The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Off the Rack: Tracking the Changes at JCPenney




Last week, I made a long-overdue trip to my nearest JCPenney store to check out the major changes the retail chain has been implementing since announcing their plans to become "America's Favorite Store" back in January. Despite the fact that JCPenney's shares fell to 3-year lows just days ago amid "worries about its future" and lagging sales (via), I still have faith that JCP can turn things around. The changes I'm seeing are definitely for the better - everyday low prices (why people want to play the never-ending sale game is beyond me), fresh new labels, and better store displays that make it easier to shop.

Off the Rack: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Holiday Dresses




Yesterday I stopped by Kohl's to check out their Veteran's Day Sale and was quickly sidetracked by the dazzling selection of party dresses from the LC Lauren Conrad collection. Thanksgiving is already next week (can you believe it?!) so now is the time to start shopping for all your holiday events. Luckily for us, LC makes getting dolled up for the season simple: There's the show-stopping sequin number ($60, was $80) that's still demure enough to take you from a family gathering to a club; a simple little black dress ($48, was $64) with surprise tuxedo-lace detailing on the back; a red dress ($48, was $64) with a sweetheart neckline and just enough lace to keep things fun; and my personal favorite, a creamy gold jacquard party dress ($48, was $64) with a flattering a-line skirt and bow detail on the waist that's so Kate Spade, without the Kate Spade price.

I also spotted some chic blazers in velvet and lace, brocade shorts and pretty sweaters for days you don't want to don a dress. (I went home with a heart sweater, striped dolman top, and a cobalt blouse with embellished sleeves).

There were some issues, however, especially with sizing. I tried on all the dresses to give you guys a better idea of what these look like in real life and found that I took a size 6 in the ivory dress, a "medium" in the sequin dress, a size 6 in the LBD and a size 8 in the red lace dress. My advice: Try these on in person! Happily, most of the dresses were bra-friendly, always a huge plus. Overall I'd say check your store or kohls.com for more options, and make sure you use your Kohl's charge and coupons to get the best deal!

Click through for more pics.

La Mer Collection Watches for Target




Hugely popular for their chic wrap watches in dozens of fab colors and styles, La Mer Collections is doing a limited-edition line of timepieces for Target. (Thanks to reader Liya E. for confirming this via Facebook!!) I spied the La Mer for Target watches a couple weeks ago when Target sent me their holiday accessories lookbook, then had the chance to see them in person last night at a Target holiday press event, and I'm happy to say they look amazing. La Mer watches normally retail for between $88-$188 while the Target collection pricepoints are just $39.99-$49.99. Definitely adding this to my holiday wish list! The tough part will be picking just one color. See the La Mer for Target watch collection for yourself now in stores and online at target.com.

Keep reading to see a more photos of the watches plus other holiday accessories available at Target.