The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale: What I Bought

Shop the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale with these picks under $100.


Whenever there's a Nordstrom sale, I get a serious case of FOMO if I'm not taking part in the fun! I love seeing what everyone is scooping up, so I thought it would be fun to share what I've purchased so far, too. There are a lot of really good deals and plenty to choose from, no matter what your style may be. Popular styles are selling out quickly though (Nordstrom shoppers don't fool around, so I've learned!) Here's what I got:

1. Sam Edelman Peep-Toe Booties: It's hard to believe I don't own a pair of peep-toe booties, so I finally got a pair in a yummy warm neutral cognac brown that I can wear with casual outfits like jeans or dresses. Since I practically live in ankle boots 9 months out of the year, these perforated leather open-toe booties are the summer stand-in!

2. Lucky Brand Peplum Top: For summer, I seem to either go preppy (see my Target buys) or I start channeling my inner boho babe, hence this embroidered top in shades of ivory and dusty rose. I can wear these with jeans and the peep-toe booties or other casual sandals for summer get-togethers. Easy and pretty!

3. Lucky Brand Floral Top: I picked up another top by Lucky Brand (which is kinda like the less cool cousin of Free People or something, but I'm okay with that!) because I need some casual yet cute tops with short sleeves (finding tops and dresses with sleeves is always a challenge...why is that?). I hope this one fits! I can wear it with shorts or jeans. I love the pop of color and the print feels fun for summer.

4. BP Striped Tee: I can't resist a striped tee and this one got great reviews. For the price, I figured it's a no brainer!

5. Madewell Chambray Shorts: I love the look of Madewell but hardly own anything by the brand, so I thought for the price, I'll try these soft shorts and see how I like them. I also picked up these chambray shorts at Target recently for just $12, so I'm curious to see how the quality compares. I figure I can wear these around the house and to the beach. When it gets hot, I know I'll be so glad I bought these elastic waist shorts in lightweight fabric!

Other items I'm eying include this Hinge utility jacket (because I clearly need another utility jacket) and this floral peplum top.

What are you eying/buying from the sale?



Get Reese Witherspoon's Gorgeous-in-Gingham Look

Reese Witherspoon Gingham Top and Off-White Skirt Look for Less
Reese Witherspoon is the embodiment of summer style in her Draper James gingham top, off-white skirt and brown platform wedge sandals.

Finishing off the look with some glam cateye sunglasses, gold jewelry, and a seasonally chic straw tote, the actress-turned-fashion-designer is the only advertising that her brand needs.

I included Reese's exact top in today's look for those who want to splurge a little, plus some amazing budget-friendlier options like this LOFT top! When you mix gingham, straw and strappy sandals, it's hard to go wrong!

MORE: Reese Witherspoon is Ready for Summer in Her Watermelon Sweater

Reese Witherspoon Gingham Top and Off-White Skirt Look for Less

Shop the Look for Less:


TOP: Draper James Gingham Top (exact match)
This gingham top by LOFT is the next best thing! Just $54.50 plus 40% off with code VACAY
I also like this Merona Gingham Top (just $22.99) available in plus-size, too
SKIRT: H&M Denim Skirt
BAG: H&M Straw Shopper
SHOES: Michael Kors Platform Sandal (now 40% off!)
SUNGLASSES: BP Cateye Sunnies
NECKLACE: The Styled Collection Astrid Pendant




Reese Witherspoon Photo Credit: STPR / PRPhotos.com



Links of the Day:

Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale is going on now through June 4th! Save up to 40% off.

Have you heard of SweatStyle? It's like Stitch Fix for your workout clothes!

My $5 Pineapple Tee and More Amazing Summer Finds at Target

The Budget Babe reviews summer styles at Target.
Pineapple prints, colorful lace, gingham checks, madras plaid and more amazing summer fashions greeted me at my local Target store yesterday. I had one of those extremely rare, super-successful shopping trips with both kiddos (candy bribes may or may not have been involved) and was able to snap some pics and try on a few items, too!

Shown above: Pineapple tee (just $5!) and Mossimo Low-Rise Boyfriend Shorts 6" Inseam, wearing size 4/27 (fit is TTS). I think this is the pair online but can't quite tell for sure.

Jourdan Dunn is Statuesque in Striped Pants

Jourdan Dunn wears vertical stripe pants with an oversized denim jacket and sneakers.
British supermodel Jourdan Dunn made a stylish entrance in vertical stripe pants, a black bodysuit, and oversized denim jacket as she arrived at Nice Airport France on her way to the 70th Cannes Film Festival.

I love how the model plays with proportions in this look, from the wide leg pants to the sleek bodysuit top, to the boxy jacket with exaggerated sleeves.

I also love her choice of a graphic black and white color palette - so good for summer! She finishes the look with sporty yet sleek black patent sneakers, and retro top-frame sunglasses which we're seeing everywhere lately.

Really, is there anything not to love about Jourdan's look?! Steal her vibes with the affordable fashion finds below...

MORE: Jourdan Dunn's Off-the-Shoulder Top and Fringe Jeans Look for Less

Jourdan Dunn wears vertical stripe pants with an oversized denim jacket and sneakers.




Jourdan Dunn Photo Credit: BACKGRID



Links of the Day:

Cute overload: Target has a new exclusive baby brand, Cloud Island.

Need some workout inspo? Peony & Me is every celeb and fashion blogger's fave activewear line right now.

Spot the Real: J.Crew Ruffle Cotton Poplin Skirt

Can you guess which is the real J.Crew ruffled cotton poplin skirt?
I've been in love with this ruffled cotton poplin skirt since I spotted it in the J.Crew style guide that arrived in my mailbox recently. The fabric is ideal for summer and the length looks perfect, too. Plus, what's not to love about a whimsical ruffle?!

You can get the "real" for $98 plus 25% off with code GOFISH right now at jcrew.com. Or, opt for the look for less (the color is very versatile), just $69.50 plus 40% off with code FLASH. Act fast, either sale won't last long!

But first, see if you can spot the real from the steal by clicking a link below....