Brown Girl Gumbo

Love Is In the Air: 7 Fun Valentine’s Day Facts!

February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day my lovely BGs!

I hope your day is filled with love, chocolate, red roses and all of your heart’s desires! In the meantime, check out these fun Valentine’s Day facts:

*Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas. (Source: StValentinesDay.org)

*More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold for Valentine’s Day each year. (Source: History.com)

*2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually. That breaks down to more than 6,000 a day. (Source: History.com)

*California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine’s Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America. Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period. (Source: StValentinesDay.org)

*Over 50 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight. (Source: Hallmark Research)

*In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. (Source: StValentinesDay.org)

*The oldest surviving love poem till date is written in a clay tablet from the times of the Sumerians around 3500 BC. (Source: StValentinesDay.org)

Ava has this new awkward smile thing going on, but she’s still my special Valentine!

XOXO,

BGG

What’s your favorite gift to receive on Valentine’s Day?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 3 Comments

Must-See: Gabrielle Union Stars in Ava DuVernay’s Miu Miu Fashion Short ‘The Door’

February 12, 2013

When it comes to female African-American film directors, Ava DuVernay is the first to come to mind.

Her way of beautifully capturing and telling our stories on film is bar none. She’s recently teamed up with high-fashion house Miu Miu to direct their newest film short—The Door, which is nothing short of a cinematic gem.

The fifth installment of the fashion brand’s “Woman’s Tales” series, stars a lovelorn Gabrielle Union and focuses on strong female bonds. Throughout the film, friends (Adepero Oduycome, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and Goapele) come to Union’s door offering their love and support, while showcasing fabulous fashions that represent the heroine’s rebirth. It also features the incomparable Alfre Woodard and includes an incredible soundtrack.

It’s a wonderful short film that’s worthy of a watch!

Check it out below:

What are your thoughts on the short?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 2 Comments

Get the Look: Elle Varner’s Hair at the Grammys

February 11, 2013

Elle Varner may not have taken home the Grammy for Best R&B song for her smash hit, “Refill,” but the breakout star was a still a major winner on the red carpet.

The Los Angeles-native’s black & white gown was complemented by her gorgeous long, 70s-inspired long locks. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy celebrity hair stylist, Oscar James, wanted to create a memorable look for Varner’s Grammys debut.

“This was Elle’s first time attending the award show and she is a nominated artist so we really wanted to do something different than her usual style,” said James.

Elle Varner

Below, Oscar shares tips on how to get Elle’s lovely Grammys look:

1. Always start with the right foundation and that means a nourished scalp and hair. Rinse and condition with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea shampoo and conditioner for strong, beautiful hair that can hold any style

2. Next, create a center part and blow dry hair straight.

3. Once dry, flat iron hair in small, quarter-inch sections to make sure heat is evenly distributed to every strand.

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy products are available here; starting at $5

4. Then, use a drop of the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea Nourishing Scalp & Hair Oil, emulsify and run through hair from scalp to end to add gorgeous shine and tame flyaways

5. Finish with a spritz of hair spray for extra hold.

What do you think of Elle Varner’s look? Did you watch the Grammys? What was your favorite moment?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Beauty, Celebrity, Celebrity BGs, Hair | 1 Comment

Fabulous Celebrity Twitpics of the Week!

February 8, 2013

With New York Fashion Week underway and the Grammys only days away, there’s no shortage of fabulous Twitter and Instagram pics from some of our favorite celebs!

Janet Jackson

Angela Simmons

Nicole Murphy and Snoop Lion

Tamia

Chef Roble

Estelle

Jill Scott and Lianne La Havas

Photo Credits: Instagram

What’s your favorite photo from the bunch?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Celebrity, Celebrity BGs, Celebrity Photos | 2 Comments

Celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Day!

February 8, 2013

In case you didn’t know, today (Feb. 8) is National Girl Scout Cookie Day!

Get ready to stock up on these classic treats in honor of the world’s largest girl-led business. Whether you crave Thin Mints, Trefoils, Peanut Butter Patties, Samoas (my personal favorite), or one of the other traditional flavors, you’ll be satisfying your sweet tooth while exercising girl power.

In fact, when you purchase a box of cookies from a Girl Scout, you are helping her gain life skills that can only be developed through personal interaction. It’s important for them to experience what it’s like to run their own cookie business through working directly with others.

Photo Courtesy: www.girlscouts.org

In today’s digital age, many people have lost the art of face-to-face exchanges and overall people skills that we don’t want to pass that on to our future generations. That’s why they don’t sell cookies online; but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t made it easy to get your cookie fix.

Thanks to the newly revamped “Cookie Locater” app, customers can find cookies sales, nearby Girl Scout Cookie Professionals and other pertinent cookie-tracking information with a simple tap on your phone.

