TikTok Idea While You’re At MIA

This idea for a TikTok or InstaReel came to my mind a while ago, I wrote it in my notes and shared it with Raven, but never followed up.

Here’s a copy/paste from my notes:

Dionne (RN) and Raven (singer) end up in same line at coffee shop inside of airport & notice each other's shirts . "ohhhhh , you must be..." "yeah.. & you're..." they both say how they're ready for this trip . Dionne says something about needing this break after these 12-hour (or however long) shifts been kicking her tail at the hospital . "ohh , you're in the medical field?!" Raven asks, to which Dionne responds, "girl yes, RN.. what about you?"  Raven says how she's a cocktail waitress, but her passion is singing / she's pursuing singing (whichever verbiage feels most natural).  Dionne says, "ohhh, you sing?!  Sing something!"  Raven gives a sassy remark in a playful way, "I ain't ask you to perform a physical exam on nobody when you told me you're a nurse."  Dionne rolls her eyes and giggles, "girl, sing something!"  Raven bulges her eyes and looks around, as to say, "look where we are".  Dionne bulges her eyes back and does a small shoulder shrug with a headshake, as to say, "and? so what?!"  Raven takes a breath with a small sigh, then belts out a line of a song only a true vocalist could do with such control.  Dionne's eyes pop and jaw drops.. "oh, you sing.."  Raven does a closed-mouth grin with an awkward head nod, "yeah.."

Raven and Dionne, I hope y’all can do it! It’ll be so cute (and great social media promotion for my cousin, Raven).

Here’s What I Packed For A Week Stay in Barbados

I meant to post this yesterday, but most of the girls’ trip group probably already had their luggage completely packed, zipped, and ready to roll out of the door anyway.

Sharing it now for those interested in coordinating vibes at various times while we’re in Barbados.

I fit all of my personal belongings into one SMALL carry-on bag, including:

  • 5 going out outfits

  • 4 workout sets

  • 3 swimsuits

  • a t-shirt to go w/ ^swimsuit look I don’t have yet

  • undergarments (including shapewear!! never forget the shapewear!!)

  • house socks (fuzzy, thick socks, instead of house shoes)

  • 1 pair of flat sandals

  • 3 pairs of heels

  • 1 pair of pool slides

  • water shoes

  • fanny pack

^The two outfits edited into the photo are coming from Taylor — one she’d ordered for herself, but was too small, and the other I asked her to order for me after she showed it to me on FaceTime during one of her Shein shopping sprees! (That girl bought WAY too many new clothes.. you would’ve thought she was going away for a month.)

I knew these water shoes and fanny pack from a previous trip to the Caribbean would come in handy!

Ouuuu, lemme tell Dionne about this TikTok idea and see if she’s down.

Later, y’all!

You’ll Get Your 20Fine Girls Trip Travel Tops at MIA

Remember when I told y’all almost two months ago, “ Your Barbados 2022 Girls Trip Travel Tops Are Being Made”? Yeah, about that…

I Support Black Business, But Sometimes Black Business Blows It

When I went DTLA to buy the merchandise, then brought the merchandise to Jimmy Jam T-Shirts to have the graphic I made screenprinted onto them, I was very clear I needed them by the end of the month. I was told that was no problem at all, I’d definitely have them before then because their shop does a two-week turn-around. This was October 13th.

For a change, I hadn’t waited until the last minute to get something done; I was giving myself the whole November to get the merch packaged how I nicely and neatly package my #aroundLAwithTK orders, as if my name is Neiman Marcus.

The rest of October came and went. November came and went. And these folks were still giving me the run around. It’s quite a long story, and I still have 50leven things to do before my flight tomorrow morning, so here’s what you need to know…

You’ll be traveling from MIA to BGI in style!

Breezy retrieved our items, after Jimmy Jam’s T-Shirt Print Shop DTLA failed to complete and ship them in time to arrive before our departure.

Breezy will bring everyone’s travel tops to MIA.

Taylor will then distribute the tops at MIA as everyone arrives. Y’all will shoot the final clip of the countdown video at the boarding gate (with the sign visible in the background) in your travel looks, waving your passports, saying “we’re going to Barbados!” Maybe someone can even jump/point towards the boarding gate sign that says “Barbados” to draw more attention to it. And then, all will be well with the world! Whew, great, fantastic! It’ll be as if none of the stress getting these shirts ever happened.

The business dropped the ball (again), but Breezy came in with the save. Huge thanks to her! She was even kind enough to get dressed and send me some pictures for the blog for y’all to see how they look. (That way, you can go’on ‘head and get cute before you leave your house if you’d like, then just add your top when you get to MIA).

Y’all don’t understand the way my face lit up when Breezy sent me this photo. (I’d never seen the finished product). She styled it SO cute!!

Luxury Waterside Fine Dining on the Bardados West Coast

I almost went off on B.Barry the other day when she called me on FaceTime saying, “uhnt uhn, T.K., that dinner is going to be a mess.” Then, days later, after I was over being offended, I decided B. Barry was right — it would behoove us all for the upscale dinner out to be more structured.

I’d looked into preset fine dining options in Barbados months ago, way before B. Barry had said anything, but I basically let the idea fall by the wayside, thinking “oh, it’ll be fine.. we’ll just split whatever we order evenly.” And yes, it could be fine, but it could also be chaotic.

