Belly Bandit Believer!

Being a new mom comes with many challenges. Fortunately for me, battling the post-baby belly bulge is no longer one of them. Immediately after giving birth to Ava, I used the Belly Bandit, which, according to their website, "helps tighten and shrink your tummy post pregnancy."

Prior to using the abdominal wrap, I had heard conflicting stories from other mothers about whether or not the concept of binding actually helps flatten stomachs and redefine waists. I asked myself, What could it hurt to try? So I decided to give it a go and hoped for the best.



Throughout weeks of feedings and never-ending diaper duty, my once-burgeoning belly stayed bound with this band. While helping to hold everything in place, it also provided back support, which was an added bonus. Around 6 weeks post-partum (I took it off from time to time) I decided to give the wrap a rest and couldn't have been more pleased with the results.

Granted, I'm not sure how my belly would've looked post-partum had I not used the wrap, but I'd like to think that this nifty undergarment played a part in helping me regain my pre-pregnancy figure fast.



This photo was taken a little less than 7 weeks after giving birth.

Prices start at $45.95. Visit www.bellybandit.com for more information.

Have you ever used an abdominal wrap after childbirth?

Baby BGG Has Arrived!

If you were wondering why I haven't posted this week, well it's because I gave birth to my beautiful and healthy baby girl, Ava, on Saturday - 6 days before her due date! As you can imagine I'm incredibly overjoyed and completely in love with her. Until I get the hang of things with Baby BGG - I'll be posting less, but will eventually get back into the full swing of bringing you all the things that chic, brown girls love!



Thanks so much for all of your well-wishes during my pregnancy!! I want to especially thank Kwana for the super cute gift. :-)

Btw, the winner of the Tarte set is Ms. Pocahontaz. Please email me your mailing address, as well as the shade of your choice. Check out www.tartecosmetics.com for the list of foundation/concealer shades.

Happy Feet!

During the Christmas break I finally found the time to try the popular PedEgg. I had heard so many great things about this product, but have always been skeptical about those "As Seen On TV" products and wondered if they really worked.

Well, all of my skepticism ceased after treating my feet to this callus-curing contraption! After using the PedEgg on my dry, winter-ridden feet, I was able to scratch waddling to the nearest nail salon off of my to-do-list. The tiny stainless (and painless) steel files gently chips away old, dead skin leaving heels super smooth and soft!


PedEgg The Ultimate Foot File - As Seen on TV available at www.walgreens.com for $9.99

Have you ever tried the PedEgg? One lucky winner will win one to kick-start the New Year with callus-free feet! Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

My Favorite Beauty Buys for the Mommy-to-Be and Beyond!

We all know that there are myriad products on the market geared toward pregnant women, but the truth is that some of these products are just as great for non-expectant women. Since I've received quite a few emails from fellow moms-to-be, I thought that it would be a good idea to share some of my favorite products (all of which have been reviewed on BGG in the past) that are good for all, but especially beneficial to us pregnant BGs.

Have you tried these products? One lucky winner will win a bottle of Bio Oil. Just leave a comment and a winner will be announced on Friday!

BTW - The winner of The Princess & the Frog Carol's Daughter set is Mimieyes. Congrats and please send me your mailing address!


Bio-Oil available at www.walmart.com (and most drugstores nationwide) for $11.99


Mask of Magnaminty Cleanser available at www.lushusa.com for $20


Priti Organic Nail Polishes available at www.pritinyc.com. Check website for pricing.


Carol's Daughter Sexy Belly available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $20


Yes to Carrots Body Butter available at www.drugstore.com for $12.99

Cocoa Butter Delight

Although Vaseline's Cocoa Butter line has been on the market for a couple of years, I'm still a huge fan. As some of you know, I've written about the Vaseline Cocoa Butter Gel Body Oil in the past because I was so pleased with the product. Since I'm constantly on the lookout for the perfect moisturizers, I figured, why not to try some of their other Cocoa Butter products?

