Sorry to drop the "f" word but fall fashion is just around the corner. Forever 21 just launched their pre-fall collection which should help ease you into the season. It's very Sienna Miller, from the fashions to the models, with retro-inspired pieces such as dresses, jackets, pants, scarves, shoes, skirts, and sweaters ranging from $1.90 - $49.90, plus deals on select styles priced between $6.00 - $12.00.

Vanessa Hudgens was seen staying cool in a graphic muscle tank, leggings and metallic slides. So basically, a totally easy-to-imitate real person look! Metallic crisscross sandals are everywhere - I went with this pair for my look for less but you could also go with the Miriam platform, sporty Genice, or Birkenstock-esque Ashland - all available at Target! Styling tips to steal from Vanessa include adding mirrored shades and layering on lots of jewelry - a mix of boho and edgy pieces give her look personality.



Deal alert: Get 25% off any amount, 30% off $75, 40% off $100 with code SUPER at oldnavy.com. Ends 7/23.

Ciara caught our attention at The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards in Los Angeles with her wear-now, wear-later ensemble that's perfect for summer to fall dressing. The key piece is her Bouchra Jarrar leopard print bomber-style coat ($2,175, farfetch.com) but we found a lightweight leopard print cardigan that will work in all seasons. Then to keep the focus on her statement coat, Ciara added a simple white t-shirt, distressed jeans (don't want to be boring after all) and a barely there ankle-strap heel - a style that's always sexy without overdoing it. We're giving her major style points for this red-carpet look that would get snapped by streetstyle photographers in a heartbeat.

Welcome to our weekly linkup party! As summer is heating up, this week we're turning our attention to some refreshing drinks, from a good-for-you tropical smoothie to easy cocktail ideas. Plus we're giving away a $50 Sephora giftcard!

Want to be featured as our Funday Linkup Fave of the Week? Add your links using the InLinkz widget at the end of this post. We're posting our top pick weekly on all three of our blogs + Facebook! Share this post with fellow partygoers on social tagging @budgetbabe #FundayLinkup

Visit my co-hosts Bon Bon Rose Girls and Fab Fatale for more inspiration.

Yesterday was a momentous occasion for me. I mustered up the courage to shop the Nordstrom Annviersary Sale and in so doing, I overcame some strange, suppressed fear/anxiety dating back to my childhood of shopping at expensive department stores. Hey, some people are afraid of spiders, while I, crazy lady, would get totally stressed out by shopping at certain stores. So I avoided them. But you'll be happy to know that all of that is a thing of the past, because yesterday I totally conquered the NSale! All the sales associates I talked to were helpful and friendly (okay, almost all of them, one seemed immensely annoyed when I didn't want to order something online that was out-of-stock in store), I found a lot of good deals and left with some pieces I feel really happy with. I even opened a Nordstrom credit card (for research purposes mostly) and enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Nordstrom cafe.

Ok, enough with the boring stuff, let's get on with the sale!