In my best effort to avoid any chaos or uncomfortable situations, I hopped back onto securing a preset fine dining restaurant reservation.

Waterside Fine Dining During Sunset

Champers Restaurant Barbados
December 8th - 5:30pm

“upscale, consistently good Caribbean food” - Fodor’s Expert Review
”dining to the sounds of waves lapping the shores beneath [your feet]” - TripAdvisor guest review

I’ve been corresponding with a reservationist over at Champers Restaurant Barbados, scouring the web, crunching numbers, and here’s what we have:

cliff-top customized dinner party

exquisite seating

  • beautifully located table on terrace

    (we could’ve gotten a private room inside w/ our large group, but why not be on the water while fine dining on an island?!)

selection of wines

opening toast by host

3-course “choice of” meal

Dom Perignon champagne toast

opportunity for guests with words prepared to make toast

  • what would a luxury girls trip be without a lil’ sip of Dom at some point?!

    (Dom dependent upon availability at MIA Duty Free. cost absorbed by host.)

  • directly preceding dessert course

Total cost including VAT, taxes, and service fees: U.S. $135/person. This amount will be sent to host by all attendees via Zelle on day of dinner, then host’s card will be charged for total amount.

To me, that’s a steal! I kept having to recalculate and make sure I wasn’t reading the currency wrong or something. You can’t sit on the water at any fine dining restaurant along Cali’s coast and get all of that for anywhere near that low. But once again, that’s to me, based off of my experiences. I understand that each person has their own and must move how it makes the most sense for them; all I ask is that you let me know by 12noon EST, today, Friday, December 2nd, if I need to modify the reservation before I put down a deposit on it.

Mm hm! Bet B. Barry won’t tell me “this needs to be more organized” again!

upstairs indoor bar at restaurant on island of barbados

Don’t drink wine? Don’t wine! There’s a full bar inside where patrons are welcome to purchase cocktails on separate tickets. | photo: Champers Restaurant Barbados

Group Travel Plans for Barbados

Me oh my, how did this time fly by?!

We’re only a little over a week out from flying to paradise island, Barbados, located in the tropical West Indies. Courtesy of the villa’s team, here’s a very brief overview of the island and further details about the residence we’ll be calling home: click here. Also, check your email inbox for an arrival document written up by the villa’s team with important information about getting thru customs in Barbados with ease. Between myself, the host, and the villa point-of-contact, we’ve worked up an itinerary as well.

Barbados
Luxury Girls Trip

#BlackWomeninLuxury #BlackGirlsTravel

Here’s what we have planned for our stay in Barbados!

Tuesday, December 6th — ARRIVAL DAY

[ladies land at BGI - 10:17pm]

night

You’ll make yourself at home in a world-class-luxury private villa on the island of Barbados. photo: Pinterest

  • rum punch and finger food upon arrival prepared and served by villa staff

  • unpack and settle into luxurious suites of varying themes

Wednesday, December 7th — ISLAND DAY

morning

  • early sunlight yoga (following virtual instructor) - 8am

  • brunch prepared and served by villa staff - 10am

afternoon

[depart villa by noon, as the common tour time slot is 12:30p]

  • inland explorations, may include, but not limited to:

    • Mount Gay Rum Distillery

    • Harrison’s Cave

    • nature walk, Flower Forest

    • sightseeing island

[return to villa by 5pm]

night

  • “Arrival Roti Dinner” poolside, prepared and served by villa staff - 6pm

  • girls’ night in pajama party at private villa - 10pm

    • snacks, games, prizes

    • letting go activity suggested and led by Taylor

    • I greatly welcome others as well to step up and lead during this girls trip however the Spirit may so lead.. I may be doing the pre-planning, but ya girl kicking her feet up as soon as we touch down; y’all better go’on take the reigns

Thursday, December 8th — SPA DAY

morning

  • early sunlight yoga (following virtual instructor) - 8am

  • brunch prepared and served by villa staff - 10am

Be pampered, or pamper yourself, during the spa day of this luxury girls’ trip. photo: Etsy

afternoon

  • pampering at private villa’s on-site spa

  • self-care of one’s own liking

    • if no booking at spa, or with open time after spa treatment, feel free to make own relaxation station in large tub of ensuite bath, relax by the pool, or walk down to Fairmount Beach Club

night - ALL WHITE ATTIRE

  • bourgeoisie b!tch dinner at upscale restaurant on the water

    • Champers Barbados reservation at 5:30pm

    • December sunsets in Barbados are around 5:30pm, so arriving BEFORE our reservation will allow time to take pictures at the restaurant while it’s still bright outside, as well as be seated in time to catch the sunset

  • preset dinner and wine menu

    • we will Zelle even split of bill including taxes and service charges to host, then swipe that one card.. I said this in original girls trip pitch, and a couple of times since, but I want to make sure I reiterate b/c what we ain’t bouta to do is look broke and bewildered tryna calculate who ate which piece of shrimp in these people’s restaurant

    • checkout the menu and other details about how we’re doing fine dining in Barbados here

Friday, December 9th — BOAT DAY

morning

  • early sunlight yoga (following virtual instructor) - 8am

  • brunch prepared and served by villa staff - 10am

afternoon

  • private catamaran cruise - 3pm

    • food, drinks, dessert

    • bluetooth/aux cord available on catamaran.. who wants to have a playlist ready for us? (must already be downloaded to your phone, as I don’t imagine we’ll have cell phone service nor WiFi out on the water)

