Wordless Wednesday

As if you needed one more reason to heart Christian Louboutin...but if you do here it is!

Christian Louboutin Platform Pumps, $930 To pre-order, visit: website

Flavor of Summer

Summertime...it's all about cool drinks, leisurely lunches with the girls, and sundresses. Dinner can quickly become an after-thought. Slaving away in a hot kitchen just does not scream summertime!

Here's a quick and easy recipe to prepare for dinner. It's so delicious no one will know you were out enjoying your summer day.

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil

1 pkg. pappardelle pasta
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 T olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 T fresh basil, chopped
pinch of red pepper flakes

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Prepare pasta according to package.

Heat olive oil and garlic over medium-low heat in a large skillet pan until the garlic is lightly browned. Add cherry tomatoes to skillet and cook until they start to breakdown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add drained pasta to skillet to mix with tomato mixture. Place pasta on large platter and sprinkle with fresh basil. Finally, add pinch of red pepper flakes to your taste.

We'll Always Have Paris

Besides being the city of love and having the most amazing food ever, Paris will have yet one more thing to boast about. It is now home to the largest shoe department in the world. On Wednesday, Galeries Lafayette unveiled the 34,500 square foot shoe department at its Boulevard Haussmann location. This new space makes the 8,500 square foot shoe salon at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York seem like a small boutique in comparison.

Known for their impeccable style around the world, it's no coincidence that Frenchwomen would have access to the world's largest shoe department in their backyard. With an average of six pairs of shoes purchased each year, Frenchwomen are the largest consumers of shoes in Europe according to Galeries Lafayette. They admit to being shoe collectors, with 17% owning more than twenty pairs of shoes. When one is a shoe collector, a small thing like price won't get in the way of owning a "must-have" pair of shoes as 75% of Frenchwomen will agree.

The shoe department will carry 150 designers with 75 being exclusive to Galeries Lafayette. In addition to shoes and more shoes, there will be additional services offered to make one's shopping experience more enjoyable. While relaxing in a lounge-like atmosphere, one can try on their shoes in a private fitting room. Should one chip their polish while trying on shoes, pedicure treatments are a step away. Personal shopping and artisan cobbler services are just a few more perks that are offered.

Pâté, croissant de chocolate, Eiffle Tower at night and now the largest shoe department in the world...J'adore Paris!

Galeries Lafayette
40 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris
website