Crucian-born Shanya Williams always had a passion for fashion. Her worldly travels deepened her love for this form of self-expression in a way she never expected. After visiting places like Thailand, Australia, Costa Rica and Caribbean islands like St. Lucia and Jamaica, Williams was “intrigued by the different cultures and how they represent fashion.” Enter Kasavah – a bohemian lifestyle boutique with a modern twist. This intimate space nestled in the historic Caravelle Arcade in downtown Christiansted features earth-friendly, eco-friendly apparel and accessories for women and children. Kasavah’s style offers modern hipster vibes with an edgy twist. “My goal for Kasavah was to make it appealing to a wide range of people,” said Williams, “and introduce a style that was different from the norm found on St. Croix.”
Williams knew having a business on St. Croix was going to be a challenge. That’s why she didn’t hesitate to open the boutique during the throes of a global pandemic. “This was a personal goal for me to open during the pandemic,” said Williams. “If we can get through this and be successful, we can literally do anything.” Opened on November 27th, 2020, Kasavah was welcomed with open arms by locals and visitors to the island with an unwavering support that surprised Williams. It became clear that many craved this free-spirited, hipster apparel and there was truly something for everyone.
Shopping at Kasavah is more than a shopping experience but a lifestyle! When you enter the boutique, you will quickly discover that every garment and accessory is a statement piece. The featured brands in Kasavah originate from countries and continents that many on St. Croix wouldn’t normally gravitate towards. Additionally, the clothing for most of the brands are rooted in sustainability and made with organic materials.
Kasavah is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm. For more information and to shop online, visit their website at www.Kasavah.com. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates on what’s happening in and around the boutique.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Question: What kinds of technology will you use to help sell my property?
Chris’s Answer: The technology we use to represent your property will greatly depend on the property, and how we feel we can best create a complete, accurate, and visually interesting listing. We may use different equipment, including a drone, a gimbal, and a Matterport camera.
Photos and Video are the backbone of any listing. Having great, attractive, well lit photos is, of course, a must and video is crucial in walkthroughs of the property or showing the wonderful sweeping views that many properties on St. Croix have. Still photos just don’t have the same impact as video to show the beauty of the Caribbean panoramas of clouds, waves and on a clear day, the neighboring islands.
Drones are very common these days, and create wonderful photos and videos which can give buyers a better idea of the property. A sweeping video either from overhead, or at an angle, give a dramatic representation of land, homes, or a condo complexes. Sometimes land is very overgrown. A drone can give a buyer a better understanding of the terrain and view. It can show the proximity to the beach. And, if there is more than one building on the property, a drone photo or video can show where each building is located on the lot.
drone footage from our recently sold lots at 72EB and 72EC Clairmont
Gimbals stabilize a camera while walking or driving so that the video is very smooth. We use this for walking through the property, walking around the outside of the property, or driving the neighborhood. We might show a pathway to the beach, the way to the pool, what the property looks like from the street, or anything else we feel could be of interest.
Matterport Cameras create a 3D self guided tour where a potential buyer can see the entire interior – from floor to ceiling as if walking through the condo or home in person. The viewer clicks on a spot, and the video takes them to the exact spot. It also creates a “doll house” image so that the property is viewed as a whole (as in the adjoining photo).
Question: What’s the most important thing I can do to help me sell my property?
Christie’s Answer: DE-CLUTTER! As buyers search, they want to visualize themselves living in the property. The photos and videos we take should show what you are selling. It’s best that your property is as uncluttered as possible! If you already have plans to paint or make any repairs, those things should be done before the photos and videos are taken. That way, when people see your home, it will be more attractive, and ready for sale. Sometimes there are needed repairs which will not be made prior to sale. That’s OK. We can mention them in the listing, and inform buyers that either the repairs are scheduled to be done before the sale closes, or that the repairs won’t be done, and they are buying the property as is.
If you have more questions about selling your home, contact us!
Studio 360 is your one stop shop for wellness on St. Croix. This state-of-the-art chiropractic wellness and movement center combines chiropractic wellness care with a functional fitness center. Together, these pieces create an environment that supports the goal of helping the body heal itself. Designed with holistic wellness in mind, Studio 360 owners Amanda & Kendall Holmes opened the center in late 2017 after the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria. “Right after we unloaded the equipment into the space, Irma came with little to no damage and Maria soon after,” said Amanda. Unfortunately, hurricane Maria’s 175-mph winds caused catastrophic damage to the island. Although everything was still in plastic, their plans on opening were delayed due to the storm.
Despite the delay, Amanda and Kendall were determined to open Studio 360. With no power for 4 months, they provided personal training sessions at their home and did wellness visits at the studio in the heat. Amanda stated how badly people wanted care after dealing with the stress of the storms. “This is why we train – to stay healthy.” In doing so, the couple was able to help many and be resilient during the tough times post hurricanes. Creating a healthy community is the purpose and mission at Studio 360 because “a happy community equals healthy people.”
Studio 360 stands out from other fitness centers with their focus on functional movement, which is a new area of exercise, and wellness. The studio strives to help patients achieve an optimal level of wellness where they’re not coming in because of an issue but maintaining overall health before an issue occurs. In addition to the chiropractic wellness session and fitness classes, Studio 360 offers acupuncture, massage therapy, diet and nutrition consultation and reiki, a relaxation, stress reduction and holistic energy healing practice that helps manage health and wellbeing. Their specialty equipment is also one of their standout features, most specifically the K-Mill 360 which was created and designed by Kendall. This multi-directional treadmill allows for movement in all 360 degrees where one can burn up to 52% more calories than walking alone. Using this one-of-a-kind piece of equipment allows muscle utilization in all the ranges they were designed to move, creating a balance physique, stimulated nervous system and improved posture.
Studio 360 is located at Five Corners in Estate La Grande Princess in the old National Guard Building. For more information about Studio 360, visit their website at www.studio360vi.com or give them a call at (340) 514-8376.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
The White-crowned Pigeon is a near threatened species and we have been seeing them in our front yard! Christie lays out seeds for them and we enjoy their occasional visits. Coincidentally, we came across an article by writer and photographer Robbie Lisa Freeman in the Los Angeles Audubon that mention the White-crowned Pigeon on St. Croix. Freeman is doing a series about birding in the US Virgin Islands and part 1 documents the birds she saw at St. Croix’s Southgate Coastal Reserve and more from her birdwatching experience.
As pointed out in the article, St. Croix has a lot of sweet spots for birdwatching. The Southgate Reserve, St. George Botanical Garden, the East End Nature Preserve and Marine Park, Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, Buck Island Reef National Monument, The Nature Conservancy’s Estate Little Princess preserve, and more have been designated as wildlife sanctuaries to protect nesting habitat and destinations for birdwatchers to admire these amazing creatures.
We encourage you to read the full article here, and we can’t wait to read the rest of the series when it publishes! You can follow Freeman on Instagram @freebird2020LF to see her birding images.
