5 Ways To Exude Caribbean Style At Home

Now that it’s officially summer, many of you may be planning chic beachside getaways for the season. I recently took a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico and now that I’m back stateside I’m still yearning for that carefree Caribbean style that always puts me at ease. One thing I noticed about the Caribbean is that aside from being a haven of relaxation, people there really work to live instead of living to work. There’s a clear difference, and I think just taking a few cues from this philosophy can help reduce stress and help you live a happier life. Here are some fun & easy ways to bring carefree Caribbean style home, long after the vacay:

1. Wear your favorite beachside maxi dress on a non-beach day.

Beachwear doesn’t necessarily have to be for beachside occasions. Pairing your favorite maxi dress or printed beach cover-up with the proper undergarments and accessories can give it new life, even when you’re not kicking up sand.

Maxi dresses are my absolute favorite. I dress them up for a night out or pare them down with flats for daytime.

2. Unwind with Malibu Island Spiced cocktails.

Cocktails might be my favorite part about poolside lounging while I’m on vacation. Rum, the quintessential liquor for island gals like myself, is a great base for fun & fruity drinks. Enjoy them out with your friends or in the comfort of your home. I really love the new Malibu Island Spiced rum. It has such a unique flavor infused with coconut, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. And get this, it’s sweetened with Truvia® so there are only 70 calories per serving. Flavorful and guilt-free? I was sold.

Malibu’s website has a really great list of special cocktails you can mix using Malibu Island Spiced. For my island-themed night at home, I mixed two of their signature cocktails – the Spiced on Ice, the Sparkling Spiced and a variation of the Chaise Lounge using Orange Juice instead of Pineapple. Here’s what I did:

Spiced on Ice is literally just 1 serving of Malibu Island Spiced over ice, garnished with lemon:

Sparkling Spiced (another low-calorie cocktail) is 1 parts Malibu Island Spice and 2 parts sparkling water:

Chaise Lounge is 1 and 1/2 parts Malibu Island Spiced and 3 parts pineapple juice, which I substituted for OJ instead:

3. Try a traditional Caribbean recipe.

One of my favorite west-Indian dishes is jerk chicken. My dad is Jamaican so I grew up eating this at home. Though it’s spicy, it tastes amazing. Depending on what recipe you use, it’s quite easy to make milder versions of this. The key to a great jerked chicken dish is in the marinade. You should let your chicken soak for at least 8 hours before broiling, grilling or baking it.


4. Bump your favorite reggae tracks.

I grew up on Sanchez and Beres Hammond. Something about smooth reggae tunes puts me in another place. This is a surefire way to bring the sun & sand of the Caribbean to your living room. Put on some of your favorite reggae tunes and get into the groove.

5. Paint your nails turquoise.

I think one of the reasons turquoise and other blue-green shades are my favorites to put on my fingers and toes is because they remind me of the ocean! I’m a believer in the power of beauty putting you in a good mood. I could be having the most horrible day but bright colors on my fingers and toes immediately lighten my mood. Try out a new aqua shade and don’t worry – be happy.

How do you exude care-free Caribbean style when you’re back stateside? 
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SIP EASY. ENJOY MALIBU RESPONSIBLY.
MALIBU ® Caribbean Rum with Coconut Liqueur & Natural Spices, with Truvia® Sweetener. 30% Alc./Vol. (60 Proof) ©2013 Imported by Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, NY
Truvia® and the Truvia®  logo are registered trademarks of the Truvia Company LLC.
PER 1.5 FL. OZ. SERVING. AVERAGE ANALYSIS: CALORIES 70; CARBOHYDRATES less than 1 gram; PROTEIN 0 grams; FAT 0 grams.
*when mixed with your favorite zero calorie mixer. Limes and other garnishes may add calories

Christina Brown

Lifestyle influencer and digital mompreneur Christina S. Brown is a New York native, LA resident, and the founder of LoveBrownSugar.com and BrownGirlsLove. She's an award-winning storyteller, a motivational speaker and an advocate for confident millennial black women.

126 Comments

  1. Wonderful article … I think you’ve gotten our vibe. Next time, I hope you get a chance to visit my island, St.Lucia or visit any other of the English, Spanish or French Caribbean islands.

  4. I exude carefree caribbean style by wearing bronzer. It’s my way of keeping my skin glowing, and looking fresh from a trip from the caribbean. I also wear floppy hats. works like magic!

  20. I love wearing a cute kate spade type dress with wedge heels! Color helps the care free in my come out!!

    rachelmarietravis at gmail dot com

  28. I love cooking up some Hawaiian or Caribbean dishes and imagine I’m on the island with sunshine and beaches. 🙂 Of course, with a glass of Malibu cocktail while enjoying the food is a must!

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  53. I like to wear tropical prints, wear light clothes, like dresses and wear open shoes and sandles.
    Thanks so much.
    rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

  63. Oh I love lots of the tropical flowers! I plant quite a few in the summer…and love the floral prints!
    landfjacobson @ charter.net

  84. I stay close to the rum, as far from stress as possible- and wear my sandals for as long as theres no snow on the ground 😉

  87. By having cocktails on the deck. Makes me feel a little beachy with a fruity drink in my hand!
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

  97. I am all about colors and enjoying serene and peaceful times by our nearby lake.
    tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com

  98. I live in Florida so I feel as though I constantly have a beachy vibe about me… I have the wavy hair, the beach wardrobe, the sunkissed skin and hair, it’s a pretty fantastic life living on the Gulf of Mexico…. I moved here two years ago and prior to living here I would embrace the beach stateside by enjoying pool days with friends and spending time drinking fun drinks like pina colodas!

  100. Lounging on the deck with the grill going and a drink in hand while watching the sunset. That’s relaxing!

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

  102. I try to be as carefree as possible. It doesn’t help to stress over everything. Thank you!
    crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

  117. thischickwins said:

    i wear my old “Puerto Rico” embroidered bracelet

    thischickwins at gmail dot com