The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

5 Under $50: Bold Stripes


spring fashion trend 2013 bold stripes

Stripes have been a staple for many seasons now, but this spring, designers like Dior and Dolce & Gabbana took things a step further: These spring stripes are especially bold, wide, and vibrant, less gamine and more graphic. They zig and zag horizontally and vertically on dresses, skirts, pants and tops in newly adventurous ways. And it'll take a little sense of adventure to pull off the look. If you're up for the challenge, here are five of my favorite picks for wearing this trend under $50.

{Shown above from left: Inspiration from Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana, Olivia Palermo in Dior and Megan from TfDiaries.com in Lulu's}


Win Cool Stuff: $100 Gift Card to Kohl's


Win a $100 Kohl's Gift Card

UPDATE 3/13/13: And the winner is… #85 Elizabeth B ! Congrats to our winner and thanks to everyone who entered, loved seeing your pins!

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

Are you all packed and ready for a Spring Break vacation to someplace tropical?! Me neither, but that doesn't mean we can't pretend! Kohl's is generously giving one lucky BB reader a chance to win a $100 gift card so you can shop for all your spring break essentials, even if that "break" means wearing a bright new coral dress at home with the heat cranked up and a margarita you mixed up yourself. Aaaah.

To enter:

  • Follow The Budget Babe on Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/thebudgetbabe)

  • Visit Kohls.com and "pin" your favorite Spring Break must-have with hashtag #BBSpringBreak

  • Leave a comment below with a link to your pin.

  • Don't have Pinterest? Visit Kohls.com then leave a comment below with a link to your favorite Spring-Break item.

  • Giveaway ends 3/12/13 at 12 noon EST. Open to US and Canadian readers. Please note, there are no Kohl's stores in Canada yet nor does Kohls.com ship to Canada.


Good luck!

Princess Vera Wang Spring 2013 Lookbook


A look from the Princess Vera Wang Kohl's Spring 2013 Lookbook

The Princess Vera Wang Spring 2013 lookbook is an explosion of fun spring trends for girls who were born to rule, from the feminine and fun (think pink and lace details) to the bold and bright (giraffe prints and oversized stripes). A riot of accessories like textured handbags and whimsical jewelry round out this upbeat collection. Princess Vera Wang isn't meant for me (obvs) and the juniors sizing makes it tricky for me to shop (even if I did want to try that red lace blazer shown above, ahem) - but I think it's supercute for tweens. Everything's under $80 and you can find the pieces shown here this spring at Kohl's stores and kohls.com.

Shop it online:

60 Second Beauty: L'Occitane's NEW Immortelle Brightening Mist

L'Occitane's NEW Immortelle Brightening Mist review

With spring quickly approaching, there's no better time to update and refresh your beauty regime. So when L'Occitane's NEW Immortelle Brightening Mist crossed my desk, I was eager to give it a try. Read on for my review…

What they say: To let the light reveal all of skin's youth, L'Occitane has extended its Immortelle Brightening rage with a new product, formulated with the same rigour and exacting standards as the most advanced anti-aging creams.

The NEW Immortelle Brightening Mist is an alcohol-free mist that refreshes, softens and brightens the complexion. It's also perfect for spraying over make-up to help it stay fixed all day! It combines the unique properties of Immortelle essential oil with Bellis Perennis to keep skin young-looking, radiant and even-toned.

The Immortelle breathes youth visibly into the skin, helping to correct wrinkles while the Bellis Perennis acts to help visibly reduce the appearance of pigmentation marks.


What I think: This mist is refreshing (the first ingredient is water, after all) and the mix of cool liquid and strong fragrance hitting your senses definitely gives you a little pick-me-up. It's neither drying nor particularly hydrating nor particularly "brightening." Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not you love the fragrance - it's got notes of daisy and Witch Hazel but for some reason, it smells like lavender to me. Like all L'Occitane products, the scents are rich and heavy and instantly transport you to the South of France. Whether or not you want to smell like that is up to personal preference. For me, the scent was too strong and lingering, but I'm sure others would love this.

The bottom line: L'Occitane's Brightening Mist would fall into the "little luxury" category - for $20, I can see this being an amazing product to have around in the summer, but it's certainly not a necessity. Also would make a great Mother's Day gift idea for L'Occitane lovers.

Shop this post:


Please note: I received the product reviewed in this post free of charge. The decision to write this review and the opinions expressed within are entirely my own.

Off the Rack: T.J. Maxx Pre-Spring Highlights


A couple days ago, I went to T.J. Maxx to pick up some coffee (T.J.'s is my go-to source for cheap, whole-bean coffee), but of course, I was sidetracked by the new spring handbags and shoes. And the home goods. It happens. My store had rolled out lots of colorful options to help you refresh your wardrobe and your space. Handbag highlights included Jessica Simpson mini colorblock bags in mint green or bright orange, pastel satchels made from fine Italian leather and Michael Kors tech sleeves in rainbow hues.

For shoes, I was loving the bright flats from DV Dolce Vita and Nine West as well as sparkly heels from Ivanka Trump (I'm told her heels are comfortable). In home decor, I nearly cried tears of joy when I saw two amazing chevron chairs by Cynthia Rowley - the print was just so happy! And the price was decent, too, $129.99 each.

Ultimately, I stuck to my plan and bought a couple bags of coffee beans and, confession time, I got a neon/neutral Rebecca Minkoff bag - but I'll probably return it. I just needed it to come home with me for a few days. LOL. I was shopping with a friend who told me, "Your T.J. Maxx is so much better than mine!" and now I'm beginning to think that she (and many of you readers) are right!

See anything here that you'll make a trip to your T.J. Maxx for?

{Shown above: Jessica Simpson mint glitter crossbody bag, $19.99 (compare at $58)}