I have recently returned from Berlin, Paris and London. My trip abroad was filled with sight-seeing, eating, visiting with friends but mostly lots of partying. My boyfriend, the disc jockey made the trip possible, so the amount of shopping and tourism was limited but expected.

I was able to peruse some shops in Berlin but wasn’t able to fully explore the shopping possibilities this city must have.

Paris was another story. I had to make time to visit some stores and we did just that. First, of all let me say that I think it is important to only buy what one can afford. After several unsuccessful stints with credit cards, the only card I carry is the one attached to my bank. So I always spend what I have keeping in mind my monthly bills. It seems to work out fine in Los Angeles but if I lived in Paris, it would be another story. I have no doubt my love for clothes and shoes in an easy accessible place would be the end of my financial responsibility. Although Paris is known for its great vintage shopping, my time restraints forced me to save exploring vintage shops for the next trip. (Which will hopefully be very soon)

The first day in Paris, we went to Galeries Lafayette Department store located at 40, Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, France. If this place isn’t heaven, I am unsure what is. Underneath a cathedral dome ceiling, is the equivalent of ten female orgasms, maybe twenty. Circular in nature, you don’t miss a thing. 

One floor dedicated to shoes: from Geox to Chanel, it doesn’t disappoint. You can find something for every budget, although I had no interest in budget shopping at this place. I saw the lovely Chanel black suede and lace flats but refrained from purchasing due to the strength of the euro. I also wanted to get something that I wasn’t able to get easily in the Los Angeles area. One floor dedicated to handbags, another to couture: Alaiia, Dior, Chanel, Galliano, they were all there and more. I saw dresses I would die for. Another floor held contemporary: from Vivienne Westwood to Alexander McQ to Sandro. The world was my oyster. I tried on a couple dresses but fell in love with a Westwood piece - puffy shoulders, ties in the back or the front with a trail that touches my ankles. It wasn’t black, as 90% of my closet is and it was Westwood – which is nearly impossible to find in Los Angeles. Although, I need to research this further because I think she is becoming one of my top ten designers.

I was in awe of this place. It really is like nothing I have seen. For me to shop for what this store has would be the equivalent of going to about 30 stores. So there is no doubt in my mind that if I lived even remotely close to Paris, I would be the best-dressed homeless girl there was. Unless my boyfriend took pity on me and took me in but I’m sure it would only be on the condition that I stopped shopping, and that is a promise I wouldn’t be able to keep!