Affordable Accessories: I Love Lucite

Lucite bracelet set, Forever21.com, $6.80

Icy lucite is a hot trend for spring. It's a clear, strong plastic that can be molded and carved which first became popular in the 1940's for ladies purses and jewelry. Today, it's cropping up everywhere from jewelry, watches and sunglasses to handbags and shoes.

Lucite's transparency makes it a versatile and neutral accessory that pairs well with many other spring trends, including black&white and brights. Its futuristic look also adds a modern touch when paired with floaty dresses and florals.

But since lovely lucite is just a fancy name for plastic, don't spend too much on this trend...we bought the bangle from Forever21.com (below) and that was enough to satisfy our needs.

Here are a few budget-friendly ways to get your lucite fix:


Vintage Lucite Bangle, Forever21.com, $4.80


Tobago, Ninewest.com, $89.00 SALE $59.99


RJ Graziano Square Crystal Flower Ring, Nordstrom.com, $25.00


Delphos necklace, Aldo.com, $15.00

Hippie Chic

For our mother's generation, being a hippie was a social statement that involved weaving daisy chains and smoking ganja to the sounds of the Grateful Dead. But for us, being hippie-chic is a fun fashion statement that means empire-waist frocks, breezy blouses and beaded necklaces.

Oh, the times they are a changin'.

Here's how to pull off the hippie/boho trend in today's world:

• Stick to one item at a time. It's easy to overdo this look, so stick to one hippie-chic article of clothing or accessory per outfit.
  
• Balance with something tailored. Pair a flouncy blouse with tailored shorts or a tiered-skirt with a crisp white shirt to make your look up-to-date.
  
• Add a modern touch. Think sleek silver accessories, mod lucite jewelry or fab oversized shades.

Find your inner love child with these hippie-chic inspired tops...

Tart Tunic, very Tory Burch. Forever21.com $19.80


















Vintage Summer Tunic, love the jewel tones in this one. Forever21.com $19.80

















Floral Drawstring Tunic, we've seen similar tops from BCBGirls for triple the price. Forever21.com $22.00
















Floral Tunic, colorful ethnic-inspired "embroidery" is tres hippie chic. $24.80

Sale Alert: Farewell, Forth & Towne

Gap's Forth & Towne is scheduled to close its doors June 15th. We think it was a brave venture to target style-conscious women age 35 and older, but apparently consumers didn't feel the same. C'est la vie! The good news is that great bargains are to be had in the next 6 weeks, so if you haven't checked out their classic modern designs, now is the perfect (and only) time to do so! With sizes from 2-20, there's sure to be something for every budget babe.

A few items we've got our eye on from Forth & Towne (prices shown are before markdown): [1] Woven leather clutch, $48 [2] Cotton tie dress $98 [3] Coral multi strand necklace, $58. Available in stores only.

Mom's the Word

We've found the perfect place to shop for gifts this Mother's Day— Globalgirlfriend.com, a fair trade boutique that sells eco-friendly, handcrafted goods made by women around the globe. Their unique line of products include stylish apparel, accessories and gifts. Proceeds help secure their futures by giving them a source of income. So when you buy something for your mom from Global Girlfriend, chances are you'll be helping a mother in another part of the world, too.

Here are a just a few of our favorite feel-good finds...

Lace Cosmetic Bag
$12.00
Each piece is hand crocheted by the women of Godavari Delta Women Lace Cooperative of India, a cooperative which offers not only good pay but also provides skills and literacy training.


Blossom Bangle Bracelet
$10.00
Made by a fair trade organization based in Bali Indonesia that aims to help women create sustainable incomes and encourage keeping traditional crafts and skills alive.


Summer Organic Cotton Scoop Tee ~ Turquoise
$24.00
Super soft 100% organic cotton line is made at a non-profit employment program in the Tamil Nadu region of India. Run by an order of Franciscan Nuns, the sisters employ and care for 120 young women who are handicapped and/or economically disadvantaged, providing employment training and support along with with food and accommodations. The group supports 300 local small organic farmers in the Maharastra area.


Recycled Glass Earrings ~ Turquoise
$12.00
Glass from broken and discarded bottles and bangles are fired into new beautiful and colorful recycled glass beads and fashioned into these great jewelry pieces. Made by a women’s fair trade organization in Bangladesh.


