The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Spring Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi for Target Moccasins


These Isaac Mizrahi for Target leather moccasins are so ugly, they're cute. And, I mean that in the best way possible: They have a quirky, pebbled rubble sole, reminiscent of Tod's skimmers; they come in seven delightful colors, including yummy lime, yellow and pink, and most of all, they're totally, unmistakeably Isaac.

As you'd expect, this classic shoe style delivers comfort. (I tried these on for fun in the store and didn't want to take them off, they're soft as slippers.) If you have a dingy pair of white sneaks that you've been schlepping around in, toss them out and grab a pair of these inexpensive mocs instead. For the risk-free price of $29.99, you'll bump your style quotient up a notch, and your feet will feel great.

>> Isaac Mizrahi for Target "Gail" Leather Moccasins, $29.99

Win a Trip to France from Forever 21


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!



Shaving Secrets for Sexy Summer Skin


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.



Savvy Travel: History in the Jungle

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.