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!

Alexander McQueen offered his Women's Spring/Summer 2010 - Plato's Atlantis, Paris show live on October 6th to anyone willing to log on. It can still be found here.

Opening the show with terrestrial-like music, a topless model with white flesh and ribs embellished with snakes slithering around her appeared on the screen. Two cameras on top of robotic arms back up from the front of the runway simultaneously revealing the crowd to open up the runway.

Snake and skeleton prints on top of miniskirt dresses with Victorian shoulders paired with hoof style heels that added an extra ten inches on each model evolved into earthy toned prints, reminiscent of lizards and alike further evolved into an aquatic dream of hues of blues, slate grays and dark gleaming blacks mixed with kaleidoscope prints.

His designs dark in nature, earthy in all things amphibian, and underwater discoveries really captures the meaning of fashion for me. It's not about fitting in, conforming to a certain expectation of style; it's about a true vision of ridiculous patterns - bringing nightmares and dreams alive to the clothes we wear. His expression is in the truest form.

Los Angeles, we are lucky. McQueen has a beautiful store located on Melrose and Orlando. 8379 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069 to be exact. Sales Associates are handsome and friendly and there is convenient parking in the rear.

Alexander McQueen, you are a genius. I cannot wait to splurge on one of his Spring/Summer 2010 pieces, so that I may be a true Amphibian Eco-skeleton Queen.

A pleasant surprise in my inbox today hidden among the spam: Billion Dollar Babes is back!!!!!!!!

Another brilliant idea that started in Hollywood circa 2001 - a sample sale that turned into an online retail store that now hosts three high-end designer sales per week, each lasting 48 hours and featuring discounts of up to 85%. Much like Gilt, Hautelook, RueLaLa, etc… Up to last year, they held their actual sample sales twice a year in Los Angeles but then went exclusively online. But surprise - they are back November 6-7, 2009 at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. This is not to be missed. RSVP here.

If you are not a member of Billiondollarbabes.com you will have to register. There is also an option to become a VIP member.

Personally, I probably wont go VIP but it does offer an excellent deal on shipping. So if you buy through their online store often, it will most likely save you $ in the end. But either way... hope to see you there, just not with what I want in your hands or violence may ensue.

CHANEL. The word rings in my ears. What a love/love relationship I have with the quilted caviar of my dreams. I have been coveting a Chanel bag for what it seems an eternity, which I just recently made a reality. Unfortunately due to financial restraints Rodeo Drive, is a street I am least traveled on. But last Wednesday as I decided my bank account's fate would be decreased by at least two thousand dollars I knew Rodeo was the place I needed to be. Upon my entrance into Chanel, I was greeted with the smell of No. 5 and a tight smile from a tall thin blonde woman. I browsed the glorious handbags even though ultimately I knew I had to choose only one. I tried on the large shopping handbag and the large classic flap handbag. I decided on the large shopping bag for my everyday needs but the classic flap handbag is on my want list; at the very top. (Take note admirers - there is an easy way to bed me.)

Woe was me! The elusive Chanel located at 400 N Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 did not have my black large shopping handbag in stock but the Chanel Concept Store saved the day. They were contacted, the handbag was placed on hold and I rushed over to 125 N. Robertson Boulevard but not before I treated myself to some lovely earrings. After 3 roundabouts, I finally found a meter… where is the valet?? I purchased the handbag straight away. Walking out of the store holding a bag with outstanding bright white letters C-H-A-N-E-L so boldly placed behind a shiny black background might have been the highlight of my month. The giddiness I felt could only be compared to that of a mother and her first born. As I sit here and glance behind me at the handbag I've wanted for so long, a huge smile spreads across my face.

Let me say, that if possible, treat yourself to the ultimate luxury you can give your shoulder: a Chanel.