on, Tried on several bras, until coming to a conclusion of a 36DD which by the way is no where near my size. I was shocked to see that the straps, weren't clear but where also red!! yay!!!!

Then I was asked what size is my waist, i said 38" and was presented with a large belt, tried it on, and apparently yuh girl lost reall inches because It was over big! So much so I had to change to a medium because no matter how much you had adjust it, it was just too big!!!


Afterwards, I was shown how to put on my back(well shoulder) pack! and got my panty and extra boyshorts, which btw i heard from bunny that they are the same as Tribe's own and I believe they may be locally made, but they fit good though!

After that, I picked up my stuff and headed to the last table where I got my goodie bag and band! I even have a band for the toilet, look ting!


So on to the goodie bag!
Goodie bag contained (this is female i dunno bout males eh)

1. tampon
2. monster condom
3. another condom
4. orbit white gum
   
5. dentene ice gum (sample pack)
6. banana boat sun block spf30
   
7. banana boat aloe vera after sun gel
   
8. aids/ safe sex pamphlet
9. spice book
10. dermae natural bodycare Organic Expressions Hydrating Day creme
11. dermae natural bodycareTea Tree and E Antispectic creme
12. dermae natural bodycare Organic Expressions Facial Cleanser
    
13. dermae natural bodycare$100 Gift Certificate for Facial and consultation
    
14. Wonderworld 10% voucher
15. Spice/Monster cup ( just like the bmobile!)
16. Sunsilk De Frizz, shampoo, Conditioner
17. Advil Liqui - Gels
    

PROS:-

• Cute goodie bag

• GREAT customer service

• SPEEDY cashing ( once it doh have any issues)

CONS:-

• Only 3 cashiers
• Bras weren't appropriately sized

SOLUTIONS:-

• Perhaps they should designate a cashier especially for those who registered outside of the camp like in Prive and Wicked in White
  
• and another for those collecting for groups of more than 3.

But unlike me, who had a relatively smooth collection, Sapo, on the other hand ( one of the bloggers) had to switch from her Scotch Bonnet Frontline to Cardamom Frontline, because of how the bra fit. The cups are short and therefore everything was outside for Sapo, so she had to switch. Also Rene also didn't get her Headpiece for Sea Salt FL till today and that costume was due for collection since THURSDAY!
But all in all for a new band, they weren't too bad for first timers!


Now here is the lineup

1. Paprika
2. Brown Suger
3. Sea Salt
4. Melilot Bleu
5. Golden Basil
6. Peppercorns
7. Garden of Sage
8. Mediterranean Borage
9. Scotch Bonnet (WTF?)
10. Cardamom

So d line up Shitty! let we not even go ther, but whatever, it looks like the reall party is at the back!

So we meeting at Memorial Park
Monday - 9am
Tuesday 6:30 am

Rest stop, is at QRC grounds.

And costume resale has begun!

So ladies and gentlemen keep checking your Carnival Junction because the first official For Sale Advertisement has been placed. The Lucky costume is...(drum roll please)
BRAZILIAN MACAW FRONTLINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let the games begin!!! ( My spice mas camp visit)

For 2k8 I got off to a really late start on carnival, I'm talking i started preparing for carnival 2k8 in January 2k8.lol. For 2k9 however things are gonna be a little different.
First off, I'm taking the chance and playing with SPICE a new band for Carnival 2k9 with an atmosphere of friendliness and fun.

So to kick off my Carnival preparations, the first thing I did was order my boots! I order these great boots from Cutesy Girl for only $12.99 US, and because my foot is size 10, a size 11 boots at $13US had to be ordered!

Second on the agenda ;which really should've been first , was registering for my costume! So I head down to Spice earlier today with my mother, when they say it is obliquely opposite Bat n Ball they ain't make joke nah! And I saw the little 'sign' that Afro Chic was talking about, it was barely noticeable with the rain washing it out and all! So meh mother with her crazy self park in front of Invader's gate and bawl

-"Well they ain't playing pan right now, so let's take a chance!"

