Are You a Cover Girl?

Although I didn’t have one of these cute cover-ups while on my mini-Miami vacay, I will definitely pack one on my next trip to the beach. These super chic sarongs, tunics and swim dresses are perfect for the BG who doesn’t want to bare it all, but still wants to look fashionably beach-ready.

Do you like to bare your body on the beach or are you more of a cover girl?


City Style Beaded Trim Sarong available at www.newyorkandco.com for $18.71


Embroidered Boho Cover-up Tunic available at www.victoriassecret.com for $85


Feather Swirl Coastal Kaftan available at www.althea.gap.com for $89


Love Shop Stacy Beaded Tunic available at Intermix for $89-119


Michael Kors Point Break Tunic available at www.lordandtaylor.com for $29.99


O Beach Salsa Cover-up available at www.figleaves.com for $23.10


Plunge Cover-up Tunic available at www.victoriassecret.com for $22.99


O Beach Wahine Cover-up available at www.figleaves.com for $23.10


Strapless Ruffle Cover- Up available at www.victoriassecret.com for $24

Get Moving!

For those of you who have been procrastinating when it comes to working out, there’s no better time to start than now! With summer in full-swing, there are so many outdoor options for exercising. I know that many of us BGs put off working out to preserve our ‘dos, but our health should always come first. Doing at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week will keep those pesky pounds away and our hearts healthy.

What’s your favorite work-out routine? Do you prefer bike riding, jogging, swimming, etc? For those BGs with relaxed tresses, do you oftentimes forgo working out in an effort to keep your lovely locks straight?

**Btw, the winner of the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask is Calming Corners. Please email me your mailing address. You will have 7 days from today to respond, otherwise, I will have to select another winner. Congrats!

As Cool as a Cucumber!

For me, nothing is as invigorating or refreshing as the wonderful scent of cucumber! Its natural cooling, soothing and cleansing effect makes it a key ingredient in many of today’s most popular beauty products. From facial masks to fragrant sprays, cucumbers are not just tasty, they’re great for your overall healthy both inside and out. It keeps your skin soft and your eyes de-puffed. What’s not to love?

Are you a fan of beauty products that have a cucumber component? If so, what are a few of your favorites? One lucky reader will win the Yes to Cucumber Soothing Facial Mask (a $14.99 value). Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow!

Here are a few popular pre-pickle products:


Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask available at www.walgreens.com for $14.99


Bare Escentuals Bare Vitamins Eye Rev-Er Upper available at www.sephora.com for $21


Bath & Body Works Scrub available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $15


Carol’s Daughter Ocean Eau de Toilette available at www.sephora.com for $27


Fresh Cucumber Cleansing Foam available at www.sephora.com for $48


Dove Fresh Body Wash Cool Moisture Cucumber Green Tea available at www.drugstore.com for $8.79


Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque available at www.sephora.com for $45


Suave Natural Moisturizing Cucumber Melon Body Wash available at www.drugstore.com for $3.49


Vaseline Fresh Aloe Hydrating Body Lotion with Aloe & Cucumber available at www.drugstore.com for $5.99

Chic Tanks for Summer!

Tank tops are one of the essential clothing items for summer. The typical light-weight materials used for tanks provide perfect ventilation that will keep you cool during those hot & humid summer days and nights. Most tanks can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and whether or not you pair them with shorts, skirts or jeans.

What are your favorite style of tanks? Loose-fitting, fitted, drapey, embroidered, or etc?


Piped Ribbed Tank available at www.bananarepublic.com for $17.99


Drapey Ruffle Tank available at www.alloy.com for $29.50


Black Tank Top available at www.emoda.com for $46


Pleated Satin Top available at www.charlotte-russe.com for $18.99


Beaded Tank available at www.bananarepublic.com for $34


Ruffle Tank Top available at www.charlotte-russe.com for $17.99


Noise & Color Block Tunic Tank available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $38


Splendid Cotton Gauze Lace Tank Top available at www.revolveclothing.com for $50


Floral Patchwork Woven Top available at www.forever21.com for $22.80

Summer Reading Round-Up!

The summer is a time for relaxing and what better to relax than to curl up on the couch or in the grass with a page-turning book! I’ve always been a fan of self-help books, biographies and autobiographies. One of the very first (non-children’s) books I remember reading as a child was LaToya Jackson’s autobiographical expose of her famous family. I don’t know if it’s the journalist in me who is intrigued by other people’s lives or what, but nothing holds my attention like a great biography/autobiography!

What are your favorite book genres? Are you a mystery, romance or thriller fan? Do you have any summer read suggestions?