Gift Wrap ~ Spring Set of 2
$6.00
Handmade paper from Nepal is an income generation program of General Welfare Pratisthan and Free A Child. The project benefits young women survivors of sex trafficking, providing income and hope to rebuild their lives. The organization also acts as a prevention program giving girls options through vocational training.


Cold Process Soap ~ Citrus Blossom
$6.00
Made by The Enterprising Kitchen, a unique social enterprise providing transitional employment and life skills training to disadvantaged women in Chicago working toward self-sufficiency.

Vera Bradley Outlet Sale May 3-4

We only recently became aware of accessories designer Vera Bradley. If you're not familiar with the name, you've probably seen her neo-country, quilted handbags, purses and totes in their distinctive and colorful floral and paisley prints around town.

Vera Bradley bags are reasonably priced to begin with, but if you want to score an incredible deal, head to the 2007 Vera Bradley Outlet Sale, held from May 3rd through May 4th at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Or, if trekking through Midwestern cornfields isn't doable, shop online at verabradley.com. We can picture pairing our favorite polo with this Large Tic Tac Tote in Citrus, $69, for a leisurely weekend trip to an outdoor farmer's market or antique book sale...


If you're caught up in the whimsy but aren't sure how long this fad will last, try a similar-looking style like this Xhilaration® Reversible Tote from Target. (It's not Vera Bradley, just looks like it.) Can't go wrong at $14.99.

Snag a Deal, Don't Splurge, on The Latest Shoe Trends

We're wild about [1] Manolo Blahnik's Zebra Print Mary Janes, but we'd also be legally insane if we spent $565 to buy them. Instead, tame the shopping beast with [2] Bandolino's Zebra "Berry," $80, piperlime.com.


These red patent leather platform wedges by [3] Sergio Rossi scream "YES!" but the whopping $643.95 price tag groans, "NO." The happy alternative that will leave you smiling when you see your credit card bill: [4] BCBGirls "Gion," only $73.95 at Zappos.com.

Yikes! Brights!

A patchwork of color. A splash of hot hues. This season's runways challenge us to take risks with ::gulp:: COLOR. Be prepared to taste the rainbow with bright, bold fashion statements—from your handbag down to your shoes—and if you're really brave, give the new colored denim trend a try.

Lux Technicolor Skinny Jean in kelly green, Urbanoutfitters.com, $68.00


Tiered Tunic in yellow, jade or orange, Forever21.com, $19.80


Proenza Schouler Button Front Skirt in Avalon Sea, Target.com, $20.99


Recycled Silk Handbag, Target.com, $49.99


Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Riley Almond-Toe Pumps in Red Patent, Target.com, $29.99

In Full Bloom

Floral prints continue to dominate as one of the season's hottest trends. Yeah, we were a little scared at first, too...but we gotta admit—they're starting to grow on us.

Everything's coming up roses for top designer Oscar de la Renta (left). Get the look for a whole lot less with this Woven Floral Dress (right), $29.80. Forever21.com

Roses are red, violets are blue, we love Anna Sui and so should you! On the left, a blouse by Anna Sui available at Bergdorf Goodman for more than we'd like to say. Try this Floral Puff Tunic (right) instead, $19.80, Forever21.com.

Budget Beauty: Summer Skincare

Posted by The Budget Babe's Beauty Expert
Summer is almost here, and we all know what the means—skin skin and more skin!!! Beautiful skin from head to toe is just a couple bucks away with these great products that I personally use for glowing, soft, and gorgeous skin!

For a beautiful fresh face I have a product that I think I would literally die without (actually I have several, I’m freakishly attached to my regimen). I’ve tried a lot of face washes, and never have I come across a product that has such obvious and consistent results. It’s the [1] St. Ives Swiss Formula Medicated Apricot Scrub with Salicylic Acid for Oily/Acne Prone Skin. Its not strong at all, never leaves my skin dry, and makes me feel clean not tight. It’s fabulous. It also comes in different formulas, sensitive and renew & firm. All really great (I’ve tried them all!) Each one only costs $3.79. Use it daily for best results.

In the summer, I love to follow up with a very light moisturizer that cools, refreshes and depuffs skin. Also creates a perfect base for any kind of makeup (I could go on about how great this stuff is for hours!) I adore the [2] St. Ives Swiss Formula Cucumber & Elastin Eye & Face Stress Gel for all skin types. So cheap ($3.99), and worth is weight in gold! Hard to find in stores, but readily available at Walgreens.com or Drugstore.com. Loves it!

