The Budget Babe

Ooh la la...Sign up for your chance to win a trip to France plus $1,000 in American Express gift cards from Forever 21. Now, for the exciting part: You have to visit www.ForLove21.com to enter, which appears to be the future home of a new specialty boutique from Forever 21 (see the screen grab below). Available online June 6, ForLove21.com will likely feature jewelry, handbags, shoes, sunglasses, accessories, travel, and gifts/home. Can't wait!

OK ladies, time for round 2...

Summer is officially on the horizon, and that means it's time to prep our legs for some serious show time. While I don't like to shave (who does?) I've found two products that make this necessary task as painless as possible: Gillette Foamy Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream and the Gillette Mach3 Razor.

Yup, they're marketed to men, but these two drugstore gems work wonders for ladies who want smooth, silky legs (or underarms, etc.). Gillette Shaving Cream has a rich, creamy lather that spreads easily and rinses clean for a close, comfortable shave. At under $2, it's also cheaper than most women's shaving creams/gels/lotions.

As for the Mach3, I couldn't live without this thing. I've had mine since college (not soo long ago, but long enough). I've tried it all - disposables, Nair, Venus, Sensor - and nothing gives you a better shave, sans nicks or irritation. The blades stay sharp for a ridiculously long time, and when they lose their edge, you simply swap them out (another money saver in the long run!).

So while Gillette may claim to be "the best a man can get," it's, well, the best a budget babe can get, too.

How do you get your legs silky smooth for summer? Share your favorite products, tips and techniques in the comments.

Pyramids that rival the pharaohs' await The Budget Babe's International Travel Advisor Fifi LaMode in Tikal, Guatemala. —TBB


by Fifi LaMode
The Mayan city of Tikal dates back to 800 BC and at one time was home to over 100,000 people. The entire complex is a national park and Guatemala's pride. Howler monkeys make eerie noises which make you think you're in Jurassic Park. We were lucky enough to see not one but three toucans in the same tree. Other colorful birds, among them the trogon from the quetzal family, abound. If you are fortunate enough, you just may see the peanut bug which is a huge green thing in the shape of a peanut. They are very rare and I'm told they bite. We saw two mating - eeeeuw.

Tikal is spectacular - a much bigger area than I expected and surprisingly easy to get around. The walking paths are wide enough for 2 cars, though passenger vehicles are forbidden. The weather was unusually mild due to this year's La Nina effect (The same La Nina which caused such a horrible winter in the US also cooled off the jungle.) It's a quiet place, permeated only by jungle noises. The mounds of vegetation hide ruins which will not be dug up (only 15% of the city is uncovered), so we can only imagine Tikal's grandeur in days past. A careful balance is kept with nature in this very unique ecosystem.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana explore their hippie sides for Spring. Channel your inner flower child for cheap with Forever 21's "Adella" floral dress (just $24.80) and trendy On Your Feet "Leoal" gladiator sandals from Macy's ($49).

Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, and Sarah Jessica Parker strike a pose on the red carpet at the world premiere of Sex and the City: The Movie in London.


Image source

If you're looking to score some cute, cheap dresses for summer, the AB Studio collection for Kohl's has some stylish options, and right now when you buy one item you can get one FREE (of equal or lesser value).

Trendy patterns include bold floral, geometric and retro prints, yet all the silhouettes are sweet and simple. I just wish Kohl's did a better job showcasing the products on their website - awkward dress forms and a clunky zoom feature really make things look drab compared to real life. (Just picture all the dresses above with cute belts - much better, right?)

Clockwise from left: AB Studio Floral Trapeze Dress, $59; AB Studio Circle & Square Wrap Dress, $59; AB Studio Circle Sheath Dress, $48; AB Studio Floral Sheath Dress, $48.