10 Great Gifts Under $50 & GIVEAWAY!!

If you’re still unsure of what to get your BFF, sister, aunt, mother or co-worker for Christmas, let this list be your guide! With only a little over two weeks left in the gift-giving season, these affordable finds are fun, thoughtful and incredibly wallet-friendly.

From personalized mugs to makeup palettes, these stocking stuffers and gifts are great for the deserving BG (or YOU) on your list!

This lip balm set makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the hard-to-please tween on your list! Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Quartet available here; $9.99

Your co-worker will love you for this personalized pick-me-up mug. C Wonder Monogram Mug available here; $10

 

Show your mom how much she means to you with this 18K gold-plated Nadri Thin Cubic Zirconia Bangle available here; $50

Impress your shower-gel-obsessed sister with this champagne-inspired set. ‘Berry’ Bubbly Raspberry Champagne Body Butter and Bath Wash available here; $32 

Spray on your inner “Sasha Fierce” with this tantalizing plum and starfruit scented fragrance. Beyoncé Midnight Heat 1.7 FL. OZ. available here; $24.99 

 Stuff your BFF’s stocking with these striking Merona Leather Zipper Gloves available here; $17

Send your aunt a heartfelt message for the holidays with this magnetic video memo.   PLAY Video Memo available here; $49.99

For your nail-crazed niece, Essie’s Winter Collection Set is a must-have! Available here, $18

Your hair-product-loving pal will ooh and ahh over Oyin Handmade’s All-Natural  Sugar Berries Hair Pomade available here; $12 **Stay tuned for my Q&A with the founder!

The unofficial makeup artist in your family will rave for Avon’s Ultimate Makeup Palette available here; $29.99

**You can win it for the makeup maven in your life or yourself!! Simply leave a comment, Tweet or post a comment on BGG’s Facebook page for your chance to win! The winner will be randomly selected and notified on Monday, December 17th. 

Have you already completed your holiday shopping or are you just getting started?

Kimora Lee Simmons Wants You To Love Her

Kimora Lee Simmons, a mom, wife, entrepreneur, and bigger-than-life personality is back with a brand new fragrance – Baby Phat L♥V ME by Kimora Lee Simmons. The newest addition to her perfume portfolio is a light, flirty fragrance that exudes confidence and strength, while remaining sweet.

The perfect fusion of Jasmine Petals, Tiger Orchid, Vanilla Blossom, Tangerine and Passion Fruit notes makes this an aromatic treat ideal for spring. Plus, the beautiful bottle makes it a standout amongst your other bottled scents.


Baby Phat L♥V ME (1.0 oz) retails for $28 in select stores nationwide, such as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Kohl’s and Kmart.

What perfumes will you be wearing this spring? Would you like to try Baby Phat L♥V ME by Kimora Lee Simmons? If so, leave a comment telling me what you admire about the former model turned mogul. A winner will be randomly selected and announced later this week.

**The winner of the Whoop Ash swag bag is SunSoakerB. Congrats! Please email me your mailing address.

Usher Contest & Cologne Giveaway!

Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, why not score a bottle of Usher’s new “VIP” cologne for the guy in your life? Plus, if you’re an Usher fan, there’s a cool contest that ends tomorrow, Friday, January 28th at 11:59 EST – so you’ll have to act fast! Here are the deets:

Usher wants to know about the “VIPs” that have made a difference in your life! Write in a 50 to 250 word essay and share a photo of the person who has made the biggest positive impact in your life for a chance to win a WIN a trip to New York City!! Nine runner-up winners will receive autographed Usher albums and a bottle of Usher VIP!

Click the Facebook link to enter and for additional information:


VIP is a woody fragrance mixed with sensual notes of spices and exotic saffron that will surely have your guy smelling good.

You can win one here at BGG! Simply tell me your favorite song from the R&B heartthrob and 2 winners will be randomly selected and announced next week.

To my fellow New Yorkers – stay warm and safe. This is some winter we’re having! 😉

My Life – A Scent by MJB

If you look into Mary J. Blige’s life it’s all about overcoming obstacles and becoming triumphant over adversity. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul exemplifies what it means to stay true to one’s self and wants women to know that they too can combat challenges. Already a spokeswoman for Carol’s Daughter, Blige is taking her love of beauty and fragrance one step further with the launch of her debut perfume, aptly called, My Life.

I was lucky enough to receive a sample at her FFAWN gala last month and was instantly enthralled by the fragrance. A mix of floral scents such as white freesia and gardenias, My Life, is the perfect perfume for summer.

My Life by Mary J. Blige goes on sale July 31st on the HSN for $46. One dollar from every sell of the fragrance will go toward aiding the FFAWN foundation.

Would you try Mary J. Blige’s new perfume? What’s your favorite Mary J. Blige song?

**The winner of the Pantene Customized Solutions collection is Redbonegirl97. Please send me your mailing address by Friday, July 16th.

Orchids in Bloom!

An Academy-award-winning actress, a Revlon spokeswoman, mother and most recently a perfumer – Halle Berry is back with a new fragrance – Pure Orchid. Wrapped in a pretty purple package, this perfume exudes femininity with its floral mix of orchids, jungle cactus flower, lemons and blackberry creme. This affordable, sensual scent is perfect for the spring season!


Halle Berry’s Pure Orchid 0.5 oz available at www.walmart.com for $16.

Have you tried Pure Orchid? Are you a fan of celebrity fragrances? One reader will win a bottle of Pure Orchid. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be announced later this week.

A Fragrance Fit for a Queen!

Queen Latifah is one of the few entertainers who seems to have that coveted Midas Touch. From being a Covergirl to an Oscar-nominated actress, Queen has all the bases covered.

Her new fragrance, Queen by Queen Latifahproves that everything she touches does turn into gold. This magnificent scent is perfect for the new fall season. A blend of tantalizing aromas consisting of Baie Rose, Jasmine Noir, Cognac and a bit of Moroccan Coriander spice, this intoxicating fragrance will leave you feeling and smelling like royalty.


Queen by Queen Latifah available at www.macys.com for $59 (3.4 oz) or $49 (1.7 oz)

Have you tried this new fragrance? Two lucky readers will have the chance to take a whiff of this prettily-packaged perfume (the 3.4 oz bottle a value of $59). Just leave a comment telling me what’s your favorite Queen Latifah movie, song, makeup, etc. and the winners will be selected randomly and announced on Tuesday, Sept. 8th. Good luck!

Fresh Fragrances for Fall

With the onset of the fall season, many things begin to change and fragrances are no exception. During the colder months, many people often switch up their scents. This fall there are plenty of new perfumes that are worthy of a whiff. From Usher’s new fragrance for women to Ralph Lauren’s latest addition. Whether you prefer fruity, floral smells or earthy aromas, this fall there’s a fragrance that you’ll fancy!

Do you use the same perfume year-round or do you change it with the seasons?


Usher Raymond for Women 3.4oz fruity floral fragrance available at department stores nationwide for $68


Lolita Lempick 1oz. Eau De Parfum Spray is a warm exotic scent of granginpani blossoms available at www.sephora.com for $46


Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker 3.4oz exudes creamy musks along with sandalwood and orris smells available at www.sephora.com for $68


Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto Collection 0.17 oz comes in Heaven, Shine and Charms available at www.sephora.com for $30


Viva La Juicy 1.7oz Eau De Parfum is a blend of mixed berries, vanilla, jasmine, gardenia and caramel available at www.sephora.com for $65


Ralph Lauren’s Notorious for Women 1 oz. Eau De Parfum has an alluring lay of spicy oriental scents available at www.sephora.com for $42