The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Made in the Suede: Alessandra Ambrosio's Button-Front Skirt and Lace-Up Flats Look for Less

Alessandra Ambrosio's suede skirt look for less
Model Alessandra Ambrosio ticks off all the hottest trends in one effortless look. Button front suede skirt? Check. Lace-up ghillie flats? Check. Bohemian goddess? Check! I'm loving how the supermodel pairs her skirt with a simple black v-neck to let the suede mini really shine. Her crossbody bag is the perfect accessory, just the right size for keeping essentials close at hand. We found a great lookalike in genuine suede for Alessandra's A.L.C. suede skirt ($745, Bergdorf Goodman)...you can dress it up or down to create dozens of versatile looks all season long. Read on for these and other pieces to complete her look for less...

Off the Rack: Celebrate Summer in the Target Dollar Bins

Target dollar spot goodness
I'm still not sure where spring weather is hiding, but my Target dollar bins are stocked with everything you need to celebrate summer. Colorful accents are perfect for a Cinco de Mayo fete, while soft hues are perfect for a spring baby shower. There are also black and gold party supplies perfect for graduation parties that are just around the corner, and an end cap with gold heart and floral prints suitable for Mother's Day or anyday. And if you have kiddos, Target has everything for summer fun at the beach and beyond - towels, hats, bags, goggles, balls, buckets, you name it! On this trip I picked up a pink/white/gold polka dot coffee tumbler (how could I not), a shark cap and an anchor bucket hat for my toddler, and a bunch of other random stuff that added up to over $20. But really, where else can you find such cuteness for such little cash?

What have you bought in the Target dollar spot recently?

Celeb Style Bargain: Bella Thorne's Forever 21 Crop Top and Skirt

Bella Thorne in Forever 21
Bella Thorne hit the beach in Miami wearing a matching red flower print crop top and skirt as she dipped her feet in the ocean and combed the sand for seashells. Sounds like a perfect day to me! Matching sets are still going strong for summer - they're easy to wear yet make a fun fashion statement. Read on to shop Bella's exact outfit for under $30 total...

Off the Rack: What to Buy at Kohl's for Spring

LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's spring styles are so cute
Earlier I shared the LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's Spring 2016 lookbook, now you can see how some of these fashions look in real life. Plus, that Reed Krakoff collab I told you about is now available for pre-shop if you're a Kohl's Yes2You Rewards member (check your email, you should have received a link). I don't expect this collection to sell out anytime soon, though (over $100 for faux leather bags at Kohl's? I don't think so.) But back to spring fashions: in the juniors department, I found a cute anorak (Junior's Mudd Utility Jacket, $39.99) and cargo vest (Junior's Mudd Utility Vest, $32.99), both versatile layering pieces. Sonoma Goods for Life (what's with the new name?) also has a nice cargo jacket (Utility Twill Jacket, $34.99) and a gingham shirt (Sonoma Goods for Life Plaid Shirt, $19.99) worth checking out. From LC Lauren Conrad, it's all the florals and lace and girly dresses and blouses we've come to expect...but where else can you find these things on a budget? Here's a foolproof spring/summer outfit idea: Take any pretty top from Lauren's line (love this floral babydoll top, $26.40), add white jeans and anchor it with a cognac bag and sandals - the best you can afford - and you've got a gorgeous look that can take you anywhere (sorta like this). Rock & Republic also has camo shorts and pants, and nice denim jackets if you're looking. In the shoe department, I saw lots of shoes marked down to $24.99 for spring like white strappy heels, scalloped ballet flats and boat shoes.

Take a look at my photos and tell me what you're loving at Kohl's for spring!

Get Taylor Swift's Forever 21 Sports Bra As Seen In Her New Apple Music Commercial



Singer Taylor Swift wears Forever 21's under-$15 high-impact mesh sports bra in a new Apple Music Commercial. It's short and has an unexpected twist at the end (the clip, not the bra) - give it a watch, and if you want to rock Taylor's exact bra during your next workout, we've linked it up for you...