Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I had an absolutely perfect time with my family during my trip to Chicago. Although the weather caused a bit of concern initially, ultimately I arrived safely.

I can’t believe it’s 2009!! There are quite a few things that I hope to accomplish within the next 12 months considering it will be my last full year in my fabulous 20s!

What are your hopes and goals for this year? Do you ever make resolutions? If so, do you ever keep them?

Here are a few of mine:

Enhance BGG!

Write more!

Make more time to call family & friends (some don’t count texting as communicating! LOL) Me with my cousins and sister (orange).

Take Spanish lessons (I know a little, but not enough!)

Travel abroad (at least once this year)!

During this time of year, there’s nothing more festive than lighting a few candles! Since I don’t have any holiday décor showcased in my tiny apartment, I always opt to light a few candles to create a cheerful, yet relaxing environment. For me, being surrounded by a few scented candles is an instant pick-me-up! Plus, they make for perfect inexpensive gifts (although I’d recommend buying a non-scented one if you aren’t sure of the person’s scent preference) for both men and women!

Do you enjoy lighting candles? What’s your favorite scent?

Check out some of these!

Coach Signature Candle available at www.coach.com for $65

Calypso St. Barth Mix & Match Candle Set available at www.calpyso-celle.com for $75

Diptyque Basile Holiday Amber Candle available at www.smallflower.com for $78

Aunt Sadie’s Candy Cane Candle available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $12.99

Jo Wood Organic Samka Natural Wax Candle available at www.beautyhabit.com for $85

Light My Pink Scented Candle available at www.victoriassecret.com for $20

Le Couvent Des Minimes Verbana & Lemon Scented Candle available at www.macys.com for $20

L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Scented Candle available at www.loccitane.com for $22

Spa Scents 3-in-1 Apple Blossom Scented Candle available at $5.99 at www.sallybeauty.com

**The winner of the Sedu Flat iron is Blair! Congrats! Please send me your mailing address info.

Typically, during the holiday season people only think of buying gifts for their friends and family, but with the economy in such poor shape, this year has made many of us think about what is really important – the well-being of our loved ones. So before you indulge in a bit of scaled-back holiday shopping, think about giving back to those who are really in need. BGG has gathered a few websites where you can donate directly to charities or while purchasing goods from some of your favorite stores’ websites.

Have you ever donated to charity or volunteered during the holiday season? If not, will you consider it this year?

Good Shop – In the “Who do you GoodSearch for” box, choose from one of the thousands of charities and schools already listed in their database or add your favorite cause to their list. Next, click through to their partner retailers and start shopping! A percentage of your purchase will go to your favorite charity or school.

Toys For Tots – The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Unicef Inspired Gifts – Inspired Gifts is an innovative program that allows you to purchase real, lifesaving products–like bednets and vaccines–to be shipped directly to one of over 150 countries where UNICEF is saving children’s lives.

**For those BGs who enjoy giving back as well as buying presents for friends and family, stay tuned!

I’m finally back in NYC after having a 3-hour delayed flight yesterday. Needless to say, I’m pretty exhausted. So I’m keeping today’s post short and sweet. As promised, the winners of the Bobbi Brown makeup book, “For Everyone from Beginner to Pro: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual,” are:

Leslie C.
Mrs. Young Fashion
Bombshell 74
Tammy
Finale_06

Congratulations and please email me with your mailing address info by Friday, December 5th (otherwise, I will have to select other winners)! BGG will be back to normal tomorrow! 🙂

I’m taking the rest of the week off to be with my family in Chicago. I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!! I’ll be back on Monday (if my flight isn’t delayed, otherwise, I’ll be back on Tuesday)!

In recent years more and more people have been trying to incorporate natural and organic products into their everyday lives from food to beauty products. I must confess, I am not a huge natural/organic product guru. Don’t get me wrong, if I find a natural product that gives me great results then of course I’m all for it! It’s just that I don’t go out of my way to purchase items that are 100% natural. With Thanksgiving being next week, do you think you’ll

https://www.browngirlgumbo.com/607/

Mossimo Ultra Soft Ottoman Cowl Neck Sweater available at www.target.com

Women’s Tie Front Wrap Dress available at www.target.com for $12.99

I know that BGG oftentimes encourages you to run out and buy a luxurious lipstick, or a pricey compact, but I know that times are hard. With the stressful economic struggles that we’re currently facing it can be unwise to make unnecessary expensive purchases; that’s why I’ve found these great beauty buys for under $5. Being beautiful doesn’t have to break the bank.

Check these out:

I know that BGG oftentimes encourages you to run out and buy a dazzling dress, or a pricey purse, but I know that times are hard. With the stressful economic struggles that we’re currently facing it can be unwise to make unnecessary purchases that are out of our budgets; that’s why I’ve found these fabulous fashion finds for under $40. Being fashionable doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

FYI – My favorite stores happen to be Daffy’s, Marshall’s and Filene’s Basement. These discount stores house wonderful designer fashions for less. Plus, they typically get new merchandise daily. I see them as being trendy tresure chests, you just never know what you’re going to find!

Check these out:

https://www.browngirlgumbo.com/646/