    • 4-hour cruise

night

  • Oistin’s Fish Fry Fridays

[local was telling me Oistin’s on Friday turns into a party/hangout vibe, so we could stay there or end up floating to another spot, but in the event we even make it back to the villa before the wee hours of the night and have energy…]

  • hot tub party at private villa with Bajan bring-in

Saturday, December 10th — BEACH DAY

I wonder if I have a good enough eye to capture a great shot like this of Raven or Gabrielle with their lil’ model-looking behinds!

morning

  • early sunlight yoga (following virtual instructor) - 8am

  • brunch prepared and served by villa staff - 10am

afternoon

  • go to beach

  • water activities with “Captain Corey”

  • beachside bites and beverages at a lunch bar/grill that sits on the water

    • example: Royal Westmoreland Beach Club

night

  • party boat - 5pm

    • a local I met on a previous visit sent me a flyer advertising a boat party - this would be more club vibes (but on a boat) with various party goers; as opposed to the catamaran cruise earlier in the itinerary that’s only our private group simply chilling out on the water

    • MUST BE ON TIME IF WE GO! it’s not ours, or something we rented/scheduled; that party will politely sail off without us

    • view boat party flyer here

Sunday, December 11th — OPEN DAY

morning

  • early sunlight yoga (following virtual instructor) - 8am

  • brunch prepared and served by villa staff - 10am

afternoon

  • do you, baby boo

night

  • rooftop dinner prepared by private chef and served by villa staff - 6pm

  • music show arranged by villa staff - 7:30pm

  • TURN UP FOR LAST NIGHT AT VILLA! ..could continue rooftop shabang, migrate to somewhere else on property, or go offsite

Tides Restaurant Barbados has a white-table-cloth set dining lounge that looks directly out onto the island’s surrounding blue waters. photo: Tides Restaurant Barbados

Monday, December 12th — DEPARTURE DAY

morning

  • early sunlight yoga (following virtual instructor) - 8am

  • brunch prepared and served by villa staff - 10am

afternoon

  • ladies’ option to do as they may for final hours before flight

    • double back to a stop or shop visited earlier during stay

    • walk down to Fairmont Beach Club

    • go for a dip in private villa’s pool

  • whatever you do, be sure you’re packed and prepared for departure!

[flight departs BGI - 4:13pm]

We won’t be bored in Barbados, that’s for sure! Whew!

All plans are tentative and subject to change. Days may be swapped around, we may end up doing one thing instead of the other, but this is pretty much what we’re looking at. I wanted to leave a little budge room and not be too type A. [nervous sweat bead on forehead] Also know that activities are optional. If you find you get seasick and would prefer to stay on land, for example, feel free to sit out the catamaran cruise or party boat.

Related: “Get Yourself a Type A Friend” [random white girl on TikTok]

What’s not optional…

  • an ALL white outfit

    inspo/theme: “what are you mixed with?” “Black and goddess”

    • consider pairing back a pair of nude, clear, or metal-tone shoes to your all white look

    • if it’s in you, feel free to be as free as you wanna be (naked), we’ll be on an island for goodness sake! …only ‘bout my nipples and cootie woo will be covered, so please join me, while still dressing for your body, of course

  • a SKIN TONE outfit

    inspo/theme: “for the love of nudes”

    • daytime, casual and comfortable — would y’all prefer to wear it on island day or boat day?

    • no requirement for it to be a swimsuit; just something you’d wear during the daytime on an island (which could be a swimsuit, yes, but it could also be a myriad of other ensembles)

…just a reminder ☺

Related: All About An Aesthetic Baby

Pretty much all of my clothes have a stretch to ‘em, and I wear both browns and white fairly often, so please let me know if you’d like something out of my wardrobe for either of these themes; I don’t want anyone left out of what’s supposed to be entire group pics.

Y’all bouta slay; I hope y’all don’t make my lips drip.

Luxury Caribbean Girls Trip
organized by #aroundLAwithTK

Update For Those Still Making Efforts Towards This Barbados Girls Trip

Hey ladies!

First of all, thank you for accepting the invite to travel with me on this luxury girls trip to the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. I know there are many things you could do with your time off of work, away from your man, or whatever fills your leisure; and there’s always other ways to spend money. I appreciate you wanting to spend your time and resources with me.

However, as we know, I sent out the invitation to this girls’ trip last December and began accepting payments towards it at the top of this year in January. The goal I shared was to have everything signed, sealed and delivered by the end of the summer, to avoid an onslaught of stress right before the trip. It’s November. We’re only a month out from departure. All I wanted ladies to be worried about at this point is getting their outfits together and appointments made for hair, nails, lashes, waxing, etc. Life happens and everything can’t go as planned, I understand.

Unfortunately, matters are out of my hand at this point. I had a meeting with my point-of-contact over at the private villa and I was required to share details pertaining to our group. Per the booking agreement, I knew from the beginning that I would have to give the full names and email addresses of all guests that would be staying on property. We are past due and I had to touch base and I could not confirm the individuals that were below 50% paid at the time of our meeting.

