Brown Girl Gumbo

Toss the Gloss

September 3, 2008

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a gloss girl, but this upcoming fall season I want to give my gloss a break and give lipsticks a go! For years I’ve been applying shiny glosses with a barely-there tint on my lips. This time around I want to vamp it up a bit by trying a few deeper berries, browns and burgundies and possibly even some subdued red shades. My husband thinks that red lips are a no-no for women of all shades, but I’m going to try to prove him wrong! It’s going to be hard giving up the gloss, but as I said last week, change is good! If I don’t like it, I can always go back to my favorites.

Do you prefer gloss or lipstick? Are you going to wear darker matte hues this fall and winter?

Check out some of these lush lip colors:

Bobbi Brown Lipstick Color Palette available at www.saks.com for $40

Nars Afghan Red available at www.beauty.com for $24

L’Oreal Colour Rich Lipstick in Chocolate Truffle available at www.drugstore.com for $8.06

MAC Viva Glam available at www.nordstrom.com for $14

Clinique High Impact Colour in Red-y To Wear available at www.saks.com for $14

Wise Lip Paint by Peacekeeper available at www.smallflower.com for $14

CoverGirl Continuous Color in Bistro Burgundy available at www.drugstore.com for $5.13

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Category: Beauty | 25 Comments

Bootielicious!

September 2, 2008

There are many reasons why I love the fall, but I think the main reason is because it’s the time when I can finally wear my favorite footwear – boots! This season it’s all about the booties. Ranging in a myriad of styles, colors and materials, booties are a definite must-have for the fall. These funky crosses between shoes and boots are a fashionable, yet practical choice because they can be worn with just about anything. From a cute dress paired with tights to with a pair of skinny jeans, booties will instantly add flavor to all of your fall fashions.

Check out some of these:

Will you be wearing a pair of booties this season?

Steven by Steve Madden Midory Bootie available at www.nordstrom.com for $148.95

Bebe Morgan Leather Buckly Leather Bootie available at www.bebe.com for $199

Steve Madden Cognac Le available at www.stevemadden.com for $129.95

Bobbie Suede Faux Croc Bootie available at www.bananarepublic.com for $160

Mossimo Valentina available at www.target.com for $26.99

Diane Von Furstenberg Rae Tie Bootie available at www.shopbop.com for $475

Camden Scallop Open-Toe Bootie available at www.shopbop.com for $430

Michael by Michael Kors Fulton available at www.bootie.com $178.95

Sam Edelman Melanie Peep-Toe Booties available at www.bloomingdales.com for $139

Softt Freeda Bootie available at www.nordstrom.com for $139.95

Twelth Street by Cynthia Vincent Allison Zip Front Platform Bootie available at www.shopbop.com for $350

Unlisted by Kenneth Cole available at www.piperlime.com for $50

**By the way, click here to check out my Clutch Magazine! 🙂

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Category: Fashion | 31 Comments

Cheers!

August 28, 2008

Every now and then, we BGs like to unwind with a nice glass of wine with dinner or sip a cosmo when we’re hanging out with our girls. There are many occasions when a cocktail is in order, such as birthdays, promotions, holidays, etc. Because I’m a light-weight drinker, I usually opt for a frozen strawberry daiquiri when I feel like celebrating.

From Pinot Grigio to a chilled apple martini, the variations of liquor options are virtually limitless!

What was your alcoholic beverage of choice this summer or your favorite drink period? Have you ever had an embarrassing encounter after having one too many? Please share!

My drink of choice, Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri. Remember, no matter what you’re drinking, it’s important to always drink responsibly!

Frozen Margarita

Cosmo

Apple Martini

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Category: Cocktails | 25 Comments

Raising the Bar!

August 27, 2008

When it comes to cleansing my body, I’ve always preferred liquid soaps and shower gels over bar soaps. That was until the other day when I ran out of my tried and true Suave Tropical Coconut shower gel and was forced to use my husband’s regular Irish Spring bar soap. To my surprise, it lathered well and actually had a refreshingly pleasant scent. Plus, it left my skin feeling clean and soft.

Since I was so pleased with the results, I’m now considering giving my fruity-smelling favorites a break and picking up a few bar soaps instead. Hey, change is good!

Do you find that you get stuck using your favorite products without giving new ones a try?

