The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

The Fitting Room at Walmart



Walmart just launched something called The Fitting Room, a place to help you discover all the latest spring and summer trends currently available - all at Walmart's low prices.

The Fitting Room lets shoppers browse, Pin and Share their favorite trends like color blocking, mix & match, bright, bold bathing suits, the Miss Tina collection (by Beyonce's mom) and more. I love the buyer's picks section, the accessories and all the stripes (of course).

Keep reading to see some fun shoe styles you'll find at Walmart, plus watch an exclusive video featuring The Curvy Fashionista, Marie Denee - love her!



LOFT Summer 2012 Lookbook


LOFT Summer 2012 lookbook

If you crave color, you'll love the LOFT Summer 2012 lookbook. It's all about eye-catching hues, from cool to warm to white hot. Mix in some pretty prints that include animal, floral and stripes, and you've got a collection that'll leave you saying, "Bring on the sun!" My favorite looks include a leopard print pant paired with a stripe top (neutral in color, but bold on pattern); lavender peasant blouse with coral shorts; and a chambray-blue striped blazer with aqua shorts. Individual pieces I love include cuffed shorts in chic-but-impractical white eyelet and utility blouses in chartreuse and hot pink.

Look for these pieces at loft.com and in LOFT stores now. Which looks do you find inspiring?

Authentic Icon for Kohl's




Kohl's has launched an exclusive American Idol-inspired apparel collection called Authentic Icon (it was only a matter of time, right?). If you watch Idol, you probably saw the top ten contestants getting decked out in their Authentic Icon duds with the help of designer Tommy Hilfiger, who has been mentoring the budding superstars on achieving their signature looks. The collection for teen girls and guys includes things like graphic tees, tops, jackets, jeans and dresses with a rock 'n' roll edge. But it's not exactly allowance-money friendly: A graphic halter maxi dress is priced at $72.99 (down from $98). My advice: Get in on the Idol action for free by entering Kohl's sweepstakes to win one of four trips to see the show's finale, while 50 runners-up will each win a $100 Kohl's gift card.

Keep reading to see more images of Authentic Icon for Kohl's. Will you check it out?