As I informed the group in a previous post (see: Your Trip is Booked!), those that were over 75% paid are ticketed and confirmed passengers for our MIA - BGI flight on American Airlines. Those same ticketed individuals are confirmed guests at the private villa, La Maison Michelle.

The options for those that are incomplete and I was unable to confirm:

  • continue as planned (fly and stay with group)

    • complete payment of original total ($2,050) + pay an additional fee as dictated by villa ownership to be an add-on guest

      • point-of-contact at private villa will get back to me this upcoming week with what the exact per person add-on fee is this far in the timeline

    • as of now there are seats available on same flight as group that’s already booked

      • no guarantee how long seats will be available

      • note: the airline has raised the price and you will be responsible for the difference

- OR -

  • book your own travel and accommodations

    • Royal Westmoreland has beautiful condos at reasonable rates

      • (I stayed in Royal Apartment 234 last December for only around 1k; divide that by 3-4 ppl that can fit more than comfortably in the 3-bedroom unit and that’s nothing, in comparison)

    • Google flights is a tool you can use to find and compare flight options

    • responsible for your own transportation on the island, including but not limited to, travel to/from BGI airport, as well as travel to/from meeting up with group at the villa and around the island

    • pay a la carte for dining and activities with group

Trust me. I wish there were other options. I wish everything could’ve gone as planned.

No, seriously… multiple individuals were only 25% paid or less. Everything still has to be paid for for me to give the rest of the group the experience I said I would give them without them having to come out of their pockets more than the original price I gave them. What does that mean? I’ll have to come up with thousands of more dollars before the end of the month to fill in the gaps. So, when I say I wish everything could’ve gone as planned, I mean it.

Whew, child.. …ima rob Peter to pay Paul, ima see somebody son ‘bout it, ima do something to get this money!

I appreciate your ongoing efforts in advance. [prayer hands]

Your Trip is Booked!

Your American Airlines flight from Miami, Florida (MIA) to Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI) is booked for the 20Fine luxury girls’ trip!

Departing Miami the late afternoon of Tuesday, December 6th, you’ll fly non-stop to Barbados. After spending 5 full days, and 6 nights, surrounded by blue waters and ocean breeze, you’ll return to Miami the evening of Monday, December 12th.

We’re going to Barbados, b!+€hessssssssssss!

After many hours, day after day, sitting in front of my devices, and between calls with my financial institution, cardholder services, American Airlines, and all of them over and over again, we’ve finally got you ticketed and confirmed.

Sweet Jesus, I see why the travel agent I spoke with over the summer said she’d charge a fee of $25 per passenger to book a group of flights. It’s A LOT of tedious and time-consuming work… so much so that I was late to my event gig yesterday playing ‘round on the phone with them folks, trying to get it done, which led to a domino effect of costing me money, and they still didn’t get to the bottom of the issue. [face palm] Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last. (If I ever do a group trip again, the cost of the trip will just have to be more to have a travel agent do all this madness, b/c BAYBAY!) Anyway… flights are booked! [cartwheels]

Flights are booked for all ladies that were at least 75% complete on payments.

If you are a ticketed passenger, please use the record locator on the trip confirmation your name is listed on to view details. I’ve also forwarded the email confirmation from American Airlines to your inbox.

american airlines booking confirmation page for luxury girls trip to barbados

Booking thru AAir’s group travel dept was more costly, so I cancelled our previous contract with them and booked each passenger myself, manually; a max. of 9 passengers are allowed per online transaction, which is why you see two separate confirmation pages.

Please confirm the accuracy of your name and your date of birth. In order for me to easily see it all in one place, comment on this blog post once you’ve verified your details.

We only have 24 hours to make any changes and/or corrections. After 24 hours, American Airlines will not allow any changes nor cancellations nor issue any refunds on these tickets. Let me reiterate, there will be nothing I can do to help you if you need to make any changes after 24 hours of this flight purchase. Please make sure your information matches your passport and the flight times work with your schedule.

If you don’t see your name, don’t fret. You still have time to join us in Barbados!

For the ladies that began making payments in January, the deadline to be paid in full was July. For the ladies that began making payments in July, the due date was earlier this month, October.

Understanding life happens, I tried to put off booking flights for as long as reasonably possible to give everyone more time to get their payments in, but waiting any longer was likely to cause detriment to the whole.

photo: AmericanAir on Instagram

As soon as you are over 75% paid, we can go forward with getting you booked on a flight. You will be responsible for the difference in any flight increase. If the flight the majority of the group is traveling on becomes sold out and we have to put you on a different flight, you will be responsible for your own airport transportation to/from the private villa.

God can make a way out of no way in even the most narrow final moments. You can do this!

As a reminder to everyone, due to the nature of the group travel plans, there will be no refunds of any payments made. (Click to see post where I repeated this in June.)

Okay, I think I’ve covered all the questions anyone may have. Let me get up from this device and start getting ready before I’m late to this gig today too!

Comment below.

I look forward to the number of comments on this post at least matching the number of ticketed passengers. Like c’mon bae, I spend 3 hours working on this one piece of a step alone, & y’all can’t be bothered to take 3 seconds to comment “confirmed!” FOR SOMETHING THAT’S DIRECTLY FOR YOU?! Zamn. Zon’t be like zhat.

