Black is Beautiful!

Over the holiday weekend I finally got the chance to watch the preview of the documentary, "Dark Girls," directed by Bill Duke. If you're unfamiliar with the video, it explores the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color - particularly women of a dark complexion.

The candor of the documentary's participants is why this must-see video has captured the attention of thousands. Being a mom to a little girl, I can only hope that as she grows up she will love herself regardless of people's ignorance.



Have you ever had any internal issues about your skin color? Were you ever teased because you were dark-skinned? Please share your thoughts.

Farewell Oprah...

Courtesy of Harpo

Today marks an end of an era in television. For nearly a quarter of a century, millions of viewers from around the world have tuned in and grown up with The Oprah Winfrey Show. Although I was only 6-years-old when the show first hit the airwaves, like so many other 80s babies, Oprah was THE queen of television in my household.

From shows on domestic violence to unbelievable giveaways, The Oprah Winfrey Show has taught me immensely throughout the years. Plus, being a Chicago native, I feel proud to have lived in the city that built Harpo.

It was always my dream to work for her and a few years ago I came VERY close to fulfilling that goal. However, at the time it was not meant to be. I'm sure that her inspiring and uplifting passion to enlighten the world will continue and ultimately go down in history. Oprah is by far one of America's greatest teachers and I'm forever grateful.

What's your favorite Oprah show/memory?

Cool Carol's Daughter Event for my NYC Beauty Babes

If you're in the New York City area and are a fan of Carol's Daughter, there's an event taking place right now that you won't want to miss. The brand known for their luscious lathers and sweet skin and hair care products is launching their Monoi collection at Sephora 34th Street today. The new spokesbeauties: Solange, Selita Ebanks and Cassie will be on-hand to celebrate the new hair care collection.



Beginning at 9am today, the first 250 customers to make a Monoi Gift Set purchase at the Sephora 34th street location will receive wristbands enabling them to meet Solange, Selita and Cassie in person later that evening (consumers should bring their own cameras to get their photo taken with the Spokesbeauties; one photo per person). Walk-ins will also be welcome during the consumer portion of the event.

Mini BGG Break

Dear Loyal and Lovely BGG Readers,

I'm taking a mini vacation and will be back blogging on Monday. I hope you all have a wonderful and productive week! :-)

Sail into Style with Stripes

We all have our go-to patterns or signature styles that we can never seem to have too much of, right? Well, striped clothing is by far one of my favorite things to buy. I can't even begin to count the number of striped shirts, sweaters, shoes, and dresses that have made a home in my closet throughout the years.

With the vast variations of the classic crisp nautical look, stripes can be sexy, preppy, or just plain fun!

If you want to ride the wave of linear looks with me this summer, check out some of my top picks:


Anne Taylor Tee available at www.anntaylor.com for $36.50


Knitted Navy Stripe Stitch Open Cardigan available at www.topshop.com for $80


J. Crew Maritime Stripe Blazer available at www.jcrew.com for $118


Maloles Zoe Stripe Flats available at www.cultstatus.com.au for $250


Vivienne Westwood Anglo-Mania Dress available at www.netaporter.com for $345


Elizabeth and James Sleeveless Tie-Front Stripe Top available at www.bloomingdales.com for $265


Blu Bijoux Orange Chevron Drop Earrings available at www.maxandchloe.com for $48


Faye Striped Skirt available at www.lastcall.com for $39 (originally $92!)


Diba 'Dance With Me' Red Satin Stripe Wedge Sandal available at www.heels.com for $58


Chevron Stripe Dress available at www.millyny.com for $295


BCBGeneration Stripe Drape Skirt available at www.dillards.com for $88

Are you a fan of stripes?

**The winner of the Vince Camuto shoes is BlessedOne! Please send me your mailing address along with your shoe size. Congrats! Thanks to everyone who left a comment for the contest.

L'Occitane's New Cosmetics Line

Known for their rich and luxurious hand lotions and soaps, L'Occitane en Provence recently launched their newest color cosmetic collection: Pivoine Flora Make-Up. The popular French brand's latest makeup is inspired by the pretty petals of peonies. Not only is the peony the collection's inspiration, it's also an ingredient.

The lovely springtime hues are enriched with softening peony extract, which helps the products glide effortlessly onto skin, making for easy blend-ability.

From a Facecolor Cream Duo to four shades of Lip Shine, L'Occitane is proving that it's more than a place to buy deluxe lotions. top-notch toiletries and fragrances. The entire collection includes the aforementioned products as well as a face powder, lipstick, eyeshadow, and face powder.



