Sole Food

If you want your feet to stand out this spring, get them noticed in vibrant, candy-colored shoes. Nothing says fresh and fun like a bright pair of pumps, sandals, heels or platforms. Ditch boring basics and pair these festive hues with flirty dresses and skirts of the season.

Do you wear bold shoe shades in the spring and summer?

Check out some of these:

Tory Burch Wrap-Up Heel available at www.toryburch.com for $325


Sigerson Morrison Strappy X-Band Sandal available at www.barneys.com for $350


Purple Snakeskin Urban Gladiator Heel available at www.torrid.com for $29.98


Nine West Cawley available at www.zappos.com for $88.95


Martinez Valero Haley available at www.zappos.com for $179


Christian Louboutin Neuron Suede Sandals available at www.theoutnet.com for $645


Charles by Charles David Notty Shoes available at www.zappos.com for $98

Bloggers Who Lunch: Sponsored by Aveeno

Unlike today in New York, Wednesday couldn't have been a more picture-perfect day to lounge atop the Gramercy Park Hotel overlooking Manhattan during a lovely luncheon hosted by Aveeno. Since I'm still out on maternity leave, it was a great opportunity to go into the city and socialize with fellow writers and bloggers to converse about Aveeno's newest product line, Ageless Vitality.

Not only did I have the chance to munch on tasty bites, sip chilled pineapple juice and chat with like-minded women, I actually had the opportunity to speak directly to one of the scientists behind the product. Learning about how the product was made and all of the testing that goes into making it top-notch quality was absolutely fascinating. I've always been a huge Aveeno fan, but now more than ever!

Are you a fan of Aveeno products?

Mani Mania

Since we are still living in a recession many women are continuing to cut back on beauty-related luxuries such as visits to the spa and nail salons and opting to take matters into their own hands - literally.

Equipped with a great manicure kit, it is possible to pamper yourself with a marvelous mani in the comfort of your home without spending much money. Granted, it may not look as polished as a professional job, but it will still look good and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.

So skip a few trips to the salon and grab some pretty polish, a nice kit and do it yourself! You'll save a bundle and still have beautiful hands.

Have you cut back on any beauty-related luxuries? Do you ever do your own manicures?

Check out these manicure kit!

The "Mani" Happy Return Set available at www.blissworld.com for $100


Say Yes to Carrots Manicure Set available at www.target.com for $19.99


Sephora Manicure Set available at www.sephora.com for $30


Juicy Loves Sephora Manicure Set available at www.sephora.com for $25


Bath & Body Works Manicure Set available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $8 (originally $18)


Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Manicure Set for Hands available at www.beauty.com for $28


Tweezerman Petite Manicure Set available at www.amazon.com for $20

**Btw, the winner of the Snapfish $50 gift card is YaHighness! Congrats and please send me your email address. :-)

Snap Happy!

Last week my beloved Macbook crashed and I ran the risk of losing all of my precious photos (like the one below) of my daughter Ava. Luckily, after shelling out a couple hundred dollars, I was able to get it fixed and retrieve all of my photos. In the past, I have not always been so lucky. That's why it's so important to print your digital photos.


Ava in her Easter bib. I'm printing out all of my pics just in case my computer decides to tank again.

For all of my fellow photo lovers, Snapfish is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this week and offering several outstanding discounts and promotions on prints, photo books, etc. Visit their site for more information on how you can sell and share your own creative card designs, photo book layouts and more (starting this summer)!



Also, Snapfish is offering a $50 gift card to one of my lucky readers. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week!

Dreamgirl Diet

As most of you probably heard yesterday, Jennifer Hudson is the new spokeswoman for the popular Weight Watchers program. Our favorite dreamgirl has lost a significant amount of weight after the birth of her son. According to Hudson, this isn't a diet, but a lifestyle change. I commend Ms. Hudson for being a curvy BG, but still trying to be more health conscious.



I've always heard such great things about Weight Watchers, but have never been on any diet; but I do love their frozen meals!

Have you ever tried Weight Watchers? Have you ever been on a diet? Do you think diets work? Please share.