Here are a few of the books I plan on reading this summer:

Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne by James Gavine available here.


The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal by Mark Ribowsky available here.


Confessions of a Beauty Addict by Nadine Haobsh available here.


More Than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City by William Julius available here.


The Black Girl Next Door a Memoir by Jennifer Baszile available here.

Get Noticed with Neon!

Even though your fingers probably aren’t the first thing that people notice about you, they still play a major role in your overall appearance. So this summer, why not bring attention to your fingers with a flash of neon on your nails? Electric pinks, dazzling yellows, and outrageous orange shades are all the rage this season. If you aren’t bold enough to wear these attention-grabbing colors at your fingertips, use these pretty polishes for your pedis!


Sephora Digital Diva Collection available at www.sephora.com for $9 each

Will you be wearing neon nails this season?

Cool Candy-Colored Cameras!

In the fast-growing world of social media, it’s likely that many of you already own a digital camera. If you’re one of the few who still doesn’t own one of the greatest technological gadgets, it’s high time that you start snapping away and stand out in the crowd this summer with one of these fun, candy-colored cameras! Who says cool paparazzi shots are only for celebrities?

Do you own a digital camera? If so, do you ever actually get your photos printed or do they just stay on your computer or camera?


Canon Powershot 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $199.99


Fuji Film Fine Pix 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $152.99


Nikon Cool Pix 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $116.99


Olympus Stylus 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $159.99


Canon Powershot 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $199.99


Sony Powershot 12.1 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $284.99

Get Your Gams Ready for Summer!

When it comes to shaving, Schick is my favorite brand! I’m already a huge fan of their other razors so when I recently tried their Intuition Plus Moisturizing Care razor, I knew that I would be completely satisfied with the results.

This handy razor actually lathers and moisturizes as you shave, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. Plus, its four blades are accompanied with shea butter (the one I used) or milk and honey so there is no need for a gel, soap or body wash. This is the perfect razor to get your gams looking gorgeous for the summer!


Schick Intuition Plus Moisturizing Care razor available at www.drugstore.com for $9.99

Have you ever tried this razor? One lucky winner will win one! Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow.

**Btw, the winner of the Sedu Summer Styling Set is Andrea! Congrats, please email me your mailing address. You will have 7 days to respond, otherwise I will have to select another winner! 🙂

https://www.browngirlgumbo.com/491/

Summer Sale on the Hottest Hair Tools!

Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to get your hands on the tools that will keep your tresses looking terrific all season long. Folica.com is home to some of the hottest hair styling tools on the market. From the popular Sedu flat iron to tourmaline hair dryers, you are bound to find the right tool for your ‘do at Folica.com.

Are you doing anything different with your hair this summer? Perhaps you’ve been thinking about shaving one side of your head like Cassie, or going for a big, curly, bouncy look a la Alicia Keys or maybe you’re low-maintenance and will opt for a short crew cut like Kanye West’s main-squeeze, Amber Rose!

Here are a few of the sales that Folica.com are running so you can keep your locks looking lovely:


Versati Red Hot Straightening Set available at www.folica.com for $39.99 (a $192.93 value). This set includes: the Versati 1 inch Power Styler, 8oz Sedu Smoothing Boost, a Heat Proof Pouch and a travel size pop-up brush and travel bag.


Chi Beach Blue Straightening Set available at www.folica.com for $99.99 (a $248.95 value). This set includes: a CHI Limited Edition In Love Aqua Blue Blush 1″ Flat Iron, 8.5 oz. bottle of CHI 44 Iron Guard, 2 oz. bottle of CHI Silk Infusion and a Folica Heat Proof Iron Holder


Sedu Pink Revolution Sleek & Straight Set available at www.folica.com for $99. This set includes a pink Sedu Revolution Pro Nano Ceramic Tourmaline 1 Inch Styling Set, a Sedu Professional Straightening Accessory Comb, a Folica Pop-Up Brush and Travel Bag, and a Vera Bradley Signature Bag


BaByliss Summer Vacation Styling Set available at www.folica.com for $99.99 (a $246.99 value). This set includes: Babyliss PRO Nano Titanium Ionic Dryer, BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Mini Flat Iron 1/2″, Babyliss Pro TT Tourmaline Travel Dryer, and Babyliss Pro Silicone Heat Mat


**One lucky reader will win this Sedu Summer Styling Set, which includes: Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic TGR 4000i Hair Dryer, Sedu Revolution Pro Ionic Finger Diffuser, Sedu Beach Beauty Sea Salt Spray, ESCA 3-3/4″ 5X Lighted Travel Mirror, Folica Pop-Up Brush and Travel Bag (a $312.98 value). Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow.