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Target Offers New Price Match Policy

November 5, 2012

The holiday shopping season is upon us. That means two things: shopping and more shopping! For those looking for the best deals, Target, is going to make your season especially bright. For the first time in the store’s history, they’re offering a new online price match policy.

Meaning, they’re offering customers the ability to match select online competitors’ prices in its stores now until Dec. 16. Qualifying online retailers include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and Toysrus.com. And if that news didn’t bring enough holiday cheer to your ears, the Minneapolis-based retailer has also extended the timeframe for the policy, including Target.com. If a customer purchases a qualifying item at Target stores now until Dec. 24, and then finds it for less at Target.com or in a local competitor’s printed ad, Target will match that price.

Not that I ever need an excuse to shop at Target, but this policy is definitely a plus!

When will you start your holiday shopping?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc., Style | 2 Comments

Safe & Sound After Sandy

October 31, 2012

To all of my readers on the East Coast who have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy, my prayers and thoughts are with and your families at this time. Thankfully, my family and I were blessed to have not been directly affected by the storm. In fact, we never even lost power in our area. However, Ava kept asking, “Mommy, what’s that sound?” when she heard the strong winds slamming against our windows. Other than her slight jitters, we survived the storm trouble free.

While we were spared Mother Nature’s wrath this time, one can never be too prepared when disaster strikes. According to the American Red Cross, here are a few things everyone should have on hand (in an easy-to-carry kit) in case of emergency:

* Water — one gallon per person, per day (at least a three-day supply)
* Food — nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items (at least a three-day supply)
* Flashlight
* Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
* Extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Medications (seven-day supply) and medical items
* Multipurpose tool
* Sanitation and personal hygiene items
* Copies of personal documents (like passports, house deed, birth certificates)
* Cell phone with chargers
* Family and emergency contact information
* Extra cash
* Emergency blanket
* Map(s) of the area

Does your family have an emergency kit readily available? If you’d like information on how to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy please visit RedCross.org.

Category: Health, Travel & Lifestyle | 3 Comments

5 Steps to Help Prevent Breast Cancer

October 29, 2012

Although Breast Cancer Awareness month is winding down, don’t forget that there are steps that we can take year-round to help prevent the disease.

According to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center here are a few things we can do:

Don’t Smoke. While this is a no-brainer, it still needs to be addressed. Research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women.

Keep Your Weight in Check. Obesity raises the risk of breast cancer after menopause, the time of life when breast cancer most often occurs. Avoid gaining weight over time, and try to maintain a body-mass index under 25 (calculators can be found online).

Eat healthy. Embrace a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Eat lean protein such as fish or chicken breast and eat red meat in moderation, if at all. Eat whole grains. Choose vegetable oils over animal fats.

Keep physically active. Research suggests that increased physical activity, even when begun later in life, reduces overall breast-cancer risk by about 10 percent to 30 percent. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk five days a week to get this protective effect.

Drink little or no alcohol. While having a drink every now and then, excessive drinking can pose a risk. Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women should limit intake to no more than one drink per day, regardless of the type of alcohol.

Check out this cool infographic:

What steps do you take to prevent breast cancer?

Category: Travel & Lifestyle | 1 Comment

In Case You Missed It: Fabulous Celebrity TwitPics of the Week!

October 26, 2012

Check out this week’s fabulous photos from some of our fave celebs! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ashanti

Lance Gross and Terrence J

Melanie Fiona

Lebron James

Rachel Roy and Estelle

Snoop Dogg’s family

Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys and Maxwell

Me with fellow writers, Heather Hopson and Alisha Tillery, and Elise Neal at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Stay tuned for my amazing experience.

What’s your favorite photo from the bunch?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Celebrity Photos | 1 Comment

GIVEAWAY: Aveeno’s “Winding Down” Prize Pack

October 24, 2012

Between press events, writing, traveling and taking care of Ava, I’ve been a busy BG this month. That’s why unwinding is so important to me.

As soon as I get home, removing my makeup is my main priority. I simply can’t function if my “face” is still on once I’m home for the night. I’ve been using Aveeno’s Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes for a few months and they dissolve oil, dirt and other gunk from the skin with a few gentle swipes. Since I’m a lover of eye liner and water-proof mascara, a wimpy wipe just won’t cut it and these don’t disappoint! An added bonus is that unlike many removers, these wipes don’t have that unpleasant chemical smell.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Makeup Remover Wipes available here, $7

Before bed, I take a relaxing shower to ease away the stress of the day. Aveeno has a Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash that smells wonderful and has a cleansing effect that doesn’t dry out skin. The delightful scent of lavender and chamomile is truly a treat for the senses. I finish up with their ultra-soothing Positively Nourishing Calming Body Lotion to seal in moisture. It sinks in quickly leaving behind smooth, glistening non-greasy skin.

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash available here, $6

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Lotion available here, $6

The quality of Aveeno products is outstanding! Even though I’m an ambassador of the brand, I used their products long before I was approached to partner with the company.

It’s been my mom’s fave for as long as I can remember and will probably remain at the top of my list for years to come too!

Do you use Aveeno products? Do you need to unwind? One lucky winner will win each of these products to create a spa-like experience home. Simply leave a comment, Tweet, or Instagram a pic holding your fave Aveeno product with the hashtag #BGGAveeno and the winner will be selected and announced next Wednesday on Halloween!