**The winner of the Covergirl Queen Collection Bronzer is K-Bear. Please send me your mailing address. Congrats!

Bronzed Beauty

Spring is here and now's the perfect time to start putting your warmer weather makeup routine into full swing. The spring is the best time to sweep on beautiful bronzers to add a sexy, shimmery glow. The golds, pinks and bronzes complement just about all skin tones and enhances cheekbones.

Do you use bronzers? If so, what's your favorite brand? See below for a chance to win one of these!


Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Exotic Bronzing Blush available at www.bloomingdales.com for $35


Bobbi Brown Nectar Shimmerbrick available at www.nordstrom.com for $38


Borghese Milano Multi-Bronzer available at www.beauty.com for $31


Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Story available at www.beauty.com for $32


Revlon Beyond Natural Blush Bronzer in Plumberry available at www.drugstore.com for $11.99


Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer available at www.drugstore.com for $8.l8


YSL Complexion Palette Collector's Edition available at www.bloomingdales.com for $65

**One lucky reader will win the Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer. Just leave a comment and the winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

Knock-Out Neutral Handbags

This spring grab a handbag that will work with all of your colorful ensembles this season. Neutral shades are subtle, yet stylish. They can be worn with any shade of clothing making them the perfect alternative to your go-to black bag. The lighter shade is ideal for the warmer months and adds a classic flair regardless of the structure.

Would you wear a neutral handbag? What's your favorite handbag style? Check out some of these!


Kristin Embossed Exotic Large Handbag available at www.coach.com for $798


Ananas Fabiana Tote available at www.endless.com for $198


Clio Shopper available at www.ninewest.com for $99


Juicy Couture Free Style Classic Clock Satchel available at www.juicycouture.com for $261


Juicy Couture Lady Luck Handbag available at www.juicycouture.com for $228


Olivia Harris Convertible Leather Shoulder Bag available at www.saks.com for $455


Sara Berman Studded Suede Clutch available at www.theoutnet.com for $110


Tory Burch Bombe Signature Clutch available at www.toryburch.com for $350


Slouchy Leatherette Shoulder Bag available at www.forever21.com for $30.80

Orchids in Bloom!

An Academy-award-winning actress, a Revlon spokeswoman, mother and most recently a perfumer - Halle Berry is back with a new fragrance - Pure Orchid. Wrapped in a pretty purple package, this perfume exudes femininity with its floral mix of orchids, jungle cactus flower, lemons and blackberry creme. This affordable, sensual scent is perfect for the spring season!


Halle Berry's Pure Orchid 0.5 oz available at www.walmart.com for $16.

Have you tried Pure Orchid? Are you a fan of celebrity fragrances? One reader will win a bottle of Pure Orchid. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be announced later this week.

Oil Be Gone!

If you suffer from oily skin, Carol's Daughter has concocted a trio of products that will tackle unwanted "glistening" called, Wash Away the Oil. This new 3-piece set includes a face wash, face toner and face lotion. I haven't been using all three together yet, but I've been using the face lotion by itself and it is absolutely wonderful!


Wash Away the Oil Set available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $55

I have super oily skin in my T-zone and this lightweight lotion marvelously absorbs the oil leaving my face hydrated, but not greasy. I'm looking forward to using all three products together, but right now I'm pleasantly pleased with the lotion.

Have you tried this new trio? If you have oily skin, what products do you use to combat it?

**The winner of the Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous is RedBoneGirl97. Congrats, please email me your mailing address.

Lashes to Love!

As a woman who loves playing up my lashes, Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Voluptuous is my new go-to mascara. This mascara promises to create dramatic length and it delivers. Not only does the curved brush add length, the bristles also make lashes appear thicker, darker and bolder. Plus, the pretty red tube packaging stands out in your makeup bag making it easy to find.

When all of the other countless mascaras claim to plump, curl and volumize - Maybelline is the only brand that consistently provides my lashes with the look that I love!



Have you ever tried Lash Stiletto Voluptuous? One lucky reader will win one! Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

Baby BGG Pic of the Week!

