B Ready: My everyday beauty

I don't wash my hair or wear make up everyday. Some circumstances I am just fine with walking out the door with pulled up hair and freshly washed face (thank goodness messy buns are in). But that doesn't mean I skip some every day beauty products. Whether they're in my purse or put on before I'm ready for the day, its never good if I miss these essentials.

1. L'OCCITANE Shea Hand Cream
2.C.O. Bigelow Original No. 502 Mentha Lip Shine
3. MAC Bronzing Powder ~Golden
4.  Flowerbomb Eau De Toilette Spray
5. Frederic Fekkai Classic Brush
6. Bobby pins
7. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant
8. Lots and lots of water

B Classic: A royal wedding

I did it. I can't believe I stayed awake for now what will be almost 24 hours. What is it about weddings that gets us so excited? I was blown away by the details and tradition of the royal wedding. Kate's gown was definitely the highlight but David Beckham still has me swooning. I was busy all night/morning updating the SheKnows Beauty & Style posts all about royal wedding style so if you aren't sick of the coverage yet (you aren't) check them out here!

images via weheartit/wenn

B Transferred: Newspaper type nails

I saw this DIY here months ago and kept forgetting about it mainly because it was in French. Well thanks to freetranslation.com I figured it out a bit but worked on it to get it just right. It is easy and gives your nails some interest. All you need is a newspaper, light polish color, base and top coat and lastly, vodka. Yes, this gives you an excuse to open the liquor cabinet midday and if you happen to shake yourself a martini while you're at it, well done!

 Step one: Rip newspaper into one inch squares. Then apply base coat and two coats of polish to your nails and let dry.

 Step two: Dip newspaper squares into vodka

 Step three: Place onto desired nail and hold down firmly with other hand for at least 10 secs. The longer you hold and keep firm, darker the ink will transfer. Repeat on all nails.

Step four: Apply top coat and enjoy!

B Taken: Easter snapshots

It's been a few days but finally managed to get the photos off my camera from the weekend. Spent back home in Seattle I got to experience an amazing Easter service in Qwest field (see the CNN story here). It's not every Sunday when you attend church in a football stadium with 17,500 other people and watch 700+ be baptized. It was a blessing to be home with my family and enjoy rejoicing. We later went to what some call a baseball game but in Seattle it is currently a massacre (poor Mariners). Lamb was for dinner along with truffle mashed potatoes and carrot cake. Seriously, I'm still full.

B Watched: Bright wristed

I have realized my watch collection isn't up to the standards I'd like it to be. I have one gold watch that I love to wear on the daily but wish I had more playful pieces. Layering piles of watches and bracelets high past my wrist are just what I want for Spring. I love Nixon's Time tellers that come in a variety of colors. I can't decide if I want to go for the green or yellow. Which would you choose?

click on image for source

B Listed: What makes you happy

Headed back to the desert today a bit earlier than planned no thanks to my flight being quickly cancelled.  I feel as if today is the beginning of my week and it will be an emotional roller coaster continuing on my post graduation path and saying goodbye to an old friend moving across the country. But when I get overwhelmed I have just began to make a list of things that make me happy.

1. Homemade belgian waffles
2. Gifted flowers
3. Drive in movies
4. Sweet notes
5. Reminders
6. Home facials
7. Colored pencils
8. Cucumber water

What makes you happy?

post script- etsy shop owner? small business? new blogger? i'm still accepting sponsors. find more here.

all images via weheartit

B Picked: Eos lip balm

It has been an eventful and busy weekend in Seattle with a couple days of sun and now a couple of rain the weather is playing games with us. Before I left for my trip I took a quick trip to the beauty store and picked up my new favorite lip balm. With its odd shape as a round ball the application is quick and easy without leaving leftover residue. Eos lip balm comes in a handful of flavors. I was first attracted to the lemon but was talked into the mint which is subtle and perfect to condition your lips. And I don't believe in just owning one flavor so another trip is in the works to try the others!

