Cheers!

Every now and then, we BGs like to unwind with a nice glass of wine with dinner or sip a cosmo when we're hanging out with our girls. There are many occasions when a cocktail is in order, such as birthdays, promotions, holidays, etc. Because I'm a light-weight drinker, I usually opt for a frozen strawberry daiquiri when I feel like celebrating.

From Pinot Grigio to a chilled apple martini, the variations of liquor options are virtually limitless!

What was your alcoholic beverage of choice this summer or your favorite drink period? Have you ever had an embarrassing encounter after having one too many? Please share!


My drink of choice, Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri. Remember, no matter what you're drinking, it's important to always drink responsibly!


Frozen Margarita


Cosmo


Apple Martini

Raising the Bar!

When it comes to cleansing my body, I've always preferred liquid soaps and shower gels over bar soaps. That was until the other day when I ran out of my tried and true Suave Tropical Coconut shower gel and was forced to use my husband's regular Irish Spring bar soap. To my surprise, it lathered well and actually had a refreshingly pleasant scent. Plus, it left my skin feeling clean and soft.

Since I was so pleased with the results, I'm now considering giving my fruity-smelling favorites a break and picking up a few bar soaps instead. Hey, change is good!

Do you find that you get stuck using your favorite products without giving new ones a try?

Check out some of these bar soaps:


Avon Moisturizing Cleansing Bar Soap available at www.avon.com for $4


Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap available at www.sephora.com for $14


Clinique 3 Little Soaps with Travel Dish available at www.sephora.com for $15


Dove Go Fresh Cool Cucumber and Green Tea Beauty Bar available at www.drugstore.com for $3.49


Fresh Mangosteen Soap available at www.sephora.com for $14


Indigo Wild Mumosa Soap with Bow available at www.smallflower.com $5.60


Pangea Organics White Sage Bar Soap available at www.tobi.com for $6


Kiehl's Non-Soap Water Bar available at www.saks.com for $9.50


L'Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap avaiable at www.loccitane.com for $10


Origins Gloom Away Grapefruit Bath Bar available at www.dillards.com for $13


Red Flower Soap and Dish Japanese Peony Set available at www.beautyhabit.com for $18

Stylish Shows for the Fall Season

Besides the fashions that only fall can bring, new TV lineups are the second best thing that happens during this time of year. Although I haven’t been watching much TV lately, this past weekend I found myself glued to the tube watching all of last season’s Gossip Girl as if I were an Upper East Side rich teenage girl with a Sidekick in hand! There’s something about that show that is simply addictive. Perhaps, it’s the fashion and constant pop culture references. Whatever it is that makes it a must-see show, I am now hooked and can’t wait until next week when it returns for a second season.

Although I wish there were more shows that featured BGs and guys in the lineup, I am looking forward to watching Tyra’s antics on her popular reality series, America’s Next Top Model; Vivica Fox's new style competition show, Glam God; fashion journalism reality show Stylista; The Game; as well as the new season of Making the Band, which started last week.

Speaking of TV, wasn't Michelle Obama's speech last night at the DNC outstanding?!

Anyway, what are you planning on watching this upcoming fall TV season?


Gossip Girl on The CW


America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 on The CW


Glam God with Vivica A. Fox on VH1


Stylista on The CW


Making the Band Season 4 on MTV


The Game on The CW

Purple Reigns

Although I enjoy warm weather, I’m anxiously anticipating the onset of the cooler months. To me, nothing epitomizes chic fashions like the fall. This season’s styles are going to be a purple paradise. Variations of plum hues will be seen everywhere from purple polishes to festive frocks.

Whether you prefer a lovely lavender or a vibrant violet, these seasonal shades will definitely add a lot of punch to your look.

Do you think you'll incorporate a bit of purple into your fall wardrobe?

Check out some of these purple pieces:


Chiffon Ruffle Halter available at www.ardenb.com for $58


Dolce Vita Cocoon Dress available at www.shopbop.com for $198


Karina Grimaldi Ruffle Silk Mini Dress available at www.couturecandy.com for $216


Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Grace Bag available at www.eluxury.com for $428


Double V-Neck Crochet Dress available at www.bebe.com for $98


Madison Marcus Kimono Tunic available at www.pinkmascara.com for $304


Nine west Osterige Purple Suede Sandals available at www.zappos.com for $93


Petite Silk Cap Sleeve Lady Dress available at www.bananarepublic.com for $150


Raisa Knit Cowl-Neck Top available at www.forever21.com for $17.80


Rock & Republic Button-up Blouse available at www.revolveclothing.com for $198


Sheer Scarf available at www.forever21.com for $9.80


Splendid Jersey Peasant Top available at www.pinkmascara.com for $64

Fail-Proof Fashions!

