Brown Girl Gumbo

Stylish Summer Scarves

July 14, 2008

Accessories play an integral part in helping us appear polished and pulled together. That’s why this season, fashionable BGs are reaching for summery scarves to create a cool and chic look. The key to wearing scarves in the summer is to opt for silks, chiffons and other lightweight fabrics that are airy and won’t absorb heat.

They are the perfect accessories for breezy, summer evenings. Whether loosely tied around the neck or used as headbands for a retro, laid-back look, scarves can be worn in a variety of ways. Plus, they can easily be incorporated into your fall wardrobe!

Do you wear a scarves in the summer? What’s your favorite summer accessory this season?

Check out some of these:

Oversize Paisley Print Scarf available at www.bananarepublic.com for $69

Robert Cavalli Zebra Signature Doubled Chiffon Silk Scarf available www.forzieri.com for $135

Windowpane Plaid Scarf available at www.gap.com for $19.50

Basanti Scarf by Peace Treaty available at www.shopbop.com for $99

Coach Marker Stipe Oblong Scarf available at www.coach.com for $78

Floral Bouquest Chiffon Silk Scarf available at www.forzieri.com for $59

Free People Full Fringe Scarf available at www.freepeople.com for $19.95

City Style Diamond & Maze Scarf available at www.nyandcompany.com for $14.95

Diane Von Fursternberg Parang Bora Bora Scarf available at www.dvf.com for $147

Preston and York Floral Scarf available at www.dillards.com for $15

Tolanzi Zig Zag Scarf available at www.ravinstyle.com for $75

Emilio Pucci Small Cinguetto Scarf available at www.saks.com for $150

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Category: Fashion, Scarves | 27 Comments

Great Summer Reads

July 10, 2008

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on the mountain of books that you’ve been meaning to read for months. There’s nothing like sitting in a park or on your porch (if you live outside of NYC, LOL!) with a good book. Whether it’s a biography (my favorite), novel, self-help book or something in between, they all allow us to escape from the stresses of the world and take time for ourselves.

Unfortunately, this year I haven’t been reading as much as I usually do, but with a few upcoming out-of-town trips planned, I know that I’ll have plenty of time to do just that at my least favorite place – the airport!

What are you reading this summer? What’s your favorite book of all time (if you can name just one)?

Here are a few books that are on my MUST READ list for the summer:

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama

Green With Envy: Why Keeping Up with the Joneses is Keeping Us in Debt by Shira Boss

Ghettonation: A Journey into the Land of Bling and the Home of Shameless. She has a follow-up coming out in September, so I want to read this one first!

Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove, from Cocaine to Foie Gras by Jeff Henderson

Lies At the Altar: The Truth About Great Marriages by Dr. Robin Smith

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Category: Books | 30 Comments

Going with the Motions

July 9, 2008

I’ve always heard great things about Motions’ products, but now I can finally vouch for the brand too. When I tried their new Marula Hair and Scalp Oil, I instantly became a fan. Prior to actually using it, I was a bit skeptical because I’ve had my fair share of trying products that didn’t live up to the hype. Luckily, for my locks that was not the case with this light-weight spray.

This product, which is made with 100% marula oil was just what I needed to give my oftentimes, dry and dull-looking tresses a nice sheen without leaving it lifeless or greasy. Plus, it has a delightful tropical scent that makes you want to continuously use it. I’ve applied it daily for about 2 weeks now and will definitely add it to my hair repertoire!

Have you used Motions? If so, what are your thoughts on their products?

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Category: Beauty, Hair | 26 Comments

Makeup Be Gone!

July 8, 2008

I know this might come as a suprise since I am a self-proclaimed beauty product junkie, but I have never used makeup remover prior to last week. While I was at my friend’s house, I used her Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover and have been obsessed with it ever since. You guys know how much I love mascara and eyeliner so it’s quite unbelievable that it’s taken me so long to use products that are actually made for taking off makeup.

Now I can easily remove my 2 coats of mascara without worrying about the black stains that I’m creating on all of my face towels. This is like the best discovery ever; I don’t think I’ll ever go back to my old-fashioned way of vigorously rubbing with warm water again!

Do you use makeup remover daily?

