The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Spring 2012 Lookbook




The LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's lookbook just came out, and if this doesn't put you in a good mood, I don't know what will! This girl's on roll, with her growing lifestyle site, beauty blog and People StyleWatch gig. Her spring collection is feminine, colorful and California-cool, which is exactly what we've come to expect. There are spring dresses, skinny jeans, and breezy blouses in a mix of floral prints and light brights like coral, dusty rose and sky blue. A perfect little black dress, faux-leather jacket and tailored blazer and great wardrobe staples while a yellow and white colorblock top, peplum vest and high-low skirt will let you check off all the latest trends without spending too much. Some of the set styling is undeniably saccharine (crochet in an English garden; misting orchids in the greenhouse; serving pink lemonade on the veranda) but you know you're going to Pin-it anyways! I'm taking some beauty notes, too, that fishtail braid and those bright red nails are calling my name.

MOUSE OVER ANY IMAGE for details on pricing and availability.

Are you smiling yet? See anything you need in your life?

Merona for Target Spring 2012 Lookbook




Earlier in the week, we looked at Mossimo's spring lookbook, and today we have the Merona spring lookbook to check out. Inspired by the sun, sand, sea and coastal towns, the Merona collection incorporates a color palette of corals, purples and teals. Patterns continue to be popular for spring, such as textural prints, florals and checkered patterns. Silhouettes are classic and feminine, including peasant tops, cinched-waist dresses, and embellished tees. I can't say I'm very inspired by this lookbook but that doesn't mean I won't find some good pieces in stores. The red trench (above) and bright green jackets are darling but the snake-print blouse with the coral cropped chinos look is just...wrong. Overall, the styling for this lookbook is really strange to me, I'm not sure where they were going with this. Merona is available exclusively at Target and Target.com, with prices ranging from $8.00 to $49.99.

MOUSE OVER ANY IMAGE for details on pricing and availability.

What do you think, am I being too harsh? Can you envision these pieces working for you?

Win Cool Stuff: Colorblock Bag from Mimi Boutique

UPDATE: And the winner is… #21 carisa! Congrats to our winner and thanks to every who entered.




Please note: This giveaway has ended and is now closed to further entries.

I've teamed up with Mimi Boutique once again for a fun spring handbag giveaway! This time around, one lucky BB reader will win this Color Me Block Happy satchel, valued at $56.50. In tones of brown, green, yellow, cream, and blue, this stylish satchel is the perfect outfit pick-me-up.

To enter:
Visit MimiBoutique.com then tell us what's your favorite bag in the comments section below.

Do any or all of the following for one additional entry each. Leave one comment per entry please:

Open to US and Canadian readers. Entries must be posted by 12 noon ET on March 6, 2012 to be eligible to win.

Good luck!

5 Under $50: Bright Blazers




The black boyfriend blazer that's dominated celebrity wardrobes for the past couple of season seems to be on the wane, making way for a new staple: The bright blazer. Color is everywhere, from the spring 2012 runways at Gucci (above from left) and DKNY to on-trend ladies like Catt Sadler, E! News correspondent, Maria Menounos and Kim Kardashian (all in blazers by Naven). Ready to layer on some delicious color? Here are five super affordable blazers to get you started.

Betsey Johnson Fall 2012 Runway Show




I still have a few New York Fashion Week shows to cover, not the least of which is Betsey Johnson. It was my first time seeing this iconic designer present at Fashion Week and I actually teared up during the show - I mean, it's Betsey Johnson! The theme was Betsey of the 1960s, and with a neon glowing "Betseymania" sign illuminating the runway and Beatles tunes setting the mood, models positively strutted their stuff in a mix of modern-retro clothing. Amidst my excitement, I was able to discern a lot of faux fur, a lot of pink and orange (swoon), ladylike coats, funky round shades, dapper hats, bright tights and sexy party frocks. It was everything you'd expect a Betsey Johnson show to be - full of energy, attitude and fun. The finale included models waving pom-poms and Betsey's signature cartwheel which really got the crowd cheering. Backstage after the show, I listened in as Betsey talked with fans and members of the press, always smiling, eyes sparkling - exactly how you'd expect her to be. Guests of the show got a little goody bag with a card announcing the Betsey Johnson for Sephora by OPI Nail Polish Collection, too, so look for that in March (see the colors at Glamour.com). Whatever your style, I think we can all get inspired by this free-spirited fashion legend.