An awe-inspiring journey to the cradle of Western Civilization has the Budget Babe's International Travel Advisor Fifi LaMode channeling the ancients and singing their praises. —TBB


by Fifi LaMode
Athens is great. It's big, it's busy, it's noisy, it's teeming with life. After a 10 hour overseas flight, it's downright overwhelming. We stop at a cafe in Omonia Square, the business hub of the city, sip a cappucino, and people-watch. Stalls abound, selling newspapers, chachkis, whatever. People from just about everywhere converge on this metropolis (a Greek word, you know).

But a different Athens awaits us in the evening. We go to Plaka, and from the ruins of the old city we look up at the Acropolis. My husband suggests we climb to the top. I ask where the cable car is. He says the ancient Greeks had no cable cars. I reply that the ancient Greeks were dead by the time they were my age!

We climb. It looks harder than it is—actually quite a gentle climb. Here we are, the Parthenon, in all its splendor. You've seen the pictures, but it doesn't compare to the reality, actually being in the same place as Socrates, Pericles, Demosthenes, et al. And the view takes your breath away. I'm choked with emotion and can not believe I'm actually here.

All the ancient history and mythology I studied as a child comes back to life in front of me. I touch one of the marble columns and feel it channelling the past. Athens, the birthplace of democracy. It's truly hard to convey in words what it feels like to be here. Looking out over the city, we wonder what it looked like for the ancients when they stood in the same place. It's hard to tear ourselves away.

At the bottom of the hill, we come across the ruins of the Agora, the marketplace, the forerunner of the shopping center. Now it's a tranquil place: There are just columns, some stone benches (where no doubt weary husbands rested while their wives tried on the latest jewelry and sandals), and some sleeping dogs. But it's huge. This was the real center of town in its heyday. The philosophers strolled down its streets with their pupils, along with ordinary citizens going about their day-to-day business.

When we see the crowded streets in the new part of town (actually, practically all of Athens is the new part of town—this is the only old bit), we stop and think what travelers a few hundred years from now will see of this busy city. But for now we ponder how short our time here is compared to the millenia of history we view during our travels. Puts all our problems in a different perspective, doesn't it?

Two hundred years from now, will it matter how much we saved at Macy's last weekend, or whether we saw some new film the first weekend it played? Will it matter 2 weeks from now? So what remains after OUR agoras have turned to ruins? If we live wisely, the same as in Athens: The principles, the philosophy, the art this wonderful civilization passed on to us.

In a recent post, we reported on fashion's piracy paradox, which argues that weak intellectual-property rules for fashion haven't harmed the industry, but rather, they've helped it thrive. (In other words, knock-offs aren't the devil incarnate as so many fashion idolaters contend.)



Zoo York Doodle Messenger, $36.50 at Pacific Sun


Cali Canvas Shoulder Bag, $15.80 at Forever 21


Of course there are two sides to every coin, and the debate on copyrighting fashion is no exception: Susan Scafidi is a law professor and the brains behind of CounterfeitChic.com. She's also one of the most fervent opponents of the ideas set forth by the piracy paradox (aside from maybe Diane von Furstenberg), calling it outmoded, economic fiction.

Scafidi says the absence of strong IP rules harms young or emerging designers and robs other designers of a share of the profits. Not surprisingly, Scafidi is an outspoken supporter of the bill currently before Congress which would allow fashion designers to copyright their designs.

So far, Scafidi has failed to convince us of her position. How would you scientifically, objectively, and systematically defend the uniqueness of a piece of fashion? Would the gains from IP protection outweigh the costs of enforcement? Has Scafidi (and in fact the original authors of the piracy paradox) underestimated the impact of existing protection for such nonfunctional aspects as fabric patterns, decorative elements and trademarks? How does Scafidi factor in fashion cycles? And why do designers continue to create and emblazon their items with repeated logos that are so easily copied?

We could go on and on, but instead, we hope you'll read this interview of Susan Scafidi by Condé Nast Portfolio's Felix Salmon, who makes some great counterarguments (even though it sounds like he's agreeing with her at times). Read especially the comments following the article posted by others in disagreement with Scafidi.

Now that we've presented you with the other side of the debate, we offer you this parting copycat conundrum (above) for discussion (which incidentally we discovered thanks to Youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com via Scafidi's blog, Counterfeitchic.om): Did Forever 21 knock-off Zoo York's doodle bag? If so, is it normatively wrong? A cause for concern? An injustice? How would you feel if you designed the fabric?

Having lived through countless icy-cold Chicago winters, we're big fans of wearing warm, snuggly coats when the weather calls for it (which easily feels like 9 months out of the year in parts of the Midwest). The question is: Can you stave off the cold and still maintain some semblance of style?


With unflinching optimism, we say YES, and offer this Goose Down Chalet Coat from Lands' End as an example. Sure, it looks like a sleeping bag in the product shot on the left, but the same coat shines when worn by the model on the right thanks to some creative, colorful styling.

As long as you pair a high-volume puffy coat with slim-silhouette bottoms and sizzling boots, we think it's a smashing way to be fashionably frost-proof throughout winter.

What do you think? Love it or leave it?

Photo credit: UK Telegraph

As if we needed another reason to shop at Forever 21: Our favorite purveyor of perfectly-priced fashion has a new section on their website called Brilliant Buys, which features over a dozen hot items under $20. Check back often, as this section is updated frequently with super deals.



While we're on the subject of Forever 21, here are some tips for the wear 'n' care of their apparel, which we think has an undeserved reputation for shoddy workmanship (you gotta shop smart, no matter what the price point!):

• 
  Pick items that look good on the rack. If it's wrinkled or covered with lint on the hanger, it ain't gonna get any better when you take it home.


• When shopping online, use the "Search" feature to find items made with higher-quality fibers. For example, a search for "cashmere AND cotton" returns 8 items, including a 92% cotton, 8% cashmere scarf and sweater. It's not a lot of cashmere, but it's just enough to make these items soft and warm, and c'mon, we're talkin' Forever 21 here, not Saks.


• 
  Go for dark and/or neutral shades. On the one hand, Forever 21's prices are so low that you can afford to take risks with bright colors and quirky styles which were hitherto impossible for frugal fashionistas. On the other hand, sticking to dark, neutral shades (including red) ensures minor flaws in the stitching or fabric go unnoticed.


• 
  Always layer a cotton tee beneath any blouse or sweater to prevent perspiration from touching the outer garment, thereby buying you additional time between washes.


• Drape garments over an armchair and let them air-out overnight. Don't stuff them back into your closet or into a dresser drawer as this can trap moisture and odors.


• Machine wash (or better yet, hand-wash) clothes inside-out in cold water using baby shampoo or a mild detergent like Woolite, or eco-friendly laundry soaps from Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day.


• 
  Lay garments flat to dry (or hang items such as jeans or cords to air-dry). This will not only increase their lifespan, it will also save energy and money.


• 
  Don't just dump your clothes when they no longer suit your fancy. Donate them to charity, sell 'em on Ebay, or recycle/repurpose them for crafts.

It's Clinique Bonus time at Nordstrom now through Saturday, November 24th, in stores and online with your $25 Clinique purchase. We're lovin' the metallic makeup bags...Click the pic for details!



Your Bonus includes:
1. Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
2. Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief
3. 7-Day Scrub Cream Rinse Off Formula
4. Long Last Lipstick in Bamboo Pink
5. Glosswear for Lips in Airkiss
6. High Impact Mascara in Black
7. Regular and Mini Cosmetics Bag

P.S. This Deal du Jour is strictly editorial...just stuff we like and think you'll enjoy, too!