Vera Wang holds a special place in my heart because I wore a gown (and veil and hairpiece and sash) from her WHITE for David's Bridal line for my own wedding. I can't say enough good things about this collection, and neither can Budget Babe contributor Vanessa Williams Stevenson of Leather and Lollipops, who headed to the designer's preview yesterday in NYC to bring us a first-look at the latest swoon-worthy styles. —BB

by Vanessa Williams Stevenson
Yesterday afternoon, Vera Wang presented the WHITE by Vera Wang Fall 2013 Collection, available exclusively at David's Bridal. The collection incorporated Vera Wang's classic aesthetic into affordable looks for brides and bridesmaids.

Bridal gowns in the collection are priced from $728 to $1,348. The collection features traditional white and ivory and introduces sterling, a silvery grey, and oyster, and pale beige tinted with grey. It includes satin and textured organza and there is a huge emphasis on detail in the design and an elegant sophistication throughout. Each piece was breathtaking. It's hard for me to decide on a favorite because each was so perfect and appropriate for any wedding. The crystal details, sashes and draping and layering of fabrics was done so beautifully.

The bridesmaid dresses are priced from $168 to $198. The collection introduces two new looks, a crinkle chiffon flutter sleeve dress and a satin and matte crepe peplum dress with a satin sash. I fell hopelessly in love with the peplum dress. Not only is it a fabulous dress for a bridesmaid, it's great to wear if you're attending a wedding or any other formal event.

I absolutely adore this collection. I think it's wonderful that Vera Wang has this collection for David's Bridal and is bringing her designs into a more affordable range for brides who want a Vera Wang without completely breaking the bank. Which of the gowns is your favorite? —VWS

Brazilian jellies brand Melissa has teamed up with Forever 21 on a capsule collection of affordable jelly shoes for spring. Mel for Forever 21 features six styles that will be sold at Forever 21 stores beginning April 26th as well as online (shop it now!). Founded in 1979, Melissa is known worldwide for their innovative use of plastic to create sustainable, fashion-forward footwear.

The Mel x Forever 21 capsule collection is bright, cheerful and cheap (kinda what you'd expect for jellies) with none of the styles topping $22.80. At this price you can afford to pick up more than one pair for rainy spring days. The shoes are made in Brazil, 100% recyclable, and feature an additional insole on top of the plastic to wick away moisture from your feet.

I haven't worn jellies since the '80s and the mere sight of these shoes makes me nostalgic - it's like I'm 8 years old again, running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day and begging my mom to flag down the ice cream truck. I'm thinking of getting these cut-out jellies with a cute bow detail. And you?

This weekend, I scoped out the Kate Young for Target collection which launched back on April 14. I'm going to sound like a broken record but I didn't try anything on because I'm now 33 weeks pregnant. I did, however, inspect the pieces still in stock, which included such highlights as this star print Peter Pan collar dress ($49.99), this leopard print dress ($49.99), and these "Neema" flame detail pumps ($39.99). I have to admit the prices on this collection seemed high (I'd knock $10 off all the items I just listed), while quality was comparable to past collabs. I didn't see the one piece I really wanted which was this yellow beaded shift ($59.99) - so we'll pretend the credit card gods were just doing me a favor.

Did you buy anything from this collection? Are you waiting for it to go on clearance?

I finally got around to checking out the Derek Lam for Kohl's collection this week at two stores in my area, and both were still fully stocked with nearly all the styles in many sizes. That's a good thing, right? This is a really strong collection but figuring out how to wear the pieces will take a little effort on the part of shoppers - even though everything's pretty casual and relaxed, the prints and unique cuts make things challenging - or interesting, depending on your point of view. Since I'm majorly pregnant at the moment, I just gazed wistfully at the styles I wanted to fit into. Then, I spied this striped drop-waist dress that looked like it might just cover my bump, so I tried it on and - to my amazement - it fit! (I went up one size, too.) Not only that but it really felt quite nice, hugging in the right places and draping in others. And since it was on sale and I had a coupon, I bought it. I think Lam put a lot of thought into this line and it's worth a look. But no need to rush.

More off the rack photos after the jump - have you bought anything from this line yet?

Yesterday night Target held their launch event for the Kate Young for Target collection at Old School in New York City. The Budget Babe contributor Vanessa Williams Stevenson, who pens Leather and Lollipops, checked out the scene to bring us the scoop. —BB

by Vanessa Williams Stevenson
We're accustomed to seeing Target team up with established and rising designers, but they really changed things up by collaborating with Kate Young, a leading celebrity stylist, on this collection. She was named the industry's top stylist last year and ranks in the top five this year. Her client list includes actress Michelle Williams, who attended last night's star-studded event, along with other high-profile friends like Kate Mara, Maggie Gyllenhaal and designer Jason Wu.

Kate Young's collection features an assortment of semi-formal and special occasion dresses, as well as separates, jewelry, bags and shoes. Her intent was to create a collection in which every woman could find her red carpet moment - and she delivered. The thing I love most about this collection is that it makes getting dressed up simple and demonstrates that there is more than one way to do it. Among my favorites were the flirty satin shorts, one-shouldered gowns and leopard print booties.

Despite being a powerhouse in Hollywood, Kate Young's name isn't widely known to the masses. This may not be a collection that sells out in minutes, but it will definitely be a quiet success. The collection is priced from $14.99 to $89.99 and is available at Target online and in store on Sunday, April 14.
—VWS