The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Off the Rack: June Shoe Highlights at Marshalls


Earlier this week I showed you some of the fashion highlights at my local Marshalls, now here are some highlights from the shoe department. After a reader named Laura mentioned that she had seen Steve Madden's "Fantasik" at her T.J. Maxx, I hit up the Marshalls Shoemegashop in hopes of finding them for myself, and I did! And they were just $39.99! I love this style because it goes with everything, and the fact that it bares a striking resemblance to the Stuart Weitzman "Alex" doesn't hurt either. There were so many other great styles but I figured one pair was enough for this trip. Brands I saw included Nine West, Madden Girl, Jessica Simpson, Michael Michael Kors, BCBGeneration, Talbots, Wanted and Kelsi Dagger. The T.J.Maxx/Marshalls folks had sent me a $50 giftcard earlier this month, so I used it to buy my shoes. And good news! I have two more $50 giftcards to share with you, so stay tuned for a giveaway coming up in the next couple of days.

Lunch Hour Shopping: Calypso St. Barth Sample Sale




If you missed the Calypso St. Barth for Target collection (which was on the clearance racks at my store last time I checked), why not shop for real Calypso at rock-bottom prices? Thanks to a tip from reader Kenisha C., I learned that Calypso is having an amazing online sample sale going on right now. Save an additional 50% off the already reduced prices with promo code SAMPLESALE at checkout. The Paola skirt (above center) will be yours for just $25 (down from $135) and looks remarkably similar to one of the skirts in the Target line. Not everything is a steal but it's worth taking a look for those few incredible bargains!

Shop it online:
Calypso St. Barth sample sale

An Update on NewlyMaid.com: It's A Flop




Last month I wrote a post on NewlyMaid.com, a new service from The Dessy Group that lets you trade in an old bridesmaid dress (or any special occasion dress) in exchange for a discount on a brand new little black dress. It sounded like a great idea: Your old dress would either find a new home through a charity or get recycled into something new. It seemed like a win-win, so I requested my free mailer from the company and shipped them two dresses I no longer wanted (I was going to send a bridesmaid dress but sentimentality got the best of me at the last second, so I opted to send them two polyester dresses I had only worn a few times from Forever 21 instead).

Target Teams with Albertus Swanepoel, Dana Kellin on Two New Accessories Collabs




Target announced two new designer collaborations, one with milliner Albertus Swanepoel and the other with jeweler Dana Kellin. The Albertus Swanepoel for Target collection will featured 14 women's hats (WWD says we can expect to see some leopard print and fashionable trims) priced at $19.99 each.

The jewelry by Dana Kellin will translate her signature technique of wrapping semiprecious stones with wire to a budget-friendly assortment of necklaces and earrings priced from $9.99 to $49.99. Both limited-edition collections will launch on Oct. 30 at most Target stores and target.com through late December.

Am I jumping out of my seat, no, but I'll definitely check these out when they hit stores.

Browse Dana Kellin jewelry (NOT Target) below:


Shown at top (NOT Target): Albertus Swanepoel previously designed a limited-edition of khaki hats for Gap.