Check out some of these bar soaps:

Avon Moisturizing Cleansing Bar Soap available at www.avon.com for $4

Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap available at www.sephora.com for $14

Clinique 3 Little Soaps with Travel Dish available at www.sephora.com for $15

Dove Go Fresh Cool Cucumber and Green Tea Beauty Bar available at www.drugstore.com for $3.49

Fresh Mangosteen Soap available at www.sephora.com for $14

Indigo Wild Mumosa Soap with Bow available at www.smallflower.com $5.60

Pangea Organics White Sage Bar Soap available at www.tobi.com for $6

Kiehl’s Non-Soap Water Bar available at www.saks.com for $9.50

L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap avaiable at www.loccitane.com for $10

Origins Gloom Away Grapefruit Bath Bar available at www.dillards.com for $13

Red Flower Soap and Dish Japanese Peony Set available at www.beautyhabit.com for $18

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Category: Beauty | 21 Comments

Stylish Shows for the Fall Season

August 26, 2008

Besides the fashions that only fall can bring, new TV lineups are the second best thing that happens during this time of year. Although I haven’t been watching much TV lately, this past weekend I found myself glued to the tube watching all of last season’s Gossip Girl as if I were an Upper East Side rich teenage girl with a Sidekick in hand! There’s something about that show that is simply addictive. Perhaps, it’s the fashion and constant pop culture references. Whatever it is that makes it a must-see show, I am now hooked and can’t wait until next week when it returns for a second season.

Although I wish there were more shows that featured BGs and guys in the lineup, I am looking forward to watching Tyra’s antics on her popular reality series, America’s Next Top Model; Vivica Fox’s new style competition show, Glam God; fashion journalism reality show Stylista; The Game; as well as the new season of Making the Band, which started last week.

Speaking of TV, wasn’t Michelle Obama’s speech last night at the DNC outstanding?!

Anyway, what are you planning on watching this upcoming fall TV season?

Gossip Girl on The CW

America’s Next Top Model Cycle 11 on The CW

Glam God with Vivica A. Fox on VH1

Stylista on The CW

Making the Band Season 4 on MTV

The Game on The CW

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Category: Arts and Entertainment, TV | 31 Comments

Purple Reigns

August 25, 2008

Although I enjoy warm weather, I’m anxiously anticipating the onset of the cooler months. To me, nothing epitomizes chic fashions like the fall. This season’s styles are going to be a purple paradise. Variations of plum hues will be seen everywhere from purple polishes to festive frocks.

Whether you prefer a lovely lavender or a vibrant violet, these seasonal shades will definitely add a lot of punch to your look.

Do you think you’ll incorporate a bit of purple into your fall wardrobe?

Check out some of these purple pieces:

Chiffon Ruffle Halter available at www.ardenb.com for $58

Dolce Vita Cocoon Dress available at www.shopbop.com for $198

Karina Grimaldi Ruffle Silk Mini Dress available at www.couturecandy.com for $216

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Grace Bag available at www.eluxury.com for $428

Double V-Neck Crochet Dress available at www.bebe.com for $98

Madison Marcus Kimono Tunic available at www.pinkmascara.com for $304

Nine west Osterige Purple Suede Sandals available at www.zappos.com for $93

Petite Silk Cap Sleeve Lady Dress available at www.bananarepublic.com for $150

Raisa Knit Cowl-Neck Top available at www.forever21.com for $17.80

Rock & Republic Button-up Blouse available at www.revolveclothing.com for $198

Sheer Scarf available at www.forever21.com for $9.80

Splendid Jersey Peasant Top available at www.pinkmascara.com for $64

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Category: Fashion | 24 Comments

Fail-Proof Fashions!

August 21, 2008

We BGs love dressing up and looking as pretty as possible, but let’s admit, sometimes our ensembles just don’t quite come together the way in which we’d like. That’s why it’s important to have that one or two absolute fail-proof outfit(s) for those days when we know we’ll feel confident and look our best no matter what.

This summer, my fail-proof outfit was a wrinkle-free red, cotton mini dress. It was summery and a bit playful, but could easily be transformed into a more conservative look with a light-weight sweater. I mix and matched it with various accessories and shoes – it was really a great find, plus it was only $23!

I took this photo back in June when my friend AZ came to visit.