VIDEO: First Lady Michelle Obama: ‘We’ve All Got to Light A Fire’

With Election Day tomorrow, it’s now or never. If you haven’t already cast your ballot, tomorrow is your last chance. Let your voice be heard at the polls. Generations before us fought and marched for our right to vote and we BGs cannot let their efforts be in vain.

Take it from First Lady Michelle Obama, get out the vote!

Check out the video of FLOTUS on why we should re-elect President Barack Obama:

Did you vote early?

Target Offers New Price Match Policy

The holiday shopping season is upon us. That means two things: shopping and more shopping! For those looking for the best deals, Target, is going to make your season especially bright. For the first time in the store’s history, they’re offering a new online price match policy.

Meaning, they’re offering customers the ability to match select online competitors’ prices in its stores now until Dec. 16. Qualifying online retailers include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and Toysrus.com. And if that news didn’t bring enough holiday cheer to your ears, the Minneapolis-based retailer has also extended the timeframe for the policy, including Target.com. If a customer purchases a qualifying item at Target stores now until  Dec. 24, and then finds it for less at Target.com or in a local competitor’s printed ad, Target will match that price.

Not that I ever need an excuse to shop at Target, but this policy is definitely a plus!

When will you start your holiday shopping?

Kerry Washington On Why She’s Voting for Barack Obama

Kerry Washington, star of ABC’s, “Scandal,” is no stranger to publicly supporting President Barack Obama.

As a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, she’s been a trailblazer in organizing fundraisers to keep arts in schools across the country. In addition to that position, she volunteers tirelessly for his current campaign. This time, the actress, 35, took to the The Daily Beast to pen an open letter pledging her support for POTUS.

Check out an excerpt below:

Kerry Washington speaking at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 6, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. Photo via TheDailyBeast/Getty

“We, the people.

Throughout our history, we’ve expanded the meaning of our nation’s founding phrase, to include more and more of our citizens because we believe that the American dream isn’t about any one person or segment of society. It’s about all of us, working together to move forward.

That’s also what this election is about. And it’s why I’m voting for President Barack Obama.”

Click here to read the rest!

Will you be tuning in to the final presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney tonight? Also, are you obsessed with Scandal like so many BGs?

BGG Chats w/Author K.M. Jackson

One of my fellow blogging buddies, K.M. Jackson (from Kwana Writes), has done what many of us creative types aspire to do; she wrote and published a book!

Her debut novel, Through the Lens, is a fun and sexy tale of a young woman who finally catches the eye of her object of desire. Set on a remote island, Jackson’s stellar descriptive writing style takes readers on a romantic, spellbinding journey.

I recently spoke with the New York native and chatted about her new book, the book publishing industry, and more.

Move over 50 Shades of Grey, there’s a new steamy page-turner on your New York Times best-seller tail!

K.M Jackson, author of Through the Lens

Check out the Q&A:

BGG: At what age did you realize that you wanted to write professionally?
Jackson: Growing up a city girl taking the ‘A’ train everyday to high school I had two dreams. One was to be a fashion designer and the other was to be a writer. After ten years working in the New York Fashion world I became a stay at home mother to my school age twins. It was then that I decided to pursue my other dream of being a writer. Of course the professional part didn’t come for quite a few years but it did come.

BGG: Through the Lens is such a sexy page-turner! Is romance your favorite writing genre? 
Jackson: It is. I’ve always loved romance. Give me something that makes my heart flutter and I’m in. I enjoy a book with strong characters and even stronger emotion and I think the romance genre as that no matter if you go for contemporary, historical, suspense you can find that payoff in romance.

BGG: Without giving it away, is there a message in Through the Lens that you’d like readers to grasp?
Jackson: That is a tough one. I don’t like to get preachy in my books and I don’t start off with any sort of message. This being a romance I would say there is a definitely a message of true love conquering all but over that there is a message of finding strength and self worth that I hope comes through.

Through the Lens is available at Amazon, BN, and iTunes!

BGG: E-publishing is on the rise to the joy of many writers. What were your initial thoughts about it?
Jackson: Honestly, at first I was nervous. Like so many writers I had dreams of going the traditional route and being published by one of the big six or is it four or two now? Who knows? But after so many years of rejections and getting close and ‘we love your voice but just don’t know where to put you,’ I see e-publishing as a wonderful opportunity take more control of my own career and finally get my stories out there.

BGG: Prior to publishing with Crimson, did you find it difficult to not be labeled as “African-American” romance, but simply romance?
Jackson: Absolutely. I know that is cause for debate but it has always bugged me that there has been this separate but unequal thing with African-American writers or any writers of color. I believe I have had a harder time getting my books out there because my characters were not black enough. Yes, I’ve had an agent tell me this and what a horror that that is still a thing. I, clearly in his eyes, wrote books with too much diversity and he said the publisher would have a hard time knowing where to shelve my books. This to me was a heartbreaker. But I’m thrilled to now have found a publisher in Crimson who regardless of the color of the characters or more importantly the color of the author does not segregate the romance.

BGG: Who are a few of your favorite authors?
Jackson: There are too many to count and I fear if I leave some out I’ll be doing your readers a disservice. I read so many books and my favorite is the one that keeps me up and has me fibbing to my husband about the time. You know, saying it’s only midnight and it’s really 3am and I’m still up reading. Shh don’t tell!

