Viola Davis & Uzo Aduba Win Top Honors at SAG Awards

Last night’s 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Hollywood turned out to be an electrifying evening for some of our favorite BGS.

Viola Davis took home an award for outstanding performance by a female actress in a drama series for her role on the ABC hit, “How To Get Away With Murder,” while “Orange Is the New Black” star, Uzo Aduba, won for outstanding performance by a female actress in a comedy series.

Both ladies looked beautiful and gave heartfelt acceptance speeches. Check out Viola’s below:

Not only did BGs win top honors, we also stunned on the red carpet. Oscar winner and Lancome ambassador, Lupita Nyong’o, 31, looked nothing short of stunning in her striped, floral Ellie Saab gown. Paula Patton also made a lovely appearance in a gorgeous beaded Aiisha Ramadan dress.

Photo by Getty

Photo by Getty/TNT

Photo by Getty

Photo by Getty/TNT

Photo by Getty

Photo by Getty/TNT

Photo by Paula Patton

Photo by Getty/TNT

From the SAG wins to the red carpet wins, it was an overall win-win for us BGs! Click here for the complete list of winners.

Do you watch “How To Get Away With Murder” or “Orange Is the New Black?”

Lupita Nyong’o Graces Glamour Magazine

Lupita Nyong’o, one of our favorite BGs, is covering the December issue of Glamour magazine.

The actress and Lanôme beauty ambassador, 31, is not only the magazine’s cover girl, but is also named as the Woman of the Year by the popular glossy. The annual Women of the Year issue honors women who have made significant contributions to society throughout the year. In celebration of the issue, the magazine will host its 24th annual Women of the Year awards ceremony in New York City November on 10th.

Lupita talks to the Condé Nast title about her meteoric rise in Hollywood and how she uses her platform to help redefine success and beauty standards.

Glamour December Cover

Photo by: Tom Munro Be sure to check out more pics here!

Here are a few quotes from the interview with the Oscar winner:

Nyong’o on winning an Academy Award earlier this year…
“I don’t think I will ever be able to really articulate how bizarre it was to hear my name at the Academy Awards. I’d watched in my pajamas the year before! I felt numb—dazed and confused. I remember feeling light—weightless. More like limbo than cloud nine.”

Nyong’o on how her life has changed after winning an Academy Award…
“This is actually a conversation I look forward to having in 10 years, when all of this is behind me and I have some real perspective on what happened—because right now I’m still adjusting. I guess I feel catapulted into a different place; I have a little whiplash…. I did have a dream to be an actress, but I didn’t think about being famous. And I haven’t yet figured out how to be a celebrity; that’s something I’m learning, and I wish there were a course on how to handle it. I have to be aware that my kinesphere may be larger than I want it to be.”

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Nyong’o on the standards of beauty that she grew up with…
“European standards of beauty are something that plague the entire world—the idea that darker skin is not beautiful, that light skin is the key to success and love. Africa is no exception. When I was in the second grade, one of my teachers said, ‘Where are you going to find a husband? How are you going to find someone darker than you?’ I was mortified. I remember seeing a commercial where a woman goes for an interview and doesn’t get the job. Then she puts a cream on her face to lighten her skin, and she gets the job! This is the message: that dark skin is unacceptable. I definitely wasn’t hearing this from my immediate family—my mother never said anything to that effect—but the voices from the television are usually much louder than the voices of your parents.”

Nyong’o on her role models growing up…
“Oprah played a big role in my understanding of what it meant to be female and to really step into your own power. I wouldn’t even call her a role model; she was literally a reference point. You have the dictionary, you have the Bible, you have Oprah.”

Nyong’o on her mother’s influence…
“I come from a loving, supportive family, and my mother taught me that there are more valuable ways to achieve beauty than just through your external features. She was focused on compassion and respect, and those are the things that ended up translating to me as beauty. Beautiful people have many advantages, but so do friendly people.… I think beauty is an expression of love.”

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Nyong’o on “The Lupita Effect”…
“I’ve heard people talk about images in popular culture changing, and that makes me feel great, because it means that the little girl I was, once upon a time, has an image to instill in her that she is beautiful, that she is worthy—that she can… Until I saw people who looked like me, doing the things I wanted to, I wasn’t so sure it was a possibility. Seeing Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah in The Color Purple, it dawned on me: ‘Oh—I could be an actress!’ We plant the seed of possibility.”

For the full interview visit Glamour.com or be sure to pick up the December issue which hits newsstands November 11th.

Want to see more Lupita? Check out this behind-the-scenes footage from her cover shoot.What are your thoughts on the cover?

7 Stylish Tights to Keep Legs Cozy & Comfy for Fall

It’s that time of year again—tights and leggings season!

As soon as fall arrives, one of the first things I do to update my wardrobe is buy new hosiery. Whether ribbed, patterned, denim or classic opaque, eye-catching tights and leggings can instantly add warmth and style to ensembles. For those super cold days, I double-up on black tights to keep my gams covered, as well as provide a less sheer, more saturated look.

Tights and leggings are such a fun and cost-effective way to relish in fall fashion without breaking the bank. Plus, they’re incredibly comfy!

Back in the summer, I got a sneak peek of No nonsense’s fabulous autumn offerings. They have a great selection of colors and styles to suit your taste.

