You may have to suffer through those April showers before you see May flowers (sorry, couldn't resist!), but that doesn't mean you have to spend the month in a fashionable rut. There are several fashionable rainweather pieces that are not only affordable, but functional since they'll also keep you dry!

So which umbrellas, rain jackets and rainboots offer the most stylish ways to endure this rainy season? Check out some of my favorites below! Which pieces do you love? Let me know in the comments!

Mossimo® Womens Rain Anorak - Assorted Prints

$34.99 by Mossimo at Target

Clear Plastic Rain Coat

$72.00 at Topshop

CHOOKA Tropical Batik Rain Booties

$60.00 by Chooka at Lord & Taylor

Dirty Laundry Rodwell Rain Boot - Orange/Pink

$44.95 by Chinese Laundry at DSW

Duck, Duck, Umbrella in Red ($17.99 at Modcloth)

Piano Man Umbrella ($29.99 at Modcloth)

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and Beauty and the Budget is here to help you whittle away your check-off list. Whether you're single or taken, you've probably already narrowed down your V-Day plans. And if you've been keeping up with Ms. B and I, you already know how to be sexy, what beauty products you need to fit your sweet or sexy side, and you've gotten lots of celebrity makeup inspiration. Now let's take a look at a few V-Day must-haves for your evening out.

I have quite a love affair with pink and red, especially when it's paired together. In what used to be a huge fashion faux pas, mixing pink and red together has become quite doable over the last few years. That's why these Velvet-Bow D'Orsay Pumps ($35.50 at Charlotte Russe) are the perfect addition to your ensemble.

If you're looking to channel your sexy side, these Jenny Jenny Tassel Earrings ($42.00 at farfetch.com) have a boudoir vibe. And who can forget the perfect scent to emulate a romantic evening? Opt for Philosophy Love Sweet Love ($42.00 by philosophy at Sephora).

See the rest of the essentials below, and click on styles for more details.

What are you planning for Valentine's Day?

More philosophy...

When I buy something from a fast fashion retailer and it says "dry clean only," I laugh. Why would I ever spend $4 on dry cleaning a $15 dress? It just isn't logical. Of course, the care instructions are there to serve a specific purpose for your garment to last as long as possible, but I've found a less expensive alternative that I'd like to share with you today.

The old adage "You get what you pay for" is entirely true. You can't expect a $7.50 pencil skirt to last forever, but you can make sure that you properly care for it so that you can stretch out your use of the garment. No matter what the care instructions for your garment are, you can care for inexpensive clothing by following these three guidelines:

1. Always wash on the lowest setting, like extra delicate. If the garment has lots of beaded detailing or lace embroidery (basically anything that might get caught on something in the wash and rip), you should hand wash it as an extra precaution. Most of the time, I still throw it in the wash anyway. Call me reckless. Call me a risktaker.
2. Always hang or lay flat to dry, even if it's just a plain cotton shirt. It's such a bummer when your cute oversized top fits like a kid's tank top after being thrown in the dryer. From my personal experience, I can tell you that cheap clothes usually always shrink in the dryer!
3. Iron with extreme caution! Lightweight fabrics, like chiffon, will burn by an iron. If you have a steamer, use it! Otherwise, iron on the lowest setting or throw a towel over the garment and then iron over it. It's just as effective either way.

**Beauty and the Budget does not assume responsibility for garments damaged if these care guidelines are followed, but she is pretty sure you can replace that $10.50 dress.

Finally! Someone has rescued the Sears clothing department. Now it is not only a great place to buy appliances, but you can actually find decent clothes via their collaboration with French Connection.

UK Style is the latest brand at Sears and is designed by French Connection. It's a rather unique collaboration--I certainly wouldn't have imagined it--but it turned out quite nicely. Now you can finally get those French Connection basic satin one shoulder tops and printed dresses at a decent price. Featuring items under $75, it's certainly beauty and the budget friendly, and it's just in time for spring.

The advertisements for the collection are spot on, but I was still skeptical of fashion from Sears. So I checked out their online store and found some cute pieces for you to savor! Do you love it?

Click on the images to see more.