Caribbean 2022 Girls Trip
(click to see all posts)

Like Forever21, We Always 20Fine.. And That Means in the Airport Too

Your Barbados 2022 Girls Trip Travel Tops Are Being Made

As y’all know, because I texted y’all in the group iMessage after I’d been frozen on Main Street DTLA with indecisiveness, I started the process of getting matching tops made for our travel to Barbados.

Walking thru L.A.’s fashion district, there are so many options, it’s almost crippling.

After popping in and out of a few shops, I finally settled on one where the folks seemed nice and the prices seemed right. Still, after choosing a place to buy the garments from, I still was debating about which style of garment to buy.

I weighed pros and cons of possible final looks for each, considering the custom graphic design that will be high quality screen-printed on the items and how everyone would look in different styles of tops.

Since girls love Beyonce, and she’s upstyling a cropped hoodie here, and half of y’all opted for a cropped hoodie… This one’s for Gabrielle and whoever else in that stankin’ Beyhive.

My cousin Raven singing in a cropped jacket on TikTok the other day had the cropped look at the top of my mind. Plus, even though I’m built like a box, baby, I love a crop. The wideness of a baggy cropped top can create the illusion of a more narrow torso, and I believe in creating optical illusions (even if that means a little photoshop). But then I thought, “well, T.K., that’s you… what if people are uncomfortable walking thru the airport with their midriff out?”

[another option catches my eye]

Ou, look at this flowy, feminine tee.

[pauses]

Oh, you’re hot-natured, but other people be chilly in airports… and this isn’t no summer girls’ trip! December! = long sleeves!

Okay, crewneck sweater it is! “Pardon me, may I have this sweater in white?” “No, that 90/10 blend only comes in gray,” responds the associate. (Materials and place of origin was another factor I was considering while selecting items).

Ugh! This crewneck fleece feels the best. But the custom graphic print will look the best on this clean white tee. Buuuuuut the crop hoodie is just such a fun, feminine vibe. Ughhh, I want them all.

[lightbulb]

Take a picture of the 3 you’ve narrowed it down to, send it to the girls in the private villa group message, and hopefully each will be picked by some people, and boom! Got ‘em all.

Whew! [wipes forehead]

Well, that only took you 3 hours to shop for a decide.

Texted y’all and boom. We’ll have some in tan-ish cropped hoodies, some in grey crewneck sweaters, and some in white long-sleeved 100% cotton tees. Ahhhhhhh! That wasn’t that hard, why was I DTLA all day?!

And why am I sitting here going over it?! Because if my overthinking mind has to drive me crazy, I’ma let y’all suffer with me a bit too.

After purchasing blanks at one business DTLA, I brought the items to a t-shirt printing shop for the custom girls trip graphic design to be added.

After purchasing the garments from that shop, I walked a couple of blocks down to Jimmy Jam T-Shirts, who I’d been email corresponding with from my bed upon waking before heading DTLA. He’s who will do the printing You see, I had to get the custom graphic created digitally for the shirt, play around with the placement, make sure file formatting was sufficient for screenprinting, get price quotes and all that jazz before even going to get the product itself.

Child. And people ask when I’m restocking thee aroundLA rider caps, or when I’m going to come out with clothing items to sell, but it’s too much. You could think “it’s just a shirt,” but if only you knew how much goes into “just a shirt”. (For some people, yes, it can be quick and easy, throwing together any old thing; but for a perfectionist, creating is seldom quick and easy.)

And the whole day today was only getting the process started. Once the Jimmy Jam T-Shirts has a sample ready for me, I’ll have to go down to DTLA and approve it; then, I’ll have to return another day after the entire order is complete, and pay my balance to retrieve the final product: custom Barbados 2022 Girls Trip tops. And that’s not even the end because then I have to pack and ship them all to each one of you. Whew! That’ll be another whole day of work.

And all the work will be worth it once I see y’all looking cute in your matching travel tops!

Oh, that’s what this post is supposed to be about…

We ain’t going to the airport bummy on this one, ladies!

I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve rolled into the airport looking like I just rolled out of bed quite a few times. More recently, however, I decided to go to the airport cute and it felt great! I was even given a complimentary cocktail aboard my flight for the first time. They must’ve thought I was someone important.

And if it’s never been you to look like a bum while traveling, good for you. Keep it up! But I know you done seent what I’m talkin’bout! So you know what I mean. We don’t want that.

We 20fine all the way thru. …You know what, slide out your city however, but when you touchdown in MIA… baybay! It’s up and it’s stuck ‘til you get back home.

You’ll like it. The subtle difference, looking polished while traveling makes, feels good.

Something about a good crewneck sweater done right gives me rich bitch on-the-go. Breezy, this picture selection is for you, hun [blows petty kiss]

Okay, child, I’ve rambled enough and just found out I have a 6am call time on a gig in Torrance tomorrow, which means I have to leave my house ‘round 4am, which means I have to be up by ‘bout 3:30am. Good Lord, mercy me.

Barbados 2022 Girls Trip
(click to return to all Barbados 2022 girls trip posts)

What Are You Doing In These Next 2 Months To Get Ready for YOUR Trip?!

blog cover image: Suga Apple Swim, a Bajan-owned swimwear boutique in Barbados

Way early on into the planning of this luxury Caribbean girls’ trip, I was on FaceTime with my good sis Taylor, she darn near knocked her phone onto the floor as she did a motion that resembled that excited Spongebob gif.

