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I Got My Life After Trying A French Resort...In Jamaica
Some might say I'm a Jamaica fanatic, and I'm okay wearing that crown. I'm crazy in love with the island and I won't apologize for it. I fell for "the land of wood and water" 20 whole years ago after a cruise to Ocho Rios with a friend's family. I’d never really liked cruises, but when I found out the destination, I just couldn't say no. The trip was both enlightening and stifling since, many of my family and friends—a loud and feisty mix of Black American and Caribbean women mostly—were always the all-inclusive-resort-only, we-only-travel-to-Jamaica-on-a-ship, don't-mix-with-di-rastas-dem type of people.
I knew, back then, that I'd return on my own terms, get all up in the local mix, and create adventures of my own.
I even rebelled with the parish I chose to frequent since my folks were Saint Andrew (Kingston) and Saint Ann (Ocho Rios) enthusiasts. Westmoreland is my all-time favorite parish, and I’ve tried almost every type of tourist or digital nomad experience (other than ziplining and the like, which I refuse to do but will gladly watch). From staying at hotels and Airbnbs overlooking the beautiful cliffs of Negril’s West End and locally owned boutique spots along the alluring shores of its Seven Mile Beach to the enjoying countryside rivers and ranch-style living in Sav-la-Mar and Ft. William, journeying through the lush bush of Bluefields, seeking out the mysteries of Blue Hole, and everything in between.
So when I was told about a French restaurant and resort in Negril, my eyebrow immediately went up. French? In Jamaica? Why? How? Charela Inn came on my radar, and I knew I had to give it a try. I mean, I’d tried sushi (yes, authentic Japanese sushi, and outside of a resort buffet, at that), and French cuisine has been a favorite of mine since I started studying the language at 12. Let’s just say, a sis got her entire life being transported into a utopie française right on the beach. It was like being in two countries at one time, with a special mix of Caribbean swag and European je ne sais quoi, an experience, that, as the saying suggests, can’t be aptly put into words but can transform the way you think about vacationing in Jamaica.
Biency Reid
Charela Inn has been in operation for 43 years, one of the longest-running hotels on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, and expanded from a 10-room property to one of more than 50 rooms that have garden and sea views. “We just tried to create a place where everyone feels welcome. You feel like you’re visiting family, and you’re able to meet people from all over the world here,” said Daniel Grizzle, a Jamaican-born farmer, and the hotel's owner. He bought the property in 1980 and began running the inn with his wife, Sylvie, who had a love for cooking and brought her own French recipes to the hotel’s menu. His wife passed away in 2017, but her legacy of instilling an appreciation for French culture and cuisine lives on.
“My mother was a great cook, and he loves good food,” said Grizzle’s daughter, Sophie, who also works in the business. “Today, he’s always challenged our chefs here, and he’ll say, ‘I went to France, and I had this, so we’re going to try and make it.’“ The family continues to push boundaries, offering tastings that include classic French dishes like escargot (a delish fav of mine that I don’t mind telling you is snails sopped in delectable butter and herbs), offering fresh fruit juice in their rum punches (versus the pre-mixed stuff you might be used to getting at a resort) and serving crepes for breakfast. It all makes for a divine experience in what I think to be the best of both worlds in my wildest foodie fantasy. (And you can’t tell me that there’s any better food than the dishes you find in Jamaican or France. I debate you not.)
Check out three major highlights of my time there and why you should add this to your next trip itinerary for my favorite island in the world:
A Graceful Welcome
Ever thought about how you might be welcomed into a chateau if you had the luxury of living in or staying at one? Charela offers that vibe as soon as you step on the property. There’s an open driveway area and a porter who stands on a small winding staircase to welcome you, and later take your suitcases to your room.
Now, if you’re a resort girl, you might think: Well, I get welcomed with champagne or a margarita when I stay at Insert Bland All-Inclusive Hotel Name Here. This is different. You feel like the place is all yours and you’re not just a number among hoards of tourists who will be staying at the same hotel, breathing the same air, hovering over the same buffet, and crowding the same pools as you. There’s an air of exclusivity that’s both welcoming, peaceful, and special upon entering Charela, like visiting your favorite relative for a private staycation.
Locally Cultivated and Beautifully Crafted Artistry, Landscaping and Decor
The property is dominated by beautiful woodwork, specifically the in-room dressers and veranda doors, window and door arches, many of which were custom made by local artists and woodworkers. Even the door handles add a French antique-like touch to the rooms, and the cream marbled hue of the floors, the bathroom bowl basin (another nod to a popular French style), and the whirlpool tub just set things off that much more for an experience unlike other popular boutique hotels on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach. Even the key you’re given to your room is attached to a silver engraved tag with your room number on it.
Another awesome factor of the decor of this place was that the building itself sent my mind back to being in awe of the awnings and structure elements you might find walking down Paris streets in the 6th and 7th arrondissement and visiting cafes like Le Saint Germain or Cafe de Flore.
You’ve still got your bright tropical colored drapes and accents that just make being in Jamaica feel like paradise, and all of this is French rendezvous at its best, smack dab in the middle of palm trees, Caribbean breezes, and scents of salt, beef patties, and jerk chicken mixing perfectly nearby.
