The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Win Cool Stuff: Threadless.com $25 Gift Certificate

And the winner is... #22 Sandra, who writes "Okay, I am never able to pick ONE favorite on threadless, but one I love because I am obsessed with pancakes is Pancakes Mountain." Congrats to our winner and to everyone who entered!


Please note: This contest is now closed. Check back later for the winner!

Here's another great store that I've never featured on my blog, even though I've been a big fan of theirs for years! It's called Threadless.com, and it's a fun T-shirt store for ladies, gents and children where users can submit their own designs and photos, as well as rate other artists' designs. I've picked up some unique tees for friends as gifts over the years cuz the quality is great and the styles are HIGH-larious.

What's more, Threadless.com just kicked off their huge spring sale today, with dozens of tees from $5 'til March 23rd! To make things even better, Threadless is giving one Budget Babe reader a $25 gift certificate that you can use towards any purchase on their site. To enter, just visit www.threadless.com, then tell us which tee is your favorite in the comments. Good luck!

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 Monday March 23 to be eligible to win. One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and will be announced on Tuesday March 24.

The Sak Handbag Sale at TheTopSecret.com




For many fashion lovers on a budget, the quest for a classic, high-quality leather bag is one that never ends. Fortunately, designer sample sale websites like The Top Secret are making that journey a little easier. Today, you can pick up a timeless handbag from The Sak, a popular brand sold at major department stores, for up to 55% off retail price. The Sak small Ashbury shopper, for example, available in either black, yellow or white leather is now just $60. I've seen these at Nordstrom, and they look top-notch! Shop the sale now at TheTopSecret.com. Need an invite? Drop me a comment.

New Store Spotlight: Shop Ruche


Shop Ruche

All this week, I'll be featuring new, never-before-seen (on this blog) online stores and websites, so be sure to check back every day for the scoop! (I considered calling this "Forever 21-Free Week," but I can't guarantee that I can go a whole 7 days without mentioning my favorite fast-fashion chain.)

To kick things off, I'd like to introduce you to a store that was recently brought to my attention called Ruche (www.shopruche.com), and I think you guys are going to LOVE it.

If you've ever wished you could buy your entire wardrobe from Free People or Anthropologie, but couldn't afford the prices, then Ruche may be your answer. Touted as a "modern women's boutique with a vintage touch," this California-based online store carries a tightly edited collection of unique, fashionable clothing and accessories with that same free-spirited, creative, nouveau-bohemian/gypsy vibe that those pricey stores do so well, but at much lower prices.

Ruche averages a few dollars for beautiful jewelry to about $50 for a coat, with dresses, shoes, tops, handbags and much more falling in the $20 to $30 range. Ruche even has a dedicated eco-friendly category, a handmade accessories category and an awesome sale section.

We'll let the goods speak for themselves, so here's a sampling of just a few of the many amazing things we've found at Ruche so far. Click any image to learn more, and let us know what you think!



Norwegian kimono dress, $39.99. I love the hand-painted feel of the flowers on this dress.





Jarrah marri dreams tank top, $36.99. Add color and pattern to your wardrobe with this lovely top.





Cadette gray high waist bow tie skirt, $32.99. Quite possibly the perfect skirt for summer.





Braided large brownie satchel purse, $49.99. Looks like the sort of vintage treasure you'd find at an upscale second-hand boutique.





Softer than cotton capelet, $42.99. Utterly feminine and romantic, the perfect cover-up too.





Gloriosa daisy hair barrettes, $9.99. Dreamy. Add instant appeal to any hair style.





Rocket Dog "Lisbon" t-strap sandals, $44.00. Casual, elegant, comfy.