I’m looking confused. “What?”

She grabs the phone, pulls it closer to her face, saying, “girl, I feel like it’s MY birthday,” with exclamation in her voice as she does an imaginary flip of the hair she doesn’t have on her head. (The girl likes to get scissor-happy and cut all her hair off.)

To her comment, feeling like it’s her birthday, I told her it is.

This is your trip. You should feel like it’s your birthday. And you should prepare accordingly.

Feel like it’s your birthday, step with your best foot forward like it’s your birthday. That’s thee energy!

What are you doing in these next two months to prepare for your trip?

Yesterday, the first day of the waning months of 2022, inspired me to write a blog post about having time to work towards goals, no matter how the pursuit has gone thus far. The rest of the world has 3 months left, you have two.

Two months is enough time to get some sh*t done!

Whatchu finna do with the rest of 2022?!

Click there to check out that blog post, but in summary, it’s me being pissed that I’ve pissed away the year, then pacifying myself with the fact that I’m finna turn it around in this final quarter. (Don’t let Kayla’s mathematician tail in here, I know that doesn’t equal a quarter; I don’t know what it equals, but the point is, we bouta finish strong.)

We’re putting in WORK over these next couple of months, then going to Barbados and celebrating it all.

Show me sumn, baybeeeee! I don’t want any half stepping. This is the twenty-FINE luxury girls trip. You coming with your twenty-FINEST self?!

I, personally, am fine tuning my body and building my brand, but your fine-focus over the next couple of months can be anything, as long as it’s something.

According to Psychology Today, progress on our goals makes us feel happier and more satisfied with life. The trip is already going to be a good time regardless, but imagine how much better it’ll be if you see yourself advancing in areas you’ve been working on, giving you that celebratory sense of “I earned this!”

…Or, imagine how trash you’ll feel having nothing to take shots to while everybody else is toasting to their best selves?! Not to be cynical, but neuroscientist Andrew Huberman speaks on how foreshadowing failure is a great motivator. How bad will it be if you don’t? How disappointed in yourself will you be if you don’t?

Do you want to be a dingy, dusty a$$ h03 that ain’t doing sh*t?!

I think not. So, wtf you doing?

I NEED ALL MY B!TCHES WORKING ON SUMN!

Working on relationship goals…

  • three date nights per month with bae?

  • family fun days with your kids every other week?

Working on career goals…

  • routinely call customers 1 month after their purchase to see if they have any questions or concerns (be sure goals are concrete)

  • complete 60 hours of refresher course in [insert field here]

joel osteen your best life daily devotional book in front of computer screen

“Goals say a lot about who you are as a person and what drives you.” - Healthline, How to Build Intrapersonal Skills

Working on intrapersonal goals…

  • meditating every morning at sunrise

  • reading daily devotionals before brushing teeth

Note: Experts advise choosing 1-2 major goals over a given amount of time, as having more is proven to often be counterproductive.

This is your trip. You’re doing this for you.

Now, Taylor almost got cursed out more recently when she said, “I guess I really love you,” in regards to finally getting her passport.

Related: You Need A Passport to Travel to Barbados

B!+€H, TE’KEYA KRYSTAL CAINT GO NOWHERE WITH YOUUUUUUR PASSPORT! (Well, I probably could get thru TSA with her passport because her kids look more like me sometimes, so maybe we twins and don’t even know it.)

But her comment reminded me of a good point, this luxury Caribbean girls trip is something special.

Yes, we’ll be there on an anniversary of the day Tiny popped me out her pu$$y, but the trip itself is a special occasion for each of us in our own way. For Taylor, and a number of others in this gang, it’ll be the first time traveling out of the country. Her point was that she wouldn’t have been getting a passport, at least not right now, if it weren’t for this trip.

We have others who will be experiencing being away from their child(ren), for this length of time, for the first time, since becoming a mother. That’s big! (A couple of the girls in the group have babies currently under the age of 1!)

Surely, I could come up with more examples, but I’ve been writing this for three too many hours at this point.

All I’m saying is, I’m glad that the timing was right for every that signed on to have signed on to this girls trip, and I am honored that each individual is choosing to use their time to partake in this special occasion with me, but I don’t want anybody to be mistaken that it’s not for each of you too. ♡

PASSPORT REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL

A passport is required for travel to Barbados.

That’s it.

This doesn’t even need to be a long, drawn out post. Everybody already knows a passport book is required to travel out of the United States by air. I’m only here to remind you that we’re at the end of September, a mere 10 weeks from departure.

The trip is 10 weeks away and it takes up to 10 weeks to get a passport!

Majority of this girls’ trip gang has never traveled out of the country by air and had no previous need for a passport. And even since joining this trip, nobody was rushing down to the post office to get one, but now is the time.

I’ll pick on Taylor, since my good sis already knows she “got all the kids,” as she puts it. I understand y’all have priorities, and a lot going on, getting a passport needs to be one of them. Taylor has more kids in her household than all y’all mamas in the gang put together, so I’ve been staying on top of her since LAST December. Finally, at the end of this past week, she texted me a picture of her passport application receipt, as to say, “okay b!+ch, hea! Ya happy?!” Yes, I am, I am happy.

Go apply for your passport the next moment you have to breathe.

