The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Graphic Goddess: Olivia Culpo's Black and White Wrap Skirt and Jacket Look for Less

Olivia Culpo attends the Mugler fashion show in Paris.
Olivia Culpo was an over-the-knee boot knockout at the Mugler show during Paris Fashion Week back in March, and we're coveting her glam look now that holiday party season is in full swing.

Olivia paired her Mugler bi-color wrap mini skirt (now 50% off!) with a ruffle front blouse, then draped a colorblock jacket over her shoulders to finish the high-fashion ensemble.

To get the look for less, reach for a black mini and cami top you might already own, then add a ladylike jacket and come-hither over-the-knee boots.

Accessorize with a quilted chain strap purse and choker necklace, two on-trend must-haves you can wear just about everywhere this season.

Read on to steal this daring ensemble at prices that are anything but intimidating...

Olivia Culpo attends the Mugler fashion show in Paris.


Olivia Culpo Photo Credit: PacificCoastNews

J.Crew's Chelsea Rainboots Are On Sale for $45 (And I May Have Just Bought A Pair)

J.Crew Chelsea Rain Boots on Sale
J.Crew's popular Chelsea rainboots are an extra 30% off with code FESTIVE making these $68 rainboots now just $45.50. Shipping is just $5 but if you spend $150 you can get free shipping.

I found out about this deal from a friend who shall remain nameless (you know who you are!) - we're sort of cyber shopping partners in crime. As soon as she told me she had bought a pair, I couldn't resist getting the matte black as I'd been eying them for years.

I own the budget dupe from Walmart which was just $9.88 and I wear them all the time in the spring and fall. They're so much more practical than Hunter wellies and look great with just about every outfit, while still keeping toes dry and cozy.

After reading reviews and the sizing suggestions, I went up a half size from my usual 9.5 and bought the size 10 so I hope they fit well.

Shop the look: J.Crew Chelsea Rainboots in black, navy or burgundy

Jean Queen: Emma Roberts’ Straight Leg Denim and Embroidered Flats Look for Less

Emma Roberts Look for Less
There's nothing more classic than a white tee and a pair of jeans. Here, Emma Roberts takes the look to a new level by cashing in on all the latest trends.

Emma styled her long sleeve tee with a pair of straight-leg ankle jeans, embroidered flats, cat-eye sunglasses in nude and a grey leather tote bag. I am obsessed with the embroidery trend right now - it's a great way to easily add some maximalist style to any ensemble without being too over-the-top.

Plus, if flats aren't a great match for your local winter weather you can easily find embroidered boots — I love this pair from Sole Society!

Shop the rest of my picks for Emma's ensemble below, with prices starting at just under $6.

Emma Roberts Look for Less

Emma Roberts Photo Credit: STPR, PRPhotos.com

Best of Cyber Monday Sales: H&M, Mindy Mae's Market & More

The Best Cyber Monday Sales

Oh, Cyber Monday. Where do we even begin? Whether you're shopping for holiday gifts or for yourself, you won't want to miss all the crazy good deals to be had today. Here are a couple good ones I've bookmarked to help you get started:

H&M: Save 30% off your order of $100+ with code 8284 plus free shipping.

Mindy Mae's Market: Up to 70% off, plus free shipping. All sales final. UPDATE: I just scored this leopard foldover clutch which I've been stalking for months for just $50 (regularly $79.99)! These are incredibly hard to find and always sell out fast so act quickly! Also love this snow leopard foldover clutch (can I justify getting both?!)

L.L.Bean: 20% off when you spend $50. Plus get a free $10 giftcard with purchases of $50 or more. Free shipping.

Target: Save an extra 15% off your purchase. Free shipping for Target cardholders.

Nordstrom: Extra 20% off sale items. Free shipping and returns.

J.Crew: Take 40% off with code HOLIDAY. Free shipping.

Best of Black Friday Sales: Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Amazon and More

Nordstrom Black Friday Sale
1. Nordstrom: Through Sunday, save an extra 20% off sale items. This is my favorite sale today and the one I'll be shopping the most. Since opening up a credit card account with Nordstrom a little less than two years ago to shop their famed Anniversary Sale, I've come to really understand and appreciate all the hype surrounding this fashion blogger fave.

Don't have or want to open a Nordstrom charge? Don't worry. With Nordstrom Rewards, you can still earn points, no credit card or debit card needed. Details here.

This store isn't just expensive designer brands - although it's definitely the place to get those, too, and to save big on brands like kate spade New York, Tory Burch, Burberry and UGG, especially today! - Nordstrom has a ton of really affordable items in all categories. Think BP, Halogen, Caslon, Hinge, Topshop and so many more.

Nordstrom is also aggressively price matching so you can shop with confidence. And everything is FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS! This is a lifesaver! The return policy is super generous, another plus.

What can I say, I'm a convert. Why should I pay $30 for a blouse at a fast fashion store with no perks when I can get a higher-quality blouse on sale at Nordstrom for the same price? And if you like a particular style, chances are Nordstrom will carry it from one season to the next, so you can buy more colors or replace well loved items.

I'm especially a fan of the Nordstrom mobile app, and no, I have not abused it with late-night binge shopping. I'd never do that! But seriously, it's so easy to browse and save favorites and shop for myself and for gifts. Love it.

If I haven't convinced you, today's Black Friday sale will! Many of you have been longtime Nordstrom shoppers and convinced me to give them a look, and I'm so glad you did! #thankyou


Anthropologie Black Friday Sale
2. Anthropologie: Save 30% off each and every item! I'm cheap and I'll be the first to admit it, but when it comes to gift giving, I love to splurge on friends and family. That's why I always get gifts at Anthropologie...probably fulfilling some personal fantasies by buying things I want for myself for others. Because it's okay to shop for others, right?! At least, that's my rationale!

Besides, Anthropologie has lots of affordable gifts ($15 and under) that are still unique and very chic. And everything's on sale!


Amazon Black Friday Deals
3. Amazon: I have it on good authority - from my husband! - that today you can save big on Amazon devices like the Fire TV Stick ($29.99), Kindle ($49.99) and Echo Dot ($39.99). We have the Echo and let's just say Alexa is my new best friend...except when my precocious and highly verbal three year old overrides Mom's commands and has the lights flickering on and off, or plays loud and obnoxious kid music at 6 am. But other than that, she's great!

For all other Amazon purchases, make sure you use Tracktor (https://thetracktor.com/) to make sure you really are getting the price on something before you buy (my husband uses this and swears by it).


Gap Black Friday Sale
4. Gap: While many other sites offer savings up to a certain percentage, Gap really is 50% off everything! This is the time to buy all the fall and winter fashions you want for yourself as well as gifts for the whole family. Use code TGIF50 online.

Old Navy has some pretty great deals, too, and that's where my MIL went this morning for the doorbusters and came back with shopping bags full of goodies!


Shopbop Black Friday Sale
5. Shopbop: Shopbop's epic buy more, save more sale is going on now: Get up to 25% on orders of $800 or more on sale and full-priced items with code GOBIG16. Okay so spending $800 sounds insane BUT the trick is to go in on this sale with friends. If you each get those Tory Burch boots or Kate Spade bag you've been eying, the potential for saving is superb.


Those are my top Black Friday sales so far! I'm away for the weekend and my internet connection isn't the greatest, but I will do another blog post with all the items I'm buying as soon as I can. And don't worry because Cyber Monday is almost here (and let's be honest, it's really Cyber Week as far as sales go) so there's still time to save big on all your holiday shopping! xxBB