Gifts

Great Gifts for Mom!

April 29, 2008

With Mother’s Day less than 2 weeks away, it’s time to think of special gifts that will make your mom smile. Whether she’s a makeup maven, self-help enthusiast, candy lover or somewhere in between, BGG has rounded up some of the best gifts to honor the woman who made us who we are today.

What was the most memorable gift you’ve ever given your mother or received on Mother’s Day?

Take a look at these:

Flowers always brighten a woman’s day, especially pretty pink ones! Posh Pinks Bouquet available at www.teleflora.com for $52.95

Diamonds are a girls’ best friend. Sterling Silver Diamond Bangle Bracelet available at www.macys.com for $242.10

Ever want to get your mother to tell her life story? Here’s your chance! This Story of Lifetime book has over a 500 questions that you can ask your mom. From describing her first proposal to her first job, this book is perfect to pass down to generations. Available at www.redenvelope.com for $48

You played in her makeup when you were a kid, why not repay her with luxurious Lancome lipstick? Mother’s Day Lips Seductive Cools available at www.lancome.com for $49.50

You’d be hard-pressed to find a woman who doesn’t love chocolate – I’m sure your mom is no exception! Queen for a Day Chocolates available at www.redenvelope.com for $38.00.

For the mom who loves snapping shots of her kids and grandkids at family gatherings, this Canon PowerShot Digital Camera is perfect for the parent-paparazzi. Availble at www.compusa.com for $169.97.

Since she rarely makes time for herself, treat her to a relaxing spa treatment. SpaFinders.com have gift certificates that are valid at over 4000 spas nationwide from $50-$1000.

If you can’t get her to go to a spa, bring the massage to her with the OSIM iSqueez Foot and Calf Massager available at www.brookstone.com for $399

To help maintain your mom’s gorgeous glow, try Carol’s Daughter’s Almond Celebration Set available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $58.00

For the mom who adores all things Oprah, this hardcover “best of” book is bound to please. O’s Guide to Life: The Best of O, the Oprah Magazine available at www.amazon.com for $19.77

There’s no photo for this, but I had to include taking your mother out to a spectacular brunch (a gospel brunch would be even better). She’ll appreciate that you filled her belly and spirit!

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Category: Gifts, Mother's Day | 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

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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

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Category: Fashion, Gifts | 20 Comments

Last Minute V-Day Ideas for Your Guy

February 14, 2008

We all know that guys don’t really care about Valentine’s Day as much as we ladies do. However, everybody enjoys feeling appreciated and treated well so why not make his Valentine’s Day special? In case you didn’t buy your beau anything yet, don’t fret — I’ve compiled a list of easy and simple things that you can do that will make him swoon!

Prepare his favorite meal. Every man loves a good meal. You don’t have to be Rachael Ray to pull off a quick and easy meal that will make his taste buds jump for joy. Of course add some champagne and candlelight to set the mood just right.

Add a playlist of love songs to his iPod that say all of the things you want to say to him. For example: Beyonce’s “Dangeroulsy In Love.”

Give him a manicure. Most men don’t get their hands manicured as much as they should, tonight will be the perfect opportunity to get cozy with his cuticles!

Write him a note saying that you’ll pre-order “The Wire” and “The Boondocks” full box sets as soon as they come out. What guy doesn’t love these two shows?

Write a heart-felt poem that expresses the passion and love you have for him. Men appreciate loving words even if they claim to be tough.

Slip on your sexiest piece of lingerie. This will get his attention immediately and you won’t have to do anything else!

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Category: Gifts | 8 Comments

Sweet & Sexy Treats

January 30, 2008

With Valentine’s Day a mere 2 weeks away, it’s time to tell your beau to check out BGG for great gift ideas! I know that many men and some women feel that it’s the quintessential pointless Hallmark holiday, but what’s wrong with having a day of receiving sweet treats from your significant other?

It’s the perfect excuse to slip into new sexy lingerie and eat deliciously decadent chocolates — what’s not to love? Tell him to start shopping now to beat the mad rush that’s certain to ensue days prior to the romantic day.

Here are a few of my pretty gift picks:

Pink roses from 1-800-FLOWERS www.1800flowers.com for $69

Mesh Halter Babydoll Nightie available at Victoria’s Secret www.victoriassecret.com for $34

Sterling silver diamond accented bracelets available at Macy’s www.macys.com $34 each

Burberry Brit “Sheer” Eau De Toilette Available at Nordstrom www.nordstrom.com $52-$72

Godiva Chocolates $85 www.godiva.com

Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Treatment available at Macy’s www.macys.com for $15

Tiffany’s sterling silver heart necklace available at www.tiffanys.com for $405

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Category: Gifts | 9 Comments

Pull Your Card

January 17, 2008

We BGs are always networking and mingling. With professional socializing comes the task of exchanging business cards. Whether you hand out your company-issued business card or your side hustle card, pulling this pertinent piece of information from a chic card holder will always add that extra polish to your professional swagger.

Even though we live in an ever-increasing technological world, handing out your contact information on a rectangular piece of good card stock is still relevant. I’m not saying that you won’t immediately take the data you get from the business card and transmit it into your latest cutting-edge PDA, but you have to get the card first.

From a graduate student to a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, exchanging business cards is a must. You never know where your card or someone else’s may lead!

Check out some of these fabulous business card holders:

Available at www.giftsforprofessionals.com for $10.95

Available at www.giftsforprofessionals.com for $12.95

Available at www.redenvelope.com from $45-$50

Available at www.executivegiftshoppe.com for $31

Available at www.macys.com for $14

Available at www.giftsforprofessionals.com for $17.95

Available at www.redenvelope.com from $45-50

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Category: Career, Gifts | 7 Comments

Take Note

December 19, 2007

Now that the new year is rapidly approaching, why not pick up a few journals for yourself and others this holiday season?

At the start of each year I try to write my personal thoughts and reflections in a journal. I credit my mom for instilling in me the importance of the written word. She’s kept a journal throughout most of her life. Me on the otherhand, I’m not as consistent, but I do have several journals.

Actually, journal writing doesn’t have to be consistent or contain certain thoughts. All that matters is that you write down exactly how you feel at that particular moment in time. From random thoughts to a rant about an annoying co-worker at your office, journals are your personal space to vent and reflect.

I recently read one of my journals from college and found it to be quite funny and entertaining. Although at the time, my circumstances were far from humorous. The affairs that were going on in my life during that time are totally irrelavant now, but it was fun and interesting to read years later.

So head to your nearest Papyrus or local stationery store to buy a journal. They make great stocking stuffers!

Here are a few pretty journals to check out **Please note that some of these journals are pricey, but you can find more affordable ones at Borders and Barnes and Noble bookstores**: