Genesis Connect/Buddypress

[anitac]

I would like to use these two products, however - I've been using Ning.com, the social network and there are functions in Ning that I want in Buddypress. In testing it, when people want to write a "blog" they are taken to the traditional Dashboard which takes away all the aesthetics of the entire website and makes it appear as though I've left the website all together.

Is there a way to block the back end Dashboard where the members 1) are dependent on the Buddypress Bar at the top and 2) they can write their blog entries without having to go to that ugly Dashboard - they can stay right within the front/or main area of the site?

I cannot seem to find a plugin to make this happen and I don't want to buy it if it won't work.