Coiled roses add a delicate charm to Philip Lim's silk pleated tank dress (left). Can't afford these pricey posies? Try the look out for less with Forever 21's cute, cheap dress instead (right). A rose is a rose is a rose...

>> Left: 3.1 Phillip Lim Silk pleated tank dress at Net-a-Porter.com, Was $595 Now $416
>> Right: Coil Rosette Dress at Forever21.com, $29.80

The Budget Babe's International Travel Advisor Fifi LaMode tells you everything you need to know about planning a fabulous trip to Guatemala. —TBB




by Fifi LaMode
Hopefully, after reading my last series of articles, you are packing your bags and waiting for Fifi's tips for your upcoming trip to Guatemala. So here goes:

Visa: None. They want us to visit, so they make it simple. You fill out a card on the plane. That's it.

Air: Too easy. It's 3 hours from Houston, 5 from NYC on nonstops. Connections are painless. I flew Continental through Houston but other airlines go as well. The airport in Guatemala City is modern, clean and efficient.

Getting around: The currency is the quetzal (named after their national bird which is gorgeous but you'll never see because it hides in the middle of the jungle), but US dollars are also used in shops and hotels. ATM's are everywhere and you can get money in dollars or quetzales. How easy is that?

Tours: I used General Tours (www.generaltours.com) because the groups are small (mine had only one other person!) and in Tikal it was just me and the guide, which was great), the hotels are top-class, and the guides are excellent. You have ample free time and are not limited to huge hotels and restaurants that cater to large bus tours.

This Spring season marked Ralph Lauren's 40th year in business. The designer pulled out all the stops on the runway to celebrate the momentous occasion, including a series of stunning looks inspired by My Fair Lady. Get the look for less with this affordable, suspiciously similar black-and-white tiered ballgown (above right) from, of all places, JCPenney.

Left: A look from Ralph Lauren's Spring 2008 collection
Right: Tiered Prom Ballgown at JCPenney.com, Was $180.00, Now $90.00

Above: ABS Deep V-Neck Halter in Teal, orig. $200 now $29.99; Dream Society 'Bella' Cardigan, orig. $138 now $25 (ordered mine today), both at Regent's Secret
There's a new, private, members-only retailer on the block that offers leading fashion brands to its members at discounts of up to 70% off retail prices. It's called Regent's Secret, and each private sale lasts for only a short period of time or until all of the products being offered are sold.

Membership can only be obtained via invitation from an existing member or from Regent's...and that's where we come in! Regent's Secret has extended a special invite to all Budget Babe readers. In the interest of full disclosure, they're also offering the referrer (that would be me) 5% of total sales that my fashionista friends make - but wait, there's more! Join now using the link below, then invite your friends and earn 5% of all their purchases in cash or merchandise for life!!

Click here to join Regent's Secret now.





Related posts:

• Exclusive: Gilt Groupe Membership Offer


• BB reports on Hautelook.com

Looks like Forever 21 isn't the only one knocking off Diane von Furstenberg's covetable designs. For sleek sophistication with a graphic edge, take your pick of Victoria's Secret version of this black and white wrap dress (left) or Diane von Furstenberg's (right). I'd say go for the original, on sale now for the reasonable price of $182 at Net-a-Porter.com.

Left: Curvy jersey wrap dress at VictoriasSecret.com, Was $79 Now $69
Right: Diane von Furstenberg Darcy wrap dress at Net-a-Porter.com, Was $365 Now $182

Which would you buy? The original? The knock-off? Neither?