The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Lunch Hour Shopping: Winter Sale at Mikkat Market




Mikkat Market's phenomenal winter sale has me dreaming about all the cool-girl looks I could put together right now, or for spring. Could I pull off this leather skirt? For under $34, heck yeah I could. Or a bold faux fur coat? At under $55, what's stopping me? See what trends you might try by checking out the winter sale now at MikkatMarket.com. Plus, enter code 15WEEKEND at checkout to get 15% off outerwear and bottoms (I believe it's this weekend only).

{BB's picks: Silk red shirt, $29.40 (down from $49.00); Crochet lace skirt, $23.40 (down from $39); wedge sandals, $29.40 (down from $49)}

Sneak Peek: Tracy Reese Fall 2013 Sketch & Inspiration


It's hard to believe that New York Fashion Week will be taking place in just a few short weeks, and one of my favorite designers who will be showing is Tracy Reese. And I know she's one of your favorite designers, too, from her affordable Plenty by Tracy Reese line (sold at stores like Anthropologie) to her recent collab with Target (her plates and sequin top are the two items I bought for myself, best of the bunch!)

Here, the designer shares her inspiration for her upcoming Fall 2013 collection:

"Tracy Reese fall 2013 collection is very much inspired by New York with all its harshness and beauty. Reese combines a variety of rich textures and both feral and romantic patterns for a collection of sexy silhouettes with an emphasis on hourglass dresses, longer slim skirts, sweater tunics and bold, meaty jackets and coats.

Black in all of its magnificence, from deep velvety darkness to textured patent refraction, anchors a palette highlighted by scarlet, cerise, teal, aubergine, tan and lychee. With a strong dress presence in this season's collection, a classic and flattering Floral Frock in Scarlet is embellished with delicate beading and paired with a flat closed-toe bootie to create a timeless and modern, yet easy-to-wear look."

See more:

Sketch courtesy of Tracy Reese

Win Cool Stuff: Softlips Lip Balms


I've teamed up with Softlips to offer one lucky Budget Babe reader the chance to win an incredible lip balm prize package featuring all the latest Softlips winter "flavors"! I got to test the Vanilla and the Wintermint, and I love them both. The scents are very subtle and I like the slim tip applicator. While Softlips leaves lips smooth and moisturized, I did find that I had to keep reapplying it with some frequency, but it wasn't because it dried my lips out - it just wears off easily. Having said that, it's a good lip balm and I'd definitely use/buy them again in the future.

Ok, on to our giveaway!

Your prize package will include all six of Softlips' new varieties:
  • Softlips® Jack Frosting
  • Softlips® Peppermint Stick with bonus Pearl
  • Softlips® Raspberry with bonus Softlips® Sugar Cookie
  • Softlips® Raspberry with bonus Softlips® Sugar Plum Berry
  • Softlips® Vanilla with bonus Softlips® Sugar & Spice

Add it all up and that's 14 irresistible lip balms, enough to last you all winter and beyond!

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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?