by Collin Reed

Created on: October 24, 2008

Her Name Was Lola - She Was A Shoe Girl

I came to Paris to write - and to buy a pair of Christian Louboutins.

Late yesterday afternoon I asked my mom and aunt if they were up to a trip to 38-40, rue de Grenelle. I've been near to Monsieur Louboutin's salon several times in the eleven or so days since I've been here. As I'd wander up and down Boulevard Saint Germain, I knew it was just a couple of turns away (beckoning me!), but I've been savoring the excitement of that visit and didn't want it to be over too quickly. Even writing about it now, my pulse quickens...

The weather has been yucko - cold, windy, rainy - blech. It had been a particularly blah inside-day for me, so I decided that the time had come. Nothing cures the bad-weather blues like some shoe shopping. And if shoe shopping cures the bad-weather blues, Louboutin shoe shopping could cure...well - a lot!

As we slowly approached the atelier, I started having an out of body experience. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go in. I didn't want to go in too quickly; didn't want to rush the moment, you know? Somehow, I managed to open the door and was instantly transported from one corner of heaven to another. Yes, there were angels. Yes, they were making that "aahhh" sound.

Anyway, I looked around for the perfect Louboutin. Who am I kidding - they're all perfect.

There were so many beautiful choices; bright blue, cork, hot pink, white, shimmery white, nude, red, satin, buttons, feathers, bows, snakeskin - sensory overload! That's when I saw Lola. She was in her own enclave behind glass and a frame of gilded gold. A simple, elegant, black, patent leather shoe with a four-inch heel that looked as though it had been oh so lovingly dipped in gold.

I slid my foot into the first pair and they were a bit too big; the second pair fit like a glove. In fact, I felt as though I slid my foot into warm, softened butter. I won't say that this particluar moment was better than sex - but it came awfully close.

If you are a shoe lover - or have any type of crack habit whatsoever - then you totally get why I'm so over the moon about this experience. I could have purchased a pair of Louboutins at home in the States - but to actually have an opportunity to come to Paris and buy them here? Like there was even a choice to be made.

I have a handbag addiction that rivals my mad shoe love so, I may have also adopted a new handbag from Monsieur Louboutin as well. Go big or go home, right? I went extra large.

After Louboutin, we went to the market, came home, had some dinner, drank some wine, and there may have been a little Christmas karaoke involved. It was just that kind of night...

Oh yeah, we went to the Louvre today; that was nice, too.

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