Got this in my inbox, and thought I'd share in honor of Earth Day! Are you doing any special to celebrate?

Victoria’s Secret Supermodel Marisa Miller’s Eco-Friendly Earth Day Tips

• Use cleaning products that aren't full of chemicals. A clean house should smell like nothing—not yucky chemicals scented like lemon or pine forest. Remember, you are inhaling all these products and the air in your house can become even more polluted than the air outside.
  
• An easy one that’s often overlooked—recycle and buy recycled products!
  
• Use a Kleen Kanteen or Sigg bottle for water instead of plastic bottled water. I bought a pitcher filter for drinking water at my house and I fill up my Kleen Kanteen when I leave the house.
  
• Buy organic food whenever possible. It can be more expensive, so buy seasonal or go to a local farmers market. Or just buy the produce that is most important to get organic, like those where you consume the skin (i.e. berries, apples, pears, spinach and lettuces).
  
• Be conscious of the products used in your beauty routine. Always look for 'paraben free' products. Victoria's Secret just came out with an incredible line of products I'm obsessed with called "Naturally Victoria's Secret." I love the Grapefruit, Lime and Mint body wash and Acai Berry and Magnolia body lotion. Another favorite is PINK Body by Victoria’s Secret which uses organic and vegan ingredients with eco-friendly packaging.

The other day while shopping at Target, I fell in love with a sharp-looking trench coat with the cutest blue satin lining. It fit well, the price was right, but something made me leave it on the rack—the little tag inside that read "Liz Lange Maternity."

I've purchased clothing for myself in the men's department and even in the children's department of various stores over the years, but I've never crossed the line into the maternity department. But that Liz Lange for Target has been delivering some pretty cute stuff lately, and I've been really tempted to just buy what I like, regardless of the what the tags say!

I also know friends and relatives who admit they shop maternity sometimes simply because the clothes fit better. With limited size options, I think shopping beyond one department of the store totally makes sense.

So how about you, have you or would you shop maternity even when you're not pregnant to save a buck?

I just bought these white pants from The Limited. [Do you have] any outfit ideas for work and play to go with these pants? —D

White pants are a summer wardrobe essential. They're surprisingly easy to keep clean and they will not make you look bottom heavy so long as you choose the right cut and fit. Be sure to wear flesh-tone undergarments (not white) so nothing shows through, and enough of a heel so the hems don't get dirty (or have them hemmed to the proper length if you'll be wearing them with flats). Unless you work in a very casual work environment, I probably would not wear white pants to the office—maybe on a casual Friday if you feel comfortable. But that's just me!

Now that we got that out of the way...white pants can be styled so many ways! Here are three affordable outfit ideas I put together which incorporate some current trends. Think about how you might put your own stamp on each look.

White Pants: Seaside Chic by The Budget Babe featuring J Crew jeans

Gilt Groupe is going green this Earth Day, April 22nd, with sales from eco-friendly designers Loomstate, Edun, Stella McCartney for LeSportsac and Stewart + Brown. Proceeds from Earth Day sales go to the Audubon Society and to Conservation International.

Here's a sneak peek at a few images and pricing! Use this link to join: http://www.giltgroupe.com/invite/budgetbabe

Wednesday, April 22nd Noon EST

Stella McCartney for LeSportsac
Essential Day Bag $225 Gilt Price $88
Classic Carry All MSRP $225 Gilt Price $88 (shown above, bottom right)

Loomstate
Organic Cotton T-Shirt MSRP $63 Gilt Price $32
Organic Cotton Trench MSRP $293 Gilt Price $98 (shown above, top left)

Edun
Prism Silk Dress MSRP $225 Gilt Price $78
Ethos Feather Dress MSRP $125 Gilt Price $68

Stewart + Brown
Organic Cotton Empire waist dress MSRP $245 Gilt Price $78 (shown above, top right)
Organic Cotton Back Tie Dress MSRP $158 Gilt Price $68 (shown above, bottom left)

A little while back, a reader tipped me off to these Xhilaration 'Kayden' Utility Boots, which she said had real leather uppers and were quite comfortable. I found them at my local Target store, and this weekend I bought them on sale for $17.48 down from $34.99. A fellow shopper commented on how cute they looked and said "Those so don't look like Target shoes"—meant to be taken as a compliment, of course!




I've been wearing them for the past two days (see my photo above) and they are worth every penny. If you're in the market for a warm weather boot—something rugged to toughen up a girly, floral dress, or a transitional shoe that you can wear with shorts when it's still kinda chilly—give the 'Kayden' a shot!