Relaxing Treat for Your Feet!

Tired of long waits at your local pedicure salon? Then why not bring the indulgent pedicure experience into the comfort of your own home with Carol's Daughter's Rose Petal Pedicure Soak?

This aromatic and soothing blend of dry milk, rose petals and tapioca, will give your feet a much needed break from pounding the pavement in strappy sandals and sexy stilettos that I'm sure they've endured this summer. After using this soak, my feet were left feeling soft, supple and quite simply - relaxed.


Rose Petal Pedicure Soak available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $12.50 (8 oz.)

Do you ever treat your feet to an at-home spa pedicure?

One lucky reader will receive the Rose Petal Pedicure Soak. Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow!

Soulful Sounds of Summer

With the anticipation of Whitney Houston's upcoming release, "I Look to You," it seems like people are finally getting excited about music again. After getting rave reviews from attendees at her listening parties in London, NYC and L.A, it seems like Ms. Houston just might be on her way to making a true comeback.

In addition to Whitney Houston's highly-anticipated September release, here are a few other new and semi-new releases that could be music to your ears:


Whitney Houston - "I Look to You"


Maxwell - "Black Summer's Night"


Jordin Sparks - "Battlefield"


Joe - "Signature"

What are some of your favorite CDs and songs right now? What do you think is the song of the summer? Are you looking forward to Whitney Houston's new release? Do you think she can make a comeback?

Pretty in Pink!

Last year I noticed the trend of hot pink lips, but it seems to be even more prevalent this summer. During my visit to Miami's swim wear fashion shows last weekend, I noticed that the majority of the models on the runway were donning hot pink lips and cheeks. Although I have yet to paint my pucker pink, I have opted to go bold with an electric shade of pink on my nails. I've also gone for bright pink blushes because they instantly add color and dimension. The eye-catching candy-colored hue always seems to add a bit of girly flirtiness that seems so suitable for the summer!

Are you a fan of hot pink makeup?


Essie Nail Color in Flirty Fuschia available at www.drugstore.com for $8


Amazing Seven Blush in Hot Pink available at www.ulta.com for $22


jane iredale - The Skincare Makeup SPF18 Lip Color in "Melisa" available at www.janeiredaledirect.com for $18


Kevyn Aucoin Beauty The Creamy Moist Glow in "Hot Pink" available at www.drugstore.com for $24


Lancome Color Fever Gloss Sensual Vibrant Lip Shine available at www.dillards.com for $22


Revlon Creme Lipstick in "Love That Pink" available at www.drugstore.com for $8.99


Rosie Jane Lip Dew in "Apple Blossom" available at www.beautyhabit.com for $16

**One lucky reader will win the jane iredale - The Skincare Makeup SPF18 Lip Color in "Melisa," (a $19 value). Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow!

Must-See TV: CNN's Black in America 2

Ever since CNN aired the super controversial Black in America two-part series last year, I have anxiously awaited a new installment of the documentary. Many people were not pleased with the topics that were covered in the original series, which resulted in a lot of heated discussions and debates surrounding the show and how we as African-Americans were being portrayed.

This time around, CNN host Soledad O'Brien promises that it will provide a balanced and truthful overview of the state of African-Americans this time around.

Here is an exclusive clip from the show featuring comedian Steve Harvery. Check it out here.

CNN: Black In America 2: Steve Harvey Exclusive
Uploaded by thatsfunny. - Watch the latest news videos.

Part 1 airs tonight on CNN 9pm, EST. Will you be tuning in? What were you thoughts on the last one?

Are You a Cover Girl?

Although I didn't have one of these cute cover-ups while on my mini-Miami vacay, I will definitely pack one on my next trip to the beach. These super chic sarongs, tunics and swim dresses are perfect for the BG who doesn't want to bare it all, but still wants to look fashionably beach-ready.

Do you like to bare your body on the beach or are you more of a cover girl?


City Style Beaded Trim Sarong available at www.newyorkandco.com for $18.71


Embroidered Boho Cover-up Tunic available at www.victoriassecret.com for $85


Feather Swirl Coastal Kaftan available at www.althea.gap.com for $89


Love Shop Stacy Beaded Tunic available at Intermix for $89-119


Michael Kors Point Break Tunic available at www.lordandtaylor.com for $29.99


O Beach Salsa Cover-up available at www.figleaves.com for $23.10


Plunge Cover-up Tunic available at www.victoriassecret.com for $22.99


O Beach Wahine Cover-up available at www.figleaves.com for $23.10


Strapless Ruffle Cover- Up available at www.victoriassecret.com for $24

Get Moving!

For those of you who have been procrastinating when it comes to working out, there's no better time to start than now! With summer in full-swing, there are so many outdoor options for exercising. I know that many of us BGs put off working out to preserve our 'dos, but our health should always come first. Doing at least 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week will keep those pesky pounds away and our hearts healthy.



