Catherine Brock

Just like Beyonce, we believe that every girl should have a freakum dress in her closet that commands attention just like the one Cameron Diaz is wearing at the Green …

There’s a reason you associate Taylor Swift with sparkly cocktail dresses and Gwyneth Paltrow with solid sheaths. It’s the same reason Carrie Bradshaw is synonymous with Manolo Blahnik and everyone’s …

Baubles–we love them but we don’t always love how much they cost. Of course, buying cheap and low-quality jewelry can totally work for some days or nights yet, wouldn’t it …

1. The Retailer The Gucci store, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney’s: these are the types of places where an authentic Gucci bag can be found. A card table on a New …

What: WWD covers “The Oprah Effect,” as it’s so dubbed, detailing how Oprah Winfrey kicked the manufacturing of plus-size undergarments –cute ones—into action. Now bras and underwear for curvy women …

For this very special edition of celebrity style reconstructed, we break down the personal style of America’s favorite personal finance advisor, the amazing Suze Orman. There’s no doubt that Suze …

What: TBF attended the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls Spring 2011 Preview and got to check out all the goods—and there are a ton— you’ll see in stores come Spring and …

There’s so much fashion inspiration to be attained from our favorite celebs this week that our stylish heads are spinning. Blake Lively gives us a lesson in mixing hues (she …

The name “Fendi” is synonymous with Italian luxury, so it’s no surprise that women the world over are grappling to get their hands on it, or that counterfeiters are trying …

What: Rent the Runway is launching its Wedding Site this week, and TBF attended the exclusive event. What They Say: “The new site will cater to the bride, her bridesmaids, …

If you’ve spent some time on our site it should be clear that we’re fans of ASOS. The site, whose acronym stands for “As Seen On Screen,” is the UK’s …

Its hard not to have a crush on Topshop. With its stylish and trendy collections, exotic, British appeal, and Kate Moss’s line (which is leaving us..tears), Topshop is a goldmine …

Coach… sigh. Design, quality and durability make them the quintessential handbags. Unfortunately, for many of us the prices aren’t quite so ideal ($1200 for a Coach handbag? WTF?), so when …

White House Black market has a flair for designing sophisticated workwear pieces. We love that their spring collection time-traveled back to the 1950s with their full skirts and shift dresses. …

Is your Kate Spade bag or wallet fake? That’s the question at hand. Playful sophistication is the hallmark of Kate Spade New York, and since the brand’s launch in 1993, …

Trends come and go but there’s always place for retro fashion in my heart. Why? Vintage is classic without being boring and quirky without being…you know, Lady Gaga. Sadly, true …

Clothing swaps online were popular during the last recession — but many of those online trading venues have gone by the wayside. Apparently the business value of clothing swaps is …

We’re on the go all the time, trying to snap up what we need in as little time (and for as little money) as possible! The good news is, we’re …

When the holidays roll around, we’re always trying to come up with original, inexpensive, but personal gifts to give to special friends, family and others who make our lives so …

Ahhh, the little black dress. Such an iconic piece, and most of us probably already have at least one on standby for the holiday season. Still, have you really looked …

Our Review: Bonanza seriously has everything. Our prior experiences with other massive, user-run e-commerce sites have taught us that sometimes this plethora of options is actually detrimental to our search …

What: Target has partnered with renowned fine jewelry designer Temple St. Clair for a limited-edition jewelry collection. This collection includes necklaces, cuffs, earrings and rings, and ranges in price from …

Sadly, Fashion-Ade is no more. The site, which had you identify what you have in your closet so it could produce daily outfit ideas, is in the fashion graveyard. If …

Don Draper may be a fictional character on AMC’s hit Mad Men but his appeal has gone beyond just being a complex fictional character on TV. His appeal has, in …

We all have “problem” areas, a part of our body, whether based in fact or in our heads, that just doesn’t seem to look right. It could be your arms, …

In 2023, AlwaysFits.com closed up shop after 13 years of selling goofy, irreverent, and funny gifts. We were there at the shop’s 2010 opening, publishing the review below which has …

