#TBT TO THAT TIME WHEN I SLEPT ON THE SIDEWALK ALL IN THE NAME OF SHOPPING

Whilst rummaging through a HUGE bag of product samples from previously aired "Beauty Talk" episodes which is my most popular live on-air segment, I found everything from brand spanking new MAC lipsticks to unopened perfume, cleansers, moisturizers and more! I was doing a bit of spring cleaning and found the bag just this week tucked under my bed. I mean I was swooning over some of this stuff and thinking how could I leave you??? 

Bag O' Goodies

I'm an undercover "beauty junkie." I don't boast about it because I'm not a make up artist or professional but I love beauty products and at one time, I was doing reviews both on and off-air regularly. But what was most nostalgic about happening upon these treasures, was an empty lipstick case battered, bruised and neglected from the debut of Lanvin for HM. I was immediately taken back to my friends and I camping out on the sidewalk overnight on a cold night might I add just for the sake of being able to snag and grab pieces from the collection. And yes, we did have to grab with the quickness because we by far were not the only ones on a mission. Are you a shopaholic too? I scored three lipsticks all of which I still have as per my arsenal and all of which I still wear. You can click HERE for the full post which chronicles my adventure (that it was), and my SCORE! It was major.

And just as an update to that post, that must-have dress, I still have not yet worn but it's mine foreva!!

All in the name of shopping ...I don't know that I would do that again but you only live once, right? To what extremes have you ever gone, in the name of shopping?

The "after." My hand was covered in swatches after sifting through my Bag O' Goodies

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#BagLadiesLIVE: LAST NITE WAS A TESTIMONY!!

Last nite's #BeautyTalk: "The Biz Behind the Beauty", was more awesome than I could've imagined. "Beauty Talk" is the most popular segment on Bag Ladies Radio. I've had the privilege of dishing with some of the most fabulous and notable experts in the industry. And unless, I speak to a guest prior to air, I don't know what personality they bring to the show. I'm always pleasantly surprised when a guest "brings it." Such is what last nite's guests did. Featuring Celebrity MUA, Shon Michaux and Celebrity MUA/Hairstylist, Neema Ali. Managed by The Teknique Agency, both are known for their most recent work on VH1's Love and Hip Hop series. Not only did we (co-hosts, @babyshopa and @stylenbeautydoc too), dish on the experience of working in reality tv, but they lent a very candid perspective on how they achieved their present day status, the work to get where they are, standing out in the industry and moving forward. Myself and the #BagLadiesLIVE cast love to dish beauty so the show could've been an all-nighter. It's a wonder we weren't stomping and shouting "Hallelujah!" by the end of the show. Be on the "listen" for an exclusive offer just for you from my Marketing Director, aka "Machine Drivah", @ravendelana. 

Let me know your thoughts please on the show. Push "play" to listen OnDemand. Grab your notepad! Enjoy!

Oh, and P.S. - I had a "moment" at the top of the show where I went off on Kim Kardashian's lack of good "fashion" sense!!

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For #BagLadiesLIVE segments, showtimes and more, visit www.bagladiesradio.com. Click to follow me on IG and Twitter @ bagladies.

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Catch up on the dish you missed by going to www.bagladiesradio.com/listen. Scroll down to OnDemand and press play.

"Pink Friday" by Nicki Minaj for MAC ...

We haven't made much effort to keep our feelings secret when it comes to Nicki Minaj. We've discussed off-air, on-air and most recently, during The Style And Beauty Doctor's fashion and beauty report on last week's show. The Style And Beauty Doctor gave us the exclusive scoop the week before.

Say what you will but there is no denying the buzz regarding this Friday's release of "Pink Friday". Included are pics from yesterday's press event at MAC Times Square in NYC. You definitely gotta give Nicki credit for working the press and media to garner as much attention as possible for the upcoming release of her debut album, also on Friday. Nicki Minaj has paired up with MAC to customize a limited edition, pink lipstick which will supposedly only be available via maccosmetics.com for, four Fridays only starting this coming "Black Friday", November 26th, 2010. Although we haven't yet seen, we've heard it described as hot pink, bubblegum pink and fuschia. We hope as do many of you, to soon have a chance to see for ourselves. Although after the experience that was the debut of Lanvin for H&M last weekend, we surely won't be doing anymore "stakeouts" ...even if just an online "stakeout". Share your thoughts. Is "Pink Friday" a "must-have"?

