UPDATE: And the winner of our Twisted Silver Love Bracelet contest is.......#129 Christina, who wrote: "I love the Glam Earrings!"

Congratulations to our winner and a great big thank you to all 181 people who participated.




PLEASE NOTE: This contest has ended.
Twisted Silver is your source for fabulous and funky jewelry - and now you have the chance to WIN one of their amazing Love Bracelets! (shown above, valued at $40)

To enter the contest, visit www.twisted-silver.com and then tell us which Twisted Silver piece you like best in our comment section below.

Be sure to use a valid email address and include info(at)thebudgetbabe.com in your address book so we can contact you if you're the winner. Comments must be posted by 12 noon ET on May 2 to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced on May 3. One lucky winner will be chosen at random. Open to U.S. residents only.

Good luck!

>> Why wait? Visit Twisted-Silver to shop now.

Buckle.com has an assortment of funky blazers marked down from $46-$69.50 to $7.01-$25.01. Yup, you heard right - you can get a blazer for as little as $7 (and most are under $15). The styles are pretty out there, but hey, you've got the skills to style them right. Check them out here.

I'm often asked to comment on the quality of the merchandise at Forever 21, an incredibly popular albeit controversial fast-fashion giant. I'm a big fan, in case you haven't noticed, and I definitely think Forever 21 has its place in the market—and in your wardrobe.

If you're new to the phenomenon that is Forever 21, here are a couple things to consider:

• Shop in person if possible. This way you can try things on and judge the fit and quality firsthand.


• Be prepared to dig. For a budget shopper who's used to thrifting, etc, this shouldn't be a problem - rather, it's an adventure! But yeah, their stuff can be hit or miss, so you need to dig around for those diamonds in the rough.


• Forever 21 has great accessories and trendy items that let you "test" new styles without making a big investment. You will have so much fun, because for the price, you can afford to take some style risks.


• Sizes are targeted towards teens. A major drawback for some but that's how it goes.


• Quality: Is it amazing? No. But it's good, and with proper care, it will hold up. And consider this: Many other stores these days are selling the same types of garments which are sewn in the same kinds of factories, except they're marking their prices up well beyond those found at Forever 21. Remember: Just because something costs a lot these days, doesn't mean it's good quality and vice versa.


• Check back often. Forever 21 stores get new merchandise just about every day. Sometimes I don't see anything I like, other days I want everything in sight.


• Don't be turned off by the name. I always see women of all ages shopping at the Forever 21 on State Street in downtown Chicago, for example. Besides, a budget babe must always be willing to shop anywhere and everywhere for a great deal!

As the seasons change, so should your makeup. The latest issue of Allure magazine highlights the newest makeup shades for Spring 2008, and it's all about "subtle twists on the classics." Hey, we can work with that. Here's what they recommend:

1. Peach Lip Gloss


2. Lilac and Silver Eyes


3. Mushroom Shadow


4. Indigo Liner


5. Icy Accents


6. Gilded Eyes


7. Terra Cotta Rose Cheeks


8. Cherry Lips

Dear Budget Babe,

Can you recommend some shoe brands at Zappos.com that are both cheap (under $50) and stylish?

Sincerely,
Broke & Barefoot

BB: Anyone who's ever shopped at Zappos.com can attest to their incredible selection, super fast shipping and easy-as-pie returns. But let's face it - their shoes aren't exactly cheap, and you can easily squander hours (if not days) of precious time browsing and sorting through thousands of shoes just to find a cute pair that won't break the bank.

So here are ten of our favorite brands that we can always rely on for cool styles, good quality and reasonable prices (each offers at least some styles for less than $50, meaning you don't have to wait for them to go on sale). This list is by no means exhaustive, but it's a good place start!

10 Best Affordable Shoe Brands at Zappos.com (in no particular order)
1. Unlisted by Kenneth Cole: Urban, stylish, versatile.
2. dollhouse: Funky and feminine
3. MIA: Unique with a hint of retro style
4. diba Fashion-forward, diva vibe
5. Yellow Box: Casual and glamorous
6. Restricted: Trendy and unique
7. Naughty Monkey: Playful, sexy, bold
8. Penny Loves Kenny: Wild-meets-whimsical
9. Shellys London: Hip shoes with a twist
10. BC Footwear: Young, fun, trendy

Dear Readers: What are your favorite brands for cheap & chic shoes?

Featured above: Shellys London "Crazy," $51.00 at Zappos.com