Trend forecasters observe cultural, economic, and social factors affecting society to determine the “next big thing.” Since fashion often reflects the mindset of a society, these factors are excellent cues …

Budget Fashionista provides this content on Walgreens return policy for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. How to return something you bought at Walgreens.com Timing: 30 days …

Budget Fashionista provides this Neiman Marcus return policy content for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. Neiman Marcus return policy highlights Neiman Marcus store-bought returns Any merchandise …

Budget Fashionista provides this review of the Saks Fifth Avenue return policy for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. Saks Return Policy: What to know Timing of …

Budget Fashionista provides this information about the TJ Maxx return policy for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. TJ Maxx return policy for store-bought items To get …

We provide this content for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. Please contact the store directly for current return policies. You can find the official policy here. …

This used to be a post about the Barneys New York return policy — but alas, Barneys New York is no more. How a brand that was so significant to …

Budget Fashionista provides this content on the Nordstrom return policy for informational purposes only. These policies are subject to change. Nordstrom.com and Nordstrom return policy Many retailers that operate physical …

It’s March and the winter weather is beginning to break. Before you know it, it will be June and we all know what that means, wedding season. Right now brides …

Are these two sites- Couturious and Looklet.com the same? Yesterday we reviewed a new site called Couturious from the founders of Like.com. At the time we didn’t know that there …

There’s this myth that there are no plus size fashion designers — this is far from the truth. Over the last decade plus size fashion has made great strides and …

I’ve been a “budget fashionista” for a while, following the blog, hunting out the best sales, and generally trying to be wise and deliberate with my clothing budget. But last …

Once upon a time, Sonia Rykiel — the “queen of knitwear” — designed a budget collection for H&M. The pieces were bold and bright and fun, featuring statement stripes, rhinestone …

If winter’s got you down, there’s nothing like a pretty shade of pink to perk a gal up. A pink nail polish, that is. If you haven’t read our previous …

Work wear doesn’t have to mean dull. Here are five work dresses to brighten up your day (with a few that will take you into night). 1. Merona Plus Shirtdress, …

There are a lot of green blogs out there, so to help you focus on the best ones here’s a list of our 11 favorite environmentally-focused blogs across the web: …

At last nights golden globe awards, celebrities really turned heads in one shoulder gowns. This elegant look shows off a toned sexy shoulder. Get this elegant look for less: Short …

We recently wrote about some great eco-friendly clothing lines and one of those sites (American Apparel) makes this second list as well. When people are first thinking about greening their …

Fabric freshener is one of those things you think you don’t really need…until you’ve got some gotta-impress guest coming over and suddenly you realize your couch is smelling a little, …

You don’t have to be a bazillionaire to master outdoor style and look awesome on the slopes. For example, did you know that Walmart has a limited, but inexpensive, collection …

A pre-sale is when a store allows you to purchase an item prior to that item going on sale.  So say you find a gorgeous cashmere sweater for $99 on …

The desire to jump into making your own cleaners always starts with a moment: you’re cleaning the kitchen with your environmentally-friendly spray cleaner when you *gasp* reach the last spray. …

One of the best things about recycling is you never have to say goodbye. Take ice cream, for instance.  Who wants to say good bye to ice cream?!?! Instead of looking down …

Has broken-down hair been stressing you out? You’re losing sleep at night wondering how to repair damaged hair, right? We feel your pain — but there is no need to …

It was Season 6 of The Office when Jim and Pam Beesly finally got hitched. The wedding was as cute as can be, a fitting ceremony for the couple we …

“Off-Price” stores like TJ Maxx are Bargain Meccas, full of “hidden treasures” just waiting to be discovered. Here’s some tips for shopping the store and becoming a “Maxxinista”. Maxxinista Tips …

The Lowdown: Here at TBF—and in just about every group of real women we’ve ever encountered—one of our biggest shopping complaints is the lack of fashionable options for women who …

Back in the day, this post was originally a Lifebooker.com review. But alas, Lifebooker is now Booksy.com — so welcome to my updated Booksy review. What is Booksy? Booksy is …