We BGs love dressing up and looking as pretty as possible, but let's admit, sometimes our ensembles just don't quite come together the way in which we'd like. That's why it's important to have that one or two absolute fail-proof outfit(s) for those days when we know we'll feel confident and look our best no matter what.

This summer, my fail-proof outfit was a wrinkle-free red, cotton mini dress. It was summery and a bit playful, but could easily be transformed into a more conservative look with a light-weight sweater. I mix and matched it with various accessories and shoes - it was really a great find, plus it was only $23!


I took this photo back in June when my friend AZ came to visit.

Here are a few of my other favorite fail-proof pieces. Hey, bet on black!

Basic Tee - Black (or white) tank available at www.forever21.com for $6.99


Skinny Jeans - J Brand Jeans available at www.shopbop.com for $161


Little Black Dress - Sonia Dress available at www.guess.com

What is your all-time fail-proof outfit/piece? Please share!

Rapid Lashes?

I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’m completely obsessed with eye lashes! I’ve tried just about every popular mascara brand on the market on a quest to create enviable long, luscious lashes. Since I’ve tried so many mascaras, I decided to take my lash obsession up a notch - I tried RapidLash.

RapidLash is a popular brand of eye lash renewal serum that’s applied like eyeliner to your top lashes. It’s supposed to increase the darkness, thickness and length of your lashes within 4 weeks. I used it every night for about 2 weeks and believe it or not, I saw a huge change in my lashes; they seemed longer than ever! However, I read an article about how these formulas in the long-run could result in major eye trauma, which of course scared me to death so I have since stopped using it. But while I did use it, I was pleased with the results.

**UPDATE** I've been informed that contrary to other brands' potential health concerns, RapidLash is paraben-free, with vital proteins and vitamins, including pumpkin seed and licorice extracts that help replenish and fortify lashes. So perhaps, I'll give it another go!

Would you ever try a lash-lengthening formula?

RapidLash available at www.rapidlash.com for $49.95

Skinny in a Cinch!

When it comes to clothes or accessories that accentuate my waist, I'm all for it. What woman doesn't like to highlight her smallest part? That's why this upcoming fall season, it's all about the skinny belt!

From faux crocodile to luxurious suede, skinny belts are all the rage. They can easily add a splash of color to an otherwise, bland black frock while instantly create a stunning silouhette. Whether worn with a pair of slacks, over a long cardigan or with a high-waisted pencil skirt, skinny belts will update your wardrobe in a cinch!

Do you prefer the skinny belt or the wide?

Check out some of these:


WCM Skinny Croc-Embossed Patent Leather Belt available at www.bloomingdales.com for $68


Nicole Miller Skinny Snakeskin Belt available at www.bloomingdales.com for $85


Chain Reaction Belt available at www.anthropologie.com for $35


Renee Braided Belt available at www.delias.com for $14.50


Diesel Glamglim Belt in Gold and Black available at www.revolveclothing.com for $65


Skinny Belt with Rectangular Buckle available at www.anntaylor.com for $36


Claudio Orciani available at www.yoox.com for $128


Linea Pelle Skinny Studded Belt available at www.lisakelin.com for $138


Oval Buckle Belt available at www.forever21.com for $6.80


Streets Ahead Silver Buckle Snakeskin Belt available at www.kitson.com for $145 (each)

Color-Correcting Concealers!

Many BGs suffer from hyper-pigmentation (when patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin) due to old blemishes or acne scars and I’m no exception. I usually have at least one blemish that I try to hide with concealer. I dab a bit on the dark spot and then cover it with a bit of foundation and the unsightly blemish is virtually gone!

For years I’ve used Dermablend’s cover creme to conceal dark circles or dark spots, but just last week I tried Susan Posnick’s color corrector stick and was incredibly pleased with the easy application and overall results.

Do you use concealer? If so, what’s your favorite brand?

Check out some of these:


Susan Posnick Color Correct Pencil available at www.susanposnick.com for $22


Benefit Erase Paste available at www.bloomingdales.com for $26


Dermablend Cover Creme available at www.ulta.com for $31


Murad Acne Treatment Concealer available at www.sephora.com for $20


MAC Select Coverup Concealer available at www.maccosmetics.com for $15


Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer available at www.drugstore.com for $3.99


Smashbox Camera-Ready Full-Coverage Concealer available at www.beauty.com $18


Philosophy Supernatural Airbrushed Concealer available at www.beauty.com for $25