Hoop Dreams

Trends come and go, that's why I try stick to classic pieces that will endure season after season. No one wants to look back at photos and immediately identify the year it was taken based on what you're wearing.

However, after a recent chit-chat with a couple of friends, I'm starting to question whether one of my most beloved "quintessential" accessories is as  "timeless" as I thought.

As I reached to adorn my ears with a pair of thin, 14K gold medium-size hoops, a couple of my fashionista friends quickly quipped, "Please tell me you're not wearing those 'J. Lo' earrings circa 2001."

Never one to take people's fashion opinions too seriously, I defended my accessorizing decision and went on my way. While I'm a fan of studs too, I will never give up the occasional hoop.

Check out a few BGs who apparently like jumping through hoops too:

Tracee Ellis Ross & Lauren London

Jada Pinkett-Smith

Gabrielle Union

Rihana

Oprah Winfrey 

 Halle Berry

What do you guys think? Are hoops timeless or have their run their course? Do you opt for more subdued styles such as studs? What are some of your favorite classic pieces? 

All That Glitters: Cute Clutches for the Holidays

Now that the holiday soiree season is in full swing, it's time to grab a sparkly clutch and head to your Yuletide shindig in style.

Whether sequined or satin, a sleek and chic handbag will ensure that holiday decor won't be the only thing lighting up the night.

Alexander McQueen Classic Skull Clutch available at www.zapposcouture.com for $1,379

BCBG Max Azria Crystal Mesh Disco Wristlet $98

Top Choice Sequin Clutch available at www.nordstrom.com $20

Celuch Clutch available at www.aldo.com for $35

Elena Clutch available at www.anthropologie.com for $98

Kate Landry Glitter Case Jeweled Push-Lock Clutch available at www.dillards.com for $55

Women's Sparkle Clutch available at www.uggaustralia.com for $170

La Regale Clutch available at www.amazon.com for $266

Lu Lu Townsend Stone Clutch available at www.dsw.com for $59.95

Santi Audrina Clutch available at www.amazon.com for $99

Do you have any holiday party plans?

And The Winner Is...Plus Another Giveaway!

The winner of the Mally Roncal, "My Favorite Things Collection," is Areeba!! Congratulations, please email me your mailing address.

Since we're feeling a bit in the holiday gifting spirit, my good friends at Aveeno would love for you to try their haircare line - Nourish + Collection with Active Naturals Wheat Complex below.

They're the kings of moisturizing and use the same technique and quality approach to nourishing consumers' strands.

Simply leave a comment and a winner will be randomly selected and announced next week!

News: Brandy Set to Join the Cast of 'The Game'

Brandy fans will be happy to hear that the R&B superstar is making a comeback to scripted television. The former Moesha star is set to join the cast of The Game as Jason's (Coby Bell) sassy, bar-tending love interest, Chardonnay, when the new season premieres in January.

The new season of The Game begins Tuesday, January 10, at 10pm ET/PT.

Looks like there's even more reason to watch the top-rated series!

Will you be tuning into The Game when it returns to BET next month?

Get Beyonce's Glow

Did you catch our favorite BG mom-to-be, Beyoncé, on Friday's episode of 20/20? If not, you missed her dishing about how she's curbing her pregnancy cravings and why she's keeping her due date secret. While her growing bump was the focus of the interview, the singer's glowing skin stole the show.

Famed makeup artist, Mally Roncal "beat" Beyoncé's face into perfection with the beauty essentials found in her "My Favorite Things Collection," ($59.50) which will be available December 9th on QVC.

Since Mally is busy building her makeup empire and beautifying R&B beauties like Beyoncé', she can't personally give us that flawless, camera-ready look, but she can share her tips (see below). Plus, all of the products she used are complementary to all skin tones so you can recreate the makeup magic in the comfort of your home.

Check out Mally's simple steps:

− Start by using my concealer to brighten under the eyes or any other place that needs help.

− Next, use my subtle highlighter and contour powder to really bring out your inner beauty! The highlighter lifts the face and even illuminates the eye area. The contour powder instantly makes you look like you lost five pounds.

