Great Gifts for Everyone on Your List

With only ten days left to shop before Christmas, now is the time to get those last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers. Whether you have to get a gift for your boyfriend, BFF, mom, tween nephew, sister, dad or co-worker, BGG has a round-up that will have you jumping with yuletide joy!


Barnes & Noble NOOKcolor E-Reader
Your book-loving mother will adore you for giving her this cool and colorful eReader. Available at www.bestbuy.com for $249


Sally Hansen Lacrosse Gift Set
This set would make a great stocking stuffer for your prissy sis. Available at drugstores nationwide for $4.99.


Who doesn’t love a great body scub and gel? This cranberry-scented set will make your aunt or mother-in-law swoon with delight. Available at www.thebodyshop.com for $29.


Write N’ Roll Flexible Keyboard
This convenient, full-sized silicone keyboard makes a great gift for the techie in your life. Available at Gift Shop at Macy’s for $25 www.macys.com.


Sonic Colors Video Game for Nintendo DS
Your game-crazy nephew will be glued to his console with the popular Sonic Colors video game. Available at www.bestbuy.com for $29.99


Anthony Logistics Face Kit
Give your guy some face time with this nature-based facial kit. The set includes an all-purpose moisturizer, cleansing clay, cleanser and scrub that will keep your guy well-groomed. Available at www.anthonylogistics.com for $30


Ihome iP3 Studio Series Audio System
Get your guy grooving to his iTunes with this super sleek sound system. Available at www.ihomeaudio.com for $199.99.


Click and Be Happy
A combo of perfume and lip gloss is the perfect multi-purpose must-have for your BFF on the go. This customizable fragrance and gloss set comes with three variations on the popular ‘Happy’ scent and corresponding shades making it an ideal match. Available at www.clinique.com for $28.


Icon Rose Quilt Multi Pouch
This pretty leather pouch is a chic option for your niece. It’s just the right size for carrying cards, cash and change. Available at Fossil for $35 www.fossil.com


Kenneth Cole Cufflinks
These cute cufflinks will transform ordinary shirts into standouts, which will make the metrosexual on your list very happy. Available at Gift Shop at Macy’s for $60 www.macys.com

Let Friendships Flourish!

I recently read an article online that said spending time with our gal pals is as important to our health as heading to the gym. It’s a known fact that we women connect with each other differently than men and the support of our girlfriends help us deal with stress and life experiences, but who knew that cultivating those relationships with our girls could actually lower blood pressure, heart rate and even cholesterol!?

So the next time you think about rescheduling girl time, think again – your heart will thank you for it.

Me with one of my BFFs Azeeza (I only take pics when I’m with her!!) Even though she lives in Chicago, we still stay in touch. I do need to find more NY friends. LOL!

When was the last time you hung out with your friends? Do you have one or two BFFs or do you have a group of friends that all hang out together?

Carol’s Daughter Gift Set Giveaway!

‘Tis the season for sensational holiday sets! Carol’s Daughter has several sweet-smelling gifts that will make the people on your Christmas list jump for joy! Since I’m a huge fan, I plan on giving and receiving a few treats from this beloved brand. These lovely sets are a sure bet for your mother, aunt, sister or BFF.


Feeling Nice Hair Set $28.50 (includes: Tui Herbal Shampoo 8 fl oz, Tui Leave-in Conditioner 8 fl oz, Sugar-Dipped Vanilla All Over Sheen 4 fl oz, Nice Head Band)


Naughty & Nice Body Set $28.50 (includes: Ecstasy Body Cleansing Gel 8 fl oz, Almond Cookie Shea Soufflé 4 oz, Sugar-Dipped Vanilla All Over Sheen 4 fl oz, Hit-the-Spot Body Massager)


Sugar-Dipped Trio $30 (includes: Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Body Cleansing Gel 8 fl oz, Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Body Cream 2 oz, Sugar-Dipped Vanilla All Over Sheen 4 fl oz)


Feeling Naughty Hair Set $28.50 (includes: Black Vanilla Shampoo 8 fl oz, Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner 8 fl oz, Sugar-Dipped Vanilla All Over Sheen 4 fl oz, Flirty Head Band)


Naughty & Nice Body Cleansing Gel Trio $30 (includes: Sugar-Dipped Vanilla Body Cleansing Gel 8 fl oz, Almond Cookie Body Cleansing Gel 8 fl oz, Ecstasy Body Cleansing Gel 8 fl oz, Shower Poof)

*All sets are available at www.carolsdaughter.com

Have you started your Christmas shopping? Are you a fan of Carol’s Daughter? One lucky winner will win a set of her choice. Simply leave a comment telling me why you like the brand and a winner will be randomly selected and announced late this week.

World AIDS Day

Alicia Keys and a host of other celebrities (Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kim Kardashian, etc) are staging their digital deaths in honor of World AIDS Day. Her Keep-A-Child-Alive foundation is hoping to raise money in an effort to save millions of lives affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. She along with fellow celebrity friends are sacrificing their social media updates until $1,000,000 is raised to buy her life back. So if you’re following them on Twitter or are a Facebook friend, you won’t get any new updates until their goals are met.


Visit www.keepachildalive.org for information on how you can help.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, we African-Americans face the most severe burden of HIV in the United States. At the end of 2007, we accounted for almost half (46%) of people living with a diagnosis of HIV infection in the 37 states and 5 US dependent areas with long-term, confidential, name-based HIV reporting.

Do you know your status? If not, GET TESTED!

Vaseline Just Got Butter

Just when you thought a good thing couldn’t get better – it has. In celebration of its 140th anniversary, the tried and true Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is now available in rich conditioning Cocoa Butter. The newest addition to the beloved multi-purpose product comes in a cool new flip top and still soothes skin making it silky and supple. The lovely cocoa butter scent simply adds to an already great thing.


Available at drugstores nationwide for $3.49

To help celebrate Vaseline Petroleum Jelly’s 140th anniversary, Vaseline has included contests for VPJ users on its NEW Facebook community page. They’re are asking users to submit their favorite uses of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly! Each week, they’ll select a winner to receive a Limited Edition Swarovski Crystal Jar of VPJ (worth around $100) and a $500 gift card! They will also be randomly selecting 5 winners, who take the extra time to submit a video, to win a Limited Edition Swarovski Crystal Jar set (worth around $750) & a $1,000 gift card! You can check out that contest at www.facebook.com/vaseline.


How do you use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly?

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope each and every one of you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! This will be my first year celebrating the holidays with my baby girl, Ava. I have so much to be thankful for. Enjoy yourselves! 🙂

Nicki Minaj Gets the Pink Lip


Nicki Minaj, the rapper famous for her fierce collaborations with some of the top-selling artists has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Not only did she just release her debut album, Pink Friday, to rave reviews, but she is also getting a limited-edition pink lipstick named after her by M.A.C. cosmetics, which will be available exclusively online for four consecutive Fridays only beginning November 26th. Looks like the split-personality lyricist has one more thing in common with Lil’ Kim.


In stores nationwide and on iTunes now.

Would you wear pink lipstick? Are you a fan of Nicki Minaj’s music?