Relief Beads is selling beautiful, handmade African bracelets to raise awareness and money for Relief International's humanitarian efforts in Darfur. The bracelets have been worn by stars such as Mandy Moore, Jessica Biel, Marcia Cross, Zac Efron, Jessica Simpson, Randy Jackson and many more. Relief Beads been available for a while now, but I just discovered them and figured, hey, it's a great cause and (this sounds so wrong but our heart is in the right place!) bead bracelets are really big for Spring.

>> To purchase Relief Beads ($8 each) visit www.reliefbeads.org.
>> To learn more about Relief International’s efforts in Darfur visit www.ri.org.

Put on your thinking caps, ladies. Comme des Garçons' founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo is set to create this autumn's frenzy-sparking guest designer collection at H&M.

Kawakubo, famed for propelling the artistic and philosophical boundaries of fashion to some esoteric place we mere mortals dare not venture, will design H&M fashions for women, men and children, as well as accessories and a unisex fragrance.

The world launch of the collection will be at the opening of H&M's second store in Tokyo, Japan - Kawakubo's native country - in the beginning of November. Launch date for other H&M markets will be a few days later.

To call Kawakubo avant-garde would be an understatement, so it will be interesting to see how her experimental designs translate to fast-fashion. I have no doubt, however, that it will be spectacular. Even if it gives me a headache.

Above: A look from the SS08 Comme des Garçons runway, courtesy Style.com

Once upon a time (read: back in the '80s), rainbow-hued denim reigned supreme in the closets of all fashion princesses. But then the styles changed, and colored denim was cruelly cast-out of the fashion kingdom, never to be seen or heard from again. Until, that is, some time last year when colored denim made its glorious comeback and galloped back into our hearts on the proverbial white horse - cuter and edgier and better than ever! Live happily ever after (cuz this trend is here to stay) with one of the three cheap, chic colored jean picks featured above from Forever 21. THE END

From left to right: Francine Jean, $29.80; Joy Straight Leg Denim, $29.80; Yellow Elena Denim pant, $27.80
TIP: Avoid over-accessorizing and let your colored jeans be the focal point of an outfit. If you're wearing colored skinnies, don't forget to keep it loose or voluminous on top.

Modern takes on the classic safari trend are young, light and urban with a global or globe-trotting air. Wear this trend head-to-toe or pick up some smart accessories to add just the right amount of adventure to your Spring wardrobe. Click the pic for product details...

Guatemala, home of the ancient Maya culture, reveals still more of her present-day secrets to the Budget Babe's International Travel Advisor Fifi LaMode. —TBB


by Fifi LaMode
Our guide felt one market was not enough for us, so after departing Chichicastenango we were treated to a vegetable market in Almalonga, where they had the hugest carrots I'd ever seen, along with limes the size of grapefruits. Not genetically altered either, it's just how they grow them here.

Next there was the animal market at San Francisco del Alto, teeming with pigs, goats, cows, sheep and pedigreed puppies (don't ask). Along the way Tony tells us all the things that have come from this area: Chewing gum - the word "chicle" like in Chiclets," is Mayan; cotton - the Mayan word is "kotone," tomatoes (who knew?), avocados, chilies and squashes, among others. Chocolate came from the Aztecs up in Mexico, but they have it here too.

Then we stopped in an obscure town called San Andres Xecul and were led to the square. There stands the most peculiar church you will ever see. Remember about the fusion of Mayan and Catholic beliefs (see article on Chichicastenango)? This church takes the cake: Yellow facade (color of corn and the sun, i.e. life), 2 lions representing the coat of arms of the King of Spain, except they're not really lions at all, they're jaguars (Hey King, we're just peasants, we're not very good at making lions! Ha ha, joke's on you, your Maj!). Then there's loads of cute angels with jaguar heads underneath, and corn motif artwork. This is all done in various colors and makes religion look like a happy thing. Their God is forgiving and kind, not vengeful and austere.