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Bag Ladies Reality Radio ...REAL Women, REAL Talk!

Tune in LIVE, Wednesdays, 7:30p EST

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How do you stay beautiful?

Most women have great loyalty to their daily so-called "beauty routine" whether it consists of applying that MAC Mineralize Satinfinish Foundation, brushing the lids with colorful mono eyeshadow from Sephora's Film Noir collection, applying blush or simply dabbing your lips with a bit of NARS Lip Lacquer. And not to be forgotten, that fave Ferragamo fragrance. Not only that but most women don't leave the house without certain beauty essentials such as Kiehl's Lip Balm from the Lip Balm #1 Limited Edition Set.

Bag Ladies wants to know how do you stay beautiful and what products you absolutely cannot live without. Leave your comments right here (you can do so anonymously even), and we just might reference on tomorrow's show and you might even win some product but you gotta leave your comments and of course you gotta tune in tomorrow.

This week Bag Ladies gets down with Dr. Jeanine Downie, co-author of Beautiful Skin of Color, for some serious chit chat about your skin and how to keep it glowing and beautiful. Bag Ladies will also seek to dispel those notions that we don't have to do anything, don't really need to use sunscreen and more. The season is about to change so what changes might you want to make to your skincare routine to ensure a clean and clear transition from warm to cold. Be sure to tune in tomorrow, Tuesday at 7p EST ...only on bagladiesradio.com. Talk to ya then!

The therapy that is shopping ...

Whether it's a $14 dollar MAC lipstick or $700 Lanvin pumps, shopping can be an amazingly therapeutic cure-all just so long as you aren't overspending. Otherwise, the cure-all is temporary. But how is it that whether it be shopping online and upon clicking that last submit button to confirm your order or in a store and having the cashier hand you over your merchandise, that you just feel renewed. Your spirit is regained and there is a new-found pep in your step. And we all know there is nothing better than when you manage to obtain that must-have item be it shoes, or a piece of jewelry, a to-die-for handbag or some other item even it means restricting yourself for a couple of weeks in order to save to make that must-have purchase. There's nothing like a productive day of shopping and if you're like me, you tackle it solo. I don't require second opinions or anyone to validate my purchases. I have alot of experience when it comes to shopping so I'd like to consider myself fairly adept when it comes to determining perfect looks and great fits. There is nothing like the pleasure gained from walking out of a store knowing that the purchase made = a feeling of accomplishment so much so that you almost feel the need to light a cig even if you ain't a smoker.

Have you ever attempted to answer the question why more often than not, women tend to find the experience of shopping therapeutic while men tend to look at shopping as a chore? Per Suruchi Dumpawar from Sur's Pensieve, some of the reasons why shopping holds the level of appeal that it does amongst us Bag Ladies or Bag Shoppers:

"Shopping for women is like a put-outer; when women shop they just shut off the other things in their life including their worries, tensions and pressures. It’s a woman’s way of stress busting. Women will go shopping if they are feeling put down and after the escapade end up feeling much better."

"Shopping for women is an indulgence; it’s like treating themselves, and who in the world does not like treats? Women will go shopping, if they are feeling especially good and at the end of it feel even better. (So you see it works both ways ;))."

"Shopping for women is like a trail; It’s a treasure hunt of sorts, they go in search for something and in the process ending up buying a lot more than they had initially thought of, on impulse. (The hypermarkets bank on this and put tempting products on display.) The idea of exploring a shopping mall or a street is exciting for women. (I know I sound ridiculous!)."

"Shopping for women is a way of bonding with their friends; A gang of friends on a shopping escapade, women just love the idea, its one of their ways of having fun, I remember doing this a lot in the hostel, usually it used to be an all gals affair. Needless to mention that even if we were not shopping for ourselves and just accompanying people, we used to have a great time."

"Shopping for women is an ego booster; the fact that they make decisions and so many of them at one time gives them an immense ego-boost. Maybe this does not apply for women who do a fair share of decision-making in their lives. But for the less privileged ones, it certainly makes them feel that they are in control of at least something in their lives."

Now off to the mall with ya! Perhaps I'll see ya there ...

-- Lady Erin