There’s nothing like a good dollar store, but how do you know if what you’re getting is really a bargain or just junk? The September Issue of ShopSmart Magazine gives …

What: Bebe—the fashion forward retailer known for selling barely-there tops and party dresses—is saying sayonara to its Bebe Sport stores across the United States. Instead, the company is replacing its …

News from a BFF:  Marilyn Machlowitz, Budget Fashionista Friend and Manhattan headhunter, recently returned from her first trip to Paris in 22 years and shared these bargain-savvy tips for this …

Want to learn how to budget shop on the Neiman Marcus website? Yeah, us too! You expect high prices and high fashion from Neiman Marcus, so it’s not exactly the …

Attention K-mart shoppers! If that phrase conjures up images of the masses running towards the blue light special isle and makes you want to avoid shopping at the store at …

If you’re anything like me, you’ll jump at any offer to get free stuff for your home. I hate to think of usable things being thrown out. Consequently, my house …

Sure, you love Forever 21 as much as the next fashion-obsessed, financially stressed woman, but the store can be utterly overwhelming. The gist: If you have time to spare, shopping …

What: Anna Wintour, Editor In Chief of American Vogue Magazine and, I suspect, undercover Wal-Mart shopper, gives her two cents on the importance of value in fashion. From Wall Street …

When the Dana Buchman line of accessories hit Kohl’s in 2009, we weren’t impressed. Back then, we criticized the icky salmon color that the Dana Buchman line overused, the poor …

Discount lines by top designers (known as “bridge”, “mass market”  or “diffusion” lines) were once a novelty, but in recent months? It’s become a fashion trend all it’s own. While …

Looking to shop Overstock.com? Overstock is just what the name implies, an online outlet for the liquidation of excess stock, including popular styles and designer and name brand goods. It …

We can hear the collective groan from all of the fashionistas who turn up their noses at shopping the aisles of the local Walmart. We realize that shopping for work-wear …

Back in the prehistoric era, this post was titled how to shop Drugstore.com. And yes, I’m dating Budget Fashionista and myself — because Walgreens purchased Drugstore.com way back in 2011. …

A closeout store like Big Lots is not the first thing that springs to mind for, er, fashionable shopping. Or the second. Or twelfth. But let’s change our mindset for …

In 2008, we reviewed Redress NYC, a slamming new consignment shop and vintage boutique for plus size fashionistas in Brooklyn. Located in the Boerum Hill section, Redress NYC was one …

Comparing prices is the hallmark of a smart bargain shopper. Sadly, the act of price shopping is about as pleasant as losing an entire toenail. You usually end up down …

One of our reader asks: I was perusing on Smartbargains and noticed that all of the “Famous Maker” and “Famous Designer” brand dresses are not only the same styles as …

A reader asks: My sweet hubby recently went online and purchased a really cute pair of knit cuff boots for me. Only one problem though, I don’t know how to …

Times are tight. If there was ever a good time to learn how to thrift store shop, it’s right now. One of my favorite childhood memories is shopping my local …

Gingham aka checkers has been updated with bright colors and modern cuts — meaning they’re no longer relegated to the farm. The trends been spotted on Reese Witherspoon, Ashlee Simpson …

Powdery mildew in the garden looks like a light dusting of whitish-gray mold, usually on the leaves of an outdoor plant. In most cases, rubbing the leaves will remove most …

Most of us have a few old sweaters laying around that either don’t fit or just aren’t attractive to us anymore. Instead of throwing them out, why not give them …

Usually the cheapest furniture sources include the thrift store or Craigslist. The major downside is that it can be very time-consuming trying to find something that’s presentable and also matches …

We want to give credit where credit is due. So the idea for this post came from one of our favorite British blogs, How Can I Recycle This? It just …

Strappy summer sandals: cute. Calluses and blisters: Not so cute. Is Honey Heel Glaze by Farmhouse Fresh the solution? If you can find it, maybe. As of mid-2022, Honey Heel …

Dear Budget Fashionista: How can I stop jewelry from turning my skin green? I love wearing costume jewelry but usually after one or two wears it turns my skin green …

