And the winner is... #15 Rayna! Congratulations to our winner and thanks to everyone who entered!




Please note: This contest is now closed. Please check back tomorrow for the winner.

Kick off your week with a chance to win beauty supplies from BeautyTicket.com, a fabulous site which brings you premium beauty brands at deep discounts! BeautyTicket.com is your VIP pass to beautiful deals. Find brands like Stila, Prescriptives, Smashbox and much more, all at drugstore prices!

But getting back to that giveaway: The prize is a makeup case by Italian luxury luggage brand Roncato surrounded by brand name beauty products* with a retail value of $100. Sweet!

To enter, post the brand(s) you would like to see at BeautyTicket.com in the comments.

Oh and one more thing: Shop now at BeautyTicket.com and save 10% off your entire order until May 1st with coupon code THEBUDGETBABE or click this link: http://beautyticket.com/index.aspx?dc=THEBUDGETBABE

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. Your information will NOT be shared or used for any other purpose besides contacting you if you're the winner. Comments must be posted by 12 noon ET on Saturday April 11 to be eligible to win. One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and will be announced on Monday April 13.

* Assortment may vary.

After stuffing ourselves with sushi last night, the boyfriend and I ducked into Target to pick up some goodies for our garden, and as I passed by the shoe section I noticed one lonely rack of Miss Trish of Capri for Target sandals in two styles, the turtle thong and the starfish thong. (The collection officially launches today but as with past designer-collabs, some stores had early arrivals.)




Both pairs looked very pretty and classy and perfect for seaside resorts or runs to the grocery store, but I'm afraid I won't be partaking. My feet just don't work in flat, t-strap thongs—no way, no how. However, there are some wedges online that look very promising! If you want to add a touch of glamour to your summer wardrobe, definitely pick up a pair for $29.99. They're made with faux-leather uppers and superflex bonded leather outsoles, but if you wear them around the city or to the pool, who cares?

Browse online to see all the styles, including sandals featuring the flower, ladybug, fish or lion decorative ornament. The collection will be available at select Target stores nationwide and on Target.com today, April 5th, through June 14th.

If you've already seen the Miss Trish collection or plan on checking them out today, let me know what you think!

While this isn't a new trend, a recent trip to Manhattan reminded me of the increasing popularity of evil eye charms and jewelry. They seemed to be everywhere, from single charms on the wrists of polished uptown girls, to stacks of bracelets made with evil eye beads on downtown artist-types. The significance of the evil eye is that it's said to ward off evil. I remember seeing baskets full of these small, inexpensive glass trinkets at roadside stands and The Grand Bazaar when I visited Turkey years ago. In rural towns, locals would gaze into my eyes and tell me that I brought them good luck (apparently because I have blue eyes). I'm not superstitious but I kinda like this trend and a part of me finds comfort in wearing good luck charms. I picked up a pack of evil eye beads at Michael's the other day for $2.99 to make bracelets. Click any image to get details on these evil eye accessories I found online.

Minka's Hamsa Charm Bracelet, $24.95 at emitations.com (also available in red/silver, black/gold, black/silver, or turquoise/gold)

Evil eye bracelet (comes in various colors) by Toosis Silver Jewelry Design, $9.90 at etsy.com

Vibrant floral prints were in full bloom on the Spring 2009 runways of such designers as Diane Von Furstenberg and John Galliano. Ok, so maybe taking this trend from the catwalk to the sidewalk isn't "essential" but you must admit it's tempting. And it's definitely easy to do on a budget, just hit up stores like Forever 21 or Old Navy if you think you'll only wear this trend once or twice. Or, check out Newport-News for those over-the-top upholstery fabric florals that they carry year-round—you know what I'm talking about—just please do not wear them like their models do. (These will require an advanced stylistas touch to look current and chic.) Same goes for Nicole Miller's bold printed tops for JCPenney, some of which look really good in person. (Tell people it's Tibi or Milly or Shoshanna, they won't know the difference.) I have three floral tops that I usually just wear with jeans, nothing too crazy, and I can't wait to pluck some more from my favorites stores. How about you?

So boot season seems to be leaving us, but a devoted boot shopper like myself loves the transition stores are making from boots to sandals because this is the best time to get great deals on some boots! My dilemma is that I just bought a fabulous pair of royal blue boots and I don't know what to pair them with? —Amy

End-of-the-season sales offer shoppers the opportunity to try new looks. While your blue boots sound beautiful, I can see how this bold color might be tough to work into your wardrobe. I've taken a stab at creating three outfit examples using Polyvore and items from Amazon.com—click any image to learn more about the products featured in each set.


Dressing Around: Blue Boots by The Budget Babe on Polyvore.com

Look 1: Blue boots add color and style to any simple outfit consisting of neutrals like black, gray, and white. Add a blue scarf to tie it all together. Easy peasy!


Dressing Around: Blue Boots, Part 2 by The Budget Babe on Polyvore.com

Look 3: Royal blue and yellow are a color match made in heaven (or at least I seem to think so!). Try warm brown leather accessories to make it all mesh.


Dressing Around: Blue Boots by The Budget Babe on Polyvore.com

Look 2: Royal blue looks artsy and eccentric paired with various shades of green or red. Add a pop of color with a handbag or trench, then leave the rest of your look simple.

Dear readers: How would you build an outfit around blue boots? If you use Polyvore, I'd love to see what you come up with. Drop links in the comments.