The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Spot the Steal: Leopard Print Skirts

Spot the Steal: Leopard Print Skirts

Rihanna recently rocked a Dolce & Gabbana dress in a bold two-tone leopard print that purrs in brown on top and growls in red on the bottom. For most of us mere fashion mortals, a chic leopard print skirt is probably enough for one outfit. See if you can guess which of the four shown above is a steal at just $30, and which ones cost upwards of $200.

Ask BB: Boyfriend Blazers for Petite Curvy Girls

I've been seeing "boyfriend" blazers everywhere lately. I think they are the perfect thing to wear with jeans to dress them a little. I've tried on a few, and none seem to fit just right. I'm on the petite side (5'2"), but a little hippier and bustier. Any tips on where to find one on a budget? Also, I'm struggling as to what to wear underneath. There are only so many times you can wear a t-shirt, right? —Kim

To find the right fit, try shopping petite options from stores like LOFT, Nordstrom and Macy's. Petite styles are cut to suit your height and proportions, so you'll be more likely to find the right blazer for you.

Some options online…


For style inspiration, take a cue from Kim Kardashian: She's petite, curvy and knows how to rock a boyfriend blazer! Opt for single-breasted styles that you can leave unbuttoned (looks better that way anyways). Heels will add height and help balance the exaggerated proportions of the blazer, but as you can see, Kim rocks her BF blazer with flats and flare-leg jeans that give her that long leg line.





Need more ideas? Here are 6 fresh ways to wear a boyfriend blazer this summer:




1. With a printed summer dress and oxfords 2. Sexy cocktail dress and heels 3. Cut off shorts and a tee


4. Leather look pants and heels 5. Shorts and strappy sandals 6. Sequin mini and pumps

How do you wear your boyfriend blazer? Any tips for finding the best blazers for petite figures? Do tell!

Beauty Review: Avon Advance Techniques Anti-Frizz Capsules

Beauty Review: Avon Advance Techniques Anti-Frizz Capsules

Recently Avon sent me a few samples of products from their new hair care line, including a container of Advance Techniques Anti-Frizz Capsules. My hair has always been a bit wavy and prone to frizz at the first signs of humidity, and it only got worse when I started highlighting it. So I've always been on the lookout for products that can tame my frizz with a minimum amount of effort required on my behalf. I have yet to find the Holy Grail of de-frizz smoothing serums (currently I apply a dab of Pantene Pro V Restoratives Frizz Control Ultra Smoothing Balm onto damp hair, then blow-dry), but these Avon anti-frizz capsules are among some of the most effective products I've tried—I didn't say they were perfect, but they work on wet or dry hair, helping to smooth frizz and flyaways without making hair (or your hands) feel gross or smell stinky.

New Pricier Bag Styles at the Mall: Will You Be Buying?


The Budget Babe is quoted in The Wall Street Journal article OMG These Bags Cost a Lot by Elizabeth Holmes

Recently I spoke at length about the low- and mid-level handbag markets with journalist Elizabeth Holmes and, as luck would have it, she quoted me in her article on the same subject, entitled "OMG, These Bags Cost a Lot! With New Styles at High Prices, Mall Chains Make a Big Push Into Designer Turf" (The Wall Street Journal, Thursday, May 27, 2010).

Holmes takes a in-depth look at the push from certain mid-priced retailers such as Ann Taylor and Talbots to offer quality leather handbags at a reasonable price in the midst of the recession—and questions whether or not shoppers will take the bait.

She asks, "Will the average shopper shell out for a mall store brand bag that's almost as expensive as a luxury-label bag?"