Fabulous Celebrity Photos will return in a few weeks, but in the interim I thought I'd share a new pic of my daughter, Ava Gabrielle, aka Baby BGG. She's already 8 weeks old! I can't believe how quickly she's growing!



Have a wonderful weekend. :-)

Sparkle in Sequins this Spring!

Gone are the days when sequins were reserved for the holidays, special occasions, or nights out on the town. This spring season it's going to be quite common to add a bit of sparkly pizazz with sequins to everyday ensembles. Coupled with jeans or a cardigan, sequins can spice up ordinary cotton tanks and tops creating a dose of casual glamour.

Would you wear sequins during the day this spring?


Tory Burch Sequined V-Neck Shirt available at www.neimanmarcus.com for $165


Sequin Leaf Tunic available at www.forever21.com for $27.80


Gryphon Metal Sequin Tank available at www.shopbop.com for $147.50


Ecote Necklace T-Shirt available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $48


Sequin Tank available at www.jcrew.com for $78


Matilda Sequin Tank available at www.fossil.com for $48


Sequin Dropwaist Mesh Top available at www.thelimited.com for 439.50


Sequin Striped Top available at www.neimanmarcus.com for $125


Tissue Sequin Tank available at www.jcrew.com for $74


Trapeze Sequin Knit Top available at www.forever21.com for $17.80


Sequined Starland Tank available at www.jcrew.com for $138


Asos Scattered Sequins T-Shirt available at www.asos.com for $34.95

**The winner of the Yes to Carrots tints is Courtney! Congrats and please email me your mailing address.

Tantalizing Tints for Your Lips!

For those BGs who don't like gooey glosses or color-loaded lipsticks, but still want soft and supple lips, Yes to Carrots has the perfect treat for you. Their new C Me Blush Lip Tints provide moisture and conditioning while enhancing your natural look with sheer shades that work well on all complexions. Plus, the tints are enhanced with shea butter, coconut and jojoba oils, and are 95% organic! I love using these as a base for my glosses because it creates a smooth foundation while providing a hint of tint.


C Me Blush Lip Tints available at www.target.com for $4.49 each.

One lucky reader will win the Ready Red & Sunset Pink shades. Just leave a comment and the winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

Butter Up!

From Beyonce to Vanessa Williams, Kim Kimble has styled and trimmed the tresses of some of the hottest celebrities in the business. Being one of the premiere stylists to the stars, a few years ago Kimble decided to share her expertise with the everyday woman by creating Kim Kimble Hair Care Systems available at Target. The line includes scalp treatments, shampoos, styling creams and everything in between. My favorite is the Hair Butter. This moisturizing cream softens, strenghtens and smooths strands while providing a slight sheen. Plus, one of the key ingredients is olive oil, which is always beneficial for hair.


Kim Kimble Hair Care Systems Hair Butter available at www.target.com for $11.99

Have you tried any of the Kim Kimble Hair Care Systems? Have you tried any new hair products lately? Please share.

**The winner of the Borghese Nail Polish is Nerd Girl! Congrats and please email me your mailing address.

Luxurious Lacquers for Less!

Choosing the right nail color for this time of year can be tricky. Luckily, Borghese Cosmetics has created a beautiful array of hues with their Fashionista Collection to help transition nails from winter to spring. The Milan-spring runway inspired lacquers include 6 super saturated shades ranging from a tawny beige (Biscotti Beige) to a deep sparkly violet (Plumaggio Purple). My personal favorite is the barely-there Biscotti Beige because it gives your nails just the right amount of pigment creating a polished look. Plus, this lacquer doesn't chip easily which is essential to a great manicure.


Shades from L to R include: Biscotti Beige, Bella Berry, Plumaggio Purple, Stellare Notte, Mezzanote Blue and Almondine. Some of the colors are difficult to differentiate w/this photo, but this is the best photo that I have. Lacquers are available at drugstores nationwide for $8 each.

**What nail color shades do you typically use during the transitional season? Are you a fan of brights, darks or neutrals? One lucky reader will win the Plumaggio Purple shade. Just leave a comment sharing your favorite nail polish shades. The winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.