The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Off the Rack: Nate Berkus Spring/Summer Collection

Nate Berkus at Target
I'm loving the latest collection from Nate Berkus, featuring home decor items that can work both indoors and outdoors for summer. Nate talks about his top picks on Target's A Bullseye View blog, which include the Embroidered Frame Mirror, Equestrian Side Table and the Moroccan Woven Wall Art (my personal favorite as well). “They feel unusual and well traveled, like you could’ve picked them up from a local flea market in Mexico or Peru,” said Nate, referencing past trips that inspired the line. “And there are so many places they can live in your home for the summer and beyond.”

See my in-store pics below, and head to the Target blog to read more about Nate's inspiration for the collection and get styling ideas!

Spot the Real: Olivia Palermo + Chelsea28 Midi Dress

Can you guess which dress costs more?
If you follow me on Instagram you probably already know I have a lot of love for one of the dresses shown above. It has all the hallmarks of a more expensive dress - longer length/more fabric, demure sleeves, chic print, button detail - but only costs $34.99. When I showed a picture of the dress to my sister she teased me saying it looked like something from Little Women, so I felt somewhat vindicated when I noticed that the Olivia Palermo + Chelsea28 collection at Nordstrom features a very similar style dress for $138. Clearly, if Olivia Palermo endorses a paisley print midi dress for summer, it must be chic, right?! See if you can guess which dress is which by clicking a link below!


LEFT // RIGHT

Mixed Media: Olivia Palermo's Striped Jumpsuit and Loafers Look for Less

Olivia Palermo's Striped Jumpsuit Look for Less
Olivia Palermo wore a blue varsity jacket over a striped orange jumpsuit while meeting up with a friend over lunch on the Upper East Side. She finished the look with tasseled loafers, a wrap choker necklace, and a summery straw clutch. It's the sort of intentionally mismatched ensemble that only a seasoned fashion veteran like Palermo can pull off, but we're willing to entertain the notion that we could do it, too. Jumpsuits are ever-so-popular this season, and we're loving the exaggerated proportions on Olivia, plus that bold vertical stripe print, also majorly on-trend. The flats add a serious menswear note while the satin bomber jacket takes things into streetwear/athleisure territory. Is this a case of a mixed-up fashion chameleon...or your next brunch date outfit? We've got the look for less finds, you be the judge...


Olivia Palermo's Striped Jumpsuit Look for Less

Shop the Look for Less:


Boohoo Striped Jumpsuit, $20 (or splurge on this Madewell jumpsuit) // Silence & Noise Bomber Jacket, $79 // H&M Sunglasses, $7.99 // Forever 21 Bolo Choker, $3.90 // J.Crew Rattan Clutch, $88 // Zara Tasseled Loafers, $19.99


Olivia Palermo Photo Credit: PacificCoastNews


Frayed at the Edges: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Double Denim Look for Less

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's double denim look for less
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley checks off all the trends in this casual look with a frayed edge denim tee, ripped skinny jeans and suede bag. The raw edge on the denim top doubles as fringe detailing, while the Western-style boots and tan bag are perfect summer neutrals to ground any look. I'm loving Rosie's jewelry, too...the stone pendant has an earth-goddess appeal while her simple metallic earrings add a modern touch. Here's how to recreate her model-off-duty style on a dime with pieces starting under $20...


Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's double denim look for less

Shop the Look for Less:


Forever 21 Denim Top, $17.90 (also love this J Brand frayed denim tee, $79.99, or this frayed denim tank top, $19.90) // H&M Skinny Jeans, $49.99 // Zara Leather Tote, $69.90 // Zara Ankle Boots, $49.90 // Chico's Pendant Necklace, $24 // Quay Australia Sunglasses, $45



Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Photo Credit: PacificCoastNews


Try the Trend: 10 Hoop Earrings Under $30

Jenna Dewan hoop earring trend
I came across a feature recently in the Net-A-Porter trend magazine highlighting modern hoop earrings, and while I've been hesitant to return to this look (I wore hoops all the time...about two decades ago), I'm warming up to the jewelry style as an alternative to my usual diminutive studs. You can go with a simple & sleek modern hoop - which you could argue never really went out of style - as seen on Jenna Dewan-Tatum, or opt for something with a bit more heft and embellishment. Either look can go from day to night, work to the weekend. If you're ready to update your earring game, I've rounded up 10 of my favorite modern hoop earrings on a budget, starting at just $2.90.


Jenna Dewan hoop earring trend

Top Row

Hanging Hoop Stone Earrings • Charming charlie • $5.99

Sam Edelman Double V Huggie Hoop Earrings • Sam Edelman • $24.50

Flat Hoop Earrings • Ann Taylor • $19.88


Middle Row

Modern Hoop Earrings • LOFT • $29.50

Madewell Morocco Hoop Earrings • Madewell • $22

Pave Hoop Earrings • Express • $19.90


Bottom Row

Pineapple hoop earrings • $15

Mixed-Media Hoop Earring • $21.99

FOREVER 21 Plated Hoop Earrings • Forever 21 • $2.90

H&M - Wide Hoop Earrings - Silver-colored - Ladies • H&M • $7.99



Jenna Dewan-Tatum Photo Credit: Bruja, PacificCoastNews