What's your favorite work-out routine? Do you prefer bike riding, jogging, swimming, etc? For those BGs with relaxed tresses, do you oftentimes forgo working out in an effort to keep your lovely locks straight?

**Btw, the winner of the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask is Calming Corners. Please email me your mailing address. You will have 7 days from today to respond, otherwise, I will have to select another winner. Congrats!

As Cool as a Cucumber!

For me, nothing is as invigorating or refreshing as the wonderful scent of cucumber! Its natural cooling, soothing and cleansing effect makes it a key ingredient in many of today's most popular beauty products. From facial masks to fragrant sprays, cucumbers are not just tasty, they're great for your overall healthy both inside and out. It keeps your skin soft and your eyes de-puffed. What's not to love?

Are you a fan of beauty products that have a cucumber component? If so, what are a few of your favorites? One lucky reader will win the Yes to Cucumber Soothing Facial Mask (a $14.99 value). Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow!

Here are a few popular pre-pickle products:


Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Mask available at www.walgreens.com for $14.99


Bare Escentuals Bare Vitamins Eye Rev-Er Upper available at www.sephora.com for $21


Bath & Body Works Scrub available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $15


Carol's Daughter Ocean Eau de Toilette available at www.sephora.com for $27


Fresh Cucumber Cleansing Foam available at www.sephora.com for $48


Dove Fresh Body Wash Cool Moisture Cucumber Green Tea available at www.drugstore.com for $8.79


Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque available at www.sephora.com for $45


Suave Natural Moisturizing Cucumber Melon Body Wash available at www.drugstore.com for $3.49


Vaseline Fresh Aloe Hydrating Body Lotion with Aloe & Cucumber available at www.drugstore.com for $5.99

Chic Tanks for Summer!

Tank tops are one of the essential clothing items for summer. The typical light-weight materials used for tanks provide perfect ventilation that will keep you cool during those hot & humid summer days and nights. Most tanks can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and whether or not you pair them with shorts, skirts or jeans.

What are your favorite style of tanks? Loose-fitting, fitted, drapey, embroidered, or etc?


Piped Ribbed Tank available at www.bananarepublic.com for $17.99


Drapey Ruffle Tank available at www.alloy.com for $29.50


Black Tank Top available at www.emoda.com for $46


Pleated Satin Top available at www.charlotte-russe.com for $18.99


Beaded Tank available at www.bananarepublic.com for $34


Ruffle Tank Top available at www.charlotte-russe.com for $17.99


Noise & Color Block Tunic Tank available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $38


Splendid Cotton Gauze Lace Tank Top available at www.revolveclothing.com for $50


Floral Patchwork Woven Top available at www.forever21.com for $22.80

Summer Reading Round-Up!

The summer is a time for relaxing and what better to relax than to curl up on the couch or in the grass with a page-turning book! I've always been a fan of self-help books, biographies and autobiographies. One of the very first (non-children's) books I remember reading as a child was LaToya Jackson's autobiographical expose of her famous family. I don't know if it's the journalist in me who is intrigued by other people's lives or what, but nothing holds my attention like a great biography/autobiography!

What are your favorite book genres? Are you a mystery, romance or thriller fan? Do you have any summer read suggestions?

Here are a few of the books I plan on reading this summer:

Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne by James Gavine available here.


The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal by Mark Ribowsky available here.


Confessions of a Beauty Addict by Nadine Haobsh available here.


More Than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City by William Julius available here.


The Black Girl Next Door a Memoir by Jennifer Baszile available here.

Get Noticed with Neon!

Even though your fingers probably aren't the first thing that people notice about you, they still play a major role in your overall appearance. So this summer, why not bring attention to your fingers with a flash of neon on your nails? Electric pinks, dazzling yellows, and outrageous orange shades are all the rage this season. If you aren't bold enough to wear these attention-grabbing colors at your fingertips, use these pretty polishes for your pedis!


Sephora Digital Diva Collection available at www.sephora.com for $9 each

Will you be wearing neon nails this season?

Cool Candy-Colored Cameras!

In the fast-growing world of social media, it's likely that many of you already own a digital camera. If you're one of the few who still doesn't own one of the greatest technological gadgets, it's high time that you start snapping away and stand out in the crowd this summer with one of these fun, candy-colored cameras! Who says cool paparazzi shots are only for celebrities?

Do you own a digital camera? If so, do you ever actually get your photos printed or do they just stay on your computer or camera?


Canon Powershot 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $199.99


Fuji Film Fine Pix 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $152.99


Nikon Cool Pix 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $116.99


Olympus Stylus 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $159.99


Canon Powershot 10.0 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $199.99


Sony Powershot 12.1 Mega-pixels Digital Camera available at www.bestbuy.com for $284.99