The Budget Babe

BB's Weekly Fashion Link Round Up

2009-11-07T12:34:00Z

Nitrolicious delivers a preview of the upcoming Isaac Mizrahi for QVC Collection.

Labellush shares 9 easy ways to tie winter scarves.

Stylebakery asks fashion editors and bloggers (including yours truly) to share their fall must-haves.

Get schooled on 15 types of sweaters with The Limited's sweater glossary.

The Cut reports the bittersweet news that Taylor is leaving Rachel Zoe.

Sarah Conley of StyleItOnline.com shares her fall must-haves at Silhouettes.

Urban Updater rounds up 8 great holiday gifts under $20.

CollegeCandy thinks they've found the smartest accessory ever invented.

MyStyle shows off ways to style shorts in the winter.

Miss Neira recreates Olivia Palermo's menswear-inspired evening look for less.

Celeb Style: T Lopez in Chinese Laundry Bootsy

2009-11-06T22:44:00Z

Singer/actress T Lopez rocked a pair of Chinese Laundry 'Bootsy' platform sandals at the House of Hennessy Latin Grammy Party. If you love the look, you can purchase a pair in black, gold, silver, orange or green at Amazon.com or Chineselaundry.com for $69.

Ask BB: Birthday Outfit for Atlantic City

2009-11-06T17:43:57Z

I was wondering if you could suggest an outfit for me? I'm going to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to celebrate my 25th birthday with some friends and my boyfriend. We're gonna be dancing and gambling all night. I am going crazy trying to find the perfect outfit and shoes to wear. —Courtney

Great question, Happy Birthday in advance! You are going to have a fun night

So when I need a party outfit, I usually head to Forever 21. Do you like their stuff?

If you like to be comfy, you could pair this amazing top:

...with your fave dark-wash jeans and some black boots. Carry a black open-front drapy cardigan that you can toss on when you're cold, then bunch up in a ball and toss in your purse when you don't need it.

If you want something more girly, try this dress:

or this dress:

...wear with dark opaque tights, comfy black boots (like these) and top with a black blazer that you can keep on or take off depending on the situation.

Clutches are fun but you might forget it someplace, so I'd opt for a fun evening bag with a strap so it stays close by. You could always wrap your cardi or blazer kinda over the bag to keep hands free.

Dear readers: What did you wear to celebrate your last birthday?

Dress by Number: Carrie Underwood's Ruffle Front Blouse

2009-11-06T12:17:00Z

Mix and match a sporty puffer vest with a ladylike ruffle-front blouse and posh leopard-print heels for an easy-chic look inspired by Carrie Underwood.

[1] New York & Co. Puffer Vest, Sale $24.95
[2] 'Friday' Purse, Sale $14.99 at francescascollections.com
[3] Always skinny jeans at Gap.com, $69.50
[4] Ann Taylor LOFT Ruffle Front Shirt, $44.50
[5] Rampage Victory Fabric Pump at Endless.com, $49.95

Real Leather Jackets Under $250

2009-11-05T21:42:51Z

Never before has a single article of outerwear garnered so much attention as the leather jacket for Fall 2009. I can't back that up with any hard data, but it certainly seems that way. Earlier in the season, I outlined some of the best places to shop for leather jackets on a budget.

Now the fashionable folks at Stylehive.com have taken it to another level with a round-up of some of the most stylish leather jackets under $250. And if that still seems to high, consider that all these jackets are sold at stores with frequent sales and the occasional online coupon. Plus, a real leather jacket is one of those things you can wear forever.

Are you wearing a leather jacket this season? Did you go faux or real?

The Look for Less: Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush

2009-11-05T21:09:17Z

Comb your tresses with the Rolls-Royce of hair brushes, the 'Popular' Mason Pearson hair brush, long revered by beauty buffs for its famous boar and nylon bristle combo, rubber cushioning and easy-grip handle. Yours for $151 at Barneys New York.

Get the same luxurious locks at a fraction of the price with Sonia Kashuk for Target's Bristle Hair Brush instead, currently $13.49 at Target.com.

Beauty Review: Soak Wash Cleanser

2009-11-05T18:37:00Z

Co-written by The Budget Babe and Kiki Bella

I don't particularly like doing laundry (who does?) and one of the most annoying things are those delicate items—like bras, embellished tops and tights—which can easily get ruined in a washing machine. Been there, done that.

I'm not a fan of dry-cleaning (expensive and bad for the environment), so what I've typically done in the past to avoid washing-machine casualties is wash my delicates with Woolite in the sink. Don't get me wrong, Woolite is great—I've been using it for years—but I recently had the opportunity to test a new low-suds liquid called Soak, courtesy of the company's PR team, and I'm glad to have been introduced to this worthy alternative.

You can use Soak the same way you'd use Woolite: Fill your sink (or a bucket in the tub, if your sink-stopper doesn't work) with cool water, add a cap-full of Soak, let sit 15 minutes or while you watch Project Runway, come back, gently squeeze out the water, then lay flat to dry (a pop-up dryer is very handy for this!) or let bras drip-dry in the shower. Couldn't be easier.

