The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Forever LA x Cassie for Summer 2013


Forever 21 x Cassie Campaign

Model and Bad Boy recording artist Cassie was just announced as the face of the Forever 21 summer collection. Forever LA x Cassie for Summer 2013 features the Connecticut-born beauty celebrating the eclectic, vibrant culture of Los Angeles. The Collection consists of two parts: The West Side and the East Side. The East Side Collection represents LA street wear aesthetics, inspired by the free-spirited urban culture of the 90s, and incorporates alternative and vintage-inspired pieces. The West Side Collection highlights the laidback coolness of the city of angels featuring bright pops of color, vibrant sneakers, oversized sunglasses, bold crop tops, electric-hued shirts, and abstract prints. You can play up this trend a little with neon accessories or go all-out with a midriff baring top (although I don't recall wearing either in the 90s...hmm). See anything you'd love to own this summer?

Spot the Real: Proenza Schouler PS1

Proenza Schouler's iconic PS1 satchel gets updated in blue for spring, with a pricetag of $1,695 at Barney's New York. The look for less - perfect for those of us who don't splurge on bags and just want something stylish for toting our lives - is available for just $27.80. See how well you know your "It" bags by clicking either image below to spot the real from the steal!




Proenza Schouler at POPSUGAR Shopping


Spot the Real Proenza bag


Forever 21 at POPSUGAR Shopping



Ask BB: Taylor Swift's Sheer Panel Dress Look for Less


Taylor Swift's sheer panel insert dress by Elizabeth & James

I was wondering if you could use your skills to track down a similar dress/shoe combo (shown above). I am in LOVE with this outfit but it's a bit out of my price range! —Abby

At Tim McGraw‘s Superstar Summer Night, Taylor Swift wore a sheer panel dress by Elizabeth & James ($375)...



...and Jean-Michel Cazabat heels ($320):



Here are some under-$100 look-for-less options that might work for us babes on a budget:

1. Boohoo.com Lilly Mesh Exposed Top And Side Bodycon Dress, $40
This UK online fashion store has lots of affordable options - search by keywords like "mesh," "bodycon," "sheer panel" or "cut-out."
Boohoo.com sheer panel dress


2. Blaque Market "Reach For The Stars" Dress, $25.95 (down from $58)
Karmaloop's new women-only site Miss KL carries lots of little hot numbers similar to Taylor's like this dress with demure long sleeves plus racy cut-outs and mesh panels.


3. ASOS Midi Dress With Sheer Detail, $49.88
It's hard to beat ASOS' selection when it comes to cute, cheap and on-trend dresses. They have lots of sheer mesh panel bodycon dress options but this one is my favorite because it's seductive yet covered up at the same time - the perfect soft/hard mix!


4. BEBE Lace Inset 3/4 Sleeve Bodycon Dress, $69
This sultry dress by Bebe plays up the sheer paneling with feminine lace.


5. GUESS Ponte Mesh-Insert Dress, $89
If you can spend a little more, this dress by Guess offers better construction and might help hide minor figure flaws a bit better, too. It's unique yet versatile enough to wear mays ways depending on how you accessorize.


As for the heels, try Sole Society's "Stephanie" for $49.95 which has a similar cage cut-out feel and sexy high heel:

Sole Society Stephanie


Have a suggestion for Abby? Let her know in the comments!

P&G Best of Beauty Box Review


P&G Beauty Most Loved products review

This April, P&G wants to share the love with consumers by highlighting some of their "Most Loved" products. I received a complimentary P&G Best of Beauty box courtesy of the brand and Style Coalition, which included CoverGirl Outlast Double Lipshine, Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller, Pantene Hairspray Flexible Hold, Venus Embrace Razor, Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power Razor and Tide To Go.

Keep reading for my reviews of three of my favorite P&G products!


P&G Beauty Most Loved products review


1. Tide To Go Stain Eraser: This stain remover is about the size of a marker and works like one, too, removing stains with a combination of cleaning solution and a micro-fiber pad that lifts and absorbs them. I tested it out on a week-old chocolate stain which my guy was responsible for (ahem) on a throw pillow and it totally worked. I was so relieved because the pillow cover isn't removable so I wasn't sure how I was going to salvage the pillow, but with a little rubbing with the Tide To Go Stain Eraser, the chocolate was gone. I'm a believer, and I'll definitely keep this handy for those little "stain" emergencies.

2. Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power Razor: My razor of choice has been the Gillette Mach3 for as long as I can remember, so I was excited to test the Fusion ProGlide Power Razor. As far as I'm concerned, men's razors are the best so I'll continue to "borrow from the boys." The ProGlide gives you a nice, smooth, close shave (I sound like a commercial haha) without nicks or cuts. I'm not sure how long the blade will last but I imagine it's comparable to my Mach3. A must have for summer.

3. CoverGirl Outlast Double Lipshine in Coral Shimmer: I wore this for Easter weekend and it lasted nearly 2 days. That's right, this stuff is like a tattoo of color for your lips. If you're not familiar with these types of lip colors, basically you apply the color to your lips and let it completely dry (no smacking your lips together). Then you use the clear lipgloss to add shine throughout the day. I have a couple similar products from other brands and this one performs just as well if not better. I really like the color I received because it has a hint of coral and a subtle shine. My lipshine didn't start to wear off until I reapplied the color and ate some super creamy coleslaw. Yum. At that point it started to wear off on my inner lips. But it had done its job. Here's an extreme closeup of the product on my hand after I took a shower - see?! Doesn't even smudge!


coral shimmer covergirl

For more information on some of America's "Most Loved" brands, follow this link.

So, what are some of your "most loved" P&G products? Let me know in the comments, plus join the convo on twitter with hashtag #PGmostloved.

This post is sponsored by P&G and Style Coalition.

The Look for Less: Tory Burch 'Adonis' Espadrille Wedge

The Tory Burch "Adonis" espadrille wedge sandal in navy, almond or olive is $185 at Shopbop.com.



Get a similar look for less with the Merona "Emilia" nautical wedge sandal, which features a cork heel instead of braided raffia and costs just $29.99. Click either image for details.