If you’re braving the imminent winter storm that’s headed toward New York City today, be sure to stop by one of these pop-up Sweetery truck locations to help a troop and indulge in a delicious snack:

The 1st stop – 8:30-10:30am – 42nd St & Madison Ave;
The 2nd stop – 11:30am-1:30pm – 57th St between 5th & 6th Ave;
The 3rd stop – 2:30-4:30pm – Park Ave between 52nd & 53rd St; and
The 4th stop – 5:30-7:30pm – Amsterdam Ave between 70th & 71st St.

You can follow the truck on twitter @GirlScouts and @SweeteryNYC.

It seems like yesterday when I was a little 8-year-old girl in my green and white uniform. Yep, like countless other women, I, too, was once a girl scout! Oh the memories, and of course tasty cookies!

GIVEAWAY: What’s your favorite Girl Scout cookie? One lucky reader will win five boxes of your choice. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below or tweet your answer to: @girlscouts with #onemorebox.

Category: Giveaway, Giveaways | 7 Comments

Whitney Houston’s Madame Tussauds Wax Figures Unveiled

February 7, 2013

With the Grammys only a few days away, it seems only fitting that Madame Tussauds has chosen to celebrate Whitney Houston’s legacy.

Today, the late iconic singer’s likeness will be immortalized in wax with four amazingly striking figures. The unveiling will take place here in New York City and will become part of the permanent exhibits at each of the Madame Tussauds around the country.

Photo Courtesy: Madame Tussauds

The four figures showcase various highlights in her career including: her image from the hit song/video, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, her famous rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” in 1991, her portrayal of Rachel Marron in “The Bodyguard,” and a portrait taken from her last studio album in 2009.

The incredibly detailed and time-consuming process took four months to complete by a team of specially trained artists and cost approximately $1.2 million for the four figures.

And unlike some recent projects with Houston being the subject, the family seems to be behind the project 100%.

Speaking on behalf of the family and The Whitney Houston Estate, Pat Houston said: “We were extremely honored when Madame Tussauds’ approached us about doing not one, but four figures of Whitney from different points in her 30-year career. This is something we are excited to do for the fans.”

If you can’t get enough of Houston’s music and career, be sure to tune in to Centric TV this weekend for a never-before seen documentary, Whitney Houston: Legend, which will feature interviews about the interviews about the legendary Whitney Houston in a never-before seen documentary, “Whitney Houston: Legend” (9pm EST).

Which wax figure is your favorite? What’s your favorite Whitney Houston song?

Category: Arts and Entertainment | 4 Comments

BEAUTY News: Sam Fine Launches Debut Makeup Collection with Fashion Fair

February 7, 2013

Beauty buffs have been anticipating the arrival of Sam Fine’s collaboration with Fashion Fair for a while, and now the wait is finally over!

The two beauty poewrhouses have joined forces to create a luxe line of cosmetics created with us BGs in mind. What could be better: a premier celebrity makeup artist partnering with the pioneer in makeup for women of color? Well, last week I had the pleasure of attending a press event showcasing the Sam Fine for Fashion Fair collection and I’m telling you that it doesn’t get any better than this.

Recently appointed Fashion Fair’s Creative Director of Makeup, Fine brings his innovative, creative and contemporary flair to the historical brand.

Sam Fine “working his magic”on a model.

Although this is Fine’s debut makeup line, his knowledge and years of experience working with cosmetics shows. Inspired by his international travels, the incredibly rich, pigmented collection is beyond striking. I was impressed, but not surprised by the quality of the products, which include: Eight Supreme Lip Color Shades ($22; 8 shades), Two Supreme Eye Color Quads ($38) and Supreme Shine Lip Gloss ($20; one shade). For over a decade, Fine has painted some of the most famous faces in entertainment, while Fashion Fair has mastered the cosmetics business for half a century—that’s bound to be a recipe for success!

The entire collection can be purchased here; $272. Products are sold separately at Macy’s, Dillards and Lord & Taylor.

Although I experimented with various lipstick shades from the line, African Violet is my absolute favorite. The semi-matte deep plum/burgundy shade goes on effortlessly and feels weightless. It provides just a bit of shine to create a vampy look without looking greasy.

Me wearing the ‘African Violet’ lip color.

A few of my other faves (from top): Dynasty Red, Pink Parfait and Moroccan Spice

I haven’t tried the quad shadows yet, but the colors are just as vibrant as the lipsticks. If you’re on the hunt for a collection that complements women of color, these products are must-haves!

For Sam’s lip tips, check out the video below:

Are you excited about this collection? Are you a fan of Sam Fine’s work?

Category: Beauty, Beauty News, Featured, Features | 1 Comment