Sorry for the tease, but the handbag you see above was the only remnant of the HollywoodIntuition collection to be seen at my local Target. I have no clue whether they launched early and sold out or never quite got around to stocking the line but that's all I saw. I would have asked a store employee what the dealio was, but I was in a hurry. Oh well, better luck next time! What did YOU get?




Moving right along…I spotted this woven cross-body bag by Xhilaration on sale for something like $12.98 that reminded me of certain styles of bags by the Sak. In fact, it looks almost identical to the Sak's Janet St. Mini Flap which only costs $18.85, so if you like this style, might as well get the original.




Target's watches have been catching my eye lately. They seem to have affordable imitations of all the latest trends, from watches with a "Betsey Johnson" feel to those with a "Toywatch" flavor.




Final stop in the land of mock-offs: Target's got these adorable little charms that look just like the Juicy Couture charms (shapes like roses, cake, bumble bees, lady bugs, flip-flops, etc.) for just $5.99 each. Scoop 'em up if you're into cute collectibles.

I ended up buying two pairs of rubber flip-flops in a style called "Grammy" for $2.99/pair and I swear these are the most comfortable flip-flops I've ever owned. My dear sweet dog chewed up the pair I got last season so I was thrilled to discover the same flip-flops were back in stock this summer. I don't know if they're as cozy as Havaianas but they are seriously comfy and a great deal at $2.99. Grab a pair if you see them in stores, I couldn't find them at Target.com.

That's all, folks.

In the blogging world, online retailers get all the attention because let's face it, if you can't click-to-buy, why tease a product? But of course, there are a number of great sources for budget fashion offline that deserve some press, too. So here's a round-up of 10 brick-and-mortar chains you should check out even if you can't shop for their merchandise on the web (at least, not yet!). Let me know what I missed in the comments.

1. Marshalls: This off-price retailer's unique business model makes it difficult to run an effective e-commerce gig, but that hasn't hurt Marshalls' bottom line in the least. I'm willing to shop in person if it helps keep prices low. Find a store

2. TJ Maxx: Like Marshalls (its sister company), TJ Maxx offers department store brands without the department store prices on everything from home goods to designer shoes. If you have the patience and know your style, you're guaranteed to score some amazing deals at TJ's. Find a store

3. Strawberry: I've only been to Strawberry once on N Broadway in Chicago (although according to a review on Yelp.com, that store has since closed) but it seemed like a good place for super cheap trendy basics. If you live in the NYC area, hit up Strawberry for inexpensive tees, flip-flops and other juniors apparel. Find a store

4. Stein Mart: Before you head to Macy's, check out Stein Mart, another chain that carries department store brands at a discount. I don't live near a Stein Mart but I have friends who shop there all the time. They also have great coupons, so sign up for their email newsletters for the latest deals, sales and printable coupons. Find a store

5. Joyce Leslie: This store serves up hot and trendy juniors fashions to residents of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut. Since we didn't have these back in Chicago, Joyce Leslie is on my short list of places to check out soon. Find a store

6. Rainbow: The selective fashionista will find a treasure-trove of cute and trendy pieces at this nation-wide chain, with most items under $20. Look past the hoochie club gear and you'll do fine. Find a store

7. Dressbarn: To be honest, I've never shopped at Dressbarn because I don't like the name: A barn is the last place I want to shop for fashion. However, a friend of mine recently told me they've upped their styles and she found a beautiful LBD to wear to a wedding for $30, so I promise to shop there soon! Find a store

8. Dots: In addition to juniors, misses and plus size apparel, Dots carries accessories and work appropriate attire. If you have an eye for style, and live in the northeastern, southern or midwestern U.S., you'll find some gems at Dots, especially in the dress department. Just about everything's under $20. Find a store

9. Bob's Stores: Here's another chain that serves states in the northeast. I'll admit the name kinda makes me cringe (who wants to buy fashion at a place called "Bob's"??) but if you want cheap athletic wear or some work boots, you'll find it at Bob's. Find a store

10: Discovery: Aw. Discovery holds a special place in my heart, and if you grew up in Chicago you'd know why because Discovery just keeps it real. It is not high fashion by any means, but it's a place to find fun and oftentimes outrageous fashions under $20. Find a store

Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria wore a cute a stylish message tee to the Ken Paves hair salon in LA.

Message tees, while nothing new, seem to ebb and flow in terms of popularity. But one thing's for sure: Message tees help you make a statement, whether it's expressing your political views or showing off your wild side. I thought I had "outgrown" message tees, but lately I find myself strangely attracted to wordy tops (like this one). I think there's a message tee out there for everyone, you just have to find the right message (duh!).

How about you, are you a fan of wearing message tees? Who stocks the best message tees in town?

Where to Shop for the Best Message Tees on a Budget (They're pretty much all budget-friendly! Gotta love that.)

• 
  Threadless.com
  


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  Shirtstastegood.com
  


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  NerdyShirts.com
  


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  80sPurple.com
  


• 
  WetSeal.com
  


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  Delias.com
  


• 
  Forever21.com
  


• 
  Etsy.com
  


• 
  UrbanOutfitters.com
  


• ShopKitson.com