The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

H&M Conscious Collection Spring 2012




In addition to the Exclusive Glamour Conscious collection, H&M Conscious collections also offer everyday fashions for women, men and kids - all part of H&M's ongoing initiative to increase the use of organic cotton and other more sustainable materials.

For women, highlights this spring include organic cotton tunics, smock tops and sundresses in pastels and checks. For gents, you'll see preppy crew-neck tees in pale pink, gray, blue and white paired with tailored shorts. Kids can be stylish in striped T-shirts and khaki chinos, as well as summery pieces such as floral smocked dresses and print tops. Look out for these styles in H&M stores, as we won't be able to shop hm.com until September (at least that's the tentative plan!)

I'm always impressed with H&M's Conscious collection when I see it in stores, the cotton feels so right for summer and all the bright whites make me feel like elevating my wardrobe to resort status. Not that I do, but I dream! Love the floral dress in the photo above. I might give printed shorts a go, too.

Have you shopped H&M's Conscious collections? What do you think?

In Real Life: Target's March Shoe Highlights




I've decided to start referring to my "Off the Rack" posts as "In Real Life" - let me know if you like/dislike/don't care about the change. Moving right along, yesterday I checked out the shoe offerings at my local Target. It was the first day of spring and sandals were finally out! I fell in love with a pair of nerd-chic Mossimo flatforms but the back strap kept slipping off when I walked. I wanted to love them but they just didn't work out. So then I turned my attention to some pewter sandals that are a DVF "Opal" knock-off (which I posted earlier here). These wedges look great on and feel pretty comfortable. Other highlights include some brown and orange strappy wedges, very Tory Burch-esque, bright cobalt and turquoise platform sandals, ankle-cuff flats, and ankle-strap espadrille heels. Really, there are so many great wedges right now. Keep reading to see dozens more IRL photos - which ones did you buy or plan on buying?

Shop it online:

Win Cool Stuff: NYC Cosmetics Giveaway

UPDATE: And the winners are… #26 Emilia and #153 Sam #14 Anne! Congrats to our winners and thanks to everyone who participated.


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

I've teamed up with NYC New York Color for an amazing giveaway! Two lucky winners will each receive $100 worth of NYC New York Color's newest products!

Each prize pack will include a mix of City Duet Lipsticks, 8HR lipgloss, Felt Tip Liner, Ultra Volume Mascara, Glitter Eye Pencils, Nail Polish Topcoats, Perfecting Primer and Sun N Bronze - everything you need to refresh your makeup for spring.

To enter:
  • Tell us one spring makeup trend you're dying to try (or already rocking) in the comments section below.
  • Tweet this post using the Twitter button below for one additional entry (leave a comment).
  • Like this post using the Facebook button below for one additional entry (leave a comment).

Good luck!!

Entries must be posted by 12 noon ET on March 28, 2012 to be eligible to win. Open to US residents only, sorry. Image above is for illustrative purposes only, exact prize packs may vary. This is not a sponsored post, I did not receive any samples, etc.


Keep reading for more details on all the latest spring beauty products from NYC >>

Tiffani Thiessen's Green Jeans and Wedge Sandals Look for Less

Tiffani Thiessen wears green jeans with a white tee, black blazer and cognac wedge sandals.
At the GapKids x DVF launch party, Tiffani Thiessen looked cute and comfy in green jeans, a boyfriend blazer and brown wedge sandals. This is such a great way to wear the colored denim trend, not to mention a stylish St. Patrick's Day outfit idea, too! Steal Tiffani's style with the affordable look-a-like pieces below.

MORE: Celebrity Looks for Less



Photo Credit: StarTraks, Albert Michael

The Look for Less: Dolce Vita 'Garren' Sandals

Dolce Vita's "Garren" wedge sandals with cut-out heel are $189 at amazon.com and come in seven delectable colors.



If you've been to Target lately, you've probably spotted these bright blue platforms in the shoe aisle. While they lack the comfy wedge, I figured they're similar enough to make them a good look for less. The "Petene" comes in cobalt or turquoise for $29.99. Click either image to view and/or purchase.