The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Cheap Thrills for Valentine's Day

Nothing says "Be my Valentine" quite like sexy lingerie. Then again, nothing says "turn off" quite like a steep price tag. Lucky for us, red-hot lingerie doesn't have to cost a bundle. And why should it? We make the case for cheap thrills:

  • Sexy is a state of mind, not a dollar sign.

  • Gents don't care one way or the other (but if they want to buy us fine lingerie as a gift, that's perfectly acceptable - and encouraged.)

  • Rough play in the boudoir warrants worry-free prices at the checkout counter.

  • Passion is stifled by overpriced, overly precious underthings.

  • All your favorite budget fashion retailers carry chic intimate apparel at dirt-cheap prices. Try H&M, Forever 21, Rampage, Marshall's, T.J. Maxx and Target.




Budget lingerie from Forever 21: [1] Satin Lace Slip in hot pink, $10.80 [2] Bella Babydoll Slip in rose, $15.80 [3] Jessica Slip in black, $12.80 [4] Satin Lace Slip in purple, $10.80


Tim Gunn on Oprah & Friends Radio

Attention XM Radio listeners: Tune in today to Channel 156 to hear Oprah's best bud Gayle King interview Bravo's style mentor, Tim Gunn! The Project Runway star shows a personal side that's warm, endearing and utterly Tim. Paired with Gayle's upbeat, honest attitude, it's an hour of good, clean fun - and fashion! Don't forget the fashion!

>> Get the program schedule here.

>> Don't subscribe to satellite radio? Listen to a clip of the show here.

Image source: Oprah.com

Spring Fashion Trends 2008: Fab Florals

From Balenciaga's cyber sprays to D&G's boho blossoms, Spring 2008 runways were awash in colorful floral prints. Expect to see fields of fresh florals at all your favorite budget fashion boutiques, too, as floral fabrics are easy enough to create and hard to resist. But even if you don't normally fancy yourself a flower child, there just might be a bouquet to suit your taste this season: Be they small buds or big blooms, retro roses or futuristic fuchsias, pick the posy that speaks to you and say it with flowers this Spring.









Spring 2008 Trends: Flower power looks from Balenciaga, D&G, Carolina Herrera, and Dries Van Noten. Image source: Style.com


Luxe Vs. Less: Fine Feathered Frocks

Feathers are in full flight in the fashion world. Catherine Malandrino's Salvador sleeveless mini dress (left) boasts a hem of frothy feathers, but despite its hefty $326.90 pricetag, this little birdie has flown the coop (that is, it's sold out). Nonetheless, we budget babes can still spread our sartorial wings and fly thanks to Twelve by Twelve's affordable feathered mini dress (right). At $59.00, it's not cheap cheap cheap, but as the saying goes, "A feathered frock in the hand is worth two in the bush."



Carolina Herrera's Romantic Vision

Carolina Herrera often cites artists as her inspiration, and for her Spring 2008 collection, the style icon said she was inspired by the watercolors of Jeremiah Goodman. An interiors illustrator, Goodman has been painting the residences of the rich and famous for the past 54 years, and chronicles his work and career in the retrospective Jeremiah: A Romantic Vision, published earlier this year. In addition to striking parallels of the artistic sort, Carolina's soigne looks seem to transport the viewer into the lavish living quarters depicted by Goodman, proving that fashion, art and interior design make a very happy love triangle indeed. Just see for yourself...