Art Basel was a lot of fun. Pictures to come soon. Caught some sort of bug on the way back so I haven't had a full meal in two days. (which means flat stomach for the weekend!) I also found my true calling... balloon animals. It's art. 

In the meantime - Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 takes us to Paris-Bombay. I see ornate headpieces in my future with straight embroidered pants, draped knee-length skirts and pearls of wisdom. Happiness.

Find it all here.

I saw the China Doll handbag in a Spanish magazine on an airplane. I cooed and oohed over the idea while my S.O. shook his head.

Celebrating the Universal Exhibition in Shanghai, Chanel launched the Chanel Shanghai accessories collection inspired by the delights of China. With matching necklaces and earrings, the china doll is a conversation starter. The rest of the collection is communistic red and green with a take out box thrown in the mix and even a conical hat. Already in stores, I want the China Doll necklace which I saw in Paris for about $500 euros and the sequined cotton Chinese hat which I saw in Beverly Hills for $3,000usd. But with that price tag I could get another handbag... so you guessed right that my want will not become a have.

The past month my entries have been McQueen heavy but I can’t help but post again. His final collection debuted yesterday in Paris sans runway. Sixteen pieces were presented in a somber affair. Inspired by Old Masters of Painting, he created nothing less than expected - dramatic pieces constructed with metallic brocades, embroidery and golden feathers. The menacing presence of passion and darkness shined through his pieces, piercing the cold reality that this was the finale.


"Each piece is unique, as was he.” closed out the presentation and ultimately, this is, was and will forever be the truth.

Find the compete line here.

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!