According to the government’s official travel website, it takes 7 to 10 weeks from the time you submit your application to the time you’ll receive your passport in the mail.

If you do not apply for a passport THIS WEEK, you will need to pay an additional $60 for expedited processing… or don’t, and cross your fingers and hope you won’t be left in the United States come December, while the rest of us are boarding our flight to Barbados, when that passport doesn’t arrive on time.

I don’t want to stress you out with my dramatics, but I also don’t want us to stop being friends when you don’t get your money back for this girls’ trip you done paid for but ain’t got no passport to go on.

This info is available elsewhere online, such as the U.S. Department of State, but since you’re here, I’ll list the steps to get a passport.

How to apply for a U.S. passport:

  1. take a passport photo at a passport photo provider of your choosing (I went to a drug store)

  2. gather your U.S. Citizenship documents (click link for government website on which documents prove citizenship; can’t be copies!!)

  3. bring your ID, in both a physical form and a copy of the front+back printed on a sheet of paper to turn in with your passport application

  4. fill out passport application form in-person (post office or other passport service locations, I went as a walk-in, but it’s wiser to make an appointment); or, you could download one from the gov’s website, print it w/ your own resources, and bring it to your local passport service location already completed

  5. pay and submit! — have fees ready: a check or money order made out to “U.S. Department of State” for $130 to include with your passport book application + pay $35 facility fee by check, money order, or card

See?! Easy peasy!

Note: this is a brief overview of steps for the typical adult U.S. citizen that’s applying for a U.S. passport for the first time. For example, Nicolette lost her passport and only needs a replacement, so her process to get a new one before December won’t be the exact same as outlined above. (That’s a wild girl when she gets lit, y’all, and I really have no room to talk with the items that have left me while intoxicated…….[tears] let’s hope we keep track of all our possessions traveling to/from Barbados.)

Cute airport photo inspo — girls together, luggage around, passport and boarding pass in-hand.

In my own experience, it was easy as the 5 steps listed above, but please, if you’re confused about anything, please check the government website: How to Apply for A Passport.

I’m ready to be like, “all my b!+ches international, YAAS!”

Okay, go apply, bye!

Upcoming

Yeah, the girls’ trip is coming up swiftly, but that’s not all I’m talking about when titling this Luxury Caribbean Girls Trip post Upcoming.

Some of you have been asking questions and offering suggestions for our December vacation, which I kindly appreciate, and I want you to rest assured the answers are on their way.

As many times as Gabrielle has come by me in L.A., or I’ve met her in other cities, I’m knowing she knew the answer to her question before she asked it.

It’s a relief to know y’all with all the extra sh*t. !! @ Kelsey

In upcoming posts over the next couple of months, you’ll find:

  • a reminder.. YOU NEED A VALID PASSPORT!

  • why your engagement before the trip matters

  • whatchu go’in do?! — don’t wait ‘til January to start New Year’s resolutions, go’on ‘head get yo’ finest before this big a** trip you got coming up!!)

  • outfits themes / color schemes

  • photo inspo for Caribbean, Black girl luxury aesthetic

  • group TikTok/InstaReel ideas (y’all the ones that be on that.. here’s a collection of links y’all been sending me so we can have everybody’s suggestions all in one easy-to-find place)

  • possible activities, excursions on the island

  • tentative, loose schedule of week

  • layout of suites at private villa

  • packing checklist

I sound sassy, but Breezy knows I love her.

We’re taking it one step at a time, still collecting some last payments.

No stone will go unturned, I promise. Stay on my tail though because Lord knows time seems to elude me with ease. [nervous droplet of sweat on forehead]

This is a running (changeable) list. If anything comes to your mind that should get its own post, let me know!

Related: Gang, Gang, In This Thang!

I’ll close by saying, THANK YOU CECILY FOR BEING THEE ONLY PERSON TO FULLY READ THE PREVIOUS POST! Cecily left a comment on the post (as I groveled for from my knees). Cecily is a nice girl and should be showered with roses. The rest of you are whores and can eat a rotten banana.

Up, Up, and Away... But Wait

image credit: Miami Airport MIA

Ladies!

We’re looking at flights.

Our girls trip is so far away, yet so close. A giant vein in my forehead has almost popped completely out as I monitor constantly changing flight prices. I’ve put together a basic flight info collection form so I’m ready when it’s the most opportune time to book.

As of the evening of Monday, July 12th, flights I’m eyeballing are currently:

  • $589/person departing MIA Tuesday evening and returning Sunday evening

  • $881/person departing MIA Tuesday evening and returning Monday evening

  • $976/person departing MIA Tuesday morning and returning Monday evening

When I gave the estimated $2,050/person trip cost, as I mentioned in the original pitch, it was based on research that a flight to Barbados would be around $500 (and that was me rounding up). No one could’ve predicted what’s going on in the world right now with Russia and oil prices, or whatever tf scam these gas companies and airlines have going on.

Math never having been my strong suit, I quoted you all too low of a price, but that’s my fault, so I’m going to take care of it. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure your price will not change.

$2,050/person for 3 people in a suite
$2,550/person for 2 people in a suite

Okay, I was about to go on some more, but I tend to explain too much. This was already probably too much. Y’all don’t need to stress about all the details and workings and movings and whatnot.

God is good. Everything will work out perfectly! Amen?! Amen.

