B Comforted: Seattle indulgences

I spent the last week back at home with my family in Seattle. The week was absolutely low key and really spent just eating, drinking and bonding with my new macbook pro. I couldn't seem to get away with it but with a few celebrations in between (sister's birthday and my graduation party) I managed to slip away. These are just a few of the indulgences I experienced on this trip to Seattle.

champagne breakfasts

salted caramel cupcakes from trophy

textbook wine

pizza at serious pie

B Transitioned: dressbarn Style Squad day to night video

Just a week ago one of my good friends was asking me when another dressbarn Style Squad video was to go live. It made me so excited how much she was looking forward to seeing it! This video is all about transitioning your wardrobe from day to night. Something you girls in a 9 to 5 have to deal with all the time. There are great tips in this video for petite styling as well. In this video you don't see the talk I had with Angela about utilizing accessories to change your look from day to night but that is my favorite trick of the trade.

Shopping during the day for example I never want to wear loads of jewelry to distract me in the dressing rooms but always leave a few cocktail rings and bracelets in my purse to amp up the volume when its time for late night happy hour. dressbarn had great jewelry pieces at the shoot that I could've made a handful of outfits around! Leave a comment and let me know your favorite tip from the video and watch out for a special treat at the end.

B Hooded: Caught in the rain

I lived in the Northwest for 12 years and somehow leaving and spending 6 years in the desert deleted my knowledge of what to wear in the rain. I took a trip home to Seattle the last few days and admittedly packed horribly. My mind must have not been right post-graduation because I don't know what I was thinking. I realized that in Seattle every one must have a hood and while I am not entirely sure where I will end up living quite yet, I am sure it will have more than just the desert season, so I should probably prepare myself and stock up on some hoods.

Hoods aren't too abundant going into Spring but I do love the thin knitted hoods I found that can be worn under light layers. I will have to bring the hood back...

B Fastened: Hair barrettes to the side

I am in love with Rodarte's Spring 2011 runway hair. Full of volume with  heavy bangs adding a statement barrette to the side. I plan on reenacting this style soon but had some trouble finding some great barrettes. Of course I could always count on ban.do for having great barrettes and knew of Marc by Marc Jacobs long time hair accessories but was surprised at the lack of choices. Where do you find your hair accessories? I could use some more findings...

B Transparent: Clear acrylic accessories

Since I can remember I have always wanted a ghost chair. It was always that accent piece in a room in a magazine that stood out with blending in because of its transparency. Now I have found other accessories that are following the same suit and standing out through clear acrylic. Will you wear the clear acrylic?

Click on images for sources

B Primed: Bright nails for spring

Last week I took the first two hours in a long time to get a manicure and pedicure. I joined my two sisters and just couldn't decide which color to put on my fingers and toes. I could wear bright nail colors all year round and typically do but Spring is really when I can pull out all the stops.

I learned a new tip to get the best brights for spring by priming your nails. Primer.. who would've thought? With a bright bold color first layer one coat of white to set a base for the color to stand out. I used this technique on my toes with an orange and you could easily tell how much stronger the color showed.

B Branded: Just B at portfolio

It has been a long time that I have been working on my graduation portfolio and itching wanting to share every last detail. It is not too often that a blogger gets to showcase his/her work in a portfolio/trade show setting on display. My graduation portfolio was the perfect opportunity to share with others what I love to do and how blogging is impacting our society.

Bloggers have become a voice for retailers and brands. We give their customers reassurance about a product or give them ideas on how to style them. With this use of social media and other platforms there is no question how strong of an impact a blogger's opinion is. My hope with Just B is that my readers will gain trust with my opinions and style. I love giving recommendations and creating a relationship with each one of you. So when I decided to showcase my blog for portfolio I wanted to be sure everyone knew where a blogger came from so I created my dream office.

Not all of us sit behind a desk all day. Really it is rare when I write a post there (couch is more expected). But a dream desk with all the right tools and inspiration would definitely keep me blogging for days.

 And here are the Miu Mius! Worn with this dress here..

B Graduates: End of an era

I had a lot of plans when I went to college. Thought I'd be an interior designer and finish at ASU but God had different plans. Today I am graduating from The Art Institute of Phoenix with a BA in Fashion Marketing. Through this journey I began this blog and discovered what I love to do. It has been such a blessing and has helped find independence amongst the large support of family and friends. Can't wait to share tomorrow's photos of the ensemble and my portfolio shopping! But until then just think Miu Miu because that is what I'll be walking in across the stage to receive my diploma.

B Seeking: Spring brights

This weekend I was on a mission for the perfect ensemble to wear to my graduation tomorrow. Yes, graduation. Did I ever mention I am getting my Bachelors in Fashion Marketing? Well, surprise. So I needed the perfect outfit. I had this perfect image in my head of what I wanted to wear and being an experienced shopper you could say that by just sight I knew what dresses wouldn't work for my body type. My ideal color palette I wanted was just brights, forget black or army green.

While I'm saving the special peak of my ensemble and amazing shoes for a later post this week, this some of the inspiration I had for my perfect spring.

Lanvin

Proenza Schouler

Zara

images via Dolls' Factory

B Celebratory: An Irish holiday

I have already expressed on the blog many of times my love of the color green shown here and here. And I believe I said this last year that I find wearing green a bit cliche on St. Patrick's Day there are other parts I like about the holiday. For one, there is fish and chips. I think I can deal with the massive amounts of green as long as I get a bite of fried fish as well. But if you're real lucky I may paint my nails green today...

B Hopeful: Pray for Japan

It is incredibly heartbreaking watching the news fold out the tragedies happening in Japan. I love this print you can order where all proceeds will be given to the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. Go here to order and keep Japan in your prayers.

B Braided: Spring hair to-dos

I have never had long hair. I never had the patience to grow it out and always wanted something new but finally I have stuck with it and managed to ease my way into the long hair category. Which means, I can finally master the side braid for spring. I am such a fan of this easy manageable look and plan on finding some braid how-tos to share for those that don't know the first thing about braiding. Till then we can all just try to replicate these pictures are best, lucky for us messy and imperfect is in.

click on images for souces

B Coveted: Organized closets

It's true, I am notorious for having a messy room. I'm clean but can't help to find my clothes scattered over the room after a frantic can't find anything to wear morning. I've loved the new site The Coveteur but rather than lusting over the vintage jewelry and gorgeous Miu Mius I find myself wanting their organized closets.

B Tried: Ring finger manicure

Ever since I saw this PR girl's manicure (seen here,) I have been meaning to add a color pop to my nails. Last night I took the plunge with bright blue and orange. The blue is Glee for Sephora Slushied and Butter London Jaffa (also seen here). I don't think I will ever paint all ten fingers the same color again.

Finding color compliments are easy. Just stick to what you learned in color theory way back when in elementary school. Complimentary (across from the color wheel) will give the strongest impact like my blue vs orange nails. Or stick with monochromatic scheme or use a neutral to pop against your favorite color. The options are endless and I'm addicted.

B Shaded: Cat eye sunglasses

I need a new pair of sunglasses. Need might not be the exact word to use becuase I do have a few pairs around but I've had my eye on the cat shape. Round at the bottom, winged at the tips. I can't decide on the exact color or style I want. These are some that I've found to my liking.

Which would you choose?

Gucci

 

D&G

Juicy Couture

B Pretty: Over sized flowers

It is about that time where I am pulling out my spring dresses and my favorite accent for this season are over sized flowers. Started with Ms. Bradshaw years ago and isn't going anywhere. I'm finding new places to put them on every outfit!

CLICK IMAGES FOR SOURCES