We love Lulu's for cute and affordable fashions. And they love us back: Budget Babe readers get 15% off their total order with coupon code budgetbabe at checkout, now through July 15th! For starters, may we recommend this chic maxi dress with a fantastic palm leaf design? Perfect for steamy summer days and nights. Happy Shopping!

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The Budget Babe's International Travel Advisor Fifi LaMode recounts an envy-arousing excursion to Biras Creek in the British Virgin Islands. —TBB


by Fifi LaMode
After surviving our first storm at sea (we found out that these weather events occur just prior to hurricane season and go away after about 12-18 hours.), we woke to a clear sunny day. We could finally appreciate the beauty of Marina Cay and looked forward to a new day.

The route for the day was relatively simple, and I felt more comfortable navigating, especially since I could actually see the places on the chart (in sailing talk it's "charts", not maps). There were some neat rock formations, some small islands with strange names like "the Dogs", and we saw Necker Island which belongs to Richard Branson. We sailed thiiiis close to it. You can get as close as you want because the water belongs to no man.

Destination Biras Creek in Virgin Gorda. The chart shows a long coral reef to be avoided, but after yesterday's ordeal, Fifi is undaunted. I navigate almost into it. Oops. Saved by the GPS. We enter a huge harbor, along with many other sailboats. It's such a lovely feeling as you and others around you all enter the safety of this enormous harbor for the night.

Following our previous post on the hot ikat fashion trend, an alert reader pointed us in the direction of some gorgeous authentic ikat items on the cheap. She writes, "Although the print version of ikat makes it affordable, real ikat represents the precise skill and hard work that goes into hand weaving this complex textile. For affordable real, traditional ikat, check out these handwoven scarves from Aid to Artisans:"


Silk ikat scarf from the city of Margilan, located along the legendary Silk Route in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. Woven by Rasulijon Mirzakhmedov, who represents five generations of silk ikat weavers. Cream/copper, $42 (18.5"w x 64"l) Or...


Silk ikat scarf from the city of Margilan in deep royal blue/light green, $42 (18.5"w x 64"l)

"Forty-two bucks is a steal for traditional, handwoven ikat (we couldn't agree more!). Aid to Artisans is also a great company that provides fair wages and income earning opportunities for artisans around the world."

Visit www.aidtoartisans.org for more info.

Truly happy shopping

Debbie Matenopoulos, Brittany Snow and Kristen Bell don ikat-inspired dresses.

Ethnic-inspired ikat is the "it" print of the season, so it seems, and I'm in love. This style of cloth that uses a resist dyeing technique similar to tie-dye has been used for centuries by cultures all over the world, from South-East Asia to South America (thank you, Wikipedia!).

You may not have known the word "ikat" until recently, but I'm sure you'd recognize this design when you see it. I feel like I've seen ikats used in home decor for a while, and I've definitely seen ikats at The Art Institute of Chicago (my fave art museum) - some of the handwoven ikats from back in the day (I'm so technical) are truly works of art. This is probably why this fabric reminds me of, well, art, culture, travel, exotic locales, and faraway places - all that good stuff that fills our daydreams. The word "escapism" comes to mind...

But never mind me: Ikat is a gorgeous way to get some printed pieces into your wardrobe, and it can be done on a budget thanks to the trickle down from the runway to the high street. This summery ikat tank ($49) by INC International Concepts at Macy's is a sweet and simple way to wear this trend. Another effortless way to incorporate some ikat into your wardrobe would be with a scarf, like this woven number ($9.80) from Forever 21.

And naturally, Topshop has an assortment of stylish ikat options, including this long red and white cami ($49), a folksy blue ikat skirt ($62), or a breezy ikat sun dress ($62). Leave it to ASOS to bring us some of the most high-fashion ikats without the high pricetag - we're loving this ikat shift dress ($60.56) for warm weather partying, or this Ikat mini puffball skirt ($60.56) that looks plucked straight from the Etro SS08 catwalk.

Target is partnering with renowned accessories designer Monica Botkier to launch a limited-edition handbag collection, Botkier for Target. This collection is the fifth handbag launch in a series of limited-time-only accessories designers at Target. The Botkier for Target collection will be available at select Target stores nationwide and at Target.com July 21 through Sept. 14, 2008. Until then, here's a sneak peek at the collection.

Personally, I'm beginning to bore of the whole metallic-bag-for-day trend. But if you're determined to go there, then the bronze and rose gold numbers below might just do the trick. I like how they look soft and slouchy, which helps offset the bling factor. I still love metallics for evening, though, and am really looking forward to seeing the clutches (above right) in person. What do you think of Botkier for Target so far?






Photos courtesy of Target