Brown Girl Gumbo

Pretty in Pink

October 12, 2011

Did you know that according to government statistics, 1 in 6 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime? While the numbers are startling, all hope is not lost. We can help reduce our risk by seeking screening early. Early detection is by far one of the most effective ways to fight the disease.

I’ve lost two aunts to the disease and feel as though they might be here today if they had caught it early enough.

Don’t waste another day, do a self-exam, get a mammogram and take a friend!

Take a look at some of these products that donate a portion of their proceeds to helping find a cure for breast cancer.

Avon Pink Kisses Umbrella available at www.avon.com for $10

Lip, eye, and cheek palette available at www.sephora.com for $15 (a $55 value)

Hunter Boots available at www.nordstrom.com for $125.

KitchenAid Cook for a Cure Set available at www.macys.com from $159-$399.

Have you ever had a mammogram? Do you perform self-exams?

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Category: Breast Cancer | 2 Comments

BGG Chats with Sherri Shepherd

October 10, 2011

From chatting up the hottest celebrities on The View, to hosting The Newlywed Game, to being a mother and wife, Sherri Shepherd proves that it is possible to have it all.

The Emmy-award winning newlywed, 44, shares how she successfully wears many hats while maintaining the most important aspect of her life – family. The comedian/actress spoke with me about how she balances it all, along with her latest “powerful” venture, being a spokeswoman for Oral-B’s power toothbrush, and more.

On her wedding that aired on the Style Network
“We had a great time planning it. It was so perfect and beautiful. There was very little drama. I don’t think I would’ve changed a thing about my wedding. If anything, the only thing that I was probably a Bridezilla about was our bridal party dance. Everybody was complaining, being silly and saying, “I don’t know why we’re doing this.” I was like look, “This is the only thing that I want. I’m not making you get a weave in your hair or wear uncomfortable shoes, but you will get this dance if it’s the last thing we do because it is going to go viral and it will be perfect! Elisabeth Hasselbeck, get your butt over here and start moving Niecy Nash you are not on Dancing With the Stars – get it together. It worked out – they came together for me.”

Her Windy City roots
“I’m from the south side. It (her wedding) was so special because all of my family is from Chicago. The problem with getting married in Chicago was that you had family members saying, ‘Uh cuz, I didn’t get my invitation cuz,’ and I’d be like, ‘It’s because I didn’t send you an invitation cuz,’ but other than that I love being in Chicago.”

On how she thinks she and her husband, Sal, would fare on The Newlywed Game

“My mother-in-law would probably stop talking to me. And I’d probably be so embarrassed. My husband has no filter so he would to tell you the How, When and the Why of our intimate life. So you would probably never see us on that game!”

On the importance of oral hygiene

“I’m so excited that I’m partnering with Oral-B because I hope to inspire people to take control of their oral health. I don’t think a lot people realize that if you don’t have your oral health and smile and if your teeth are not together that it affects so many aspects of your life: relationships, self-esteem, and just your ovreall health. Your mouth is the gateway to everything, that’s why I’m trying to inpsire every one to jump on the power toothbrush train. I just started using my Oral-B power toothbrush and I thought I was good before, but when I turned this thing on, I almost got blown out of the bathroom with the power of this toothbrush! It’s so much easier than using a manual toothbrush. I don’t ever want to go back to using a manual one. My dentist also saw that the difference when I was using my power toothbrush.”

On balancing being a daytime talk-show host, actress, comedian, wife, and mom

“First of all I have to pray in the morning. One of my prayers is: Lord I give you everything my career, my child, my dreams, my aspirations…Give me back what you want me to have. Show me what I’m supposed to do. What always comes back to me is my #1 priority when I was single – my son, Jeffrey (6-years-old). That was it. So if it was anything that took me away from my child, that dictated whether I’d say no or yes. That’s why you don’t see me at a lot of the red carpet events wearing the latest little dresses, or at the clubs or at the parties dropping it like it’s hot because I have a son. That’s why you don’t see me doing the “paso doble” on Dancing With the Stars because I have a son and I didn’t have anyone to help me with him. So I had to say no to a lot of things. So as soon as I leave The View I head over to host The Newlywed Game, but as soon as I’m done with that I’m Skypeing with Jeffrey. I’m running home, reading a book and tucking him in at night.”