− For eyes, I opted for my creamy, shimmery eye shadow, bulletproof Eyeliner and my secret: Volumizing Mascara.

− To create glossy, Beyoncé worthy lips, I used my High Shine Liquid Lipstick.

ONE LUCKY READER will win the kit ($59.50 value) before its debut. Simply leave a comment telling me if you're going to incorporate shimmer into your holiday looks this season and a winner will be randomly selected and announced on Thursday.

Iman Launches New Powder

No other brand knows how to speak to our makeup needs like IMAN Cosmetics. The regal Somalian beauty is back with a brand-new translucent powder that leaves skin flawless. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, this oil-absorbing, silky, light-weight powder makes for the perfect stocking stuffer.

Plus, it has skin-enhancing agents that work to improve and even one's skin tone.

IMAN - Luxury Translucent Powder, available at www.drugstore.com for $20

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

NEWS: World AIDS Day

There's a startling statistic that was featured in a recent article in PARADE that states: AIDS as being the third leading cause of death among African-American women in their 30s and 40s, and the number of new infections among gay and bisexual black men under 30 increased 48 percent between 2006 and 2009 (the latest U.S. figures available). This epidemic’s epicenter falls in the South, where poverty and lack of affordable health care are thwarting education, testing, and treatment.

The fact that we're the largest part of the demographic that's disproportionately suffering from this preventable epidemic, speaks volumes. That's why it's so important that we BGs educate ourselves and spread that knowledge to our loved ones near and far so that our mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, and friends can stop dying from this deadly disease.

Have you been tested? If not, do so TODAY.

Cyber Monday: Shop for a Cause

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to spend time with a few patients from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at a Target-sponsored event in New York. While I knew that it would be an emotional experience, I was not prepared for just how inspiring it would be.

Being surrounded by such courageous kids was beyond inspiring. Despite their health challenges, they were positive, upbeat, jovial, and displayed an unyielding zeal for life. Ever since that visit, when I feel like complaining or beating myself up over something silly - I think of them. They helped me re-evaulate what's truly important in life and that good health should never be taken for granted.

Actor Hill Harper recently made a trip to St. Jude in Memphis to visit and play a game of Jenga with cancer patients, Luis and Courtney during the hospital's annual Thanks and Giving campaign. 

Every year St. Jude asks America to shop for a cause by purchasing gifts via stjude.com to support the lifesaving treatment for children battling cancer and other deadly diseases. So this CyberMonday, give a gift that will help save a life.

Don't just wait for the holiday season to volunteer and help others - do it year-round.  You'll be touching the lives of someone in need while nourishing your soul.

Do you volunteer or mentor?

What I'm Most Thankful For...

My pride and joy, Ava!

Plus, my loving husband, family and friends. Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!

What are you the most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Photos In Case You Missed the American Music Awards

Nicki Minaj

Will.i.Am with Robin Thicke

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Lopez at an AMA after-party.

John Legend

L.A Reid at an AMA after-party.

Lionel Richie

Mary J. Blige

Did you watch the awards? If so, who was your favorite performer? Were you shocked by any of the winners?

5 Things to Be Thankful for This Year

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week! Where did the year go? While I'm truly thankful for the many blessings that I've received in addition to the most important (health, family, a job, and shelter) this year, I also thought of a light-hearted list of a few things that we BGs should also be thankful for in 2011.

Here's the list in no particular order:

1. Beyonce showing the world that she's pregnant on the MTV Awards. Thanks to the Queen Bee, we didn't have to suffer through all of the endless speculation of "is she" or "isn't she?" But, apparently a some people STILL couldn't believe that the bootylicious star was bearing a child.

2. Reed Between the Lines airing on BET. We all have our favorite girlfriend back on the air! Plus, it's a positive show that shows that we have successful careers, loving spouses and families just like everybody else.

3. Carol's Daughter launch of Chocolat Smoothing System. When it comes to products for us curly, coily, kinky and even chemically-straightened hair, Carol's Daughter reigns supreme. The new Chocolat system effortlessly tames frizzies for when we want to flaunt a sleek style.

