The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Get Ready to Romp


Love it or hate it, the romper is making a comeback for Spring. And we gotta admit, it's got some redeeming qualities. For starters, you can just toss it on, add heels, bangles and a clutch, and you're good to go. It's also a sexy way to show off your legs without having to wear, well, a skirt. If you're ready to romp, take your pick from one of these budget-friendly finds. Click the pic for product details...

Luxe vs. Less: Banded Ballet Flats




I'd be a happy camper if I could afford the Camper flats on the left. I can pretty much guarantee that they'll be uber comfy, plus they have that form-meets-function Spanish stylin' we so love. But $140 is pretty steep for casual flats, which is why I was so excited to find the similar Xhilaration banded flats on the right at my local Tar-zhay. Simple & sweet, they have a kind of "TOMS shoes"-chic that's perfect for a down to earth gal who still wants to look good...on a budget.

>> Luxe on left: Camper Banded Skimmer at PiperLime.com, $140
>> Less on right: Xhilaration "Shauna" Ballet Flats at Target.com, $14.99 (also available in brown)

Savvy Travel: Saints, Sinners and Redemption

The Budget Babe's International Travel Advisor Fifi LaMode explores the rich spiritual and religious traditions of Guatemala. —TBB


by Fifi LaMode
Guatemala is a Catholic country for the most part. But due to its rich pre-Christian traditions, many of the old customs have been incorporated into Catholic rites. Sometimes the lines get blurred, as in the case of Maximon, a mixture of Judas Iscariot and St. Simon, who always seems to be smoking a cigar. His popularity stems from his human weaknesses (and in colonial times, because the church didn't like Judas, the Mayans adopted him as a form of protest for being forced to renounce their old beliefs) - he's the patron of prostitutes, mob bosses and other characters living on the fringes of society. An offering to Maximon, or Hermano Simon, consists of a bouquet of 7 herbs, all meaning something.

In a small village near Antigua we were taken to his chapel. Along the street were shops selling candles not unlike the Cuban "Santeria" and herb bouquets. In the courtyard was an old woman smoking a huge cigar and a shaman performing a ritual on someone - he was smoking a cigar, chanting, and dancing. Inside the chapel was the statue, with a modern suit, tie, hat and cigar. Loads of heady incense and people lined up to make offerings. A little creepy...