Fashionable Holiday Frocks

For those of you who won’t be donning a stylish party skirt this season, BGG has rounded up some of the hottest holiday frocks for all of your upcoming fêtes! Ring in the festive season with reasonably priced dresses that will take you from a business cocktail party to a lively family soiree. Getting dolled up for the holidays is one of the reasons why it's my favorite time of year!

Do you purchase new dresses each year for the holiday season?


Flirty Satin & Tulle Party Dress by Mori Lee available at www.edressme.com for $112


Maggy London Belted Charmeuse Party Dress available at www.nordstrom.com for $105.90


Armani Exchange Luxe Ruffle Dress available at www.armaniexchange.com for $120


Gold Two-Tone Chiffon Bubble Dress available at www.edressme.com for $94


Sequin Chiffon Key-hole Dress available at www.bebe.com for $90.30


Jessica McClintock Single Shoulder Party Dress available at www.dillards.com for $90


Max & Cleo Sleeveless Taffeta Ruffle-Hem Dress available at www.macys.com for $148


Holiday Dazzle Shirred Sexy Dress available at www.bebe.com for $83.30


Silence & Noise Ruffle Tie-Back Party Dress available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $78

Wanna Be a Makeup Pro?

Although I am a pro at applying most cosmetics, I am not a master at applying eye shadow or foundation. So when I received a copy of renowned makeup maven Bobbi Brown’s new book, “For Everyone from Beginner to Pro: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual,” I was absolutely thrilled!

The book is packed with tips on everything from how to maintain healthy skin to applying false eyelashes. The best part is that it features a wide range of models with various skin-tones. This is definitely the perfect gift for all of your beloved beauty buffs!


Available in bookstores and at www.amazon.com on Dec. 1st for $32.

Plus, BGG is giving away 5 copies! Just leave a comment for the rest of the week and the winners will be selected randomly and announced next Monday, Dec. 1st.

Do you consider yourself a master at applying your own makeup?

Turkey Day Countdown!

With Thanksgiving only one week away, it's time to pull out your tried and true recipes for the festive family feast! I am by no means a great cook, but I will be making my tasty and traditional dish - green bean casserole. I had never tasted the dish or even heard of it prior to a visit to my mother-in-law's house a few years ago. Every year since then I've prepared it for Thanksgiving and so far there are never any leftovers so I must be doing something right!


Click here for the Campbell's green bean casserole recipe.

What delicious dish(es) are you looking forward to eating next week! Do you help cook Thanksgiving dinner?

Tights with a Twist!

Gone are the days when women only wore basic, plain tights. This fall the choices are virtually endless! Now you can easily choose from a wide variety of cool and creative leg wear at just about any store.

Whether you prefer a funky fishnet or a preppy argyle motif, you’re sure to find a pair of tights that will give your gams warmth without sacrificing style!

Do you typically purchase textured tights or basic opaque hues?


Betsey Johnson "Layer It" Diamond Tights (2-pack) available at www.nordstrom.com for $30


Ribbed Tights available at www.bebe.com for $24


HUE Houndstooth Sweater Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $21


Heather Hip Diamond Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $8.90


HUE Openwork Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $13.50


Spanx Dream Catcher Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $28


Paisley Tights available at www.freepeople.com for $28


Trellis Tights available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $14


Cable-knit Tights available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $18

HUE Argyle Sweater Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $13.50

I'm In Love with a Two-Timer!

You guys know that I am bonafide lip-gloss girl. I've made several failed attempts at crossing over to the land of lipstick, but never found one that gave me the texture and color that I preferred - until now! That's right BGG has finally found a lipstick that I would use regularly. My new beauty bag essential is the "Two Timer" core lipstick by Tropez.

I'm a fan because it has a moisturizing balm containing vitamins A,C,E, aloe vera and jojoba oil in the center. These hydrating ingredients make the application go on smoothly and leaves lips feeling soft unlike most lipsticks. I have the "Cancun" color and it complements my skin tone perfectly. Plus, the best part is that you can find them in a variety of shades at drugstores nationwide for only $2.99! These days, you can't beat that price!



Have you ever tried any Tropez products? Since many of you don't prefer lipstick, what's your reason? Please share!

End of an Era?

It seems like every time I turn around, there is another magazine that is in peril or on the brink of folding. As many of you know, the magazine industry in which I work is being hit incredibly hard in the current economic downturn due to cutbacks in advertising dollars. As a result, thousands of people have been laid off and the future of some magazines are unsure, which makes me wonder if the state of magazines as we know it could be on its last leg?

What are some of your favorite magazines? Do you find yourself reading blogs and online magazines more often than actual printed magazines? Share your thoughts!

Here are a few of my all-time favorite magazines past and present:

Honey Magazine


Essence magazine


Ebony magazine


People Stylewatch


Suede magazine


Page Six magazine



InStyle magazine

Music to My Ears!

