Enticing Scents

April 9, 2008

They say men are first attracted to a woman’s scent. If that’s the case, I don’t know what attracted my husband to me because I never wear perfume!

As I have stated before on BGG, I love the scents of lotions and potions, but not really fragrance sprays. That’s until I got a whiff of R&B singer, Usher’s scent, SHE. After sampling the celebrity-endorsed perfume, I started to think, “Perhaps, I really can wear a fragrance without it making me nauseous!” I’m not 100% sure just yet if I’d actually purchase a bottle of perfume, but who knows, I just might give it a try! From light, floral scents to more intense aromas, there is something out there for just about everyone.

BGs, what are some of your favorite fragrances? Guys, does a woman’s scent really get your attention? Please share!

Here are a few popular celebrity scents:


Beyonce True Star for Women available at www.walmart.com for $26.58


Still by Jennifer Lopez available at www.walmart.com for $38.44


Mariah Carey’s Eau de Parfum Spray available at www.macys.com for $52.50


SHE by Usher availalbe at www.macys.com for $68


Baby Phat Fabulosity Collection available at www.macys.com for $45


Sean John Unforgivable Woman available at www.macys.com for $55

Category: Beauty, Fragrance | 23 Comments

Lovely, Luscious Lashes!

April 8, 2008

One of my very first BGG posts was dedicated to my favorite mascara of all time – Maybelline’s Great Lash in Blackest Black. Although it’s still my everyday, go-to mascara, I have tried a few others that are pretty good as well. The way mascara magically lenghthens, highlights and simply beautifies eyes is something that I just can’t do without.

Recently, my favorite cousin, Kelly, challenged me to forgo my routine eye makeup application of eyeliner & mascara for a day. She told me that she had done the same thing and it gave her a more natural, refreshed look. What woman doesn’t want to look refreshed? So the next morning I lost the liner, but couldn’t bring myself to put down that little black wand! I just couldn’t resist having long, dark lashes that only mascara can create! Although I did appear bright-eyed without the liner, I’m convinced that the mascara really made my eyes pop!

If you had to choose, which could you do without, eyeliner or mascara?

Check out some of these marvelous mascara must-haves:


Maybelline Great Last Mascara available at www.walgreens.com for $4.79


Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara available at www.sephora.com for $9


Covergirl Queen Collection available at drugstores nationwide.


Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara available at www.sephora.com for $9


Jane Iredale available at www.janeiredaledirect.com for $32


Too Faced Mascara available at www.sephora.com for $8.50


MAC Pro-Lash Mascara available at www.maccosmetics.com for $11

Category: Beauty, Eye Makeup | 18 Comments

Springtime Skirts

April 7, 2008

I will be the first to admit that skirts are not my favorite article of clothing. For some reason I can never find ones that are both pretty and figure-flattering. So when I come across one that catches my eye and actually accentuates my shape, I have to have it! Quite honestly, I’d much rather wear a flirty dress instead, but here are a few that are darling!

Do you prefer skirts or dresses?

Check out some of these:


J. Crew Taffeta Skirt available at www.jcrew.com for $175


J. Crew Python Print Mini available at www.jcrew.com for $75


Polka Dot Skirt available at www.bananarepublic.com for $69


Campaign Skirt available at www.nordstrom.com for $88


INC Eyelet Skirt available at www.macys.com for $89


Campaign “Nora” Skirt available at www.nordstrom.com for $88


Mossimo Pocketed Leaf Skirt available at www.target.com for $19.99


S & D Pencil Skirt available at www.nordstrom.com for $88

Category: Fashion | 17 Comments

Wedding Bells for Beyonce & Jay-Z!

April 5, 2008


Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

One of our favorite celebrity BGs, Beyonce Knowles seems to have finally tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend, Jay-Z. According to People magazine, the couple got hitched yesterday in a ceremony taking place at the rapper’s penthouse in New York City. Guests included, Mathew & Tina Knowles, Solange, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin, Kanye West and others.

