The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Off the Rack: H&M February Highlights


See what's new at my H&M store

Here are a few highlights from a recent trip to H&M, just to showcase some of the top trends hitting stores for spring. If you haven't given in and bought some floral print pants or jeans - make this the time to do it! Floral bottoms are everywhere and there's a cut and a print that will work for you, I promise. Other must-haves that are back for yet another season include brights, peplum, statement necklaces, pastels, polka-dots and leopard print. I'm happy to see so many of last season's trends return because it takes me a while to get used to seeing certain things and it takes me even longer to figure out how to make them work for me!

So, what did I buy? During this trip, I picked up three pairs of H&M Mama maternity jeans for $10 a pop - they are life-changing! You can see me wearing my H&M Mama jeans and black t-shirt here. Thanks to all the readers who recommended H&M denim for this mama-to-be.

Also, if you're heading to H&M this weekend, all denim for women, men and kids is 25% off. Prices for women start at just $24.95. Click here to view the latest denim looks at hm.com.

What are you most excited to see come back (or crop up anew) for spring?

5 Under $50: Mirrored Florals




Floral prints this spring season will have you seeing double. Make twice the impression in a mirrored floral skirt, dress or blouse inspired by the runways but priced within reach. Here are some of my favorites from H&M, Forever 21 and more. Is this a trend you'll embrace?

{Shown above: Givenchy Resort 2012; Penny Pincher Fashion; Emma Roberts in Topshop}


NYFW Day 3: Jill Stuart, Mara Hoffman, Christian Siriano Beauty, Rafael Cennamo

New York Fashion Week Day 3

Day three of my New York Fashion Week began with Jill Stuart, one of my favorite shows of the season. The designer dressed her always-fierce girl in a mix of somber black capes, prim collars and Pilgram heels that smacked of Hester Prynne. I'm not sure that was Stuart's goal (she referenced British model Stella Tennant as inspiration) but I loved it. All. Especially when the final few party frocks elevated the entire mood with their jewel tones and flowery details.

My next stop of the day was supposed to be Rebecca Taylor but even the best laid plans can get disrupted during Fashion Week, and a combination of bad weather and me being pregnant conspired to make me miss the show. But my disappointment soon turned to happiness once again when I took my seat at the Mara Hoffman show. Inspired by mystics and misfits, Hoffman showcased her signature vibrant prints with a global-meets-fantasy influence. Everyone appreciated the evil eye poncho and pops of neon - whimsical with a sense of humor.

Next, my girl Megan Zietz went backstage at Christian Siriano on behalf of The Budget Babe to cover the hair looks by Aveda. Global Creative Director Antoinette Beenders styled regal fishtail braids to complement Siriano's Fall 2013 collection which was inspired by the golden age of Russian Opera and Saint Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre. I can see this braided updo working equally well at the opera or on cool girls on the street.

My final show of the day was Rafael Cennamo, a new-to-me designer who channeled King Midas - or perhaps the pharaohs of ancient Egypt - with an almost all-gold collection of glamorous eveningwear. This wasn't fashion that you worry about actually wearing - unless maybe you're Beyonce, in which case there was one bejeweled gown with strong shoulders and a plunging neckline that had Queen B's name written all over it.

Later that evening, I attended the HP x Project Runway party and wrapped up my day with some budget-fashion fun at the Duro Olowu for JCP launch event.

See more:
NYFW Day One
NYFW Day Two



Win Cool Stuff: $100 Gift Card to Wallis


Wallis Fashion Giveaway

I've teamed up with Wallis to offer one lucky BB reader the chance to win a $100 gift card! Since the Oscars are this weekend, I thought it would be fun to challenge you to create a red-carpet worthy look using fashions you find at wallisfashion.com. Think of something with a hint of glamour that you might wear to an Oscar viewing party, or at home with friends!

But first, a bit about Wallis - just launched in the US, this is one of the most exciting affordable fashion brands I've seen in a long time! As Topshop's sister company, Wallis offers stylish and well priced clothing and accessories, made for the real woman.

Ok, on to our giveaway! Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


UPDATE 3/12/13: We didn't hear back from Daniella, so we've had to pick an alternate winner using random.org and that lucky reader is… #7 Ella P.! Congrats to our winner and thanks to everyone who participated!

Bonus entry: Sign up for the Wallis newsletter for one additional entry. Please leave a separate comment below to let me know.

NYFW Day 2: Kate Spade, Noon By Noor, Rebecca Minkoff, Charlotte Ronson


My second day of Fashion Week began backstage at Kate Spade, where I met up with celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann to chat about the bold magenta or black manicures accented with gold pyramid studs that the models would be rocking for the Fall 2013 presentation (see my run down here). Inspired by New York City, with its yellow cabs, soaring skyscrapers, bright lights and wild night life, the collection was a riot of color, '70s glamour and exaggerated silhouettes. Fun times ten!

Next, I headed to Lincoln Center for the Noon By Noor show, and was wowed by the mature, ladylike looks created by young design duo Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa. The looks were actually too mature at times but there was lots of budget-fabulous inspiration, like winter florals, berry hues, bowtie blouses and colored tights. Who knows, maybe we'll see Noon By Noor at Target someday! The front row was fun to watch, too; I spotted Bryanboy, Rumi Neely, Nigel Barker and Olivia Palermo, to name a few.

Always a Fashion Week highlight, my next show was Rebecca Minkoff, who drew inspiration from the night sky (space travel, loosely) and her muse, the ladylike tomboy. From the cool nail art to the edgy outwerwear, Minkoff delivered trends that everyone wanted to wear straight off the runway (and some of the looks were available for purchase instantly, too). It's always an honor to attend because Minkoff really gets what fashion bloggers do - and I love love love her bags!

My final stop was the Charlotte Ronson presentation, where I was able to get a close-up look at the mod, schoolgirl-inspired collection. Being a product of the '90s myself, I always appreciate Ronson's edgy twist on things - like the way she adds a slim cutout to a colorblock shift, or renders a a prim collared dress in sheer black fabric and futuristic florals. Everything for Fall 2013 was wearable yet unique and I'm crossing my fingers that some of these design ideas trickle down to her affordable line for JCPenney.

See more:
NYFW Day One