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Maintaining a Healthy Heart

April 15, 2008

We BGs always find the time to take care of others, but oftentimes neglect ourselves when it comes to health. For example, statistics show that African-American women are at a greater threat of death from heart disease than women of other races. This dismal stat can be reversed if we take better care of our hearts. That’s why it’s imperative that we take control of our cardiovascular health.

It is recommended that we do some form of cardio 3-5 days a week for 30 minutes.

Whether power-walking, biking or rock-climbing, incorporating some type of cardio in our weekly routine is essential to maintaining good health.

Not only does doing cardio exercises get our blood pumping, it also helps shed unwanted pounds.

So if you want to fit into that itsy bitsy bikini this season – go out and get moving!

What’s your cardio workout of choice? Please share!

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Category: Health | 19 Comments

Light-Weight Jackets for Spring

April 14, 2008

The weather during the spring months can be a bit tricky. This time of year it’s too warm for our winter coats, but still too cool to brave the air without some type of outerwear.

That’s why light-weight jackets are ideal for spring and are a great alternative to the classic trench. They come in a wide variety of styles and materials. From leather to linen, there’s always a spring jacket that’s just right for you!

Check out some of these:

Italian Poplin Rain Coat available at www.jcrew.com for $158

High Collar Pea Coat available at www.babyphat.com for $89

Pin-Stripe Cotton Jacket available at www.forever21.com for $32.80

Summer Light-weight Chino Mendocino Jacket available at www.jcrew.com for $98

Leather Safari Jacket available at www.ardenb.com for $198

Denim Swing Jacket available at www.macys.com for $42

Pintuck Bomber Jacket available at www.ardenb.com for $128

Vince Funnel Neck Jacket available at www.shopbop.com for $295

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Category: Fashion, Jackets | 23 Comments

Today Marks My 150th Post!

April 10, 2008

Today I decided to take the day off and celebrate my 150th post! I just want to thank all of you who have enjoyed reading BGG since I started it last September. Writing about fashion, beauty, music, celebrities, etc. is truly my passion! So to know that other people actually enjoy reading my posts is so gratifying. I am so grateful for all of you, especially my loyal readers like K-Bear, Kwana, Ros, Kitty Vodka, Mimieyes, Ondo Lady, Divine Blackness, Ashley-Nicole, Don, Antithesis, 12Kyle, Afrodite, PCD, Product Junkie, KBL, Ananda and T.

If you have questions about ANYTHING or have any suggestions on what you’d like to see more of on BGG, please let me know by leaving a comment!

Thanks again for your support and I’ll be back tomorrow with Fabulous Photos of the Week!

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Category: Misc. | 28 Comments

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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