If Punxsutawney Phil was correct this year, we now only have 3 more weeks of winter, which means we can soon wash away those winter blues and bust out those spring styles.  This year, Pantone’s top color will be turquoise, which is not only a fun, bright color that can be mixed with everything from neutrals to browns to other brights, but it looks great on nearly everyone.

And with Spring Break comin’ quick, now is the perfect time to nab some turquoise!

Here are some great choices under 20 buckaroos that’ll perfectly highlight spring’s most popular hue.

Sure, it looks like your average tank top, but that scoop neck and racer back gives it a whole new dimension. Put this on with a bright bib necklace and some skinny jeans for the ultimate summer look.

I dunno about you, but I’m def looking forward to busting out my flip flops and showin’ off my fresh pedi once the warm weather hits, and these (paired with the perfect tan) will look totally fab with shorts, jeans or sun dresses.  The ultimate spring/summer solution.

And speaking of pedis, how can you resist this awesome turquoise nail polish? It’s funky, fresh and different. Love it.

It’s like those designers at Target heard my prayers. Behold: the cutest romper ever. Both rompers and florals are sure to be everywhere this spring, and this one (notice those ruffles!) is just too cute for words.

Looking for just a burst of color?  Go for this floral cocktail ring.

Cute, colorful and comfy: your go-to summer skirt, for sure. Wear it during the day over a swimsuit with a white ribbed tank, or tuck in something a little tighter and a lot lower for an evening on the town.

These shoes will be absolutely A-dorable with leggings, skinny jeans or a skirt.

Colored denim will be back this season, so why not throw on some turquoise jeans?  With a white tee and sandals these would be totally cute and perfect for your first spring picnic, those last few weeks of the semester or even a casual dinner date.

But I do follow GG fashion. It’s cute, it’s fashion forward… and it’s so expensive I think my entire college tuition could be paid off in one of Blair’s Chanel ensembles. But regardless of price tag, I want it.

So imagine how happy I was to see that kick-ass designer Anna Sui made a “Gossip Girl” look for Target. (Sure, some people aren’t sure about it, but I am. 100% sure, in fact.) From great fall dresses paired with opaque tights and riding boots, to perfect over-size cardigans, Gossip Girl Fashion + Target = one “damn I look goooood” me (and you).

From dresses to tops, Anna has some great and, most importantly, affordable looks for fall.

So shop happily, ladies!

XOXO,
BS
(That’s Budget Stylista not bullsh*t. Just wanted to clarify.)

The Girls:

2008 was an interesting year for fashion. Gone (thankfully) were the maternity tops of 2007, replaced by blasts from the past inspirations from the 20s through the days of our best pals on Beverly Hills 90210. We saw everything from the mom-jean to the 90s flannel button down. Some of it was fab, and some of it… not so much. So, let’s take a look at this year’s fashion highs and fashion oh-hell-no’s.

Because without the crap we can’t appreciate the couture.

Here are my top 5 fashion must-haves from 2008:

The High Waist

Sure we spent years trying to get people to stop wearing them only to bring them right back in, but let’s face it: we should be thankful that we don’t have to look at butt cracks and muffin tops a day longer. These pants look good on just about everyone… as long as they aren’t acid washed…or paired with a denim jacket.

The Vintage Scarf

There is something about Hollywood starting trends of cold-weather wear in warm weather regions that seems to catch on like hot fire. First we saw Uggs popularity soar back in 2003 with stars in shorts and boots trudging around LA. This year it was the scarf that made its way to the West Coast. Everywhere you turned, there was Jessica Alba in another fabulously printed scarf. These colorful scarves spruced up wardrobes, covered hickies (for those of you who still get them), and made any drab outfit instantly chic.

The Plaid or Gingham T

I was admittedly resistant to this trend at first. After all, my brothers wore these with hiking boots and Cavariccis to high school back in 1996. I didn’t like them then and I didn’t think I would like them now. Until designers – from the Couture to Forever 21 – made them tailored and colorful and so. freakin. cute, especially when tucked into a pair of those mom jeans I’ve come to love so much.