Plus, being pregnant, all you hear is "apply cocoa butter" to prevent stretch marks and keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. So for the past week, I've been using the cocoa butter body cream and smoothing butter. I apply it after I get out of the shower and it manages to keep my skin soft and smooth all day. I am still testing a lot of other products, but right now I'm in love with this particular line of the Vaseline brand.


All Vaseline Cocoa Butter products are available at www.drugstore.com

Are you a fan of cocoa butter-based products? One lucky winner will win the entire Vaseline Cocoa Butter Line, which includes the Vitalizing Gel Body, Deep Conditioning Body Lotion, Body Cream and the Smoothing Butter. Just leave a comment today and tomorrow and a winner will be selected randomly and announced on Wednesday.

Cool & Calming Cream

Now that my skin has been going through so many changes during pregnancy, I haven't been able to use many of my previous go-to products due to their potentially harmful ingredients. Therefore, I've been trying different natural and organic products, but there's one that stands out - California Baby's Calming Botanical Moisturizing Cream.


California Baby's Calming Botanical Moisturizing Cream available at www.californiababy.com for $9.99 (2 oz.)

This rich & creamy moisturizer contains naturally calming ingredients such as French Lavender to soothe the skin. Plus, it's ideal for individuals suffering from eczema and other sensitive skin conditions. Although it can be used all over the body, it's also safe for use on the face, which is where I apply it. It leaves my skin super soft and supple and helps to combat the super dry patches that have popped up around my hairline. In addition, it seems to have tamed my acne flare-ups.

This product is perfect for mommies-to-be and babies, but is actually great for everyone!

Have you ever used this product? Do you use any products that are made for babies, but works wonders for you too?

For Chocolate Lovers...

I'm back from my wonderful trip to my hometown, Chicago. While I was there my family and friends threw me the best baby shower ever! Check out the cake (those are baby Chanel ballet booties!) that my BFF Azeeza had made:



If you're in the Chicago area and need a specialty cake made, definitely give Delush.Bakery a try. Not only was the chocolate cake pretty, it was pretty darned delicious too! People were saying that it was a chocolate lover's dream.

Speaking of chocolate, I had the pleasure of trying jane iredale - The Skincare Makeup's newest lip gloss set, ChocohoLICKS. Not only is the packaging adorable, but the glosses are just as great. These glosses contain extracts of rich cocoa and coffee seed. Plus, they're enriched with avocado and jojoba oils, which helps nourish the lips during the fall season. Although the glosses are primarily sheer, they do provide just a hint of color. What woman doesn't love chocolate and lip gloss? It's like the best of both worlds!


Truffle, Caramel, Strawberry Cream, and Chocolate Orange Glosses available at www.janeiredaledirect.com for $44

**One lucky reader will win a box of these super cute glosses (a $44 value) perfect for the chocoholic! Just leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow.

Baby BGG On Board!

Some of you already know, but for those who don't, my husband and I are expecting our first child (a baby girl) this January! I've been sick quite a bit, which has resulted in inconsistent posts. Now that I'm beginning to feel better, I wanted to share this extremely exciting time in my life with my valued readers. Plus, I'd also love to share some beauty products that I'm currently trying that are actually beneficial to non-preggers BGs.


Me last weekend at 5 1/2 months.


In fact, I'm currently taking the advice of many and keeping my skin moisturized with Carol's Daughter's Sexy Belly in an effort to prevent those unsightly stretch marks that 75% of women get during pregnancy. So far so good, but I still have a few more months to go! Even if this popular cocoa and shea butter-enriched product doesn't completely prevent the ugly squiggly lines, it sure makes my skin super supple and smooth in the process, which is something that every woman wants - soft skin!

Sexy Belly available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $17

Have you ever tried this product? For fellow moms-to-be and moms, do you have any stretch mark prevention suggestions?