Today, as I started writing and posting pictures, I distracted myself by going to the Lanvin site to look closely at a few shoes I saw in the store window. Lanvin, the French luxury fashion house founded in Paris in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, is well-known for its handbag, the Le Pencil Cat, among other luxurious items. In the store windows, I spotted three ballerina shoes that captured my attention: La Ballerine en Denim, a gorgeous and iconic shoe with what seems to be a frayed denim outer and leather inner lining - I wondered if the material would eventually mold to the wearer's feet for long-lasting comfort; 2. Slingback Lanvin Bow en Cuir Metallisé, at first glance, I thought the gold bow was made of metal hardware, but it's made of shiny double gold and silver leather. These shoes are quintessential Parisian and would be fabulous with trousers, skirts, or dresses. 3. La Ballerine en cuir avec studs, from the window, the studs looked like silver metal. However, the website shows gold studs, which makes this shoe a dream come true for me. I had a pair of similar Ferragamo shoes with crystal studs. But either my feet grew, or I ordered the wrong size, and after a few wears, I decided to sell them on Poshmark instead of wearing something ill-fitting.  
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Currently, Lanvin has an archive sale of up to 80% off. I will browse, but my eyes may be stuck on one of these three shoes. I did not have to enter any information to access the archive sale, which I liked. 

In Paris, I am discovering new brands and sharing them with you as I reminisce about my days. I noticed Anne Fontaine, a women's apparel and accessories store strategically located in two ultra-high and high net-worth neighborhoods aligned with luxury stores. I saw a few beautiful things in the window for a Parisian woman to wear for a night out at a lovely brunch or a business meeting. There were bejeweled collars, well-pressed cotton, embroidered shirts, lace, luxurious dresses, and I'm sure there were many more things I have yet to discover. If I had my way, I would immediately get my hands on this purple dress. ​

Of the sneakers I saw, I was stunned to see Puma's versatile sneaker portfolio. I thought Puma was a brand primarily focused on casual and track and field sneakers because of their representation in athletics, competitions, and sponsorship of athletes. The designs were very relaxed and colorful. My favorites were the Nike exclusive in red and white, the Dad sneaker from New Balance, Puma's classic all-white, and the black and white Adidas Sambas. I want to do a comfort test on all sneakers to add to my collection. In Paris, you need a comfortable, supportive sneaker like the New Balance for trousers and commuting and a more chill, understated sneaker like the Samba for silk dresses and skirts. ​

I could start every blog post with, "Paris is a whirlwind!" but that would be too cliché. I have honestly been on a bit of a pause (ahem, 1 month), and I'm still not quite recovered. Recently, I had a couple health challenges, so I went to the doctor and took a beat. So, right now, I have Cigna private insurance until I can get on the French health insurance system. Even without showing proof of insurance to the doctor, it only costs around 25 euros! Generally, the medication costs me less than 10 euros. Also, here in France, if you know what you may need for more minor issues, you can see the pharmacist (bypassing the doctor), and they'll give you the medication. After 20 years of working in the American healthcare system, I will have to post about my French medical experiences. 

I've also noticed that I always go to bed at midnight or a little later. Midnight is really the goal at this point. So, I've been feeling tired. I'm grateful to my new friends here, who are encouraging and understand the challenges of full-time school/work and integrating into a different society. Yes, plenty of people in Paris refuse to learn French b/c "everyone speaks English," but that is not the experience I want for myself. So, of course, I'm taking the stressful route and trying to integrate. I need to integrate down to Nice for a little vacation soon. 
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Finding Fitness in the City of Lights
Making time for fitness is essential! Last week, I tackled my first gym session! In defiance of French classic style, I wore my Athleta leggings to school. I figured if I was dressed for the gym, I'd go straight there after school. I didn't have a specific plan, I did squats, lunges, arm curls, rowing machine, and some light cardio. Just the basics. 
My right Achilles tendon had been a bit sore, reinforcing my need to focus on strength training. 
Maintaining a Healthy Balance (and Weight)
So I've been weighing myself and recently I weighted in at 147 lbs – the journey to my ultimate goal of 139 lbs is underway. A smaller, more immediate goal of 145 lbs feels achievable and comfortable. My yoga teacher cousin suggested stop eating bread for a month or two - umm have you met France?
My cardio is for my health ... and this Chanel dress that I must show you this fall! It's a stunner! 

French Beyond France: Sharing Resources and Goals
French isn't just spoken in France; it's a gateway to the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Imagine exploring the rich Afro-Caribbean cultures of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Senegal – French fluency would unlock these incredible experiences!
Learning another language opens doors and broadens horizons. Let's all embark on this rewarding journey together! Here are some of my favorite language-learning resources! ​

• KWIZIK https://www.francaisfacile.com/
• FRANÇAIS FACILE https://www.francaisfacile.com/
• TV5MONDE https://langue-francaise.tv5monde.com/