Continue reading "Beauty Review: Soak Wash Cleanser"

Dress by Number: Jessica Simpson in Flannel

2009-11-05T12:17:00Z

Add a little attitude to a flannel shirt (the same one we saw on Bar Rafaeli) with shiny accessories, denim leggings and platform boots a la Jessica Simpson. Anyone else excited to see her new reality TV show, The Price Of Beauty?

[1] Hurley Shirt
[2] Silhouettes.com Earrings
[3] ShopSueyBoutique.com Sunglasses
[4] Delia's Denim Leggings
[5] Forever 21 Metallic Bag
[6] Kohls Burnout Tee
[7] Target Mossimo Ankle Boots

Christian Siriano Holiday 2009 Collection Now at Payless

2009-11-04T21:54:00Z

Christian Siriano for Payless Geneva Front Zip Boot, $49.99

The Christian Siriano for Payless Holiday 2009 Collection is now available at select Payless stores (read: the stores farthest from my house) and at Payless.com. Prices range from $29.99 to $49.99 for styles which include a peep-toe zipper boot, gold and black pump, gold flats, floral flats and a strappy sandal with a cone heel. There are also two handbags which I can't seem to find on their site at the moment so just keep an eye out for those. I would have liked to have seen a low-heel boot included in this sizzling collection. Aside from that, I think Siriano is definitely bringing The Fierce to Payless. Think you'll pick up something from this collection?

Payless BOGO - Buy One Get One Half Off Everything.

Christian Siriano for Payless Micola Zipper Flat, $29.99

Continue reading "Christian Siriano Holiday 2009 Collection Now at Payless"

Ask BB: Pretty Tights on a Budget

2009-11-04T17:25:42Z

I have spent the whole summer looking for tights a la Blair waldorf from Gossip Girl that are at a reasonable price. Any idea where I can find some in nice colors and fabrics? —Jackie

Colored or patterned tights add visual interest to many cold-weather looks, and the best part is you don't have to spend a lot to get a great pair. This season, I'd recommend you try American Eagle, Target, barenecessities.com, Ann Taylor Loft, Nordstrom (Hue brand is great), Kohls (try Apt. 9 or Simply Vera Vera Wang), T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, or welovecolors.com.

Here are some great finds online:

Dear readers: Where do you shop for tights? Fave brands? Do tell!

Best on a Budget: Velvet Blazers

2009-11-04T12:10:00Z

Kate Walsh wore a crushed velvet blazer with leggings and lia sophia earrings at the Jimmy Choo for H&M Launch Party in West Hollywood.

From the office to a cocktail party, paired with jeans or an evening gown, the velvet blazer is a versatile piece that will add a luxe look to your holiday wardrobe. Here are some of your best bets on a budget, for every age and figure.

Shown above: she said blazer at jcpenney.com; classic velvet blazer at bodenusa.com; velveteen blazer at chadwicks.com; Love 21 blazer at forever21.com

Beauty Review: Hairfree Brushes

2009-11-03T21:27:00Z

Round hairfreé brush ($15.95) shown here in regular combing position (left) and "self-cleaning" mode (right).

The Budget Babe's resident beauty expert Kiki Bella tests a new brush that's easy to clean and helps smooth your tresses without high heat. —BB

by Kiki Bella
I hate cleaning my hairbrushes. It's annoying and time consuming, and I regret having to admit this but more then once in my life I've thrown a brush away rather than clean it. So not green of me. So when I received my hairfreé brush samples, I was sold on the idea of a brush that virtually cleans itself! Simply put, it's simplified brush-hygiene—and I like it. Here's how it works: The hairfreé brushes have this clever mechanism built-in, such that, when you pull the handle, black plates that were previously flush to the body of the brush lift off and as they lift off, so does the hair. You still have to pluck off the hair but it's a whole lot easier.

Continue reading "Beauty Review: Hairfree Brushes"

Donate Your Unused Shoes to Soles4Souls, Get a 20% Off Coupon to Mandee

2009-11-03T18:38:38Z

From November 4, 2009 through December 24, 2009, all 120 Mandee stores will be collecting donations of gently worn shoes to be given to Soles4Souls, an international shoe charity dedicated to providing shoes to people in need. As a thank you for participation, each customer that donates will receive a 20% off discount coupon towards an item of their choice.

It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. And judging by my closet, I'd say that sounds about right! Dig deep and see if you can't donate a couple pairs to those in need. It's a great cause and easy to contribute.

The Look for Less: Matthew Williamson for H&M Peacock Cardigan

2009-11-03T18:13:00Z

You may remember this peacock-feather embellished pink cardigan from the Matthew Williamson for H&M collection that was in stores not too long ago. I can't remember the exact price but it was something like $50…

If you missed out, now's your chance to own something very similar from Forever 21. The color is admittedly totally different but I think the feather detail looks remarkably similar. Coincidence? I think not.

Dress by Number: Halle Berry's Cropped Leather Jacket

2009-11-03T12:22:00Z

Stay stylish like Halle Berry even in bad weather with a cropped leather jacket, lush scarf and denim leggings tucked into tall boots.

[1] Forever 21 Jacket
[2] Ann Taylor Loft Scarf
[3] Lulus.com Bag
[4] Kate Spade Studs at Piperlime.com
[5] I Heart Ronson Dress at JCPenney.com
[6] Denim Leggings at Nordstrom.com
[7] Arden B. Riding Boots