Biencey Reid
A Refreshing Nod to Fine Dining That's Sorely Missed
Their Le Vendome Restaurant, adds a special draw to the actual hotel and many people come, via reservation, just to dine when in town. When you sit down to eat, no matter what time of day, you’ll have a white napkin laid on your lap, water is offered, and the staff caters to you with kindness and, of course, a bit of soul. There’s a farm-to-table factor as well, as many of their dishes are made with ingredients like grass-fed beef from their local farm.
Dinner was a standout moment for me. We sat literally a few feet from the beach, watched the sunset, listened to live renditions of both Top 40 and reggae classics with a live band, and enjoyed a five-course meal over candlelight once the sun finally set. The portions are elegantly plated, and there’s even a five-course dinner option that can be adjusted based on your tastes. Champagne and wine bottles are chilled in silver buckets and served just like you’d be at any top-tier restaurant in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles except the difference is, again, you get that one-of-a-kind vibe of Caribbean allure that is Jamaica.
I enjoyed every course, but I particularly loved the soupe à l'oignon (French onion soup) served with their in-house-made bread and cheese, to the salad, to the vol-au-vent (a flaky pastry with a creamy mushroom-and-chicken filling) to the cotelettes d’agneau (lamb chops in wine sauce) with cheesy cauliflower, yam fries, carrots and string beans. They have their own versions of Jamaican mainstays as well. Their curry shrimp, for example, had a delicate flavor of curry and cream and had a spice that while not quite traditional, gave you a sense of fusions of flavors that just hit different for your tastebuds.
Trust me, if you want an experience outside of the usual enjoyment of the larger resorts, the smaller, traditionally Jamaican hotel hotspots, or your auntie’s house a yard, Charela Inn is a refreshing retreat that will have you Googling how to say, “Wha Gwan,” and “Yea Mon” in French without feeling like a total idiot. If not that, at least you’ll get to try something off the beaten path to add to your list of Caribbean escapades abroad.
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Featured image by Biencey Reid
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
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The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
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Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
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Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
In today’s economy, we’re always looking for ways to stretch every dollar. However, the allure of new gadgets, trendy clothes, and the latest dining spots can often lead to impulsive spending. An iced latte here and an Uber Eats delivery there, topped off by a spontaneous online order can add up over time.
For those seeking to curb frivolous expenses and adopt a more mindful approach to their finances, participating in a no-spend month could be the solution to gaining control over their spending.
What is the No-Spend Challenge?
The no-spend challenge is a personal finance exercise where individuals commit to not spending money on non-essential items for a specific period. This could mean cutting off a subscription service, limiting your nights out for drinks, pulling back on online shopping, and holding off on big, spontaneous purchases to see how much you’d save over the month. The challenge encourages participants to evaluate their spending habits, identify areas of unnecessary expenditure, and redirect their financial focus toward savings and debt reduction.
This spending requires one to differentiate between needs and wants, with the base necessities being food, transportation, housing, essential bills, and medical/mental health expenses.
Preparing for a No-Spend Challenge
When embarking on a no-spend month, proper preparation is key to ensure you make the most out of the experience.
Financial expert and founder of The Frugal Feminista, Kara Stephens, says that having a compelling “why” can serve as a motivator to endure the ups and downs of the challenge, especially if it's your first time. “Have a clear idea of what your goals and outcomes are for the challenge. Do you want to be grateful for what you have? Do you want to save a certain amount of money?” she tells xoNecole. “Know what's going to be your ‘after-no-spend challenge' sustainability plan because we're hoping that your habits and your perspective on spending are changing and that you find a way to make that a part of your life after the challenge.”
One of the initial catalysts for the recent popularity of the no-spend challenge is to combat “revenge spending.” This spending habit, triggered by the “life is short” reality of the pandemic, has caused many of us to want to make up for lost time or missed experiences, which can lead to reckless financial decisions and jeopardize future stability.
Because of this, Stephen advises us to reframe our thinking around revenge spending to avoid putting our financial future at risk.
“Try and shift your perspective on revenge spending and say, yes, I want to live my best life, but how can I spend it responsibly?” she says. “How can I revenge spend on a budget? How can I remove the idea of revenge spending from my lexicon and just live well and plan systematically so it doesn't take away from my future financial goals?”
Benefits of A No-Spend Month
Taking part in a no-spend month has a number of benefits, one of which is the self-awareness and gratitude you gain by cutting out non-essential purchases. “You’re more financially self-aware because you're only thinking about what you deem as essentials,” Stephens says. “It can also make you more resourceful because you have to use what you have in your home, rather than going out and shopping.”
Those who take part in the challenge often find they become more intentional with their purchases, distinguishing between what they truly need and what they can do without. The money saved over this course of time can then be redirected towards paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or being put into a sinking fund.
Due to the rigid nature of the challenge, Stephens says that it’s important to have a sustainable framework to follow the no-spend challenge to avoid reverting to old habits. “It can be like "yo-yo dieting,” she explains. “If you were very strict for a certain period, but didn’t create any type of habit or change of mind to continue with it, you could resort back to revenge spending, ironically.”
Things to Keep In Mind
While it may seem like just another financial trend, taking part in a no-spend month can provide precious data about not just how much money you spend but also your mindset and relationship around money. You can observe how your feelings about money change and highlight areas of improvement. Alternatively, you can even start a sinking fund that allows you to put money aside for large purchases or personal experiences.
Ultimately, it’s not that spending money is bad, it’s about how you approach spending in a responsible way that ensures your financial security and success in the long run.
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