It’s that time of year again when musical artists drop their CDs just in time to be added to your Christmas lists! I’m especially excited about the upcoming releases from two of my favorite artists – Beyonce and Kanye West. What artists have you been listening to lately? Are you anticipating Beyonce’s and Kanye’s CDs too? What do you think of Beyonce’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce?

Please share!

Beyonce's, "I Am...Beyonce/Sasha" double-disc will be (there's another cover for Sasha Fierce) available in stores and on iTunes on November 17th.


Kanye West's "808s and Heartbreak" will be available in stores and on iTunes on November 25th.

I'm also enjoying Jazmine Sullivan's "Fearless." If you haven't checked out my interview with her, check it out here!

Fabulous Fall Accessories!

You know the saying, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend?” Well, that’s true but the reality is that we’re BFFs with anything that will make us look more fab and nothing does that like a few hot accessories! This season, drape yourself in inexpensive costume jewels, brooches and hair adornments for a dose of instant glam. Now is the time to add decadence to your ensembles with bold statement pieces that don't cost a fortune.

Check out some of these must-have accessories of the moment:

Kenneth Jay Lane Rounded Square Cocktail Ring available at www.bloomingdales.com for $80


Jeweled Metal Headband available at www.forever21.com for $8.80


New York & Co. City Style Medallion Necklace available at www.nyandcompany.com


Metal Beaded Bracelet available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $24


Egyptian Silver Hoops available at www.girlprops.com for $9.99


Ann Taylor Faceted Stone Spray Brooch available at www.anntaylor.com for $40


Armani Exchange Rhinestone Cluster Necklace available at www.armaniexchange.com for $38

Do you ever wear costume jewelry or other faux accessories to add flair to your outfits?

Get a Natural Glow with CoverGirl!

Recently, I was asked to test a few new mineral-based products from Covergirl’s Queen Latifah's “Queen Collection.” Since I had never used any of the beauty products from the line, I was excited for the opportunity to try the bronzer and pressed powder. I have tried several mineral makeup lines in the past, but this one is less expensive, but still gets the job done.

Although I don’t typically use pressed powder, I was pleased to see that it successfully absorbed the excess oil from my face leaving it looking camera-ready! Because you guys know how much I love to use blushes, applying the bronzer was an absolute treat. It gave me a gorgeous warm glow, which was a bit of a change from my tried and true Tarte cheek stain. Tip, don't apply too much!! Be sure to tap your brush to remove excess bronzer!

Have you tried the mineral makeup from Covergirl? Have you ever used products from the "Queen Collection?" Just leave a comment and one lucky winner will receive a bronzer and a pressed powder!


Natural Hue Pressed Powder available at www.drugstore.com for $7.36


Natural Hue Bronzer available at www.drugstore.com for $7.36

Skirting Around the Holidays!

With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s time to get gorgeous for festive gatherings and parties. An easy way to get glam for these events is to slip into an unexpected, yet stylish party skirt! It’s the perfect alternative to the typical party dress. From sexy sequins to tiered taffeta, donning a pretty skirt will separate you from the pack and surely get the party started!

Do you usually wear skirts or dresses for special holiday events? Stay tuned for my festive frocks round-up coming up soon!


Plenty by Tracy Reese Sequin Full Skirt available at www.nordstrom.com for $275


Tiered Tulle Skirt available at www.oldnavy.com for $29.50


Larose Brocade Skirt available at www.fredflare.com for $48


Tiered Mini Skirt available at www.expressfashion.com for $69.50


Conspicuous Satin Skirt available at www.nordstrom.com for $144


Ann Taylor Sequin Overlay Straight Skirt available at www.anntaylor.com for $104.30


Sara Berman Full Pocket Tulip Skirt available at www.nordstrom.com for $330


Ann Taylor Ombre Pleated Skirt available at www.anntaylor.com for $149


Fumblin Foe Party Skirt available at www.dillards.com for $89

Yes to Tomatoes!

If you’ve heard of or tried any Yes to Carrots products, you’ll be happy to learn that they have expanded their family! Yes to Tomatoes is one of the newest additions to the brand. Just like the original, Yes to Tomatoes also boasts a line of paraben-free products that are 99.6% natural. The key ingredients are of course, tomatoes, watermelon, antioxidant rooibos and Vitamin A and C.

Recently, I had the pleasure of trying the thick and rich "Truly Terrific" Body Butter. The title doesn’t do this product justice; it’s more than terrific, it’s fantastic! You guys have read several times about how dry my skin is, so when I’m ecstatic about a new lotion, you know it must be good! The scent is delightful, not too aromatic, but just right. It easily hydrates my super dry skin without feeling overly greasy or gooey; plus, it’s long lasting!!


Available at drugstores nationwide for $12.99

Have you ever tried any Yes to Carrots or Tomatoes products? If so, what are your thoughts?

History!

I'm taking the day off to celebrate the win of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America!! THE first African-American to win the highest office in the land!! Change has come...finally!!! Plus, I need to get some much needed rest since I've been under the weather for nearly a week.




Courtesy www.patrickmoberg.com

YES WE DID!!!!!