Do you frequent L'Occitane?

Btw, the winner of the Black-Up products is Barbara! Congrats and please send me your mailing address.

Project Pavement

Move over Project Runway wannabes and make way for a contest that will have you "pounding the pavement." That's right, Vince Camuto, the popular footwear brand is hosting a cool online contest for aspiring shoe designers. Vince Camuto has launched an app that will let contestants design their own shoes or simply submit a sketch. The person with the most votes will be narrowed down to a list of finalists from whom Vince will choose a winner. The lucky winner will have their shoe go into production and will win a trip to New York to meet with Vince.

This opportunity will move you one step closer to achieving your shoe designing dreams! Also, please be sure to "like" Vince Camuto on Facebook to learn about other contests, promotions and giveaways.

Plus, one of my lucky BGG readers will win a pair of Vince Camuto shoes. Simply leave a comment telling me what kind of sandal you like the most for summer? Wedges, platforms, flats, etc? The winner will be announced later this week!

Get Paula Patton's Lovely Look

Want to get Paula Patton's gorgeous glow from last night's Jumping the Broom premiere in L.A? If so, celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine shares the steps he took to make the already pretty, Patton even more beautiful so that you can recreate the look too!

Inspired by her dress, Fine wanted Patton's look to be, "fresh, yet defined, and nothing that would compete with the drama of the dress!" Using COVERGIRL products, he created the look by following these easy steps:



SKIN: "I began dabbing COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Concealer in Light directly underneath her eyes, closest to the lashline to highlight and conceal. Then, I used my fingers to apply COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Liquid Makeup to unify varied tones and give her skin a flawless, yet natural-looking finish. After applying foundation and setting with powder, I used COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer in Light Bronze to add luminosity and dimension to the skin. I often suggest using bronzer as blush, but this time I opted for a pop of color using COVERGIRL Cheekers Blush in Classic Pink."

EYES: "I decided to go for a clean eye and well-defined eyebrow. Whenever I address brows, I always begin by using COVERGIRL Professional Natural Lash Clear Mascara to groom the brow and hold it in place. Then, I gently stroke pencil through the brow with a pencil a shade lighter than the hair, so it never looks drawn on. I played up Paula’s eyes using liner and lots of mascara. I used COVERGIRL LineExact Liquid Liner in Very Black to draw a fine line that wasn’t overly dramatic, then added a few coats of COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion Mascara to upper lashes to make eyes appear “lifted”."

LIPS: "Lastly, I chose COVERGIRL Queen Collection Lip Color in PowderPuff Pink to complete this feminine, fresh look."

Are you planning to see Jumping the Broom?

Mother's Day Giveaway from Aveeno

Still looking for that last-minute gift for Mother's Day? If so, Aveeno has the perfect pampering solution to your gift-giving needs. Why not gift mom with the AVEENO® POSITIVELY AGELESS™ Complete Starter Regimen? Enriched with a unique blend of Shiitake and Mannentake mushrooms, this luxurious collection acts as an anti-oxidant to help protect skin while leaving it radiant and revitalized.



If you happen to be shopping for someone who is a new mom, the kit also includes the AVEENO® Baby Eczema Therapy line, perfect for mother and baby. Eczema is such a common skin condition for babies, which is why Aveeno has come up with a formula that has been proven to improve the symptoms of eczema, including roughness, dryness, itchiness and scaling. I use Aveeno Baby on Ava and it is truly the best and I've tried several cleansers and lotions.



One lucky reader will win this special Aveeno Mother's Day Kit. Simply leave a comment telling me what makes your mom special. The winner will be announced later today so get those comments in! :-) Btw, this contest is restricted to US residents only.

Black Beauty

My cousin who is a professional makeup artist hipped me to Black/Up makeup about a year or two ago. Ever since, I've been dying to try a few products from their line, but could never get my hands on the popular makeup especially made for us brown beauties. Now that I've had the pleasure of applying their incredibly pigmented products such as the eye shadows and blush, I've been hooked. The eye shadows stay in place and don't crease, while the blush gives a sultry glow without making cheeks appear overly made-up.



Not only does the line carry cosmetics that complement our varying skin tones, but also sells skin-care products to help maintain a healthy complexion.

Have you ever tried Black-Up products? One lucky reader will win a product from the line. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be randomly selected and announced later this week.