B Fierce: MAC Fabulous Felines collection

 Image credit

MAC cosmetics last collection with Alice and Olivia was bright and full of color. Now the cosmetic company has created a collection for fall that is neutral but still playing with colors. The collection debuted last week and combined the greatest parts of fall. Golds, military greens and great nudes.


One collection based around three different color schemes gives variety to the standard:

Palace Pedigreed aimed to plush greys and regal blues.

Burmese Beauty played off gold tones with brown and green accents.

Leopard Luxe remains neutral by playing with gold tones.

I already own one set of the collection and don't think it would be bad manners to make sure I have all three before they're gone.

B Reunited: Time in the Emerald City

It is Monday already and I'm back from the weekend up in the Northwest. Filled with great friends, amazing family and unbelievable food. Enjoy my snippet of a great 3 days.

Coffee in Capitol Hill on a rocking chair and latte art.

Back to my piano roots. All those lessons still helped me remember something.

My favorite tourist find. RIP Seattle Supersonics.

Meyers lemons are a citrus miracle. Perfect addition for grilled salmon.

In the wonderful food montage grilled shrimp app.

Brussel Sprouts have a bad reputation. Grilling with sea salt seasoning will turn it around.

Outdoor dining the perfect weather.

B Creative: Reader's polyvore contest entries

I'm excited for today as this is the first time my readers have been involved on my blog. Just a few days ago I posted about Polyvore's mini editor contest to win $1000. One thousand dollars! The wish lists on Just B could become reality. And since I have such creative readers I wanted to share a few of my favorites thus far with a bit of my own commentary.

By alinicham. Eclectic style is always changing. This one is hopeless romantic nerd meets military structure. Adore.

By KETSKA. Gaga for the leather shorts and brocade blazer.

By danyalee. I'm glad they found Alexander Wang's leopard booties as breathtaking as I do.

By Ketsy. Kate Spade clutch, Chanel nail polish and your heart worn on your sweater. How could you not love!

Keep creating your own style sets here and I might just have to post more favorites!

B Escaping: From the desert to the pacific northwest

Today I am escaping the desert heat to enjoy a weekend back in my roots of the pacific northwest. I've been craving fall weather and realistically won't get it for another couple months. Insert Seattle.

I got giddy last night dusting off my old fall favorites hiding behind the tank tops and sandals. Packing was seamless considering I didn't have to fit it all in a carry on this trip.

Elizabeth & James, Jeffrey Campbell and Jimmy Choo are all coming on the trip! (Nike too.. workout hopes.)

What's a trip without Rebecca?

Ever wonder what those cotton drawstring bags are inside your new handbag? Well they aren't laundry bags... they're dust bags! Use them to protect your clutch or totes when packing and when stored away.

I always save jewelry pouches I have received from anywhere to pack my jewelry. All rings can go in one package when more delicate necklaces will go in their own to avoid tangles.

I always pack my favorite things and like to have options because you never know what mood you'll be on your trip. Am I right? I think so... As long as the weather forecast hasn't done me wrong them I'll be perfectly freezing in 65 degrees.

B Excessive: Pile on the cheaper jewels

I have this habit lately of walking into a Forever 21 or H&M and buy nothing but an overload of accessories. I'm not looking for anything special, don't have an outfit to accessorize, I just want something to stick out. And that's typically what ends up happening. I have gotten lucky on my last few trips and have found some great finds that are unique and inexpensive.

Shopping at a mass produced store like these can be overwhelming and not everyone's preference. Through my searches I have carried a few tips that help finding those extra special pieces that people ask where you got it!

1. If you think it looks cheap. Other people will think it's cheap. Look for intricate detail and great shine when it comes to stones. Finishes will rub off so if you see that it is already going think if it works with the design before purchasing.

2. While you don't want it to look cheap, reality is that it is. Fake gold can rub off on your fingers and make that ugly black or green mark. To avoid this, paint the inside of the ring with nail polish clear coat. It will protect your finger for at least a few repairs!

3. Wear it someway new. The greatest part of inexpensive jewels is that you can recreate them in different ways. If a necklace pendant is on a chain you don't like.. get rid of the chain! If a ring is just a bit too big fold over a few pieces over of tape and tape on the inside. I did this for a ring I wanted to wear on my pinky finger.

4. Understand you are wearing cheap jewelry. Mass produced accessories aren't meant to be kept forever. It is all about that old phrase "you get what you pay for". In this case, understand that if it breaks... you wore it out the best. But if you really love something just buy 2 (you can afford it at these prices!)

5. Look for unique pieces. My favorite new piece is my camera ring. It is unexpected and a playful detail that isn't over the top.

B Styling: Win $1000 from Polyvore!

Polyvore has been one of my favorite sites for a long time now. If you are unfamiliar with the site, let me introduce you... Reader, please meet the best online virtual styling tool there is on the internet. Polyvore, this is my wonderful reader! Polyvore allows you to search databases and create styles based off of different trends or themes like this one I dedicated to Alexander McQueen.

So what do you have to do to win this $1000? It's easy as playing dress up in the online closet! I have created a mini editor where I chose my 100 favorite things for fall. There you will find sequins, military, ruffles and all other fall obsessions. Create outfits and styles and submit! More you style, better your chances.


Powered by Polyvore

Good luck!

B Characterized: Jon Hamm and Rebecca Hall in W

Our society lives around the media and its characters. In the past month I have fallen for Don Draper. I have been captivated by the fashions and history being re created in Mad Men. Jon Hamm has created a character that likely will be remembered beyond the uknown end of the 1960s drama.

