Here are some photos I snapped a couple months ago at the Princess Vera Wang for Kohl's Fall 2012 press preview in NYC, which showcased designer Vera Wang's new juniors line of apparel, shoes and accessories in stores now. The collection was grouped into a couple categories for the modern day "princess," be she preppy, punk or boho. I spied all the latest "trends," from neon and polka dots to print pants, statement necklaces and loafer flats. Many of the items you'll see in my photos are now available online and in stores and they're already on sale. Oh, Kohl's.

Enjoy more photos after the jump...

See more photos from the preview on The Budget Babe Facebook page.

Moments after images of the Chanel Couture Fall 2012 collection hit the web, people starting talking about the nails! Yes, it would seem even Chanel haute couture embraces nail art, showcasing a silver-outlined pink manicure on the fingertips of models who walked the runway at the Grand Palais in Paris. We can't afford a tweed jacket but dammit, we can do the nails.

The design looked simple enough so I gave it a try by using two base coats of Wet 'n Wild 'Silvivor' followed by three light coats of Wet 'n Wild 'How I Met Your Magenta' painted on top leaving a small border of silver peeking out around the edges. Achieving your own Chanel-inspired manicure is easy (I even did my right hand) and the resulting pink-with-a-hint-of-metallic look is so pretty and tasteful (unlike some of the other nail art projects I've attempted lol). I wonder if Coco would be amused by all this. Think you'd give Chanel nail art a try?

{Shown above: (at left) Chanel Fall 2012 couture manicure via Style.com; My interpretation (which looks more bubblegum-pink in person)}

UPDATE 1/1/13: Check out my video tutorial to see just how easy this manicure really is!

CC Skye's 'Mercy' spike bracelet is an edgy yet glam addition to any arm party. ($162, Revolveclothing.com)

CC Skye Mercy Spike Bracelet

Get the look for less with this spike bracelet from ASOS instead, available in gold, silver and other colors for $13.26.

ASOS Spike Stretch Bracelet

It's all too easy to accumulate a closet overflowing with shoes and a cabinet full of beauty products (I should know), but what happens to all that stuff when we don't need it anymore? Thanks to companies like TerraCycle (www.terracycle.com), eco-conscious fashionistas can turn used footwear and personal care products into money for charity. These latest free recycling programs are perfect for any one trying to clean out her home while doing something good for the environment and for others.

Don't Throw Away Flip Flops or Shoes
There's no longer a reason to throw old flip flops in the garbage now that they can be recycled! Thanks to Old Navy, consumers can do the right thing for the environment and send their old flip flops to TerraCycle free of charge through the Flip Flop Brigade. For every 25 pairs sent in, consumers will receive exclusive Old Navy coupons to share with friends. TerraCycle and Old Navy had a month-long flip flop collection program in 2011 and the year-round collection program was instituted by popular request (probably from customers trying to unload all those $1 flip-flops that Old Navy sells, lol). TerraCycle also offers a Paired Shoe Brigade for people to send in pairs of shoes that will be donated to third world countries.

Recycle Beauty Packaging - Any Brand, Any Kind
Thanks to Garnier, guys and gals now have a solution when they want to get rid of an empty or old beauty product. Instead of throwing away any brand of shampoo bottles, lotion tubes, eye shadow cases or lipstick tubes, among many other items, they can be sent to TerraCycle through the Personal Care and Beauty Brigade. Two points are awarded for each item sent in and the points can be used for charity gifts or converted to cash and donated to a favorite charity or school. I've typically recycled things like plastic shampoo bottles via our city's recycling program but I'll definitely be sending in all those random "unrecyclable" beauty products to TerraCycle from now on.

Have you participated in any of TerraCycle's programs? How have you "greened" your fashion or beauty routine? Let me know in the comments. I'm going to try to make "eco-friendly Fridays" a regular feature here on the blog and would love your feedback.

The Zara Woman June 2012 lookbook came out in, well, June, but I forgot to post them until now. Better late than never, right? Model Aymeline Valade - with her searching blue eyes and sharp cheekbones - shows off the mix of hard and soft silhouettes just perfectly; a studded black leather jacket paired with an ivory lace skirt; a sheer white blouse with olive harem pants. My favorite pieces include an emerald statement necklace expertly styled with a studded denim jacket, a coral biker jacket, and a tribal-esque embroidered jacket in shades of blue. You can shop many of these pieces at zara.com, some are even on sale. Have you picked up anything from Zara lately?