$100 doesn't always go as far as we wish it would these days. Lucky for me, I've gotten pretty good at hunting down a bargain, and Amazon Prime Day makes shopping on a budget even easier. So how far can $100 stretch during the biggest online sale of the summer? I'm pretty excited to find out.

Just as my fellow Mavens have done in challenges past, my aim is to find items that fit into three crucial categories: something I need, something I want, and a wild card. I'll also pop in a few other products I gave due consideration in my search - and I'll let you know whether or not those that didn't make the cut are hanging out on my wishlist until my next shopping spree!

Need: The Perfect Weekender Bag

With all of the traveling I've been up to lately, it has become abundantly clear to me that my luggage situation is in dire need of an overhaul. That trusty old backpack of mine has come through over the years, but my safety pin solution to the barely-hanging-on strap is... less than ideal. Time for a solid (and stylish!) weekender bag with enough space to hold a few days worth of necessities and a handy charging port to juice up my phone on the go.

Want: A Glossy, Glowy Balm

As much as I wish I had it in me to do a bold, colorful lip every morning, that's just not how I roll. I tend to swipe on the Carmex and call it a day. Since discovering LANEIGE's lip balm, though, I've opened my eyes to the possibility of a happy medium. Who says you can't have a gorgeous beauty moment and super hydrated lips at the same time?

Viral Find: A Smocked Midi Dress

The moment the flowing, fluttery-sleeved "nap dress" started making the rounds on TikTok and Instagram, I knew I needed one. The only problem? The brand that started the trend was asking a whopping $150 for just one dress! Now, I'm more than happy to invest in quality goods, but I'm not into spending that kind of money without putting some serious thought into it. The Drop on Amazon, however, is happy to offer a far more budget-friendly alternative. Not only has Prime Day made it even more affordable than usual, it comes with an added necessity: pockets!
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Runner-Up #1: Top Notch Leggings

Do I really need yet another pair of leggings? Yes. Always. Between yoga, long-distance running, and working from home where no one cares what I wear 99% of the time, I live in leggings. It's also really hard to resist a super comfy, super stretchy pair that can easily fit my phone in a handy side pocket. That said, I should probably pare down the mountain of leggings I've already collected before I add more to the hoard. It'll happen.

Runner-Up #2: A Little Green Cocktail Dress

I have more little black dresses than I can count (no, really), and it's long past time for me to branch out. With a number of friends' weddings on the horizon, I could use a little more color and a fashion moment that can go from summer to fall without too much fuss. While I really love this one-shouldered cocktail dress, I'm not in any immediate rush to click "add to cart", so this one's on the wishlist for now.