So now Ben Affleck has taken Jon Hamm out of his career making character and given us The Town.  It will be Ben Affleck's second directorial debut and the W magazine editorial was what captivated my interest. The two stars Jon Hamm and Rebecca Hall make riding a bus the most romantic act. Rebecca Hall puts freckles back in style.

B Connected: Links à la Mode

Edited by: Marie Denee of "The Curvy Fashionista by Marie Denee" The Curvy Fashionista.

Last week, Links à la Mode fashioned a roundup of the latest fashion perspectives and trends for the anticipation of another highly anticipated Fall.  With the "September" editions landing on our doorsteps and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week right around the corner, we brace our pocketbooks for the damage it is about to endure. Whether the latest developments in plus size fashion, a Brazilian blowout, or style inspirations, this week's links act as a guide of both inspiration and aspirations to Fall fashion. Before we delve into snatching up the latest "it" items from our secret wish (lust) list, below are a few must reads from the intuitive fashion bloggers who share their insights of what to expect from fashion, head to toe.

Links à la Mode: August 19th

• All Tumble Down- Focusing on style "best practices"; what we do well instead of what we don't
• Amanda Lee- 6 Great Ways to Repurpose Your Clothing
• Beyond Fabric- Tips on size and fit for menswear
• Chic Steals- Street Style the New Determinate of Cool? The Evolution of the Girl Next Door as Style Icon
• Dramatis Personae- Style on the Run Guest Post: Fall Lust List
• Fashion Cents- wants to make sure you don't break any vows. Get 3 tips on what to wear to a wedding this season
• Fashion Pulse Daily- Dana Lorenz, designer of Fenton Fallon Jewelry, oversees a blogger DIY jewelry session in her Lower East Side Boutique
• Fete a Fete- Review of Givenchy's new Blooming Fall 2010 makeup collection
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: How Does the Coach Poppy Project Benefit Bloggers?
• Just B- B Deceived: Handbags in disguise
• Lovely and Lavish- Fall 2010 RTW: the Worst Accessories!
• Manda Bear- Sally Hansen Limited Edition Xtreme Wear Nail Polishes - Reviews, Swatches and a Giveaway
• Mrs. Bossa Does the Do- Autumn's a-comin', and brings with it our perennial love of heritage chic - dig out your sequins and tweed, ladies...
• RetroChick- 5 ways to update your wardrobe for next to nothing
• Return to Sender- A fabulous interview with fat acceptance advocate, and author of FAT!So?, Marilyn Wann and her view on "fashion."
• Shoe Day Dreams- Skin Secrets - maintenance is key over the long-haul.
• Style Eyes Fashion- Fashion bloggers and consumerism - how fashion bloggers are discouraging consumerism and encouraging sustainable style
• Style Wax Poetic- 10 to die for shoes All Under $100.
• The  Curvy Fashionista- Plus size indie label, Jibri gives the Curvy.Confident.Chic Fashionistas a tease with her Fall 2010 collection
• The Coveted- Blown away by the Brazilian Blowout
• Watch this Place- Dark, but don't let it be dreary... how to wear Autumn's dark colors without looking drab.

B Drooling: J Crew fall top picks

The Romantics cast dressed in J Crew courtesy of InStyle

Everyone has been swoozing over the most recent J Crew collection and who's to blame them. But enough of the drooling, time to start adding some treasures to the shopping cart. Here are my top picks:

Merino Raye Cardigan. Skinny stripes are a Parisian classic that I love.

No women should be short of texture this fall. Chiffon flutter vest is nothing but texture.

I love the exhibitor mega tote as a cross body. Traveling with this is a perk.

This toothpick corduroy should be in every girls closet. Skinny cords are great alternative to denim for fall.

You can't exit a J Crew without sequins and the bell skirt is exactly how you should do it.

B Crawling: New creatures in accessories

Owls and birds have been swarming our accessories and apparrel for some time now. I think it is time we let some new creatures in.

Ben-Amun

Elizabeth and James

B Forward: Fall brings Phoenix Fashion Week

Confession: I love to pump up my air conditioning and try on my boots and scarves. Wow, I miss fall weather. We're in the last leg of summer and while there are things we are racing to finish before it's back to the chilly weather there are great things that come with the temperature drop. Besides the obvious fall attire there are fashion events a plenty.

September 10th will be the 2nd annual Fashion's Night Out event hosted by the CFDA. Based in New York City, FNO is making it's moves across the country. Great news for everyone who stalked the airlines hoping the price to NYC would go down. Check out Fashion's Night Out website and twitter.

My favorite part of fall you think would be the knitted scarves but fashion week wins. The most famous are the shows in New York, Paris, London and Milan but don't miss the ones that could be in your own backyard. A lot of upcoming cities have been progressive in their own fashion weeks, Phoenix being one of them.

I am happy to announce that this year I will be blogging for Phoenix fashion week and get a front row pass to share the fashion happening in the valley of the sun. Phoenix fashion week is celebrating their 6th anniversary this year at a new location at The W in Scottsdale. Along with displaying some of the best Phoenix fashion they will also be campaigning to help the Susan G. Komen foundation in helping find a cure for breast cancer.

Phoenix Fashion Week will be October 7th through October 9th and will help us welcome fall with open arms... I can't wait!

For more information on Phoenix Fashion Week check out their website, blog and twitter updates.

B Deceived: Handbags in disguise

Image via Ascot Friday blog

I enjoy when designers play with their work. Taking something simple and turn it into an novelty item. When some first see Kate Spade's book clutch they think what it may be is nothing but just a vintage book. But Kate Spade has become clever with her design and created the great vintage book covers a bright bold accessory.

Along with Kate Spade, Yves Saint Laurent is also having fun with design. I wish I could have this wallet mailed out to me right away.

And even some Etsy shops are getting in on the fun.