For a soft, supple body from the neck down I recommend [3] Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Conditioning Cocoa Butter ($5.79). Not greasy, sticky, or too thick, you’ll get perfect moisture and beautiful skin. This is the first lotion I can honestly say I think has improved the quality of my skin (I’m talking about stretch mark repair), and considering I’ve tried them all, that’s saying a lot. Smells lovely, a definite bargain.

Hot summer tootsies bringing you down? Try [4] Burt’s Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion ($8.99). Its 100% natural, and 100% effective! Peppermint brings a tingly cool sensation to tired feet to soothe and calm, while softening Beeswax and Vitamin E prevent against roughness.

Stock Up on Basics

There's really no reason to pay more than $10 for a basic tank. Made from 100% cotton, these Perfect Fit Tanks from oldnavy.com are just $2.99 a pop, and are available in white, black, heather gray and terra brown. You can't afford not to buy one in each color. Get 'em while you still can!

Things We Love: Silk-Wrapped Bead Necklaces

Add shine to your spring wardrobe with a sumptuous silk-wrapped bead necklace.

Option one: silk-wrapped bead necklace from bananarepublic.com, $34. Available in ivory/brown or ivory/orange.




Option two: Silk-wrapped bead necklace from JPHardee.com, $20.





Option three: Make one yourself with these simple steps from marthastewart.com! Keep reading for the instructions >>

Drew Barrymore Is People's 'Most Beautiful'

We're fans of Drew, we really are. But we were kinda surprised to see her top People's list of the world's most beautiful guys and gals. We would have preferred to see someone like Christina Ricci take the crown. Other than her, we can't really think of anyone better (we didn't spend much time on the subject, either).

So what do you think? Do you agree with the decision to name Miss Drew fairest of them all?

In her interview with People, Drew did share some interesting beauty secret tid-bits, including a mention that she rejuvenates the tired skin around her eyes with TALIKA Eye Therapy Patches. We found this Eye Therapy Patch with Case by TALIKA (6 piece) for $58.00 at dermstore.com, which makes them cheaper than many spa or dermatologist treatments.

Admittedly, we'd love to know if they really work—and if Drew's photo from her no-makeup fashion shoot was any indication, those suckers really do work magic! No seriously, she looks great and we applaud her for baring it all sans makeup. Very "Dove Real Beauty" campaign-ey.

Now that's beautiful.

Love the Shoes You're In with Foot Petals

Posted by The Budget Babe's Beauty Expert

Like most women interested in fashion, I have a love/hate relationship with shoes. Love is the only word that can be used to describe the initial response to a glorious pair of heels. The sexy spike of the stiletto, the oomph of the wedge, the beauty of the boot—these are the things dreams are made of. Only difference is that in my dreams, I can wear them for longer then twenty minutes without cursing under my breath from the horrid pain they inflict on my poor feet.

That’s where the hate part of the relationship comes in. Just two weeks ago I found myself screaming at a pair of brown suede pumps in the subway, "WHY?!!!! Why must you be so tempting and then hurt me this way?!" Needless to say, my fellow riders gave me the you’re-the-reason-people-fear-public-transportation look.

That night at home while soaking my tootsies in a warm bath, I decided that the relationship between me and my shoes needed professional help...

Continue reading "Love the Shoes You're In with Foot Petals"

Fashion First-Aid: Removing Stains

Rather than rushing to the nearest dry cleaner each time you spill your Starbucks, consider correcting the problem at home. You can go easy on your wallet and get tough on stains if you know the right approach to treating a slew of bothersome stains.

Remove deodorant stains with a hand steamer and watch them evaporate away. If you don't have a steamer, rub a pair of a pantyhose against the stain—works like an eraser!

Get rid of coffee stains by placing garments in a warm water tub. Add three or four denture cleaning tablets and let sit for one hour, then launder as usual.

Remove salt stains from leather shoes by wiping with a mixture of half warm water and half vinegar. Let air dry, away from direct heat.

To remove red wine stains, make a paste of lemon juice and salt, spread on the stain and let sit for 30 minutes. Try a delicate wash cycle with a scoop of OxiClean to remove any remaining traces.

Eliminate oil stains by covering with flour and letting it sit for 12 hours or so. Much of the oil will be absorbed, but the dry cleaners can finish the job—and its certainly worth cleaning a beloved article of clothing rather than scrapping it.

Summer Lovin'

Spring weather can turn on a dime (especially if you live in Chicago). Be prepared for rising temperatures with these summer essentials.