4. Queen Latifah's clothing launch. We all know that the actress/singer/rapper is the Queen of all trades, but we're so happy that she's adding fashion to her burgeoning repertoire. From a size 2 to a 24, Latifah's line accommodates women of most sizes.

5. Oprah's Lifeclass. I don't know about you, but I was glued to the tube every night to learn a lesson from the former talk show host. Each of the shows were so enlightening and inspiring that I even watched most of them live (I hardly ever watch shows that aren't DVR'd)! I am counting down the days for its return in the spring.

What in pop culture, beauty or fashion are you thankful for this year? 

Get Glowing Skin with a Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System Giveaway

If you're looking for a microdermabrasion system that will leave your skin smooth and radiant without breaking the bank, Neutrogena has the product for you. Their microbrasion system is comparable to the pricier ones by Clarisonic and Olay, but is considerably more affordable.

I know you're thinking, but does it work as well as some of the others on the market? Yes, the kit comes with a one-month supply of easy-to-apply cleansing puffs that sloughs away, dead skin cells leaving behind a rejuvenated surface. After using it for a week, I saw immediate results.

Since I'm a huge fan of the Clarisonic brand too, the only downside of the Neutrogena one is that it's battery-operated unlike the Clarisonic that comes with a charger. Other than that, I find it to be a great buy especially for the price!

Available at www.drugstore.com for $19.99

Have you tried the Neutrogena Microbrasion System? If not, you can win one simply by leaving a comment. A winner will be randomly selected and announced later this week. 


What's your fall skincare regimen?

Hot Hosiery for Fall

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had an adoration for tights. See, how I'm so excited in the picture below? It's all due to the fire-engine red leg-wear I'm rocking.

Me with my big sister, Tia, circa 1983.

For as long as I can remember, I've anxiously anticipated cool weather so that I could slip my gams into my favorite form of hosiery. From patterns to bold prints, it's no secret that tights can instantly add oomph and personality to any leg-baring ensemble. Plus, they'll keep you warm while making you appear polished and pulled-together.

I haven't met a pair of tights that I didn't like. On second thought, I have, but those are few and far between!

Check out these stylish offerings:

Agree to Filagree Tights available at www.modcloth.com for $27.99

Anthropologie Fishbone Tights available at www.anthropologie.com for $38

Cole Haan Argyle Tights available at www.zappos.com for $25

Free People Pin Stripe Tights available at www.freepeople.com for $28

Oroblu Col Monika Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $31

Pretty Polly 'Sparkly' Tights available at www.nordstrom.com for $25

Tsumori Chisato Stripe Tights available at www.forwardforward.com for $149 (yes, that's really $150!! I'd never pay that much for tights, but they are nice to look at from afar!)

Are you a fan of patterned tights?

BGG Chats with Kimora Lee Simmons

Ever since she hopped on the seen as Mrs. Russell Simmons back in the late 1990s, Kimora Lee has become a mainstay in urban pop culture. From turning the fashion brand, Baby Phat, into an empire to her outrageous antics on her reality show, Life in the Fab Lane, Ms. Fabulosity has no plans of slowing down.

I recently spoke with the fashion mogul about life after Baby Phat, being a mom of three, and more. Check out the interview here.

Are you a "Fabulosity" fan? 

Coming to a TV Near You

Have you heard about the latest TV ventures from uber-comedy producer Keenan Ivory Wayans and mega star Queen Latifah?

Well, get ready to set your DVR's as the hit 90's sketch comedy In Living Color will be making a comeback to FOX. Revamped with a brand new cast and new musical talent, FOX is hoping to revive its original hit series with two 30 minute specials to see if viewers will respond favorably. With edgy segments such as the hilarious "Men on Film" with David Alan Grier and Damon Wayans, In Living Color may very well fill the void where Mad TV ended.

Also, former talk show host Queen Latifah is returning back to daytime TV a new talk show slated for the Fall 2013 season. Latifah will be teaming up with Will and Jada, who will serve as executive producers. While the Queen appeared on her eponymous talk show that lasted two seasons, perhaps creating a dream team with the Smiths will give her the boost she needs to compete with the current talk-show divas.

Do you think either of these shows will survive today's fickle TV market?


posted by: Khadijah C.