New Addition Coming to BGG!

For those who don’t follow me on Instagram (@browngirlgumbo), I just wanted to share some exciting news with you: I’m expecting my second child!

Yep, Ava is going to be a big sister and she couldn’t be happier. In fact, we’re all excited in the BGG household. It seems just like yesterday when I announced that I was expecting my first child on the site four years ago! Parenting is definitely the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s by far the most satisfying and rewarding. However, this time around I’ve been much sicker and unable to post as frequently as I’d like, but I’ve since passed that hurdle. Now, I can’t wait for our new addition and am counting down the days.

Last Saturday, I had a small “sprinkle” (that’s what people are calling subsequent baby showers these days) in my backyard in Brooklyn. A few of my friends and family members were in attendance to celebrate our impending arrival. My dear friends over at Aveeno were kind enough to sponsor the gift bags for my guests, which included a daily moisturizer and my favorite sunscreen. It was a lovely occasion and I’m so grateful to have wonderful people in my life.

Surprisingly, in this day and age of creating digital memories, I didn’t take many pictures. Luckily, I was able to salvage a collage out of the few photos I did manage to snap. Check it out below:

Baby-Shower

I never thought that I’d be anxiously awaiting the end of summer, but this year I am and for great reason! 🙂

Also, please be sure to follow me on Instagram @browngirlgumbo!!

Go “Nuts” for The Body Shop’s Brazil Nut Body Care Line

I don’t know about you, but I’m quite a nutty girl!

I’ve always been a lover of a nutty ice creams, sweet treats or a simple handful of mixed nuts as a snack. Basically, anything with nuts as a main ingredient count me in. And that apparently applies to body butters and shower gels too!

The Body Shop has a new and improved line of Brazil nut-infused body care products that is ahh-mazing! Brazils are one of my favorite nuts so I was interested in seeing how they would translate into a luxe lotion or body wash. The alluring sweet and nutty scent caresses the senses like only The Body Shop products can. The soap-free shower cream soothes and cleanses the skin with a rich lather that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready for the day. The body butter soaks into skin like a richer and more moisturizing shea butter. While the 3-in-1 beautifying oil provides skin with a light sheen that isn’t too oily but keeps skin glowing and  moisturized for hours! I haven’t quite figured out how it can be used for the face, but a few drops does wonders for my super dry hair. Plus, all of the products are environmentally friendly and are made with Community Fair Trade Brazil nut oil from nuts hand-harvested in Peru.

If you’re looking to take a break from the usual floral and fruity scents that most body care companies offer, opt for this nutty line of products!

brazil-nut-body-butter_lBrazil Nut Body Butter available here, $20

brazil-nut-shower-cream_lBrazil Nut Shower Cream available here, $8

brazil-nut-beautifying-oil_lBrazil Nut Beautifying Oil available here, $14

Are you a fan of nut-infused products or do you prefer to EAT your nuts?

Tia Mowry-Hardrict Gets Fresh for PETA

Our favorite twin sisters stay busy!

Tia Mowry-Hardrict is one of the latest celebrities to pose for PETA’s popular and sometimes controversial ads. Wearing an apron made out of fresh lettuce, Tia shows off her sassy side in the new ad campaign that reads, ” Let Veganism Grown On You.”

The “Tia and Tamera” star, 34, who has become incredibly health conscious since the birth of her son in 2011, wants to help educate her fans about the benefits of veganism.

Photo Courtesy: Robert Sebree/PETA

Photo Courtesy: Robert Sebree/PETA

“I wanted to become a voice for my community. … I wanted to educate my culture about the benefits of becoming vegan,” Mowry explained in an exclusive PETA interview. “The more you learn about the benefits of being vegan, the more you become alive and the more you become aware of why it’s a really great decision. Not only am I helping myself, I’m helping the animals out there, I’m helping the environment—going vegan, I feel great.”

According to PETA, going vegan has tremendous health benefits including, reducing the risks of heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, and obesity.

Is veganism a lifestyle that you’d consider?

Interview: Renaissance Woman Amanda Seales Talks Beauty, Music and More!