All I need to know from y’all is your preference of departure and return.

For the best financial outcome for the whole, I may be able to put half the group on one flight and half the group on another.

I’ve also requested you enter your government name, date of birth, and email, for my own ease when it’s time for me to enter each group passengers’ basic info to get us ticketed and confirmed seats. Responses to this Google form are only viewable by creator (me, lol).

Please click below to fill out the form.

Caribbean 2022 Girls’ Trip Group Passenger Basic Flight Info Form

Please note the keyword is preference. I will combine each person’s preference with what works best for the whole. If we don’t get 21 girls, and no one wants to pay an additional $500 to be 2 people per suite, all of our lil’ cute behinds will head home on the flight departing Sunday (or whatever is least expensive at the time of ticketing). I’ve put a lot of thought into solutions/best options. I appreciate you all for your flexibility and understanding of any tweaks.

Okay, lemme go before I get ta rambling..

I look forward to see you all rolling your luggage down the corridors of Miami International Airport!

Come Thruuuu Payments! We're Halfway There!

Firstly, let me thank you again for embarking on this luxury group travel experience with me.  Much research, calculations, (and possibly, a partial sacrifice of my soul) is going into achieving the most high quality accommodations at the most affordable price for the whole.  Receiving an invitation to another group trip, that's going to be half the length, not as exquisite, yet the same cost, brought it to my attention that I did my shit with the plans for this trip.  I'm immensely grateful to have a group of great girls to help what was only an idea come to fruition.

private villas only i don't go near a result real example of a private villa nowhere near a resort in barbados west indies

We'll be enjoying ourselves abroad at a world-class luxury, real private villa.

(I added real because people love to quote Drake, "private villas only; I don't go near a resort," whole time they're on a resort.  It's me, I'm people.  I was quoting Drake, as if I even listen to him, while talking about our place in Jamaica, not even realizing, or willfully ignoring, the difference between where we were and what Drake was really talking about.  This go 'round, we'll be able to quote Drake's line in its full truth.  Where we're staying for our 2022 Caribbean Girls Trip, La Maison Michelle, is a real private villa; it's a standalone property, literally nowhere near a resort.  And don't get me wrong, ya girl loves a good resort, but it wouldn't be right if I didn't differentiate what we're doing this December: next-level luxury!)

Related: Semi-private villa in Jamaica

How are we doing on the payment plan for our private villa paradise vacation?

We agreed to do 6 payments of $341 towards the original pitch total of $2,050 per person.  (Y'all paying 6 payments of $341 actually equals $2,046, but whatever, I didn't feel like nickel-and-dime'ing, so I'll absorb the additional 50-something bucks with my expenses).  

6 payments of $341

Related: Twenty-FINE-ally (20s Finale) Girls Trip Pitch

After getting the final 14 solidified with an initial payment by the end of January, we said we'd continue monthly payments in March.  As it's now the last day of April (at the time of this girls trip section blog post), we should have all made 3 of 6 payments.

Y’all tickle me.

We're on our way to a luxury stay!

We're waiting on a few, but in theory, we're halfway thru paying for our 6-day escape to paradise island.

January - payment 1 of 6 - passed
March - payment 2 of 6 - passed
April - payment 3 of 6 - passed
May - payment 4 of 6 - MAKE PAYMENT
June - payment 5 of 6 - MAKE PAYMENT
July - payment 6 of 6 - MAKE PAYMENT

Important: Persons not paid in full 120 days prior to departure will forfeit their spot at the private villa and their monies paid.

If something has come up, and you don't plan on making any more payments, I will NOT be upset; all I ask is that you let me know now, in order for me to prepare myself (or my jaws.. my mind is made up, this private villa paradise go' get paid for one way or another; jokes aside, we'll find a way to move forward without you).  

As a reminder, the group decided we are not issuing any refunds under any circumstances; if you're backing out, we thank you in advance for your donation.

bajan superstar rihanna playfully biting stack of money

Barbados native, now international superstar, Rihanna, knows that money matters.

Shortly after receiving this general update, each traveler will receive a separate message with their specific payment history, to make sure you and I are on the same page.

View it again:  Our Private Villa's AirBnB Luxe Listing
View it again: These Final 14 Said "Private Villa Me, Please"

Our Private Villa's AirBnB Luxe Listing

Hey ladies,

I hope the pitch I gave was giving “Black women in luxury”, because that’s very much so what it’ll be. The property we’ll be calling ours is a part of AirBnB’s Luxe category, boasting “extraordinary homes with five-star everything.”

Here’s the link to our private villa’s AirBnB listing: Dining Inclusive Villa on the Platinum Coast. You can browse through pictures and descriptions of the property, as well as what’s included with our luxury stay.

I didn’t share the exact location with anyone before receiving the first installment because if they’re not going, they can stay out of our business until we feel like sharing it with the world. This section of the website will remain unlisted, at least until after we go and return. That way, no one (we don’t share it with) will know the ins and outs of our plans until after they’ve transpired.

I will use this page to keep everybody on the same page. See the next post to meet your housemates!

our living room | photo: AirBnB Luxe

To go back to the main page, click here: December 2022 Girls Trip blog home page. (Everything is linked to each other because there’s no navigation menu, being that these pages aren’t listed to the public; they’re only accessed by direct link.)