Even frugal fashionistas say it's OK to splurge on your big day. So will the recent crop of inexpensive wedding gowns by top designers (think Victor & Rolf) change the way we think?

Not likely. But come May 1, Isaac Mizrahi will introduce his first bridal collection for Target—and we're definitely intrigued. Prices will range from $9.99 for accessories to $159.99 for gowns. The full collection will be available exclusively at Target.com.

Just promise us one thing: If you say "I do" to Isaac's frocks, please, don't skimp on the bar.

Even on a budget, you can make a difference, do some good, and feel good about it.

That's why we love the new O, The Magazine "STRENGTH" Bracelet. This beautiful hand-beaded bracelet sells for $35.00 at Macys.com. Proceeds go directly to the artisans that make them, who are impoverished Rwandan and Zambian women in desperate need of a source of income.

It's fashionable and it gives us all just a little more hope.

I have been a self-proclaimed lip gloss addict since the early age of nine (yes, I have a problem). Through the years, I have tasted, puckered, and kissed my way through every kind of vial, tube, stick and tub available to (wo)man. Now that I think about it, I should really be in the lip gloss industry… ----dreaming---- or rehab… Anyway, since I've titled myself a lip-glossing expert I feel it's my duty to share my wisdom.

When it comes to the gloss, I personally don't think that cost and quality go hand in hand. If anything, the cheaper the stick the better the balm. For a high-quality, delicious, and super affordable pucker-pleaser, stick with the classics: Lip Smackers by Bonne Bell.

They come in all kinds of tempting and delish flavors, and are so super affordable at under two bucks a pop I can stock up and switch it up to make sure my lips (and my boyfriend) never get bored.

Keep in mind I'm talking about the classics—no glitter (too scratchy! Ouch!), but even that's fine because every year the brains at Lip Smacker come up with new flavors for the original formula.

They're creamy, have a perfect texture, and leave just the right sensation on your pucker. Most are sheer, some have a slight tint, but all are perfect alone or as a base/primer.

For summer, my personal fave is Tropical Punch. It comes in a sassy, hot-pink tube, has a slightly tangy scent, and leaves just a hint of vibrant pink/orange on your lips that looks so natural, it will have all your friends jealous of your genes!

These little sticks have never let me down throughout my love affair with glosses. I love trying and wearing all types of gloss (and will probably be passing on my tips on many), but in the end I've always got that little Lip Smacker in my bag as backup, and so should you!

Kisses from TBB Beauty Expert

Get the Bonne Bell Lip Smacker trio lip gloss with Kiwi, Tropical Punch and Mango flavors, $4.15 at drugstore.com.

We absolutely love this adorable yet edgy Betsey Johnson Spider Ring. It's a conversation starter AND it will make you smile every time you see it. $40.00 at Nordstrom.com

After two fruitless hours of pushing and shoving at a cramped outlet shoe store by my home, I resigned myself to the fact that I would not be getting new shoes to wear to the party that I was going to that night. Crushed (as we all are when we can't find the right pair of heels), I started to head home when a nearby Aerosoles store caught my eye. Typically, I don't shop there because the styles look too old for my taste and the prices, while reasonable, are a bit too high for my budget.

Nonetheless, I gave it a try—fifteen minutes later, I had myself the dreamiest and comfiest red-leather heels I've ever owned.

• Service was impeccable (The Budget Babe is generally used to having to forgo good service to get a bargain)


• The styles were fresh, modern, suitable for any number of occasions. Clearly they've undergone a makeover by their design team.


• The shoes I picked fit like a glove and the touch of real leather to my toes—which have grown accustomed to stiff, synthetic uppers—was heavenly. I am sensitive to the vegan fashionistas out there (we ADORE everything matt & nat), but nothing quite compares to the comfort and breathability of real leather.


• And finally, they were on sale for $39.99!

I'm happy to report that the shoes stood up to a night on the town. Someone even asked if they were Pradas. I graciously accepted the compliment, of course, but promptly proceeded to tell them the truth, and now I'm bent on spreading the news to all: Aerosoles are my new best friend.

Find the "Irretraceable" pump by Aerosoles featured above at aerosoles.com or zappos.com.