The Budget Babe

Pair a feminine lace top with relaxed boyfriend jeans to recreate fashion blogger Cupcakes & Cashmere's cool California look. Carefully chosen accessories—like a stunning vintage elephant pendant—complete the ensemble. Thanks to reader Elisa for finding a similar necklace at Forever 21!

[1] Dress You Up Lace Top, $64 at fredflare.com
[2] Aviator Readers, $10 at urbanoutfitters.com
[3] Essie Licorice Nail Polish, $4.99 at amazon.com
[4] Grand Elephant Necklace, $6.80 at forever21.com
[5] Dark Denim Cropped Boyfriend Jeans, $29 at charlotterusse.com
[6] Oversized Axiom Vegan Clutch 80s, $30 at lavintage.com
[7] Silver Rhinestone Pav Oblong Ring, $12 at torrid.com
[8] Michael Antonio Matteo, $65 at piperlime.com

Even though she got the boot, American Idol Season 9 contestant Janell Wheeler (above left) looked super cute during last week's elimination round wearing a Forever 21 cardigan and skinny jeans, carrying on a long-standing tradition of Idol hopefuls rocking fashions from our favorite cheap-chic chain. The bright blue and yellow Retro Twist Cardigan is just $24.80 and you can purchase it by clicking the image below.

Think Thru Fashion thinks Nicole Richie should go to Paris more often.

Reporting for Oprah.com, The Budget Babe shows you how to get Fashion Week looks for less.

All Lacquered Up shares swatches of the Deborah Lippmann Spring 2010 nail polish collection.

The Budget Babe makes Style Clone's top 100 fashion blogs list (shameless self promotion).

Apartment Therapy reported last month that Diane Von Furstenberg is launching a home decor line next year.

Fashion Court is crushing on actress Rose Byrne's fab style.

Chic Intuition has the scoop on H&M's new skin care line.

College Candy asks, would you go sheer for spring?

Oprah is giving old fashion favorites a new life with a charity auction on eBay.

You don't need a prescription (or a big budget, for that matter) to get in on one of the hottest trends for spring: Geek chic glasses are now wholeheartedly embraced by fashionistas everywhere as a slightly ironic, totally cool, statement-making accessory. This look certainly isn't new—retro nerdy specs are always "in" somewhere—but the question is: Will YOU be wearing them?



Photo credits: Cupcakes and Cashmere, Just Jared, Style.com

**UPDATE 7/6/10** Hilary Duff is wearing Cutler and Gross D-shaped acetate glasses, $470 at net-a-porter.com.

This Duncan Table Lamp from Crate & Barrel makes a subtle yet sophisticated statement. Yours for $229 at crateandbarrel.com.


Try this Ore Square Table Lamp from Kmart to get the look for less. Yours for $83.99 at kmart.com.