B Perfect

RJ Graziano Long Beaded Layer Necklace available at Nordstrom

Everyone always has a 'go to' item. I found mine while shopping for an ensemble appropriate for a bridal shower. It was a last minute add on that I found to compliment my upcoming spring wardrobe perfectly! Pair it over a t-shirt, dress or behind a blazer. I've already done it all and can't wait to wear it this weekend. It's just the perfect accessory to be that finishing touch!

B Instinctive

Yesterday was a mix of emotions for me as I anxiously anticipated the arrival of new DV by Dolce Vita boots. Just a week ago I saw the boots when Nordstrom started a big shoe sale online. I had seen the boots at 8 am bright and early and when I went back to show a friend, they were sold out! Right away I regretted not going with my instinct. But thankfully the online retail world worked in my favor and they magically reappeared in stock when I checked the next morning! I couldn't let myself hesitate another time, boots were purchased.

I have had this similar issue with another pair of black boots I had a huge obsession for months with. It was a tragic love affair of never in my size, debating the price towards end of the season, out of stock, color not an option. The shoe is a Corso Como Rachel II tall boot. So many of my coworkers had bought the boot and every time they've been worn I just swooned over them with gaga eyes. When the Nordstrom sale appeared the other day and I set my eyes on the DV by Dolce Vita on sale I gave up on my love affair with Corso Como.

Ordering anything online is the biggest tease. You add it to your cart and pay the fee and if you don't want to pay for express shipping wait 5-8 business days for them to arrive. Every half hour I was checking my tracking number on ups.com and awaiting for "In transit" to change "Delivered". At approximately 3:30 pm yesterday, it happened.

Unfortunately I learned a great lesson in online shopping. The boots just did not meet my expectations and my new item high dropped low. They did not fit how I imagined and just was not worth the money spent. Looks can be deceiving. To try to pick up my mood I thought I'd take a last over Nordstrom.com to find a possible replacement. Again browsing through the 'boot shop' I passed by the Corso Como boots. I playfully clicked for more information and scrolled to see what sizes were available. 7.5!!!! I stared in disbelief and instantly added to shopping cart. I knew this must mean it was meant to be and learned my lesson in online shopping. I chose Saturday delivery, no more waiting 5-8 business days.

B Craving

While the fashion world is focusing on Fall 2010 at fashion weeks, the rest of us are anticipating spring. Retailers are receving spring shipments and I am beginning my list of spring must haves:

Nude Shoes
 Perfect for dresses, skirts, denim and shorts. Everything associated with spring will go with nude shoes. A little extra pick me up about nude shoes is that they'll make your legs look longer!

 

Clockwise from Top Right: Jimmy Choo, Elizabeth and James, Tory Burch, Chloe (all on Nordstrom.com) 

Statement Necklaces

Making their way over from fall, switch up this trend with brighter colors and lots of metallics! 

 

Clockwise from Top Right: Amanda Pearl, Noir Jewelry, Sachin + Babi, Adia Kibur (all on shopbop.com)

Crossbody Clutches
Every spring outfit needs a pop of color and crossbody clutches are perfect. I am in love with the hobo international turquoise color!

 

Clockwise from Top Right: Hobo International, Rebecca Minkoff, Treesje, Marc by Marc Jacobs (all on Nordstrom.com)

B Mad

I bet this isn't news to you but a remake of the childhood classic, Alice in Wonderland is coming to life by Tim Burton. I know surprise surprise, I say that sarcastically because you can't walk anywhere without seeing a new line of merchandise or poster catching on to the mad mad phenomenon.

OPI collection was one of the first of the craze with their Alice in Wonderland collection including colors such as Absolutely Alice, Off with her Red!, Thanks so muchness and my personal favorite Mad as a hatter. Beauty stores couldn't keep these colors in the stores long enough for everyone to see every color. I still buy a new bottle every time I see a straggler just in case I run out of my favorite shade. Another beauty brand Urban Decay also created their own line of Alice in Wonderland "Book of Shadows" and have quickly sold out.

Along with these two beauty empires I myself got caught up in the crazy wonderland in my own group project with school. If you have taken time to read 'About B' then you have noticed that along with keeping up with 'Just B' I am also a student studying fashion marketing. I have had many projects so far in my education but this is one I am very proud to be behind. It all began with an idea that led to inspiration which then became why 'we're all MAD here'.

Alice in Wonderland is a story that we've grown up with and the mastermind of Tim Burton will just be creating another world for us to fall for. Hold your breath for a very important date on March 5th.

B Preppy

Lately I have been very into the rocker look as you can tell by my obsession with my new leather jacket and all things studs. Though everytime I pass by a J Crew I can't help wanting to take a mini vacay to the Hamptons.

Now my aim is not to be one to step right outside an episode of Gossip Girl but Blair Waldorf is a great piece of impsiration. J Crew has the best selection of preppy favorites. J Crew offers most of their basics in array of colors so what does a girl choose with so many options? Navy. Too boring? If you don't own any conservative basic cardigans, navy is a great place to start and such a great shade to compliment with the burnt oranges and bright yellows coming into Spring.

There are a number of different ways you can wear a cardigan. Place it over a cinatge tee you've had for years and give the basic hoodie a rest. Or tone down the top you wore last Saturday night and let it see the afternoon casually.

For my recent obsession with preppy I conveniently tied in my new favorite trend of mixing prints. A pinstripe button down screams prep but paired with a floral sweater from Anthropologie, it gives it a bit more interest and less predictable. While in J Crew don't pass by their accessories, I am in love with their jewelry, hair accessories and belts. Nothing like a classic preppy piece to mix up your wardrobe.