We all have our creative sides, but it seems like God gave Amanda Seales  (formerly known as Amanda Diva) a little more than the rest of us!

The Los Angeles native, 31,  who calls New York City home is an all-around Renaissance woman. If being one of the hottest and most sought-after DJs in the city isn’t enough, the multi-talented Columbia University alum is also a visual artist, poet, playwright, singer/songwiter, entrepreneur, TV personality and the host of the recently wrapped VH1 show, “Masters of the Mix: Season 3.”

I recently caught up with the girl-about-town diva to dish about her inspiration, beauty routine and of course, music!

Check out the Q&A below:

Amanda-Seales

BGG: Your artwork is absolutely beautiful! What do you enjoy creating the most?

Amanda Seales: Thank you! Lately I’ve found myself becoming more interested in going the fashion route with my art I’ve really enjoyed spicing up pieces like purses, bangles, denim. Eventually I’d like to have my own clothing and home lines. I also really love doing big pieces. I don’t really get the chance to because of time and space (these NYC apartments aren’t great for that) but I love the feeling of accomplishment after I finish and seeing what started as a little thought in my mind realized tangibly on a big canvas.

AS-Soul_Fro_BagSoul Fro Canvas Tote Bag available here, $30

BGG: During your travels, what country or city inspires you the most?

AS: Paris. Hands down. It’s so aesthetically beautiful yet gritty. It is as if it were built for the specific purpose of inspiring artists!

BGG: What do you think are the challenges (if any) that female DJs experience that their male counterparts don’t have to deal with?

AS: Dudes hollering at us while we’re in the booth. (laughing) You have no idea how annoying it is and the insipid questions like, “So you be djaying??” CLEARLY.

BGG: Being the epitome of a Renaissance woman with a super busy schedule, what are your beauty & hair secrets to always looking camera-ready?

AS: As far as beauty secrets I’m pretty simple. I wash my face daily with Oil of Olay Total Effects. In regard to makeup, I use the Bobbi Brown Bronze “Shimmer Brick” as a shimmer and love a pop (of color) on the lip and I try to get creative with my eyes. On shoots, I have makeup artists use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation as it’s less wearing on my skin. Dairy gives me pimples on my forehead so I try to stay away but damn, that Haagen-Daz is SO inviting!

Bobbi-Brown-Shimmer-Brick

As far as my hair, I also keep that simple too! I wash my hair about every other day and comb it out and condition on weekends. In the shower I use Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream Moisturizing No Suds Shampoo and Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner. For daily upkeep, I use Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk as a leave-in to keep my curls defined and voluminous.

BGG: You have such a refreshing personal style. How would you describe it in three words?

AS: Thanks! I never really considered myself stylish but I’ve really been giving more effort to it so that means a lot! Amazing designer Sharufa Walker of Jinaki gave me some great advice she said, “Amanda you are gifted with use of color on canvas. Use that same gift and apply it and treat yourself like the canvas and your clothes like the paints.” That has totally changed my mind frame and given foundation to my style over night! I would describe it as Colorful. Classy. Feminine.

BGG: Like most of us, music is a huge part of your life. When did you know that you wanted to make a profession out of it?

AS: I honestly never knew. It just happened. One day I was doing poetry and after the show was offered a job as a radio host at Sirius Satellite Show. I was always a music lover but it was then that the hobby became a profession.

BGG: Being an ‘80s baby, you’ve seen hip-hop undergo many changes. What do you think of today’s hip-hop landscape?

AS: Blechhhh.

BGG: If you could only play one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?

AS: Bob Marley “Legend” because it is multi-dynamic musically and emotionally. There is a song for every feeling and mood.

Bob-Marley

BGG: Being so multi-talented, what do you envision for your future career-path?

AS: In the future I want to continue to raise the platform on which I’m hosting and creating. Whether it’s programming content, art, djaying, or written work (plays/books), I am ready to elevate and have my own television show, book, branded endorsement featuring my art, etc . I also hope to be able to one day live comfortably and consistently off of my prolific mind.