And just because it's Monday...

image source

B Conscious: Earth day beauty

Can I first start off this post with telling you how much I love paper? I love cardboard. I buy post-its by the handful to write frivulous notes that may end up in the trash. So with all that I do care about the environment. I think it is even better for our own bodies the turn in the cosmetic industry that has begun to recognize natural ingredients. The products below are either organic, natural or energy efficient by their way and will all do earth day proud. If you still aren't satisfied by your contribution to the planet then may I please endorse the Water Bobbles one more time? I'm obsessed and have never drank so much water. (See here)

1. Phsyicians Formula organic wear 100% natural origin jumbo mascara
2. Paul Mitchel express ion dry
3. Boscia purifying cleansing gel (use everyday and love.)
4. Suki Inch exfoliate foaming body cleanser
5. Sula paint and peel duos
6. RMS beauty cream eyeshadow

Now I'm boarding a plane to share Easter weekend with my family, don't lecture me on carbon footprints please.

B Tested: Ombre manicure

With my large nail collection you'd be surprised at how long it took me to try this but finding the perfect colors was a stretch. I had tried before but wasn't satisfied with the colors chosen. When preparing for this blog post I first tried out polishes in violet hues but didn't find them working. I realized my second largest color family in my collection as of lately were oranges so I used the scotch tape trick (shown here) and found the right color gradation for my nails.

If you have a large collection like I do then you can probably achieve this look with going through your polishes and trying which one works. You could also go to the beauty supply store and buy five new polishes that gradate in color but the cheap easy trick if needed is to mix white polish with the previous nail color. I was missing a very light orange so i opted for a white nail instead but if you wanted it true orange you would mix the ring nail color with white. Just like art class in elementary school!

B Shaken: Lemon Drop cocktail with accessories

Sometimes you need a cool cocktail to make it to Wednesday.  I am loving the lemon accessories popping up on my radar and want to treat myself with anything bright yellow. Shake up this cocktail or sport it in an accessory. Lemon drops are a fave.

1. Anthropologie Vitamin D Bikini
2. Ariella Collection cocktail ring
3. Kate Spade seersucker patent wallet
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs iphone case
5. J Crew neon leather capri sandals
lemon image via weheartit

B Tells: How to use a curling rod

 Long hair is rare for me. I've had long hair one another time in my life because I'd get bored and just cut it off. Now I am forgetting my need to do something different and utlizing the hair I have patiently been waiting for. My newest favorite gadget is my curling rod (I use this one). Different from a curling iron because it is ceramic and doesn't have a clamp. This gadget has saved my life and helps me get easy soft curls in under 10 minutes.

Using the curling rod is easy, just follow these steps to get the preliminary uses down.

Step one: Separate your hair into different sections. Determine your look by size of your sections. For example, small sections gives you small tighter curls, medium sections give you soft curls, large sections will give minimum wave and curl. I grabbed medium sections for this tutorial. 

Step two: Wrap hair sections around curling rod away from your face. A protective glove is provided but once you become an expert you can for go but be careful to burn tips. Determine your style by curling higher or lower of the sections. Curling the bottom half will give you less volume but still wavy curls. Pull hair completely tight around the curling rod from scalp to end to get full curl maximum.

Step three: Leave the curl as it is and continue all the other sections to allow curl to set.

Step four: Once hair is completely curled, lighting spray with your favorite hair spray. (I use this ) Then gently pull apart curls with fingers to soften curls.

Step five: You're done! Braid back bangs, add a headband or go as! Curl will last all day and you can go on the next day adding a surf spray for real messy waves.

B Giveaway: Stella & Dot jewelry giveaway

Congratulations Kate!  I'll be in contact soon... thank you everyone for entering the giveaway!

Good things come in small packages and Stella & Dot packages are the cutest. When Stella & Dot stylist Jodie contacted me about giving away a piece of jewelry for my readers how could I resist? The giveaway is simple and you should know the deal. The winner will win this great double wrap leather bracelet, perfect layering piece for piling on bracelets- a huge trend!

Leave a comment with your e-mail address and where you are vacationing this summer!

Get extra entries when you..
-Like Stella & Dot by Jodie facebook page
-Follow @brookeandersen on twitter
-Like Just B facebook page
-Tweet the giveaway and tag @brookeandersen

*All extra entries should include e-mail address as well

Contest ends April 24th at Midnight. Winner will be announced on April 25th.