The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Vera Bradley Launches Baby Line


Vera Bradley Baby

Vera Bradley has a new addition in its fashion family, having just launched a new baby line March 14th. I love Vera Bradley's vibrant, artsy prints, and while they don't necessarily work with my personal style, I think the prints are perfectly suited for babies! So cheerful, happy, whimsical and classy. Vera Bradley Baby includes apparel items, baby gifts and several baby bag styles. How cute is this onesie?! ($28)

Customers also have the ability to personalize two items, the Plush Blanket ($48) and Lovey Bunny ($22) with initials or a name. Additionally, the brand has teamed up with Tiny Prints to create a line of too-cute-for-words baby stationery, sold exclusively on tinyprints.com.

Also, got a little insider scoop: If the prints look geared more towards girls than boys, don't worry - Vera Bradley Baby will be launching some blue, boy-friendly designs very soon.

Check out more looks from Vera Bradley Baby on their new Pinterest board (yup, I'm following).

Shop Vera Bradley Baby at verabradley.com.

60 Second Beauty: Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm review

My latest Rent the Runway purchase included a sweet little gift bag with some free samples from their advertising partners, including a Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Fresh Plum. I must say this is a clever marketing strategy because I don't think I would have tried this lip balm otherwise! But I'm so glad I did, because it's become my new favorite.

What they say: Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 ($8.99) helps make lips softer, rosier and healthier-looking, even after you take it off! This sheer tinted balm with exclusive ion2complex™ instantly moisturizes lips, leaving them looking fuller and more defined. In just one week, it helps improve lips' texture and restores the look of rosiness. SPF 20 helps protect lips and keeps them looking healthy.

What I thought: This is the perfect my-lips-only-better balm, subtly adding natural-looking color and lasting moisture. Fresh Plum reminds me of Clinique's Tenderheart shade, which I used to wear obsessively in high school, a neutral hue that deepens the natural color of your lips.

I love that the color is noticeable but not so deep that you can't apply this balm without using a mirror. You can also build the color up a bit for more impact, but nothing overpowering.

I like the all black packaging, too, and the oval shape - never seen that before. The balm has a pretty soft consistency and I'll probably use it up quickly but I'm not too concerned about that. It's not sticky and it won't "travel" into your mouth (yuck) like some glosses do.

The scent is super light and reminds me of strawberries.

In terms of staying power, you will need to reapply after meals. In my experience, glosses either keep your lips moisturized but come off easily, or they actually dry out my lips and come off easily. This balm falls into the first camp.

As far as the "revitalizing" features, I didn't necessarily find this to be the case, but my lips weren't in awful shape to begin with. Honestly I could do without the SPF, too (can it really be healthy to put octinoxate and oxybenzone on your lips every day? Wouldn't you consume small quantities? I dunno.)

The bottom line: A pleasant surprise, Neutrogena's Revitalizing Lip Balm is a great everyday balm that makes lips look prettier and naturally enhanced. I'll definitely be buying this lip balm and can't wait to try the other colors soon.

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