Reps for the couple neither confirmed or denied these reports. If it’s true, congratulations to the happy couple!

To read the story visit www.people.com.

Category: Celebrity BGs, News | 6 Comments

Music Spotlight: Mariah Carey

April 3, 2008


My favorite singer of all time is the 8-octave-hitting, Mariah Carey. Now that she’s officially surpassed Elvis’ record of the amount of #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts (2nd to the Beatles), Mariah has definitely and justifiably secured her a place in the record books. Her current single, “Touch My Body,” is Mariah’s 18th chart-topper.

I remember the first time I heard her first single, “Vision of Love,” back in 1990 when I was 10-years-old. I thought, “Wow, this person sounds like Whitney Houston.” I don’t know, maybe it was because I was only a kid and couldn’t differentiate voices that well, but nonetheless I loved what I heard!

Now nearly 2 decades later I’m still enjoying Mariah’s music. No one can sing a pop/R&B tune like her!! That’s why I am anxiously awaiting the release of her latest CD, E=MC2 on April 16th.

What is your favorite Mariah song?


Mariah Carey, 1990


Emotions, 1991


Merry Christmas, 1994


Daydream, 1995


Butterfly, 1997


Rainbow, 1999


Glitter, 2001


Charmbracelet, 2002


The Emancipation of Mimi, 2005


E=MC2, 2008

Category: Celebrity BGs, Music | 20 Comments

Classic BG: Diahann Carroll

April 2, 2008

Diahann Carroll is a classic BG who never seems to get acknowledged as much as she should. Her career helped pave the way for all of the African-American actresses who have made it and who are still struggling to make it in Hollywood today.

Her role as a widowed nurse on Julia, back in the late 1960s was one of the first African-American characters on a weekly TV series that didn’t depict a stereotype. She also played the infamous Dominique Deveraux on the legendary show, Dynasty for several years.

Since those popular shows were before my time, I had the opportunity to watch her on my all-time favorite TV show, A Different World as, Marion, Whitley Gilbert’s undeniably bourgeois mother. She later made a few guest appearances as, Aunt Ruth, the Joseph sisters’nosy aunt on my other beloved show, Soul Food (the Showtime series). I’m sure you Grey’s Anatomy fans have seen her on that hit show, as well as many others.

So today I give Ms. Carroll praise for being a pioneer in bringing positive portrayals of African-American women to television!

Here are a few facts about her:

Her birthname is Carol Diahann Johnson

She was born on July 17, 1935

She’s an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Is one of only 7 African-American actresses to receive the Best Actress Oscar nomination. The others in chronological order are: Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett and Halle Berry.

Category: Classic BGs | 15 Comments

Sexy Spring Underwear

April 1, 2008

Spring is all about renewal so what better time than now to purge your panty drawer and fill it with fresh new underwear!

Ok, maybe you don’t have to literally throw out all of your old panties because you can NEVER have too many, but I just enjoy buying new undies in the spring.

Whether you like wearing ladylike lace, sexy thongs or baring boy shorts, there are always a gazillion styles to choose from.

Here are a few of my pretty panty picks:


Hanky Pany Zebra Low-Rise Thong available at www.saks.com for $20


Honeydew “Rumba” Boy Shorts available at www.nordstrom.com for $14-$16 each


Hanes Assorted Low-Rise Briefs (for those days when you’ll forgo sexy for comfort!) available at www.walmart.com for $5.96


Hanky Panky Thongs available at www.nordstrom.com for $18 each


Make & Models Seamless Polka Dot Boy Shorts available at www.nordstrom.com for $14 each


Victoria’s Secret Hip-huggers available at www.victoriassecret.com for 4/$25


La Perla Vintage Thongs available at www.nordstrom.com for $43 each

Category: Fashion, Lingerie | 17 Comments

Travel Treats

March 31, 2008

We all love getting away and visiting new places, but getting to our destinations usually requires going to one of the most dreaded places — the airport. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely hate everything about the airport from the long lines to the loads of lost luggage. Plus, the fact that all of our carry-on toiletries must be less than 3 oz and fit into 1 quart-size Ziplock bag.

