I've Outgrown This Stage of My Life
My season of pivot and newness, must try cafés, must see exhibits, restaurant spotlight, Paris events and my latest capsule wardrobe finds.
A woman left that comment under a Business of Fashion Instagram post. The post highlighted how LVMH and Kering were faring this year. Both groups reported modest gains but apparently the gains were insufficient. Compared to both groups, Hermès is performing much better. The woman elaborated that there was too much going on in the world than to be worried about luxury fashion brands’ survival and luxury lifestyles. She ended her comment with “I’ve outgrown this stage in my life”.
It was as if the woman had that epiphany right in the middle of typing her comment. What’s more is how much her comment resonated with me. I planned to title this newsletter The Purge however, after reading her comment I decided to change it. I, too, had an epiphany.
I am sick and tired of looking at things. My apartment, which is large by Parisian standards, is packed to the gills with things. I have luggage abound many replete with clothing. Some clothing items I haven’t worn in over ten years. Many I haven’t been able to fit since I lived in New York and took the tried and true Brazilian weight loss pills. Not gonna lie those pills worked and we had no idea what we were taking at the time. We just knew that we were thin and fly as hell.
Ahhhhh the ignorance of youth. The pills came in an all white, unlabeled, plastic, pill bottle. The bottles were $300 bucks a pop and lasted a month. We later learned that we were all taking Adderall but who gives a f*ck we looked amazing. Back to the topic at hand.
I am at capacity. Besides the items that are too small, I’ve accumulated items that I’ve mentally outgrown. I’m a Parisian woman now and I abide by the Chic Code. I strive for a sophisticated wardrobe appropriate for where I live and the places I frequent.
I’m also tired of overconsumption. Overconsumption of food, clothing, and just things, period. This is not to say that I’m becoming a minimalist. I don’t think I could ever be a minimalist. I’m simply shopping smarter and I’m much more cognizant about what I purchase these days. I’m only interested in capsule pieces whereas before I’d purchase frivolous items here and there to fulfill some unknown void in my life.
I no longer need so many things because I’ve outgrown the stage of my life where things make me happy. As a result, I’m slowly but surely uploading my frivolous items on Vinted and bye bye they go!
October Madness
October was literally a whirlwind! So many things happened this month. I checked off a huge goal of mine which was to acquire my 10-year residency card. Two years ago I was denied this card so finally getting it was huge. Expats in France have to renew our residency cards once a year and if you don’t meet the requirements you can be denied and required to leave.
Gathering your paperwork and making sure all your ducks are in a row can be a very stressful process when done annually. You’re also beholden to the clerk that you’re assigned to at the immigration office. The required documentation online can be one thing, and the crabby clerk that hates their job may require a slew of additional documents. Needless to say I am elated that I will not have to renew for another ten years. Plus I will have citizenship soon so that entire process will be null and void.
October was also filled with all the visitors! My little cousin
came and spent two weeks with me. Paris Chic Code girly and my good friend also touched down in The City of Light.On the days that I could play tour guide with my cousin I did. Although exhausting, playing tour guide allows me to experience new chic restaurants and luxe stores so that I can recommend them for clients. I only recommend places that I’ve been to, paid for, and enjoyed.
Geniece and I experienced several chic spots that shall be added to my repertoire. One of those spots is niche fragrance boutique