AS-Afro-Series-Poster-Print

BGG: I know that you often speak with young women in college, what has been your best advice to them?

AS: I feel like only they would know what my best advice to them has been, but I try to always instill in them the importance of preservation of integrity and the importance of education. Those are two things that no one  can take from you!

6 Summertime Beauty & Style Essentials

Now with the unofficial start to summer underway, what better time than now to share some of my fave warm weather style and beauty essentials?

From the best sunscreen to the most luminous lip gloss to the perfect pair of sandals. These summertime must-haves will keep you looking and feeling good too!

L'Oreal Sublime Sun Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spray, SPF

Keep skin protected and sunkissed with L’Oreal Sublime Sun Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spray SPF 15 available here, $8

Jane-Iredale-PureGloss

A perfect mix of creamy and translucent tint makes this gloss my go-to for summer. jane iredale PureGloss Lip Gloss in Sugar Plum available here, $24Gap-Leather-Tote

This carryall will punch up any ensemble whether poolside or shopping. Gap Leather Tote in Neon Orange available here, $95

Monoi-Oil-Sacred-Strenghtening-Serum-30

This protective serum provides sheen and moisture without weighing down hair. Carol’s Daughter Monoi  Oil Sacred Strengthening Serum available here, (1.7 oz) $30

Yanagita-Sandals

This vibrant summertime shade puts a fresh spin on ordinary sandals. Aldo ‘Yanagita’ Flat Leather Sandals available here, $60

Aveeno-Positively-Radiant-Night-Cream

This oil-free night cream works wonders while you slumber, helping make skin look refreshed by sunrise. Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream available here, $16.49

What are some of your favorite summertime essentials?

3 Life Lessons I’ve Learned Since Turning 30

This past Saturday I celebrated my 33rd birthday. The weather was great, my husband showered me with goodies, my daughter was giddy with excitement and I feasted on one of my favorite dishes (seafood pasta). After such a wonderful day, I stopped to ponder three of the most significant things I’ve learned so far in my thirties.

Ava and me on my birthday.

Ava and me on my birthday.

33-candles

Thought I’d share them with you guys!

1. Some friendships aren’t meant to last a lifetime. It took me until I was 30 years old to realize that all friends aren’t supposed to be in my life forever. I had to learn how to recognize when a friendship’s season has passed and move forward!

2. Worrying about what other people think of me is pretty pointless. In my 20s, I spent far too much time concerned about how people perceived me. In these last few years, I’m the most comfortable I’ve ever been in my own skin and people’s opinions of me no longer have a place in my life.

3. Happiness is a choice! I have read my fair share of self-help books pertaining to the pursuit of happiness and have finally concluded that happiness isn’t just a state of being, but a choice. We have the ability to make the most out of our less-than-ideal situations and see the silver lining in every aspect of our lives. And Oprah is right, happiness and gratefulness goes hand-in-hand!

If you’re in your 30s (or beyond), what’s been the most significant thing you’ve learned during the third decade of your life?

Get Brows that Wow!

This season it’s all about thicker, bushier brows to frame our faces.

That’s right, step away from the wax and tweezers and embrace a fuller shape that will not only make you appear a younger, but the fresher look is also easy to achieve and maintain.

Simply let your brows grow in and allow them to take their natural shape. Then, follow your natural arch and pluck wayward strays and fill in any sparse hairs with a brow pencil or powder for a polished finish. I usually opt for a pencil that’s one shade lighter than my hair color and apply in quick, small strokes for a fuller brow.

Check out a few of these must-have brow products:

Anastasia-Beverly-Hills-Beauty-Express-For-Brows-Eyes-39.50

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes available here, $39.50

Benefit-Cosmetics-Brow-Zings-30

Benefit Cosmetics ‘Brow Zings’ available here, $30

Sephora-Retractable-Brow-Pencil-12.00

Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil available here, $12

Lorac-Take-A-Brow-22

Lorac ‘Take A Brow’ available here, $22 *I swore by this palette for years!

Hourglass-Arch-Brow-Sculpting-Pencil-32

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil available here, $32

How do you prefer your brows, thick, thin or somewhere in between?