Brown Girl Gumbo

Fashionable Holiday Frocks

November 25, 2008

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

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Category: Fashion | 24 Comments

Wanna Be a Makeup Pro?

November 24, 2008

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?

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Category: Beauty, Books | 35 Comments

Turkey Day Countdown!

November 20, 2008

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?

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Category: Food | 22 Comments

Tights with a Twist!

November 19, 2008

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

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Category: Fashion | 24 Comments

I’m In Love with a Two-Timer!

November 18, 2008

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!

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Category: Beauty | 15 Comments

November 18, 2008

In recent years more and more people have been trying to incorporate natural and organic products into their everyday lives from food to beauty products. I must confess, I am not a huge natural/organic product guru. Don’t get me wrong, if I find a natural product that gives me great results then of course I’m all for it! It’s just that I don’t go out of my way to purchase items that are 100% natural. With Thanksgiving being next week, do you think you’ll

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End of an Era?

November 17, 2008

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