Ridiculously cheap Loop Terry Tube Dress with Pockets from American Apparel is just the thing for lounging by the pool, or stooping on the front steps waiting for the ice cream truck to drive by. $12.00



Genuine leather straps and brass buckle details make these Equestrian Flip Flops from Wilson's Leather a stylish alterative to the usual plastic. $28



What's not to love about the line of handbags by award-winning New York designer Rafe Totengco for Target? Purses from his original line start at $300, which makes this Rafe® for Target® Linen Flap Shoulder Bag a steal at $39.99.

The Best Drugstore Beauty Buys from Real Simple Magazine

We budget beauties have long-known that looking beautiful doesn't have to come at a high price. So we were eager to check out the May 2007 issue of Real Simple magazine, where readers share their picks of 60 budget-friendly moisturizers, sunscreens, shampoos, and more.

We took a gander at the complete list and have to agree with most of the suggested products. All were practical, effective and affordable (which is precisely what you'd expect from Real Simple's loyal readers).

Here, The Budget Babe's handpicked faves from the list:
[1] Best Moisturizing Bar Soap: Tom’s of Maine Natural Care Moisturizing Body Bar, $3.50

[2] Best Shampoo for Fine Hair: Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo, $3.99

[3] Best Body Wash with Lather: Burt’s Bees Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash, $8

[4] Best Face Cleanser for Dry Skin: Vichy Oligo 25 Foaming Cleansing Face Wash, $12

Fashion Word of the Week: Seersucker

If you don't know your chiffon from your charmeuse, now's the time to get schooled on terms that anyone interested in fashion should know. Familiarity with fashion terms will not only impress your friends—it will help you know what you're getting when you're shopping online.

Today's word: Summery seersucker is a fabulous fabric for warm, humid weather...read on!

Seersucker: is a thin, all-cotton fabric, commonly striped, used to make clothing for spring and summer wear. Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places. This feature causes the fabric to be mostly held away from the skin when worn, facilitating improved heat dissipation and air circulation. The wrinkled look also ensures that seersucker clothing will look good even when worn by people working in hot weather. It also means that ironing is not necessary. Seersucker was first used in the United States by the working class but was later adopted by the upper classes. The material became perceived as a staple of attire for the Southern gentleman who wore it in deference to the high heat and humidity of the American South.

Definition of "seersucker" from wikipedia.org.
Photo: Detail of a cotton seersucker pant by Nina Ricci, eluxury.com

Save Time and Cash with Shop It To Me

Ever wish you had a personal shopper? Of course you have. But since you don't, here's the next best thing: Shop It To Me, a free online service where you can get the heads-up when sites put your favorite brands on sale in your size.

Simply select your favorite apparel brands—such as Theory, Ella Moss, Juicy Couture or BCBG—and sizes. They'll scour the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, Bloomingdales, Zappos and more and email a daily or weekly summary of which new items go on sale in your size.

Plus, Shop It To Me has been featured in publications like Daily Candy Deals, Glamour, and The Washington Post.

Ready to sign-up? We thought you would be.

Sign up for Shop It To Me >>

Isaac Mizrahi Bridal Collection Soon to Be Unveiled at Target

Even frugal fashionistas say it's OK to splurge on your big day. So will the recent crop of inexpensive wedding gowns by top designers (think Victor & Rolf) change the way we think?

Not likely. But come May 1, Isaac Mizrahi will introduce his first bridal collection for Target—and we're definitely intrigued. Prices will range from $9.99 for accessories to $159.99 for gowns. The full collection will be available exclusively at Target.com.

Just promise us one thing: If you say "I do" to Isaac's frocks, please, don't skimp on the bar.

Random Act of Kindness: The O Magazine "STRENGTH" Bracelet

Even on a budget, you can make a difference, do some good, and feel good about it.

That's why we love the new O, The Magazine "STRENGTH" Bracelet. This beautiful hand-beaded bracelet sells for $35.00 at Macys.com. Proceeds go directly to the artisans that make them, who are impoverished Rwandan and Zambian women in desperate need of a source of income.

It's fashionable and it gives us all just a little more hope.

Top Beauty Pick: Lip Smackers Lip Gloss by Bonne Bell

I have been a self-proclaimed lip gloss addict since the early age of nine (yes, I have a problem). Through the years, I have tasted, puckered, and kissed my way through every kind of vial, tube, stick and tub available to (wo)man. Now that I think about it, I should really be in the lip gloss industry… ----dreaming---- or rehab… Anyway, since I've titled myself a lip-glossing expert I feel it's my duty to share my wisdom.

