The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Diane Von Furstenberg Collaborates on a Line of Brazilian 'Wish Bracelets'




Here's a new addition for your arm party that can bring you good luck in addition to great style: The Brazilet. According to a 200-year-old tradition from Bahia, Brazil, the Brazilet is wrapped around the wrist and tied in three knots. Make a wish with each knot, and when the bracelet naturally breaks down and falls off, your three wishes will come true. Hey, for just $5 each, it can't hurt to try! And it can certainly help other good causes - Diane Von Furstenberg has teamed up to create a special line of Brazilets with phrases like "Love is life" and "Be the woman you want to be" with 20% of all proceeds going towards 'Plant a Billion Trees' which benefits the Brazilian rainforest. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Kristen Stewart, and Lauren Conrad are already fans of the Brazilet brand. Buy your DVF Brazilets for $5 at liveworldly.com or Diane Von Furstenberg stores.

ZARA Spring 2012 Lookbook Catalog

ZARA Spring 2012 Lookbook

Here's the ZARA Spring Summer 2012 press catalog, which gives us a taste of some of spring's top runway-to-real-way trends. Some of the trends I can get behind include mint green, sheer fabrics (layered, of course) and floral prints. Some of the trends I can not: Thigh-high slits and mesh. For the reader who recently emailed me with a request for affordable floral print jeans, Zara TRF is your answer (that's Zara's lower-priced casual women's line). Keep scrolling, you'll see! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am ready to give printed pants a try. Who's with me?

Sneak Peek: Milly Fall 2012


Here's a sneak peek from Milly by Michelle Smith, who will be showing her fall 2012 collection in a few short days at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

"My Fall 2012 collection is bold and modern: innovative technical fabrics merge with traditional couture techniques, and vibrant pops of color excite a base palette of black and white." - Michelle Smith, Designer and Creative Director, Milly

Doo.Ri for Impulse at Macy's Collection




Designer Doo-Ri Chung has designed a collection for Macy's Impulse, and while it won't be available for purchase until February 15th, you can preview the line now at macys.com and vote for your favorite looks. Currently, a geometric printed draped wrap dress, floor-length pleated maxi dress and painterly brushstroke coat are among the items in the lead, and I'm inclined to agree with shoppers that these are some of the best pieces in the capsule. Priced on average from $39-$159, the collection will feature soft fabrics, art inspired prints and feminine silhouettes, all grounded in blues and greys with red, black and orange infused throughout. I'm not jumping out of my seat to shop this collection but I can appreciate its elegance. How about you?