As Turet promised, one shop was more fabulous than the next. My fellow L.A. journos who were the thinnest and most fashionable among us had no trouble finding stunning pieces from Farm, Tidsy, Loolia, Miss Zaidy and (especially) Maria Filo. Frankly, the tops and dresses were to die for…but not on me. But I was dazzled, nevertheless. The temptation was there to explore swimsuits at Track & Field, Lenny and Blue Man, but I deferred that in favor of something I knew would look good no matter how my weight fluctuated with gravity---shoes! I was dazzled by ManuFact’s high-end footwear. Not one to buy the first thing I saw, however, I found Arrezo had a very snappy selection of sandals and Leather House had great 40s style sandals in a tasteful green-gold hue that were soooo Louis Vuiton. And mine fifteen minutes later.

After visiting Clube Chocolate—a cool amalgam of couture salon and bar with price tags to match--I checked back in with the girls, who were still finding treasure at Maria Filo. Seeing them model those flouncy and fab frocks made me more determined than ever to get a piece of Carioca cool. One floor up, I at last found it in the form of a splashy blue tunic at Folic.