B Ringing

It's not time to ring in the new year yet but that doesn't mean you can't be showing that firework sparkle on your fingers. Everywhere I turn I see cocktail rings on every hand. What I am really loving right now is that you can wear more than just one and not look like a gypsy. I have worn a pair of rings on my right hand for the past 5 plus years. These rings were both given to me by my sister on special events. These Tiffany rings are very understaed with the smaller diamond and pink sapphire but carry a great dear of sentiment. So though they won't be leaving my hand anytime, I still have 9 fingers to dazzle!

Marc Jacobs is always the key to my heart so I am loving his Pave Heart Ring under his Marc by Marc Jacobs line. Some of this other jewelry is so unexpected and reinvented. Have you seen his zipper earrings yet? Everything is so innovative and most all his rings I want to pile on my fingers.

And if you're looking to spread your wings, look at CC Skyes Angel Wing ring. I first found this ring on another website in passing a week ago and saw it was already sold out. Then when I decided to write this blog I had to search the web to remember who it was by and I should have assumed it was CC Skye. The jewelry has a great way of molding metal to trendy accessories you'd want to put on every limb.

Shopping online always gets me into trouble. Its almost worse than walking into the mall because recommendations are made for you and end up appearing easily on the right side of your screen with a perfect connection to your next want. This is how I found the Goldmine ring. I apologize for the horrible line but how could you not want this ring? The dark stones contrast with the bright gold and I am definitely reserving a place on my finger for this one.

I think a big myth with wearing rings is that until you are wed you need to keep your ring finger on your left hand open. Well all my single ladies, this doesn't have to happen and if you need a little love then you'll fall for Erica Anenberg's Je' Taime twosome ring. This ring was made for two, two fingers. I admittedly couldn't help myself but purchase this ring and am anxious for its arrival. Nothing wrong with giving yourself a little love.

B Accented

Just the other day I went into Bank of America to simply deposit my hard working pay check that now is in the form of a fabulous new shoes but anyways the fabulous tellers at B of A were full of  compliments for me. The teller helping me asked where I had found my necklace and I proudly said "target!". She seemed amazed and then puzzled telling me she doesn't think she can pull off long necklaces. The teller in the next cubicle agreed with her saying she can't either. I was appalled and told them they both could of course pull it off. They continued to examine my outfit further and said well maybe we can with something like she's wearing a t shirt and a vest? Where's the vest from? "Anthropologie" I replied. "Where/what's that?" I gasped! And proceeded to give these ladies approximately the best directions to all 3 anthropologies in the area. No one should live without anthropologie in their life. So soon I had made my deposit and left the bank.  There is not one thing a women can not wear or pull off. There are things that are better for your body type to accent your best features but don't you say you can't pull it off!

Jewelry is the topping on the cake. You can't give a cake without frosting, you need to decorate, hence accessories! Now some of you may have other ways of wearing a long necklaces but this is how I decide to wear them. Necklaces are the best way to dress up a simple outfit of t-shirt and jeans. Long necklaces are my favorite of the moment. Long meaning just passed your chest, no longer than your bellybutton. I honestly have some of my favorite jewelry pieces that I wear every day at Target or Forever 21. This is a great way to buy a few different necklaces for cheap! These are great retailers for when you want to layer necklaces. To layer necklaces use a few delicate ones that have different pendants or detailing around the neck. Alot of my blog readers have told me they wished they had the money to buy what I have featured before so I all the necklaces featured above are all from Forever 21 and under $10! All looks are achievable by everyone. But beware, you are paying for what you get so don't be surprised if it only lasts for a couple of looks.

Jewelry rarely goes out of style. Think about your grandmother's pearls, she bought them years ago and jewelry designers are still capitalizing on their classic look. For something away from classic  Anthropologie has very unique jewelry that can be the focus of the outfit. They themselves categorize this jewelry as "Statement" on their website. Anthropologie jewelry can be on the pricier side so be sure it is something you know that you will wear over and over and over again.

Remember a few tips though when adding some jewelry and accessories. If your top already has embellishments on it then you don't need a long bold necklace. You can get a long way with a little bling. If your top has an intricate neckline or something like ruffles where a long necklace may not lay right, try a shorter very delicate necklace. Or opp for no necklace at all and try just some decor for your ears. There are so many options for jewelry that I could write a whole other blog on but really its just the frosting on the cake that accents  and makes the look, which you know is everyone's favorite part!

B Spotted

When I went shopping last week (surprised?) I couldn't help but grab everything purple, plaid, or leopard print! There is no shortage of these three trends in the stores right now. And we have all seen them before but I am glad to see that leopard is back in color and more abstract than ever.

Every designer is putting their own spin on this animal print that has been reinvented in different ways over the years. One of my favorite blogs in my long list is The Satorialist this legendary photographer typically shoots people just off the street to highlight how they interrupted fashion that day of. The picture above above is one from a shoot he did for Italian Vogue Pelle and featured all different ways of wearing leopard. One of my favorite quotes from the spread was

"Leopard like a style password for the Big Apple"

Other designers are following Italian Vogue Pelle's suit and of course the man in fashion who always has the most incredible prints Marc Jacobs is created blown up hot pink blouses. He truly makes the leopard an abstract print rather then the traditonal boring browns. The top I myself purchased last weekend was Ella Moss's 'Marlo' Leopard Print tank. I of course found it in purple but any color in this top gives it an edge but flirtatious with the back ruffles.

And I mean how could I write a post without mentioning this fabulous clutch from Jimmy Choo. Jimmy Choo keeps giving more and more to love this Fall and some may think its a little too bright for this season but brights are what keeps us from being depressed. Don't be scared to add color and some leopard in your wardrobe. Leopard is everywhere this fall and you can find it at any price that is more appealing to you and it's just the thing to get you spotted.