Wet Seal's got a contest going on right now where you build a Valentine outfit using at least 3 items from their online store, then tag the outfit "V-Day 2009" for your chance to win a $100 giftcard. What got me interested was the whole "build your outfit" part—I hadn't realized that Wet Seal has created their very own Polyvore-esque tool. (Maybe Forever 21 will be next!) It's actually pretty fun, even if you're limited to Wet Seal's hit-or-miss inventory.

Sign up for a free account to save your looks, post them to a virtual "runway" and rate other looks by fellow fashionistas. One downside is that you can't resize products using the outfit building tool, but other than that, the interface works better than expected. The coolest feature is that it automatically calculates the total cost of your looks, and if you love your creation, you can add the entire outfit to your shopping bag. Now that's marketing at its best!

Start stylin' for yourself (and enter the contest!) at WetSeal.com.

One of the questions I'm most often asked is where to buy cheap yet chic skinny jeans, so here's a quickie post on some hot spots to shop for these highly sought-after styles.


Pacific Sunwear: PacSun has a very impressive, expansive collection of skinnies online, with prices we can truly appreciate: Their Hermosa Super Skinny line, for example, is just $55 for two pairs, and is available in 18 amazing colors and washes, ranging from white, cantaloupe and snowcone blue to true black, sunworn and rinsed indigo. Practically unbeatable!



American Eagle Outfitters: Recession? What recession? All jeans at AE are now just $29.95, down from $49.50, including a great range of fabulous skinnies. Talk about a stimulus plan for fashionistas! Check out AE for on-trend boyfriend jeans, skinny crops for spring and torn/ripped styles, too.



Old Navy: I continue to hear, and see, good things about Old Navy's denim collection which includes the Diva, Flirt, Sweetheart and Goddess styles. ON's skinnies are not as tight as say, denim leggings, yet they're more tapered than a simple straight leg. The result is a skinny jean that's flattering for most body types, and easy on everyone's wallet.



Forever 21: You didn't think I was going to leave out my most favoritest store ever, did you? Yes, Forever 21 has a fantastic selection of skinny jeans that bring in da noise and da funk. Where else can you get purple stone washed skinnies for $20 or acid-washed skinnies for under $30 (besides Salvation Army)? The colorful skinny jeans above are a fabulous find at just $13.80 a pair.

Where do you shop for cheap skinny jeans?

Today's sales at Gilt include Shoshanna, Iittala glassware and Jack Spade men's accessories. Ongoing sales include Nina Ricci, Ippolita jewelry and a special Valentine's Day gift shop. I'm excited to see the offerings for Shoshanna, I'd love to own one of her feminine and flirty dresses!

All sales start today, Tuesday 2/10 at 12 PM ET. Use this link to join the sales: http://www.gilt.com/invite/budgetbabe

It's Clinique Bonus time at Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie-Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers. A $50 value, yours free with your Clinique purchase of 21.50 or more. Bonus is available Tuesday, February 3 through Saturday, February 21, 2009.

Your Bonus includes:

• Clarifying Lotion 2
  
• Rinse-off Foaming Cleanser
  
• Lash Doubling Mascara
  
• Different Lipstick (full-size) in two shades
  
• Fresh Bloom Allover Colour
  
• Cosmetics Bag

It's official! You can now start shopping the latest spring offerings by Isaac Mizrahi for Liz Claiborne. So far, the Liz site features 4 looks, with pieces ranging from a strapless wool crepe dress ($149) to a diagonal stripe dress ($89) and matching cardigan ($119). Toss is some contemporary statement jewelry and a few leather handbags, and you've got yourself a delicious wardrobe for work and play. I must confess, the polka-dot tiered chiffon dress is making me weak in the knees. Too bad it's not on sale yet...

See the entire collection here