Raise your hand if you don’t have a crappy couch or chair you can’t afford to get rid of? No hands up? Everyone has that less-than-desirable piece of furniture that …

Costume National Pronunciation: Cost-thum Na-sho-nal Founded in 1986 in Milan by Ennio Capasa, Costume National‘s design point of view can be described as Couture meets Street meets Evening wear- a …

Courrèges, André Pronunciation: AN-Dre Courreges Courrèges invented the mini skirt in 1964 (which he paired with white go-go boots), the swing coat, and the A-line mod dress—making him one of …

Dell’acqua, Alessandro Pronunciation: Al-less-san-droh Del-ah-kwa Inspired by the sensuality of Italian screen sirens like Sophia Loren, Alessandro Dell’Acqua designs collections that pay tribute to the powerful yet feminine touch of …

Dior, Christian Pronunciation: KRE-shtaan DEE-or Whether it’s the saddle bag or a vintage couture evening gown, Christian Dior is the designer of choice for Hollywood’s elite. Launching the line in …

Dolce & Gabbana Pronunciation: DOL-chay and Gab-BAH-nah Former lovers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the designers to the world’s rock royalty. Using strong, sensual designs with bold animal prints …

Doo.Ri Pronunciation: Doe-Ree Stunning jersey with unique and perfect drape has been Doo.Ri Chung’s ticket in penetrating the competitive world of fashion. Former head designer of Geoffrey Beene and a …

Ellen Tracy Pronunciation: EL-lin TRAY-see Starting out as a blouse company, Ellen Tracy later flourished into a full range of classic separates, shoes, eveningwear and accessories company. The line focuses …

Etro Pronunciation: Ae-tro This family run textile and fashion company is known for mixing bold printed fabric (think bright pink paisley on purple background on a piece of jacquard fabric) …

Fendi Pronunciation: Fen- dee In terms of American pop culture influence, Fendi is right up there with Gucci and Louis Vuitton as the brand most frequently mentioned in rap songs. …

Feraud, Louis Pronunciation: Loo-wee Feh-roh French fashion designer Louis Feraud creates sophisticated suits and tailored dresses that err a bit on the traditional side (think Ladies Who Lunch). Feraud started …

Ferragamo, Salvatore Pronunciation: Sal- va- tor Ferr-A-ga-mo The King of footwear, Salvatore Ferragamo, has been providing the elite with luxury consumer goods for years. Launching his career in ever-so-wonderful Hollywood, …

Ferre, Gianfranco Pronunciation: Gee-an-fran-ko Ferr-ay Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre is not one to follow trends. A former architect, Ferre’s designs are heavily influenced by the form and structure of garments …

Ferretti, Alberta Pronunciation: Al-bur-ta-fer-re-tee The ‘Queen of Chiffon’ opened up shop at the tender age of 18 in Cattolica, Italy and there was no looking back. Ferretti started her line …

Fetherston, Erin Pronunciation: Air-ren Feth-err-ston American designer Erin Fetherston is known for designing super feminine clothes that are playful and whimsy. A product of UC Berkeley and Parson’s School of …

Galliano, John Pronunciation: Gall-lee-a-no Imaginative and creative, John Galliano’s designs are deeply rooted in history. Almost all of his collections have a strong link to a particular period in history …

Givenchy Pronunciation: Gee-von-she Best known as the man who dressed Audrey Hepburn, Hubert de Givenchy combined elegance and classicism to all of his designs. Think Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at …

Halston Pronunciation: Hall-stun If you lived in the 1970s, then you know Halston. Roy Halston Frowick was the guy that dressed pretty much anyone who entered the door of the …

Herchcovitch, Alexandre Pronunciation: Ah-le-zan-dreh Hair-ch-co-vich From designing clothes for drag queens and transvestites in his native town of Säo Paolo to creating clothes shown on the runaways of the fashion …

Hermes Pronunciation: Air-mez Since 1837, the Parisian luxury goods company Hermes has made the most exclusive, most coveted bags in the world. So high is a Hermes handbag, that they …