As I’ve written many times before on BGG, I am not a shoe person. Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes, they just don’t love me back. I can hardly ever find comfortable shoes no matter the heel size, brand, price or material. I know the saying, “beauty is pain,” but my comfort is something that can’t be compromised no matter how hot a sexy stiletto may look. Luckily, I was recently introduced to the lifesaver for suffering feet – Foot Petals!

Stiletto Survival Kit available at www.footpetals.com for $49.95 (Prices vary from $4.95+)

These little pads of cushiony goodness now make it possible for me to stand in heels without cringing with every step. Just slip them into your shoes and you’re ready to hit the pavement in style!

Have you ever tried Foot Petals? Do you often allow your feet to suffer for the sake of looking good?

**Btw, the winner of the R Sessions RootControl is K-Bear. Congrats! Please email me your mailing address.

The fact that we now have an African-American president can be attributed to the struggles and sacrifices made by countless men and women who believed in the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

That’s why The Home Depot has created a special card in an effort to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King. They’re working to build a permanent exhibition home for the personal writings and papers of Dr. King at at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

You can purchase a “Dream” gift card now until February 28th and The Home Depot will donate 5% of all sales to the center, up to one million dollars. To learn more about King’s papers, click here.

One lucky winner will win a $50 gift card to The Home Depot. I know it’s not fashion/beauty related, but I’m sure it could come in handy for some. Simply leave a comment about what Black History Month means to you or a black history fact and a winner will be selected randomly and announced tomorrow.

The winners of the Colossal Volume Mascara are: Antithesis and Melissa L. Please email me your mailing address! Congrats!

With Black History Month around the corner, I wanted to let my historically black college and university (HBCU) readers know about a fabulous contest. Alltel Wireless has asked bloggers to help spread the word about their “Words of Wisdom” contest where ten students will have the chance to receive a $10,000 scholarship to a participating black college or university by writing an essay.

Plus, all 10 winners will be honored at an awards luncheon to be held Thursday, March 12th, 2009 in Little Rock, Arkansas. “Words of Wisdom” spokesperson and esteemed poet and author, Dr. Maya Angelou, will personally present each winner with their scholarship. Click here for more information.

In these tough economic times scholarships are more important than ever.

Speaking of “Words of Wisdom,” when it comes to beauty and fashion, it’s always fun to play around with fads and trends, but being yourself is always in style!

What words of wisdom do you live by? Please share! Are you an HBCU alum or current student?

Yesterday will be etched in my memory forever – the day that the first African-American became president of the United States! I can’t even begin to describe the exhilaration of witnessing it at the Mall in Washington, D.C. amongst hundreds of thousands of others. Despite the cold winds the energy of the crowd was electrifying. There really was no other place that I would have rather been (well maybe sitting up close like the politicians and dignitaries of course 🙂 because witnessing President Barack Obama take oath in D.C. was simply priceless.

I’m extremely tired because I just got back to NYC this morning. I have photos from the Obama exhibit, “Manifest Hope” gallery that I will share tomorrow.

Were you in D.C. or did you watch it from home, work, etc.?

While I was in the store, I noticed a lot of vintage and super stylish attire for unbelievable prices. I’ve never been a fan of used clothing, but with the little help of a dry cleaner all is forgiven! During these tough financial times, reinventing your wardrobe just might include taking a trip to a nearby consignment or thrift store!

What do you

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I had an absolutely perfect time with my family during my trip to Chicago. Although the weather caused a bit of concern initially, ultimately I arrived safely.

I can’t believe it’s 2009!! There are quite a few things that I hope to accomplish within the next 12 months considering it will be my last full year in my fabulous 20s!

What are your hopes and goals for this year? Do you ever make resolutions? If so, do you ever keep them?

Here are a few of mine:

Enhance BGG!

Write more!

Make more time to call family & friends (some don’t count texting as communicating! LOL) Me with my cousins and sister (orange).

Take Spanish lessons (I know a little, but not enough!)

Travel abroad (at least once this year)!

During this time of year, there’s nothing more festive than lighting a few candles! Since I don’t have any holiday décor showcased in my tiny apartment, I always opt to light a few candles to create a cheerful, yet relaxing environment. For me, being surrounded by a few scented candles is an instant pick-me-up! Plus, they make for perfect inexpensive gifts (although I’d recommend buying a non-scented one if you aren’t sure of the person’s scent preference) for both men and women!

Do you enjoy lighting candles? What’s your favorite scent?

Check out some of these!

Coach Signature Candle available at www.coach.com for $65

Calypso St. Barth Mix & Match Candle Set available at www.calpyso-celle.com for $75

Diptyque Basile Holiday Amber Candle available at www.smallflower.com for $78

Aunt Sadie’s Candy Cane Candle available at www.urbanoutfitters.com for $12.99

Jo Wood Organic Samka Natural Wax Candle available at www.beautyhabit.com for $85

Light My Pink Scented Candle available at www.victoriassecret.com for $20

Le Couvent Des Minimes Verbana & Lemon Scented Candle available at www.macys.com for $20

L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Scented Candle available at www.loccitane.com for $22

Spa Scents 3-in-1 Apple Blossom Scented Candle available at $5.99 at www.sallybeauty.com

**The winner of the Sedu Flat iron is Blair! Congrats! Please send me your mailing address info.