I recently lost a lot of weight after being obese all my life. I don't have tons of money and I need to buy a lot of clothes. Can you write up a simple buying at the end of the season article? Like, what is possible to buy when, what I should grab ASAP and what are the best times of the year to grab up some sales when buying a lot? Also, can you suggest what somebody like me should buy first when dealing with a tight budget and practically empty closet? What are those must haves? I am 26 years old. —Veronika

First I just want to congratulate you on achieving your weight loss goals! I'm honored you'd ask me for advice, so here goes. Shopping used to be seasonal and big sales only came around a few times each year. But nowadays, fast fashion has completely changed the retail landscape. You can get good deals pretty much year round. It's still smart to shop for fall and winter apparel during after-Christmas sales and it's still smart to shop for spring/summer fashions during summer blowout sales but don't feel pressured to buy, buy, buy during these times. I'd recommend building your wardrobe slowly and steadily over the course of the year, buying pieces you love rather than buying what's on sale. You mentioned "must haves" and that's a great place to start.

Bootcut Denim
Satchels

Your wardrobe will depend on your job and lifestyle but some essential items include: A boyfriend blazer, a perfect pair of dark denim jeans (bootcut or skinny based on your preference), a neutral colored sheath dress; a trench coat; leather riding boots; black pencil skirt; perfect tees in white, gray and black; black leather ballet flats; nude pumps and a structured handbag. I kinda love this Lucky mag video that shows you how to get 90 outfits with $500 - they show how a few key staples can be mixed and matched in an almost endless way.

I'll conclude by saying focus on what brings you joy as you adjust to your new shape. Finding fashion that fits and makes us feel beautiful is a journey we are all on!

What advice would you share with Veronika? Let her know in the comments!

Here are some photos I snapped a couple months ago at the Princess Vera Wang for Kohl's Fall 2012 press preview in NYC, which showcased designer Vera Wang's new juniors line of apparel, shoes and accessories in stores now. The collection was grouped into a couple categories for the modern day "princess," be she preppy, punk or boho. I spied all the latest "trends," from neon and polka dots to print pants, statement necklaces and loafer flats. Many of the items you'll see in my photos are now available online and in stores and they're already on sale. Oh, Kohl's.

Enjoy more photos after the jump...

See more photos from the preview on The Budget Babe Facebook page.

Moments after images of the Chanel Couture Fall 2012 collection hit the web, people starting talking about the nails! Yes, it would seem even Chanel haute couture embraces nail art, showcasing a silver-outlined pink manicure on the fingertips of models who walked the runway at the Grand Palais in Paris. We can't afford a tweed jacket but dammit, we can do the nails.

The design looked simple enough so I gave it a try by using two base coats of Wet 'n Wild 'Silvivor' followed by three light coats of Wet 'n Wild 'How I Met Your Magenta' painted on top leaving a small border of silver peeking out around the edges. Achieving your own Chanel-inspired manicure is easy (I even did my right hand) and the resulting pink-with-a-hint-of-metallic look is so pretty and tasteful (unlike some of the other nail art projects I've attempted lol). I wonder if Coco would be amused by all this. Think you'd give Chanel nail art a try?

{Shown above: (at left) Chanel Fall 2012 couture manicure via Style.com; My interpretation (which looks more bubblegum-pink in person)}

UPDATE 1/1/13: Check out my video tutorial to see just how easy this manicure really is!

CC Skye's 'Mercy' spike bracelet is an edgy yet glam addition to any arm party. ($162, Revolveclothing.com)

CC Skye Mercy Spike Bracelet

Get the look for less with this spike bracelet from ASOS instead, available in gold, silver and other colors for $13.26.

ASOS Spike Stretch Bracelet

It's all too easy to accumulate a closet overflowing with shoes and a cabinet full of beauty products (I should know), but what happens to all that stuff when we don't need it anymore? Thanks to companies like TerraCycle (www.terracycle.com), eco-conscious fashionistas can turn used footwear and personal care products into money for charity. These latest free recycling programs are perfect for any one trying to clean out her home while doing something good for the environment and for others.

Don't Throw Away Flip Flops or Shoes
There's no longer a reason to throw old flip flops in the garbage now that they can be recycled! Thanks to Old Navy, consumers can do the right thing for the environment and send their old flip flops to TerraCycle free of charge through the Flip Flop Brigade. For every 25 pairs sent in, consumers will receive exclusive Old Navy coupons to share with friends. TerraCycle and Old Navy had a month-long flip flop collection program in 2011 and the year-round collection program was instituted by popular request (probably from customers trying to unload all those $1 flip-flops that Old Navy sells, lol). TerraCycle also offers a Paired Shoe Brigade for people to send in pairs of shoes that will be donated to third world countries.

Recycle Beauty Packaging - Any Brand, Any Kind
Thanks to Garnier, guys and gals now have a solution when they want to get rid of an empty or old beauty product. Instead of throwing away any brand of shampoo bottles, lotion tubes, eye shadow cases or lipstick tubes, among many other items, they can be sent to TerraCycle through the Personal Care and Beauty Brigade. Two points are awarded for each item sent in and the points can be used for charity gifts or converted to cash and donated to a favorite charity or school. I've typically recycled things like plastic shampoo bottles via our city's recycling program but I'll definitely be sending in all those random "unrecyclable" beauty products to TerraCycle from now on.

Have you participated in any of TerraCycle's programs? How have you "greened" your fashion or beauty routine? Let me know in the comments. I'm going to try to make "eco-friendly Fridays" a regular feature here on the blog and would love your feedback.