The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Charlotte Russe Spring 2011: Sheer Romance and Wear to Work




For Spring 2011, Charlotte Russe presents four fun lookbooks that will have you wishing for warm weather. I've posted the first two here, now here are the final two: Sheer Romance and Wear to Work.

The first 6 photos you'll see here are from the Sheer Romance mini lookbook: "Parisian chic is at the heart of this super femme collection. It's about soft, sheer knits and flirty, flowy silhouettes. Ooh la la!"

The final 3 photos are from the mini lookbook Wear to Work: "Being a fashionista is a full-time job, so glam it up…even when you're at the office."

The collection of dresses, tops, bottoms, accessories and shoes is priced from just $6 for a pair of earrings to $40 for strappy heels. These items are rolling out now in stores and online at charlotterusse.com. Utterly adorable.

Sneak Peek: Custo Barcelona Fall 2011




Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is coming up, and one of the shows I'll be attending is Custo Barcelona. Here's a sneak peek from the designer:

"Bright, relaxed daywear. The woman who wears these daytime garments is totally urban and is looking for something with personality for work and weekends. She is intelligent and non-conformist, but without losing sight of her sexier and more daring spirit. A real 'Revolution Grrrls' style.

The Custo nighttime look for women is one of the strong points of the collection. Outlines feature baggy, less structured lines in which overlayering is the key. The fit is comfortable and roomy with oversize pieces a constant. Tops are wide over narrow bottoms, with the odd flare or bag. Boho chic with unstructured flowing lines to emphasize the variety of feminine shapes."

February Highlights from FreeBeautyEvents.com

Here are highlights of this month's best events that are being featured on freebeautyevents.com, a website where spas and retailers can promote their events:

This month, for example, L'Oreal will demonstrating their True Match lines at select Rite Aids around the country as well as handing out coupons and samples. Enter your zip code to find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses and sampling events are happening near your home.

In addition to listing in-store makeovers, Freebeautyevents.com also features a blog on product reviews and a monthly contest. FBE also does a contest each week with a smaller prize on their blog - the odds of winning last weeks contest of the week were 1 out of 8!

For the month of February 2011, FBE will be giving away 10 prizes. Each prize will consist of an Almay Smart Shade Concealer, Wake Up Makeup, Intense i-Color Smoky-i Eyeshadow, and Get Up & Grow Mascara! The Contest runs from 2/1/2011 to 2/28/2011, winners will be chosen on 3/5/2011 and notified by 3/15/2011.


Disclaimer: I will be receiving a free Almay gift set (same as their contest prize for the month) for posting about FreeBeautyEvents.com.

Merona for Target Spring 2011 Lookbook




Here's a first look at the Merona for Target Spring 2011 collection, featuring women's dresses, tops, bottom, accessories and shoes, available beginning now at Target stores and target.com. The palette is light and fresh, mostly white, olive, khaki, blue and pink, while the silhouettes are casual yet pulled-together: A belted shirtdress, a colorblock sheath, cropped cardigans and tailored shorts. Prints like madras plaid, sailor stripes and modern geometric designs give the collection a current, J. Crew vibe. Wedge sandals, a brown crossbody bag, thin belts and floppy hats are the perfect finishing touches. I can see myself in the cargo capris, chambray shirt, crisscross black wedge sandals and boatneck stripe top.

Click through to enjoy the entire collection. Are we impressed?