Check them out below:

corduroy-leggings

No nonsense Corduroy Leggings available here, $18

diamond-tights

No nonsense Bold Diamond Tights are available here, $7

opaque-tights

No nonsense Opaque Tights available here, $6.59

textured

No nonsense Textured Basketweave Openwork Tights available here, $7

fashion-cotton--animalNo nonsense Animal Print Tights available here, $14

super-opaque

No nonsense Super Opaque Control Top Tights available here, $6.59

Have you stocked up on tights this season?

 

6 Chic Capes to Rock this Fall

From fresh beginnings to fab new fashions, fall is by far my favorite season. It’s a time to recharge and adjust wardrobes to accommodate chilly temps without compromising style.

So, what better way to usher in the brisk season than with a cool cape?  Yes, this sleek outerwear option has been a staple in fashionistas’ closets for a while, but admittedly—I’m late to the cape party.

This chic alternative to traditional coats and jackets will turn heads while keeping you warm. Plus, there’s just something sophisticated and undeniably ladylike about its free-flowing shape.

Check out these eye-catching buys:

dkny-capeDKNY Pure Wool Knit Cape available here, $235

michael-kors-cape

Michael Kors Pea Coat Cape available here, $295

Cavalleria-Toscana-Cape

Cavalleria Toscana Cape available here, $170

dkny-blythe-cape

DKNY “Blythe” Hooded Wool Blend Cape available here, $158

yoox-back-cape

Yoox Back Cape available here, $95

Nordstrom-Leather-trim-cape

Nordstrom Leather Trim Colorblock Cape available here, $148

Will you be rocking a cape this fall?

6 Cute Reasons to Embrace a Bad Hair Day

No matter if you wear your hair relaxed, natural, in locs or braids, just about every woman has experienced a bad hair day.

Luckily, there are many ways to conceal a mane disaster. For me, rocking a fitted baseball cap is a surefire way to hide my hair without compromising style. This season, there are plenty of cute toppers to camouflage less-than-flattering locks.

Plus, the caps’ brims can effortlessly combat those sunshine-filled days by blocking the sun.

From fun florals to paint splatter patterns, finding a fitted cap to keep your ‘do under wraps is a simple and stylish solution.

Check out these picks:

f21-cap

Forever 21 Flower Power Snapback Cap available here, $7

August-cork

August Hat “Cork” Cap available here, $28

CR-cap

Charlotte Russe Colored Leopard Print Baseball Cap available here, $6

f21-paint

Forever 21 “Paint Splatter” Cap available here, $9

august-lace

August Hats Lace Baseball Cap available here, $20

betsey-johnson

Betsey Johnson “Wild Blooms” Baseball Cap available here, $28

Smart Buy: Cambiami Customizable Sandals

When it comes to getting more bang for your buck, I’m always onboard.

And that’s the case with Cambiami, a new customizable sandal line that launched last month.

Italian for “change me,” Cambiami sandals make it easy to do just that. With the quick switch of a strap, these chic sandals can instantly be transformed into a style that suits your taste.

Offering over 24 colors and patterns, these innovative sandals make it possible to have a variety of looks without breaking the bank.

cambiani-sandals

Cambiami sandals are available here, $85 (gets you one base/sole & two “uppers”). Each additional pair of “uppers” are $25 and additional base/soles are $40.

Plus, they simplify packing for those fun summer getaways. No more over-stuffing your suitcase with loads of sandals; simply toss in a few interchangeable straps dubbed “uppers,” and you’re good to go!

Each pair (black or tan soles) comes with two “uppers” of your choice and are super easy to insert. Typically, when you get a two-for-one kind of shoe, it’s clunky or uncomfortable, but not with this line.

cambiani-3

Cambiami sandals (pictured in black genuine leather) are available here, $85

Versatility, comfort and affordability make these sandals a must-have for summer shoe lovers!

Would you purchase a customizable sandal?

7 Stylish Studs & Ear Cuffs

Now that my baby boy is  almost 9 months old, my beloved hoop earrings have been forced to take a backseat.

Like most babies, his curious nature has resulted in broken earrings and painful, pulled lobes. So until he no longer finds my classic gold hoops fascinating, I’ll be opting for more baby-friendly styles like cute cuffs and eye-catching studs to adorn my ears.

Check out some of these buys:

Spike-Ear-Cuff-24BCBG Max Azria Spike Ear Cuff available here, $24

Jennifer-Zeuner-Love-Studs

Jennifer Zeuner “Love” Earrings available here, $132

Eddie-Bargo-Ear-Cuff

Eddie Borgo Pave Crystal Cone Single Ear Cuff available here, $100

Betsey-Johnson-Camera-Stud

Betsey Johnson Camera Stud Earrings available here, $30

Freida-Rothman-Studs

Freida Rothman ‘Femme’ Maltese Cross Stud Earrings available here, $65

Steve-Madden-Faceted-Bead-Ear-Cuffs

Steve Madden “White” Faceted Bead Ear Cuffs available here, $18

Alexis-Bittar-Link-Stud

Alexis Bittar ‘Elements – Jardin Papillon’ Chain Link Stud Earrings available here, $75

Do you prefer studs or hoop earrings?