Lol so we go up the nicely spaced stairs,(you aint go break yuh ass) lol and to my surprise the door was held open for my mother and I! (thank you!!!) We were greeted by a young woman and man. As I walked in the door I immediately saw the love of my life and gravitated straight towards it! My mother now talking about lets walk around....walk around? woman look it here!!!lol So I told the girl I immediately want to register. She must've thought I was joking. After I told her I want to register and took a little walk to see the costumes...I must say sea salt backline is absolutely stunning in person!!!! And for that price, I consider it a steal of a deal!!! But the beading on Mediterranean Borage is beautiful, the costume would be so nice on the road! So after hearing my mother ask where in this costume is it worth $3795 lol we finally settled on it after I had to tell her about her playin mas with the stick!

Anyways so I took a seat on their nice plush couch, and waited while the girl attended to me. The form very simple, checkbox for costume options, scotch bonnet has the option of the regular bra, which I of course did not take!!! (why you may ask since I have quite a bit of bosom.) because I am not paying money for cat in bag, I don't know if it looks the same. We were finished with registration in about 5 minutes. My only concern is that, they do get some more areas for registration after next week or so, when IP has launched and most people have made up their mind as their will be major hold up.

The mas camp isn't big, it's probably about the same space as TRIBE or Trini Revellers or smaller, however it is neatly laid out needless to say my mother was very impressed with them.

The rest of the list goes as follows ( in no particular order)

• Get paint for boots and decorations
• get monday wear
• get make up
• pay off the rest of the costume
• carnival bag (sewn by moi!)
• decorate my bling cup!
• get stockings
  

Spicy prices!

So after a hectic day, a come to look at SPICE's website, to see the costume prices, since my girl Rene done gone and sign up for Sea Salt (FHO all d way girllll). So I looked at the costumes and the prices and wondered if some of those prices, were a bit, how should I say...wild. I have no problem with a new band using a competitive or competition based pricing system, but I did think they were going to use something more along the lines of penetration pricing (i.e. pricing a product at a low rate to ensure high sales).

However, going into the mas business can also be a huge risk, and has huge overheads if the band cannot get as many sponsors as band such as TRIBE and IP. Therefore, prices are set to cover overheads and give some form of profit. Then there is also the case where bands such as Evolution can experience losses due to unappealing costumes.

SPICE has uploaded the prices on the website (all prices are TT$)

Brown sugar

Frontline -3995
Backline- 2895
Male -2500

Cardamom

Frontline-3 795
Backline- 2995
Male -2600

Golden Basil

Frontline-4200
Backline- 3295
Male -2600

Mediterranean Borage

Backline- 3495
Male -2700

Melilot Blue

Frontline-4700
Backline- 3395
Male -2700

Paprika

Frontline- 4195
Backline-3295
Male -2600

Peppercorns

Frontline-4800
Backline-3495
Male -2900

Scotch Bonnet

Frontline- 3795
Backline- 2795
Male -2650

Sea Salt

Frontline-3995
Backline-2895
Male -2600

I believe some of these costumes are not really worth the price and apparently i'm not the only one that holds this point of view!, but thats just me, In some sections being a FHO is more economical than a Backline Betty. My favourite choices are Cadamom , Scotch Bonnet, Golden Basil or Sea Salt Frontline, as for Backline it would be Paprika or peppercorns.

Now as for the up and coming TRIBE launch tomorrow night, I will not be attending, so you'll have to look forward for the live updates from Saucy! However judging from their little snippet shown in today's Guardian I can only imagine the wonders my eyes will behold tomorrow night into Sunday morning from Saucy's blog! I am also expecting to hear about their steady increased pricing for this coming year's costumes from them also, I am expecting to see no costume less than $3000. . I have gotten so accustomed to the all-inclusive experience, the whole 'just walk with a little vex money and your makeup' so much so that any band that does not offer certain services get left behind! Perhaps this is why other masqueraders like myself allow the prices to increase as we go by the belief that all these services being provided increase in price every year due to rise in costs. But I will put that dent in my pocket to play mas, so choose wisely and don't waste your money

The big issue just got BIGGER!!!!

 From my previous post, the big issue, I discussed my opinions on the re-selling of Trinidad carnival costumes for a fraction of the price, now, a band called MYST , Antigua Carnival band is providing an IP like service, IP costume from this year, the Zebra costume being it's photo. Unlike the other bands in Miami carnival, these costumes are going for the same price as Trinidad carnival us$400-us$500.