BGG: Now that you have two more books in the works, what can readers expect?
Jackson: Thanks so much for asking. Through the Lens is the first in what I’m calling my Creative Hearts series and my publisher, Crimson Romance, has just contracted the next two in the series. These next two will be stand alone books like Through the Lens but have characters that the readers will meet in each of the preceding books. The defining thread is that the main characters all have creative jobs and come from New York. Up next is my sexy book set in the art world and then after that is a book set in the sometimes not so glam New York fashion design world. I’m so excited to bring these two out. I’m a New Yorker and have an intense love of the city so I’m thrilled to set my books here.

BGG: What advice do you have for aspiring authors who dream of getting published?
Jackson: Keep writing. It took me over ten years and countless rejections. And I’m sure there may be plenty more in the future but as they say (and yes, it is annoying) no writing is wasted writing. You do get better with every word. So keep at it. Don’t give up. Also get yourself some fantastic, loving, critique partners who know their stuff. Yes, men will do you no good in life. I’m forever grateful to my group of supportive writer friends who have helped me along the way.

If you haven’t already checked out my iPad case giveaway, this would be the perfect book to download to your newly outfitted tablet!

What books are you guys reading right now?

VIDEO: Alicia Keys on the Obama Campaign Trail

In just a little over a month, we registered voters will have the chance to have our voices heard at the polls.

In an effort to re-elect President Barack Obama in November, Alicia Keys recently went to Philadelphia to speak about women’s issues while on the Obama campaign trail. The multi-Grammy singer and activist, 31, addressed the importance of keeping Obama in office and how young people can get involved.

Check out the behind-the-scenes video:

Have you ever volunteered for a political campaign?

Cool Gadget Cases Plus GIVEAWAY!

Now that the iPhone 5 has arrived, I’m sure Apple fans are on now on the hunt for the coolest cases to store their new phones.

In fact, cases have become the ultimate accessory where tech and gadget gurus can infuse a bit of personality to their devices. From customizable iPad cases to sleek MacBook sleeves to easy-to-grip Android shells, storing phones, tablets and other gadgets can be stylish and functional!

 **GIVEAWAY!! Caseable Customizable Hand-Crafted iPad Case available here, $49.90

Kate Spade New York ‘Crossword Puzzle’ iPhone 5 Case available, here $40

MICHAEL Michael Kors Exclusive Shoulder-Strap Macbook Pro Sleeve in Black Python-Embossed Leather available here, $149.95

Hard Candy Bubble Sleeve for iPad 1&2 available here, $49.95

Milly Scallop Lace iPhone Case available here, $40

Cul-De-Sac ‘Zig-Zag’ E-Reader Holder available here, $18

‘Mike” Droid Creature Case for HTC One X available here, $25

Do you have cute holders for your devices?

**One lucky reader will win a Caseable Customizable iPad (1,2, or 3) Case (a $50 value)! In order to be entered for this contest, you must be a U.S resident. Simply leave a comment, Tweet this contest link with the hastag #BGGcaseable or “Like” BGG on Facebook and leave a comment under the FB post.  The winner will be announced next Friday, October 5th.  

Fashion’s Night Out Round-Up

If you’re still planning your Fashion’s Night Out (NYC) itinerary for tomorrow (Sept 6), be sure to add these sure-to-be stylish festivities to your list.

Whether you’re looking to score mini-makeovers, manicures or sweet endings to the night, these FNO events won’t disappoint! The verdict is still out whether I’ll be partaking in the partying, but if I do there are plenty of options!

Who: Bobbi Brown and Leandra, founder of The Man Repeller Fashion Blog 
Where: Bobbi Brown’s Pop-Up Store at Grand Central Terminal (87 E. 42nd Street)
When: 7pm to 8pm
What to expect: Bobbi Brown greeting customers, complimentary makeovers, and beauty talk

Who: American Ballet Theater’s Misty Copeland & Hair Rules’ Anthony Dickey (hosts)

What: 108 Stitches Harriett Cole Collection Presentationn
Where: Hair Rules 829 9th Ave, 2nd Fl (btwn 54/55th Streets)
When: 6pm to 11pm
What to expect: Being able to purchase handmade crocheted accessories made by former EBONY editor, Harriette Cole, hair styling advice, and  refreshments

Who: Celebrity Makeup Artist Mally Roncal
Where: Henri Bendel (712 Fifth Avenue)
When: 7pm to 8pm
What to expect: Makeup and fashion tips, plus if consumers make a $75 purchase or more, they’ll receive a gift (Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Black and an Evercolor Waterproof Eyeliner)

Who: jane iredale – The Skincare Makeup
Where: Talbot’s 525 Madison Avenue
When: 6pm
What to expect: Beauty tutorials, sneak peeks of the upcoming collection, and free gifts with purchase

Who: Georgetown Cupcakes
Where: All Georgetown Cupcakes locations (Georgetown, Bethesda, SoHo and Newbury)
When: Open to 11pm (click here for store hours)
What to expect: CUPCAKES!! Each customer will receive a free cupcake, including their special FNO “Runway Red Velvet” option

Check out the official Fashion’s Night Out site for more events!

Will you join in on the fashion frenzied festivities tomorrow?