Day Ten: "A Day To Myself"

This morning consisted of attending a Les Arts Decoratifs—an art deco fashion exhibit. It was honestly one of the inspiring things I have seen since I have been here—fashion and design wise that is.

The collections and pieces were unbelievably innovative and creative. They were more a work of art than actually wearable but that’s what I appreciated so much about them.

After profusely searching google for images of the designs (according to the extensive note I had taken) I could find essentially nothing. In any case here are a few of my favorites:

Vivenne Westwood—Vive Le Cocotte Collection

Azzedine Alaia

Alexander McQueen

Jean Paul Gaultier

Lanvin per Alber Elbaz

This was probably at the top of my list. It is just so bizarre I cannot stop looking at it.

Viktor & Ralph—Black Hole Collection

After the exhibit, I parted ways with my class and decided to take my own tour of the city (like I said I would yesterday). I did get asics finally. Try buying sneakers in French! Me: “Neuf si voo plais”…wait 2 minutes…take box... “no” [as he tries to get me to try them on]… “merci”. The end. It' frustrating when I can't be polite like I normally would but that’s all I could say.

Unfortunately once I brought my sneakers home I noticed my knee was swollen! Oh how ironic. Really though, I am falling apart here. I feel like an old woman.

Anyway, pre-limping stage, I hit Zara and finally the Bazaar L’Hotel De Ville. 

Crazy HUGE department store with everything you could ever want. I started getting ideas for things I wanted to bring home to people and maybe buy for myself. I was so tempted to buy today but “solde”—sales—start tomorrow. I better wait till this weekend!

Then I came back the apartment…and went back out to Starbucks for vanilla rooibos tea (I was missing home). I walked around for 2 hours. Got a little lost but stumbled upon this. Jardin des Plantes.

It was a little eerie to be perfectly honest. In any case I really enjoyed the time to myself to just explore and do my own thing. It was much needed and very refreshing. I even got to "go to church" aka listened to a podcast, thank you john piper.

Also got this crazy idea to go to Disneyland Paris for the day Sunday. The metro is free to get there. AHH I want to go so bad. I don’t care how silly or lame it is. I just love Disney. However, convincing someone to go with me is another question. Somehow I doubt anyone on my trip will be into that. Shopping at couture stores in Paris or Disney in the suburbs? We all know my choice--but I am a nerd remember?

 

Now I got class ALL DAY tomorrow. I got to be ready.