thank you, [April]
from sint maarten to castara and everything in between
Hello beautiful people,
Welcome to another monthly round-up. I found that all April I was excited to note down the pieces of my life I felt compelled to share with all of you. Thank you in advance for the gift of your readership!
Enjoy xx
April, overall
The older we get the more it feels like time is moving faster and April flew by for me. I started the month in one country and ended it another, dealt with airport racism, moments of deep joy, meaningful work, rest and the gift of friendship.
What I Read
Vagabonds by Eloghosa Osunde - I first purchased this book in 2023 on my first trip to New York City and while I was excited to read it, I couldn’t get into it on my first couple tries. I told myself “fret not” for I knew the moment would come. April 2026 was that moment in time.
I can say without a doubt - I love this book. Eloghosa engages in non-linear storytelling and that was a bit new for me, it required me to keep up and not rest on my laurels. As a Nigerian author, she used Nigerian language, slang and turns of phrase throughout the book and I was able to find a connection to my own Caribbean heritage through language while reading the book aloud to myself. I posted a video about that here and that definitely made me love it more.
When was the last time you read aloud, if ever, to yourself?
The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. Le. Guin - I was gifted this book at a meeting I attended in the last couple days of April. I read all 40 pages in the blink of an eye.
I’d briefly read/heard about this theory of fiction but never actually sat with it until now. Ursula K. Le. Guin proposes that before we as humans began hunting and by extension made tools for that, we gathered instead. We made containers, a basket, a home, a net. She proposes that fiction is actually a tool for holding. It encourages us to think beyond domination, thinking more about care, collection, journey and interconnectedness as central as storytelling.
What I Wore
April was apparently a FARM Rio month — I wore three different dresses from the brand, all while in Sint Maarten. I paired the green dress with this unique bag from Lyvelle, a Kittitian brand I’ve been loving lately. I matched the shell dress with the perfect matching clutch, while the final dress was styled with earrings from Aya Styler, a Trinidadian jewelry brand.
What I Watched
Hamilton
I am now a converted Hamilton fan. I am fascinated by the connections our brains make because the connection between Hamilton’s life and hip-hop is certainly not a connection we all are making off the cuff but it works & brilliantly too. It reminded me of the power of perspective and what becomes possible when people draw from their own lived experiences to reinterpret history, culture, and storytelling. Lin Manuel Miranda definitely took creative liberties in telling this story but I must admit that Hamilton’s audacity and willingness to go after what he desired resonated with me. I too, refuse to throw away my shot!
American Horror Story: Coven
The horror genre is not really a place I find myself frequenting but my beloved friend, Mariah and I sat down to watch this together. Let me say this right now - everybody in this show suffered a severe case of ‘hot crotch’ & it impacted all of their decisions. It was very stressful to witness. Couldn’t somebody conjure a rose or something so they could experience post nut-clarity? Everybody was horny and making bad decisions (we’ve all been there, I suppose). I did enjoy the storytelling, one of my favourite aspects of this show was the technical elements - camera angles, lenses and sound effects all made for a compelling show. The next season of AHS returns in September and it’s back in the Coven universe and I will be giving it a watch to see what my horny ladies are up to.
You, Me & Tuscany
Confession: This is the first time I’ve watched a movie solo in a cinema.
I really enjoyed it, I enjoy Halle Bailey as an actress and I haven’t seen Regé-Jean Page on my screen since Bridgerton S1 and he is a sight to behold. I love the way rom-coms lean into desire, emotion and rarely ever follow a linear path which love and life rarely ever follow as well. While I was at the cinema, I opted to turn off my phone and fully immerse myself in the experience and it was such a delightful way to be present and pour into myself.
Plus, I’ve decided I’m calling in romantic love into my life & this was a great way to do that.
What I Got Up To
I started April—and Easter—in the beautiful island of Sint Maarten and had an absolutely delightful time. That trip was where I was introduced to both Hamilton and AHS: Coven, shoutout to Mariah.
While there, I:
tried acupuncture for the first time,
shopped for pieces I’m now obsessed with,
judged an oyster soup competition,
rode a motorbike (T-Max team, where you at?!),
and met up with some of SXM’s creators at Hanami for an amazing dinner.
I’ve now been to SXM three times, so let me know if you’d like a dedicated post with recommendations and details.
I’m also hoping to return next year for Carnival. Officially, it runs from April 15 – May 3, but the peak period is April 24 – May 1, with the major parade days taking place on April 30 and May 1
Check out the creators (l-r) Melissa, Joanni, Tracy, Rahul & Serena
I’m on a self proclaimed press tour and April’s leg took me to TVJ’s Smile Jamaica for their Caribbean Check-In series. The segment was short and sweet and I’m immensely grateful that I show up as my authentic self and doors open for me.
I like to publicly name my desires so on that note, I would like to be featured on my regional morning shows so let’s make that happen! You can watch the segment here and while you’re watching subscribe to my YouTube channel.
I hosted my friend Celene (@thefentyhorse) and did a seacuterie board for the perfect girl dinner with goodies I got from Roca.
I ended April in the beautiful island of Tobago. Before I even got there, I experienced an overtly racist encounter at Piarco International Airport involving an older German couple. I’m deeply grateful to my friend Chanelle for getting the airport police involved and to the officers who handled the situation flawlessly. It was a reminder that racism and superiority complexes travel with people, crossing borders just as easily as they do.
Still, Tobago was a dream, the first couple days were focused on work and meetings and then I slipped away by myself for a few days to the beautiful village of Castara. I spent my days reading, writing, sleeping, swimming, eating, creating, self-pleasuring & reflecting all while being surrounded by the ocean, rainforest and bird song. I’ve written about Tobago before, but I think Castara deserves its own dedicated piece. The town feels suspended in time in the most beautiful way.
What I Ate
Oyster Soup – While I was in Sint Maarten, I had the pleasure of judging an Oyster Soup Competition as part of their carnival festivities. A local delicacy, oyster soup is creamy, rich, and a staple of carnival booth culture. I love oysters, so this was a joy to experience, and Booth #32 absolutely deserves their flowers
Dirt/Clay Oven Bread – While in Castara, I tried bread baked on the beach in a dirt/clay oven and I could have easily had another piece right then and there. Made with pumpkin, coconut, cassava, and wheat, it was flavourful, grounding, and didn’t leave me feeling the way I usually do after eating bread.
Black Truffle Cheddar Cheese – For my seacuterie board, I expected the sardines to be the highlight, but the cheese stole the show. Rich, savoury, creamy, and effortlessly melt-in-your-mouth.
more please (what I want more of)
To wake up in beautiful places feeling calm and at ease
romance
April’s Nails
melodies of the month
Thank you for reflecting on April with me.
And if something here made you pause or reflect, you can buy me a matcha or send support via PayPal. Your support helps me keep writing and sharing these reflections as I move through life — one post, one small leap at a time.