The Belt

Whereas 2007 was all about hiding that belly under too-big tops, 2008 brought us the cinched waist. Thank you, fashion peeps of the world! Now everything – jackets, dresses, tops – come paired with a belt for an instantly chic and flattering look. The best part: you can take all those maternity shirts from last year and glam ‘em up instantly with this year’s hottest accessory. And if by chance you get knocked up? Just remove that belt and, Viola!

Bright Colors

The little black dress was obsolete this year with the addition of bright colors and jewel tones. Seriously, everywhere you walked looked like a gay pride parade! You name your favorite Crayola crayon color and I will find you a shirt, dress and pair of skinny jeans in that hue.

The Oh-Hell-No Looks of 2008:

One-Piece Jumpers

I don’t care if Rhianna rocked them; they look good on no one. Unless, of course, you are a fan of the camel toe.

Leather Leggings

Leggings as pants can be tricky when not worn in a flattering way. Add the fact that they are leather and you have yourself a recipe for disaster. Leather leggings make women look like they are walking on lumpy sausages. Does that sound even remotely sexy to you? I didn’t think so. These bad boys are never flattering. Not ever. Not even for a second.

5. Daniel Radcliffe. You may be questioning if Mr. Potter himself could really be considered a heartthrob and I’m inclined to agree with you. After all, that is sort of what this post is all about. But apparently he is, he even has his own section on the Tiger Beat Website. I can admit that he’s cute in a pesky little brother sort of way, I’ll even admit that he was hilarious in his cameo on HBO’s Extras (“I’ve done it with a girl, intercourse wise”). But sexy? Absolutely not. And if that picture makes your girl parts tingly, well, maybe you should get that checked out.

4. Hayden Christensen. He’s one of the blandest, most white-bread boring guys I’ve ever looked at, and his complete dullness is compounded by the fact that he is an absolutely abysmal actor. I defy you to watch Jumper and say with a straight face, “What a great performance. Hayden Christensen is one of the brightest up and comers in my generation.” You can’t do it!

3. Orlando Bloom. I realize that I will probably be roasted on a spit for this choice, and I would be willing to chock it up to taste if he had any talent, but he’s a horrible actor. He reminds me of a limp noodle. He was funny on Extras, though (I’m sensing a pattern here).

2.Pete Wentz. What is the first word you think about when you hear Pete Wentz’s name? Talented? Nope. Handsome? I don’t think so. Jackass? Maybe. No, you probably think of the word “Eyeliner” because that’s really all he’s got going for him. I can’t really speak to his skills as a bass player because I try to stay as far away from Fall Out Boy songs as I can, but his musicianship isn’t a part of the equation for Wentz — it never really was. He’s known for wearing eyeliner. And for sort of being a douchebag.

1. Zac Efron You knew it was coming, didn’t you? Because Zac Efron’s name has become synonymous with the term “heartthrob” in this generation and for the life of me, I can’t understand why. He looks like a wax sculpture come to life, like if he was melted, I could use him to make my hands softer. His smile is so wide and his teeth are so big and his wax outer coating is so shiny and smooth that I’m half convinced that he was engineered by Disney (you know they have the technology!) to take over the world, one overly staged musical number at a time.

[Any other heartthrob you can't understand?? SPILL it!]

Girl, you’re full figured. I love it. It’s refreshing. It’s your body, be healthy and happy. But please keep in mind…certain outfits don’t look good on everyone.

I’ll give you an example. Guess what I can’t wear? Grey leggings. They look horrible on me. It’s like two sausages are connected to my torso. Plus, I sweat right through grey cotton. It’s a nightmare. I don’t wear nightmares. So grey leggings aren’t part of my wardrobe.

Tight, tight, tight black pants and some kind of weird, Indian/biker belt should be your no no outfit, Ms. K. There’s no need to dress like every other skinified starlet out there. There are ways for curvy girls to make their bodies look good. Let the untalented bimbos wear scary Indian/biker belts. Cover yourself in something flattering. Prove to America that beautiful comes in all shapes and sizes.

Let’s make a deal, K.C. Right here, right now. I’ll resist buying that jumper I’ve been eyeing that will only look good on a 6 foot tall model, and you stand firmly against pants that squeeze your thighs like water balloons.

Great. Glad we could have this talk.

What do you think about KC’s new look?