It's a family tradition to eat babka on Easter Sunday, so this year I baked one to share with my boyfriend's family. This bread-like cake is made with 10 eggs, 1 cup sugar and 2 sticks of butter, resulting in a delicious pastry that can be enjoyed for breakfast—much like a coffeecake—or dessert.

Here are a few spring treats for you to peruse that are no less sweet (just fewer calories). Happy Easter!



Juicy Couture Easter Egg Charm, $48 – Nordstrom

I am attending my first baby shower for a college roommate. The shower is a lunch at a local restaurant in NJ. With the fluctuating weather and changing of seasons I am stumped as what to wear. Can you suggest any great outfits for this?

I'm going to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and say wear a cute dress and shop Kmart! Yes, Kmart of all places is actually stepping up their game with some—dare I say—fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories.

I never would have suggested Kmart if it weren't for other fashion bloggers like Cheap Chica and Fab Finds Under $50, as well as one of my readers, Dina. Seems like everyone is clamoring about Kmart's new look, so I finally checked it out for myself online (granted, I haven't seen these in person) and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

Here are three baby shower outfits you can put together with items from Kmart.com for just $130. Total. For ALL three outfits!

What to Wear to A Baby Shower by The Budget Babe on Polyvore.com

Dig this set? Click for details on all items shown.


Oh, and to address the changing temps, simply wear a camisole under your dress, top with a cardigan, and add opaque tights depending on the weather on the day of the shower. A classic beige trench will give you added protection from the elements if it's extra chilly or rainy.

Deal Alert: Kmart also has a deal going on right now where you can save $10 off any $50 women's clothing purchase. Enter code KSPRINGFASHION4 at checkout, or click here to download your in-store coupon.

Celebrities love Black Halo dresses for their figure-flattering and feminine styles. This Black Halo Cut Out Shoulder Jackie Dress shows just enough skin to be sexy yet sophisticated, and retails for $345 at Saks Fifth Avenue...


...For a more affordable take on this trend, try French Connection's New Construction Dress, on sale for $99.99 at FrenchConnection.com. I actually prefer the long sleeves on this dress, looks very Norma Kamali to me.Click any image for details or to purchase.

Michael Kors sent a bevy of models decked out in polka dotted dresses, skirts, coats and even one itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini down the Spring 2009 runway. I love polka dots and I loved Kors' take on this classic print, so I started looking for something similar on a budget and discovered that both Spiegel and Newport-News have very convincing Kors-inpired dresses. I think I could make dress #4 my own and rock it out at a summer wedding with bold red accessories (why not, right?!). Would you wear one?

Need a lightweight jacket for spring? Believe it or not, the requisite '80s fashion statement known as the Members Only jacket has made a comeback. Characterized by an elasticized waistband, elasticized wrists, a zip-up front and some snap closures at the collar, the Members Only jacket is a bad flashback for some, but a hip, vintage must-have for others. You could check eBay or the bowels of your closet for an original (I highly discourage you from paying $145 for the nylon jacket shown here from Kitson.com)...


...or you could pay $12.99 for this Member's Only Jacket from Wet Seal (yep, that's what they called it)...


...or you could scoop up this essential Color Zip-Up Jacket from Forever 21 for just $16.50. Choose from 6 fab colors, or buy one of each for less than the cost of the brand-name jacket. Which is, like, totally rad.