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.

We looove whales (they're so cute!) and now, the world's largest mammal is showing its fashionable face (does a whale have a face?) on everything from T-shirts and belts to rings and pendants for Spring. These adorable sea creatures are in step (or stroke) with both the nature and nautical trends that are so popular right now. Think Green Peace feel-good friendly whales, not so much the foreboding great white whale of Moby Dick, and wear a whale to add a whimsical, lighthearted element to any look. Click the pic for product details...

Yahoo! Inc. announced the launch of Yahoo! Shine (http://shine.yahoo.com), a new website for women. It's too soon to tell if this will become a regular read for me, but from what I've seen so far, the layout looks clean, the site is easy to navigate, and the tone of the articles seems to be a positive presentation of ideas. If nothing else, sites like Glam, iVillage and Sugar Inc. may have a little increased competition on their hands. Check it out - but don't forget to continue supporting your friendly independent fashion bloggers.

From FoxBusiness.com: "The site offers nine categories ranging from Fashion & Beauty to Parenting, and will feature content from many of the most popular lifestyles publishers, including Conde Nast Publications and Hearst Corporation. Additionally, a new editorial team will develop original stories on a daily basis, and hand pick the best user blog posts to feature prominently on the site."

>> Visit Shine's fashion & beauty channel.