The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Peep Sketches of the Third Banana Republic 'Mad Men' Collection




Clearly, fans can't get enough of Mad Men, and neither can Banana Republic shoppers. The clothing chain is creating a third capsule collection inspired by the hit AMC show, which is coming back for a sixth season on Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. I'm only on Season 3 via Netflix so I've got some catching up to do, but I keep watching the show for the amazing acting and the fashion. The Banana Republic "Mad Men" collection channels the mod vibe of the late '60s and features more than 50 pieces of apparel and accessories for men and women. Look for it in select BR stores and online at bananarepublic.com on February 27, 2013.

Peep one more sketch by Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen after the jump. Have you purchased anything from the past two Mad Men collections? Looking forward to the next one?


My 7-Day Hair and Scalp Challenge with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy




Earlier I introduced you to the 7-Day Hair and Scalp Challenge with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy, and now I'm sharing the results! The three products I tested courtesy of Clear included Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Damage and Color Repair Nourishing Shampoo, Nourishing Daily Conditioner and Deep Nourishing Treatment Mask.

I typically shampoo my hair every three days because otherwise it gets too dry, but due to some extraneous circumstances, I found myself washing my hair much frequently during the 7-day challenge - and my hair actually stayed soft and silky throughout. Let me explain: First of all, I was in Chicago for my sister's wedding, so I was going out more and hence washing my hair more (because it just looks better right after a fresh wash and blowout). The second very unglamorous reason I was washing my hair more often was because I got the flu, so I was taking lots of hot showers to help clear congestion and relieve pain from headaches.

All in all, I'm really happy with this line of products and plan to continue using them. First of all, a little goes a long way with both the shampoo and the conditioner. Both products have a subtle scent that's pleasant and doesn't linger, and nice, thick, creamy consistencies to the product. The shampoo lathers quickly and washes out just as easily. The conditioner spreads quickly and effortlessly through your hair and leaves hair super soft and manageable. Ditto with the deep conditioning treatment. I was able to skip the usual anti-frizz cream I use before blow drying with this stuff.

After the first few uses, I thought my hair was a bit less "voluminous" but let's face it, my "volume" was nothing more than frizz anyways, frizz that needed to be tamed. I had a few inches of dry, dead split ends cut off about a month ago and that's helped my hair look healthier, too. I've also stopped highlighting my hair for the time being, so it's felt healthier to me for that reason as well.

The main reason I'm loving Clear is that you can apply the conditioner to your whole head from the scalp to the ends - without weighing it down or leaving it limp or "greasy" feeling. And considering the below freezing temperatures I experienced in Chicago, I'd say it's pretty impressive that my hair felt silky and my scalp felt moisturized, not dry and irritated (which can sometimes happen in cold weather).

You can find CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY products for about $4.99-$14.99 at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. For more info visit www.facebook.com/clearhaircare.

Have you tried Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy? What did you think?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy and Style Coalition. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Duro Olowu for JCPenney Lookbook




Back in October, I told you all about the upcoming Duro Olowu for JCP collection, and now we've got the complete Spring 2013 lookbook! To recap, JCPenney is collaborating with Nigerian-born designer Duro Olowu for a collection that includes women's apparel and accessories as well as home decor pieces, priced from just $10-$100. Olowu is known for his vibrant prints and feminine silhouettes. I wasn't too familiar with this designer before, but I'm already a fan. I'm kinda loving this entire collection and see lots of pieces I can wear, like the geometric print pants (with a white tee and jean jacket); the metallic brocard shirtdress (gorgeous fabric and Jackie O. cut); and the animal print cardigan (with leather pants and sneaks a la Miranda Kerr). Shop it this March in stores and online at jcp.com.

Click through to see all the looks, and let me know what you think in the comments! MOUSE OVER any image for details on availability and pricing.

#ShowYourHeart to Win a Trip to the Red Dress Collection Fashion Show in NYC!




I'm excited to announce that for the second year in a row, I've teamed up with Diet Coke® to be a blogger ambassador for The Heart Truth® campaign. I'll be covering the Red Dress CollectionSM fashion show live from NYC in February, sharing details on how you can support women's heart health programs and revealing how you can win a trip to the fashion show, too!

Participation is easy: From January 22-26, fans who upload a heart-inspired picture using #ShowYourHeart on Twitter and Instagram will instantly be entered to win a trip to the 2013 Red Dress CollectionSM Fashion Show in NYC.

Five lucky winners will be selected - one per day - and one grand prize winner will receive a shopping spree in NYC accompanied by a stylist.

And, since showing some heart is always on trend, throughout February, American Heart Month, readers who upload photos to Twitter or Instagram with #ShowYourHeart will trigger a donation by from Diet Coke to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (up to $100,000), in support of women's heart health programs.

Diet Coke is in its sixth year as a passionate supporter of the The Heart Truth® campaign, led by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

The Heart Truth® campaign raises awareness and support for women's heart health programs. Women need to know that it's never too early to begin taking care of their hearts.

This year, Diet Coke is building momentum from the can to the catwalk as millions of Diet Coke packages will prominently feature the hashtag #ShowYourHeart for the first time ever.

I hope everyone who sees #ShowYourHeart will be reminded to spread the word - and support - for The Heart Truth®!


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Opinions expressed are my own. Click here to view official rules. The Heart Truth is a registered trademark of HHS. Red Dress Collection is a service mark of HHS. National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and AHA. Participation by TheBudgetBabe.com does not imply endorsement by HHS/NIH/NHLBI.

Penny Chic Little Black Dress Collection for Walmart




It's every fashion bloggers' dream to design their own clothing line (or shoes, jewelry, handbags - take your pick!) and one young L.A. blogger by the name of Shauna Miller has made that dream a reality. The Penny Chic by Shauna Miller collection of little black dresses hits Walmart.com in mid February and features 4 versatile dress styles that every woman needs. Each dress is only about $20 and will come in sizes Small-X Large and 1X-4X. A fifth dress might be in the works so stay tuned. "I worked extremely hard to create the most affordable, stylish, tailored, flattering, and well made, product I could given what I knew about my Pennies and what you ladies deserve and look for in a dress," says Shauna on her blog.

I love that this collection will be manufactured in the USA (a rarity these days) from fabrics that are machine washable and wrinkle-free. Shauna is one of the sweetest, most ambitious young women I've ever had the pleasure of meeting - I had the chance to visit her studio and try on one of the Penny Chic dresses myself during my recent trip to Los Angeles, where we got to tape some behind-the-scenes spring fashion videos with Walmart. I'll share some pics of me in the dress soon (the "curvy" wrap dress - it's ah-mazing, seriously slims and hugs all the right places. I hoping to collect all four!). My one suggestion? More colors please! We love a good LBD but I'd wear any of these silhouettes in trendy colors, too.

Keep reading to see all the looks. What do you think of Penny Chic for Walmart?