Category: Aveeno, Beauty, Giveaway, Giveaways | 12 Comments

‘Brown Sugar’ Bliss

October 23, 2012

Can you believe this month marks a decade since Brown Sugar, starring Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs made its big-screen debut? Yeah, me neither! Who can forget their remarkable on-screen chemistry playing opposite sex BFFS?

Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in Brown Sugar.

In honor of the 2002 rom-com (obviously one of my faves!), I’m sharing some of the best beauty products made with the ultimate sweetest ingredient—you guessed it, brown sugar!

The ideal fall exfoliator sloughs away dead skin leaving behind a soft and smooth surface. Plus, it provides a natural shine that makes skin and lips radiate.

These decadent lip and body treats will give you a guilt-free sugar rush!

Check them out!

Carol’s Daughter Brown Sugar Scrub Sea Salt Scrub available here, $34

Lush Ma Bar available here, $7.95

*This soap star boasts a cubed brown sugar center!

Bath & Body Works Brown Sugar & Fig Body Lotion available here, $11

Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish available here, $22

If you want to get a brown sugar glow without breaking the bank, try this DIY scrub from beauty expert Erika Katz:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of brown sugar

2 tablespoons of almond or olive oil

5 drops of honey

3 to 5 drops of essential oil (optional)

Directions:

Mix ingredients thoroughly in glass bowl. Use the scrub all over the body and rinse well with warm water.

Are you a fan of brown sugar products?

Category: Beauty, Body Oils, Body Scrubs, Featured | 4 Comments

Kerry Washington On Why She’s Voting for Barack Obama

October 22, 2012

Kerry Washington, star of ABC’s, “Scandal,” is no stranger to publicly supporting President Barack Obama.

As a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, she’s been a trailblazer in organizing fundraisers to keep arts in schools across the country. In addition to that position, she volunteers tirelessly for his current campaign. This time, the actress, 35, took to the The Daily Beast to pen an open letter pledging her support for POTUS.

Check out an excerpt below:

Kerry Washington speaking at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 6, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. Photo via TheDailyBeast/Getty

“We, the people.

Throughout our history, we’ve expanded the meaning of our nation’s founding phrase, to include more and more of our citizens because we believe that the American dream isn’t about any one person or segment of society. It’s about all of us, working together to move forward.

That’s also what this election is about. And it’s why I’m voting for President Barack Obama.”

Click here to read the rest!

Will you be tuning in to the final presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney tonight? Also, are you obsessed with Scandal like so many BGs?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc., Politics | 1 Comment

In Case You Missed It: Fabulous Celebrity TwitPics of the Week!

October 19, 2012

Check out this week’s fabulous photos from some of our fave celebs!

Tracee Ellis Ross and Missy Elliott

First Lady Michelle Obama and Brandy

Necole Bitchie and Ciara

Chef Roblé and his kitchen crew

Monica and her husband Shannon Brown

Lance Gross and crew

Yours truly with the hubs during our mini-getaway. While I’m no celeb, just thought I’d share!

*All photos via Twitter/Instagram

Have a wonderful weekend! What’s your fave photo of the bunch?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Celebrity BGs, Celebrity Photos | 4 Comments

I’m A BB Cream Believer!

October 18, 2012

By now many of us have tried or at least know about BB creams. After hearing constant beauty chatter in the blogosphere about the all-in-one beauty buy, I’ve found one that actually lives up to the hype!

Jane Iredale the Skincare Makeup’s Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream (aka beauty or blemish balm) is super lightweight and leaves my skin looking natural, only better! I wasn’t sure if I’d like it because a few of the other BB creams I’ve tried were less than impressive. Either they covered but suffocated my skin or were nothing more than a tinted moisturizer that didn’t exactly complement my complexion.

Jane Iredale Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream available (in a variety of shades for us BGs) here, $48

That said, my temperamental epidermis needs constant TLC. One day I might have a pimple the size of Mt. Everest and the next suffer from a case of the oilies, or I could, lo and behold…be blemish and oil-free! Basically, my skin is like that box of chocolates that Forrest Gump had, you never know what you’re going to get!

Thankfully, this BB cream seems to be keeping my skin in check. It minimizes oil, evens skin tone, and provides a bit of coverage. Plus, it’s packed with skin-boosting vitamins and natural properties such as apple extract and other beneficial ingredients. And of course it boasts a broad-spectrum SPF.

Remember, when purchasing a BB cream, it’s important to find one that can effectively tackle your problems and cater to your skin’s needs. Whether it’s excessive oil, blemishes or you just want a bit of coverage without spackling on foundation, a good BB cream is your best bet.

Also keep in mind that a little goes a long way, just a few small dabs should do the trick!

Have you hopped on the BB cream bandwagon?

Category: Beauty | 7 Comments

Goodbye Gummi Bears, 5 Naturally Sweet Alternatives!

October 16, 2012

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a major gummi bear obsession. During my weekly Target runs, I can hardly resist picking up a pack of Haribo treats from the candy aisle.

Once, a friend even bought me a giant size bear of sugary goodness for my birthday. Plus, I eat them so much that my 2-year-old probably thinks they’re part of a major food group!

That’s why before Halloween and the holidays roll around, I’m making a conscious effort to cut down on my candy intake by consuming healthier snacks. I want to be a good role model for my daughter and overall healthier person.

From banana chips to trail mix, I’ll be stocking up on healthy goodies instead of my yummy go-to gummies. I’m not giving them up for good (a treat every now and then is fine), but definitely scaling back! Wish me luck!

Check out a few of these naturally sweet alternatives:

Peeled Snacks Dried Fruit available here, for about $3