The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

H&M Spring 2014 Video Lookbook


I'm so not ready to think about spring fashion right now but H&M just released their spring 2014 video lookbook for women (and men). There are 13 looks modeled by Andreea Diaconu, featuring a contrast of short and long hemlines, white and black, fluid and structured pieces - but the overall effect is overwhelmingly light and airy. Think urban bohemian. A few mint green pieces punctuate the otherwise neutral palette. I find the tassel embellishments most interesting (they're big, like curtain tie-backs). Take a look and store these images in the back of your mind until March 6 when the collection will be available for purchase. Follow on social with hashtag #HMSS14.

20 Of The Best Holiday Gifts Under $20


20 under $20: Fab Holiday Gifts

If you're like me, you balk at typical holiday "gift guides" that suggest gifts under $500 or even $100 as somehow being reasonable. What am I, a Kardashian? I don't have that kind of cash for holiday gifting - but of course, I still want to get friends and family meaningful, stylish goodies that they'll love. That's where Marshalls comes in! Each week, as you may know, I've been tackling a new gifting mission and sharing my finds on Instagram. This week's challenge: Outgift for under $20! Marshalls is the perfect place to find amazing gifts under $20 because they offer top quality merchandise for less, so you're getting a better value every time you shop. And each time you shop, it's like a whole new store, with thousands of fresh, new goodies arriving each week! So really, this week's challenge wasn't a challenge at all - it was a breeze!

Here are 20 of my top gift finds under $20.

(Don't forget! Share your finds on social media using hashtag #TheGifter to be entered to win a $500 TJX gift card, with one winner being selected each week!)

Limited-Edition Bejeweled Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips Giveaway!




When I posted a pic of my bejeweled Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips jar on Facebook, everyone went ga-ga for the mini tub adorned with shiny Swarovski crystals! So I managed to snag one more to give away to a lucky reader, plus one regular Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips jar - so you'll have one fancy sparkler to keep at home and admire, and another to actually use on the go!

The Look for Less: LOFT Lace Front Sweatshirt

LOFT's lace front sweatshirt was originally $69.50 at loft.com but is currently sold out. I'm sure that with sales and coupons this sweatshirt could have been purchased for much less, so I'm not saying it's a "splurge" by any means!



If you missed out on the LOFT style, Kohl's has a similar look by Apt. 9 for $24.99 (down from $44) available in gray, black or blue at kohls.com and in stores.



Here's a photo I snapped in the store the other day so you can see how it looks in real life. I was buying gifts for other people on that trip so my husband wouldn't let me stop to try it on, but I'm thinking of going back for it - it was super cute and soft, perfect for lounging or running errands!




The Look for Less: Kate Spade 'Janice' Bow Pumps

Kate Spade's 'Janice' bow pumps are $328 at KateSpade.com. Festive enough for the holidays but classic enough to wear year-round!



Get the look for less with LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's 'Vivien' pumps, featuring a similar metal gold bow, for $35 (down from $64). See how they look in real life in this post.