Her all-time favorite guest on The View
“We’ve had so many, but I’d have to say hands-down President Barack Obama. Literally who has the opportunity to sit one person away from the President of the United States? There’s never been a person that had my skin-color EVER leading the free world so to be able to sit there and look at President Barack Obama and then think back to my son and know that my son could do anything that he really truly wants to do because of this man right here – it was just such an honor. I’ll never forget that moment.”

Are you a Sherri Shepherd fan? Do you use a manual or electric toothbrush?

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Category: Interviews | 2 Comments

Fall for Color

October 7, 2011

Even though fall is in full swing, that doesn’t mean that you have to ditch those bold shades typically reserved for warmer seasons. A great way to incorporate color into your cool-weather wardrobe is to opt for saturated denim jeans for a fresh fall look. From deep purples to burnt oranges, these jeans provide the perfect dose of color that’s slightly subdued yet incredibly vibrant!

Check out a few choices here:

Pacsun Colored Denim Leggings available at www.pacsun.com for $39.50.

Blue Essence Denim Skinny Jeans available at www.nordstrom.com for $98.

Current/Elliott Ankle Length Skinny Jeans available at www.bloomingdales.com for $168.

Premium Denim Colored Jeans available at www.forever21.com for $22.80.

Would you wear colored jeans during the fall?

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Category: Fashion | 2 Comments

BGG Chats with Queen Latifah

October 5, 2011

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Queen Latifah. The incredibly humble and down-to-earth entertainer was an absolute delight. Check out my piece here on Parade.com.

Are you a fan of Queen Latifah’s? If so, what’s your favorite Queen Latifah movie, etc.?

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Category: Uncategorized | 4 Comments

What’s in Your Makeup Bag?

October 4, 2011

Don’t let the title of the post mislead you. I’m talking about the nasty oils and bacteria that can accumulate on or in your make-up and make-up tools. Everything has an expiration date and makeup is no different. If you’re not careful, you can cause some serious damage to your skin. One of the quickest culprits to cause an infection such as pink eye is mascara. Although you may see many people pumping the wand inside their mascara bottle repeatedly, experts agree that this action immediately causes air to push bacteria back inside the tube.

Of course when applying your make-up, be sure your hands, brushes or sponges are clean to avoid skin outbreaks. Here are some general expiration guidelines:

Liquid Foundation: 3-6 months (Cream foundation can last 4-6 months)

Foundation in a bottle should last 3-6 months, but wide mouthed jars can expose the product to more air and should be tossed sooner. When the ingredients begin to settle or separate, the texture thickens or thins, or the smell changes, it’s time to throw it away.

Concealer: 6-8 months

Powders: 1 year

Mascara: 3 months

Lip gloss & Lipstick: 1 year

Are you guilty of trying to hold on to your favorite make-up products past their expiration date? If so, which products do you try to make last the longest?

Posted by: Khadijah C.

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Category: Beauty | 4 Comments

Get Funky With It

September 30, 2011

Watch out Carol, there’s another ‘daughter’ taking on all-natural hair care.

Uncle Funky’s Daughter is a husband and wife line based in Houston that caters to curly hair textures. Although, the brand was founded in 2003, I only heard of it a few months ago. First the name caught my attention and then the packaging bearing a woman rocking an Afro sealed the deal. I knew I had to try a product from this eye-catching line.

Since I suffer from extremely dry, flakey scalp I was excited to try the brand’s moisturizer, Shining Star. Made with natural jojoba and soybean oil, this pleasantly-scented concoction quenched my hair’s ‘thirst’ like no other product I’ve tried this year. It’s lightweight, yet non-greasy formula coated my hair and scalp leaving it shiny without the weight where many other moisturizers fail.

While I’m still a huge fan of Carol’s Daughter, I’m making room in my beauty shelf for one more child who will bring on that funk!

Have you tried Uncle Funky’s Daughter products? If you would like to try the Shining Star ($16 value) moisturizer, simply leave a comment and the winner will be randomly selected and announced next week.

**The winner of the Essie polish is Ladybug! Congrats and please send me your mailing address.

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Category: Beauty | 12 Comments

News: Jennifer Hudson Opens Weight Loss Center

September 28, 2011

Jennifer Hudson wants her fellow Chicagoans to get healthy and lose weight.

The famously slimmed down Oscar-winning actress opened the Jennifer Hudson Weight Watchers Center on the south side of her hometown yesterday. Known for her incredible body transformation, the Weight Watchers spokeswoman and star of the upcoming biopic, Winnie, was joined by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanual at the weight loss facility’s ribbon cutting.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the singer/actress said,”I never thought I’d make it to have my own center. I’m so honored to be here and see this day.”