When it comes to the gloss, I personally don't think that cost and quality go hand in hand. If anything, the cheaper the stick the better the balm. For a high-quality, delicious, and super affordable pucker-pleaser, stick with the classics: Lip Smackers by Bonne Bell.

They come in all kinds of tempting and delish flavors, and are so super affordable at under two bucks a pop I can stock up and switch it up to make sure my lips (and my boyfriend) never get bored.

Keep in mind I'm talking about the classics—no glitter (too scratchy! Ouch!), but even that's fine because every year the brains at Lip Smacker come up with new flavors for the original formula.

They're creamy, have a perfect texture, and leave just the right sensation on your pucker. Most are sheer, some have a slight tint, but all are perfect alone or as a base/primer.

For summer, my personal fave is Tropical Punch. It comes in a sassy, hot-pink tube, has a slightly tangy scent, and leaves just a hint of vibrant pink/orange on your lips that looks so natural, it will have all your friends jealous of your genes!

These little sticks have never let me down throughout my love affair with glosses. I love trying and wearing all types of gloss (and will probably be passing on my tips on many), but in the end I've always got that little Lip Smacker in my bag as backup, and so should you!

Kisses from TBB Beauty Expert

Get the Bonne Bell Lip Smacker trio lip gloss with Kiwi, Tropical Punch and Mango flavors, $4.15 at drugstore.com.

Things We Love: Betsey Johnson Spider Ring

We absolutely love this adorable yet edgy Betsey Johnson Spider Ring. It's a conversation starter AND it will make you smile (or jump!) every time you see it. $40.00 at Nordstrom.com

Impressed by Aerosoles

After two fruitless hours of pushing and shoving at a cramped outlet shoe store by my home, I resigned myself to the fact that I would not be getting new shoes to wear to the party that I was going to that night. Crushed (as we all are when we can't find the right pair of heels), I started to head home when a nearby Aerosoles store caught my eye. Typically, I don't shop there because the styles look too old for my taste and the prices, while reasonable, are a bit too high for my budget.

Nonetheless, I gave it a try—fifteen minutes later, I had myself the dreamiest and comfiest red-leather heels I've ever owned.

• Service was impeccable (The Budget Babe is generally used to having to forgo good service to get a bargain)


• The styles were fresh, modern, suitable for any number of occasions. Clearly they've undergone a makeover by their design team.


• The shoes I picked fit like a glove and the touch of real leather to my toes—which have grown accustomed to stiff, synthetic uppers—was heavenly. I am sensitive to the vegan fashionistas out there (we ADORE everything matt & nat), but nothing quite compares to the comfort and breathability of real leather.


• And finally, they were on sale for $39.99!

I'm happy to report that the shoes stood up to a night on the town. Someone even asked if they were Pradas. I graciously accepted the compliment, of course, but promptly proceeded to tell them the truth, and now I'm bent on spreading the news to all: Aerosoles are my new best friend.

Find the "Irretraceable" pump by Aerosoles featured above at aerosoles.com or zappos.com.

Spring Bling

If you're going to the prom or a spring wedding, you're going to need some serious bling—but chances are, you don't have the serious cash to pay for it. Luckily, today's fashion forward ladies have plenty of affordable options to choose from.

If you like to take your fashion cues from the red carpet, you're going to fall in love with Emitations.com. Their specialty is bringing you celebrity jewelry that looks just like what your favorite stars are seen shining in, at a fraction of the price of course. Silver and cubic zirconia take the place of platinum and diamonds, but who will know it except you?

Academy Award winner for Best Actress, Helen Miren, looked regal at the 79th Annual Oscars draped in diamonds on loan from jeweler Chopler. Emitation.com's Neva's CZ Diamond Cluster Earrings are reminiscent of the ones she wore so you can feel like a queen, too. $49.99


This handmade Katherine Necklace featuring faux pearls and a vintage rhinestone pendant from Cuttlefishjewelry.com is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite little black dress...or pink dress...or yellow...you get the picture. $50



If you're willing to splurge a tad more, try Maya's CZ Pave Layered Ring from Emitations.com, a veritable bouquet of diamond-like brilliance that doubles as a door knocker (just kidding!). Reminds us of the iconic Chanel Chamelia. $119.95