I guess they all do the same thing, but check out some of these:

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover available at www.drugstore.com for $7.99

Too Faced Lash Injection Antidote Gel Eye Makeup Remover available at www.sephora.com for $23.50

The Balm Balms Away Eye Makeup Breakup available at www.beauty.com for $19

Prescriptives Better Off Fast Acting Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover available at www.prescriptives.com for $18

Physicians Formula Eye Makeup Remover Pads available at www.drugstore.com for $5.99

Jane Iredale the Skincare Makeup Magic Mitt available at www.janeiredaledirect.com for $15

Clinique Naturally Gentle Eye Makeup Remover available at www.clinique.com for $15.50

Model Co. Liquid Buds Makeup Remover available at www.beautyhabit.com for $12

Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover available at www.nordstrom.com for $16.50

Lancome Bi-Facil Makeup Remover available at www.lancome.com for $26

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Category: Beauty, Makeup Remover | 24 Comments

Sizable Wallets

July 7, 2008

My love for big purses creates a challenge when it comes to finding my wallet. I realize that if I have a huge bag, I probably need to have a good sized wallet that I can easily find and grab. Otherwise, it takes me a good 5 minutes to fish around my seemingly bottomless bag to find my wallet when I need it.

Do you find yourself taking too long to pull out your wallet because it gets lost in the mix of your large purse?

Check out some of these easy-to-find wallets:

Coach Legacy Striped Accordian Zip Around Wallet available at www.coach.com for $248

Reptile Hinge Wallet available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $14.99

Latico Eelskin Wallet availalbe at www.piperlime.com for $89

Juicy Couture Elongated Clutch Wallet available at www.eluxury.com for $145

Cole Haan Gold Woven Leather Travel Zip Wallet available at www.bluefly.com for $105

Reptile Hinge Wallet available at www.forever21.com for $7.50

Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Clutch Wallet available at www.bloomingdales.com for $178

Gucci Brown GG Canvas Zip Continental Wallet available at www.bluefly.com for $348

Cole Haan Village Slim Zip Wallet available at www.neimanmarcus.com for $155

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Category: Fashion, Wallets | 23 Comments

Best Buds

July 2, 2008

There are a few things in life that I can’t live without – Lay’s plain potato chips, gummi bears and the company of my friends. The past two weekends I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with my two best friends – TT and AD.

Oftentimes, I don’t even consider T as a friend; she’s more like a sister to me. We bring out the best in each other and she’s always been there to support me no matter what and vice versa. We’re like Oprah and Gayle! I can talk to her about any and every thing as much as I want. When we get together it’s like we’re back in high school again. When I was in Chicago last week, we laughed, reminisced and had a great time. We’ve been best friends for nearly 15 years now and I couldn’t imagine life without her.

TT and me.

The week before I went to Chicago, my other friend, AD, came to visit me here in New York for the first time. She’s my fashionable friend who is just as spoiled as I am. We shopped, laughed and bickered just like we did when I lived in the Windy City. We grow closer each year and I’m so glad she’s a part of my life.

AD and me.

I do have one other best friend, Wanza, but we haven’t seen each other in about a year. We keep in touch via phone and text. Hopefully, I’ll make it to Tampa before the summer is over to hang out with her too!!

Friends definitely make our lives more enjoyable.

Do you have a best friend? If so, what makes him/her special? What is the most important quality a true friend should possess? Please share!

Check out some of these celebrity BFFs:

Essence Atkins and Gabrielle Union

Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell

Kelly Rowland and Beyonce

Tyra Banks and Kimora Lee

Oprah and Gayle

LisaRaye and Vivica Fox

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Category: Friendships | 35 Comments

Cute Kicks

July 1, 2008

I’m back from Chicago and I missed you guys so much!! I’m completely exhausted, but BGG has returned with regular posts. Yesterday was the first day I didn’t post anything. I was too tired since my flight was delayed 2 hours. Anyway, back to business!

Being that I have never liked the look of sneakers, sometimes a girly girl like me has to break down and buy a pair in an effort to stay fit. I hadn’t owned a pair of sneakers since high school until a few weeks ago. I decided to purchase a pair so I could exercise properly since we all know that stiletto heels and chic ballet flats won’t get the job done.

So, as I embarked upon my quest for cute, non-clunky athletic shoes, I surprisingly noticed that there were quite a few that were actually wearable. Now I can finally try to stay fit and still look feminine at the same time!

Are you a sneaker or as we call them in Chicago “gym shoe” person?

Check out some of these:

New Balance Women’s 893 Sneakers available at www.footlocker.com for $84.99