Saucy's point of view on the matter discusses the effect of this phenomenon and it comes to a bottom line point,if trinidad carnival is considered so genuine when other bands in other islands try to create the same experience for less, why would foriegners come to Trinidad? Saucy said it so well, I don;t think I can say it any better.

THE BIG ISSUE!!!!

Year after year it is being brought to the attention of Trinidad masqueraders that the carnival costumes that they paid Us$400-us$500 for are being re-sold at a fraction of the price at other carnivals and carnival-like celebrations across the world. Recent articles by fellow blogger, Saucy
are now bringing the issue to the fore front. The big question on my mind is why are we paying us$400-us$500 for the same service that persons in foreign carnivals are paying us$90- us$100 for?

In my reply to saucy's post you may find the possible and only logical explanation that these bands can give.

" mimi said...

my only question is, after I save my money, and i purchase this costume for $400 to $500 us. and see the exact same costume selling for a quarter of the price i paid, why are we paying 5 times the amount?

maybe an explanation for this can we found in the importation costs, taxes and other sundry costs such as bar licenses for every truck, employment costs for all those bar tenders and people serving you food as those bands are no where near the monstrosity of 4000-6000 people chipping with them. Perhaps all these should be taken into consideration. But one can also counter argue that bulk buying is less expensive always results in cheaper production and purchasing costs, so a band of 4000-6000 people should have lower overhead costs shouldn't they? hmm or perhaps, the reason why Trinidad carnival prices never decrease are because trinis will pay at any price to enjoy the wining, gyrating and niceness on carnival day. I myself, have been guilty of indulging in this sinless pleasure.

these bands (wee international et al) have not experienced the level of success thatg IP, TRIBE, Trini Revellers and GENESIS have encountered, thus desperate to make a profit, they resell their costumes. how can blame them,the statemnt always stands.
"One man's rags is another man's riches"

1:17 PM "

My take on tribe's costume distribution

 
I arrived at nine o'clock, and the staff were  already getting things together to close down distribution for the day. I was greeted by friendly staff and was lead through an organized, but ridiculously long route to the cashiers. The cashiers then checked and verified everything and  reprinted another receipt and my pink slip. After coming form the cashiers and was then guided to the distribution area where my costume box was ready and waiting. The lady verified and checked everything and I signed that I saw everything. Then to collect my bands and so on, everythign was given to me and explained , as I am a first time TRIBEr. lol. Eveeryone was talking to my mom, because she knows them, thinking she was playing.lol.

Overall i was so excited about everything i opened my goodbag as soon as i got in the car.lol.Must say compared to goody bags i remember Legends and Poison used to give when i was smaller and my cousins played mas, with the basic, toothpast, tylonol and glitter, has come a long way.lol. And that cereal i was totally not expecting, a whole big box?! nah I couldn't believe it when i walked outside.

But aside from that, the only thing i'm disappointed with is the fact that the bras aren;t like wonderbra..lol..leaves your breast just looking normal. I wanted cleavage aid damnit!!!!lol.
But i am generally happy with my costume, i think it's beautiful , i still want a pair of wings (ne1 selling lemme kno) they were beautiful. i really think this section is a sleeper, in that it i s one of the most beautiful costumes.

My costume
headpiece




My belt



My bra




My neckpiece, armpieces and leg pieces, respectively

Carnival junction

 I can't believe people are trying to auction off costumes on Carnival junction. I bought my costume this year through Carnival junction. I was lucky enough to meet an honest person. But as saucy pointed out, these people are real and are actually auctioning off costumes.

 I think it's very unethical to do so, after all what we paying you extra for? cause you stood up in the line and registered for the costume. People should be glad that some one is willing to take it off their hands. And secondly 'ent the deadline for the transferring of costumes gone? So WHERE he going with that?! Look run away from here eh.

I honestly think the admins of Carnival junction should in fact omit any posts that are action for auctioned prices.

Tips in purchasing a costume from someone 

    1.PLEASE make sure the costume is your size

    2. ENSURE that the price you are paying for it is the down payment the person made on it...see it as reimbursing the person.

     3.ASK them to meet and handle all transactions at the mas cap, not outside, not in d mall or down d corner...IN D MAS CAMP in that way you are sure that they are not frauds or any such thing of that sort.

     4.Make sure they have the receipt for the costume too.

      5.Ensure that your name and contact is accurate when transferring names (if your band transfers names)