Lucky for us, a few bath and beauty companies have created convenient kits and smaller sized-products that will lessen our traveling woes.

What are some of your favorite travel-friendly toiletries?

Check out some of these must-have trial sizes and mini-traveling kits.


Korres Body Butter Trio (1.69 oz. each) available at www.sephora.com for $24.50


Bliss Sink Side Six Pack Bath & Skincare Set (1 oz. each) available at www.sephora.com for $25


Burt’s Bees Travel Shower Kit available at www.walgreens.com for $12.99


Strawberry Feast Travel Shower Gel and Body Lotion (2oz) available at www.thebodyshop.com for $12


6-pc. Travel Kit available at www.walgreens.com for $7.99


Travel Dental Kit available at www.sephora.com for $8


Travel size Oil of Olay Complete All Day Moisture Cream (2 oz.)available at www.drugstore.com for $6.99


Tea Tree Skin Care Kit (1.5 oz) available at www.nordstrom.com for $30

Category: Beauty, Gifts, Travel | 14 Comments

Stormy Weather

March 27, 2008

Unless you live in southern California, chances are that it’s going to rain in your area. So we BGs need to be prepared for the uncertain weather that spring brings. What better way to stay dry and chic than purchasing a nice umbrella! Even though there are endless designs, styles, colors and shapes that have a common function, all umbrellas are not created equal.

There are some that will stand the test of time while will others will rip and tear with the slightlest gust of wind.

Whatever brand you choose, just try to keep up with it. For some, that’s the most challenging part!

Check out some of my picks:


Scarf Print Folding Umbrella available at www.coach.com for $88


Brown Lace Queen Dot Umbrella available at www.pareumbrella.com for $65


Pink & White Printed Umbrella available at www.jcrew.com for $39.50


Rihanna Sparkles Umbrella available at www.totes.com for $30


Classic Burberry Umbrella available at www.burberry.com for $225


Totes Compact Umbrella available at www.kmart.com for $9.99


Coach Tattersall Folding Umbrella available at www.coach.com for $88


Mia Green Umbrella available at www.pareumbrella.com for $65


Bubble Manual Stick Clear Umbrella available at www.target.com for $16.99

Category: Fashion, Gifts | 20 Comments

Feeling Blue?

March 26, 2008

Who doesn’t love a great pair of jeans? With spring finally here, it’s time to take a look at the denim must-haves for the season. The great thing about jeans is that they’re durable and can be easily dressed up or down with tops or accessories. This season there’s something for everybody — skinny, cropped, flare, wide-leg, boot cut and capris are all in.

The latest trend is the return of the early-90s light, faded-blue hue! If you like to stand out in a crowd or have a hard time finding the perfect fit, check out Indi Denim, where you can customize your jeans online! From rinses to pocket designs, this site allows you to create your ideal jeans with the click of the keyboard!

We know that fashion is always changing, but one thing’s for sure — the denim jean is a timeless American staple that will always be in style.

What’s your favorite denim/jean look?

Here are my picks for this season:


7 For All Man Kind available at www.macys.com for $198


Gap Long & Lean Jeans available at www.gap.com for $48


Juicy Couture Super Wide Leg Denim Trouser available at www.shopbop.com for $188


J Brand 18-inch Boot Leg Ink Jeans available at www.ravinstyle.com for $158


Paige Denim “Robertson” Wide Leg Jean available at www.shopbop.com for $169


Citizens of Humanity “Kelly” Crop Dark Paris Jeans available at www.nordstrom.com for $154


Kenneth Cole Reaction “Metro” Stretch Denim Pants available at www.nordstrom.com for $79

Category: Fashion | 19 Comments