Bienvenue and Welcome!

Bonjour blogsphere,

Lapin a la Mode kicks off today! And what could be a more appropriate topic than the upcoming SOLDES! As of today, there are just 22 days until the summer sales commence in Paris. Have you planned your shopping route yet?

For those of you are not familiar with the French sales (there's still time to book tickets!), there are no words that can fully describe this bi-annual bargain-fest. Unlike the US, where many stores have a different sale every week, in France there are two major sales per year- one in late June/July, and one in January/February. During this period, EVERYTHING goes on sale, starting from 30% and dropping down to 70% off or more. Keep in mind that 30-50% off of a Chanel handbag equates to a lot of money. Traditionally, there are three sets of mark-downs as the sales progress. Usually couture is done after the first mark, but the best deals are during the second mark. Due to the economic crisis, the sales are proported to incredible this summer... although, I was in Hermes on Saturday and business was BOOMING... If this summer's sales are anything like the winter sales...

Anyway, I'm in the preshopping phase for the sales and am determining my plan d'attaque. I have the good fortune of a very short walk from the two biggest department stores in Paris, Printemps and La Galleries Lafayette as well as Rue Royale and Place Vendome. As I will have a few sales virgins with me, I'm still debating whether to hit up the complete chaos that will be the department stores Wednesday, or if I should hit up the shops around Rue Royale/Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore, which will be slightly less crowded and have a higher proportion of true fashionistas to the tourist bargain hunters. The main benefit of the department stores is that you have a lot of brands all in one store; however, the reality is that almost all the high fashion lines I want to hit up are strategically positioned on or near Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore... The only drawback to Rue Royale/Faubourg Saint Honore is that the stores are much more spread out than in the department stores.... I'm not wild about hitting up the Champs Elysees for two reasons: it will be packed with tourists and there are not many good brands to speak of (although it does have an AMAZING Sephora)... Hmmm.... Readers, what are your thoughts? Where will you be starting the sales?

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour:
Summer is here! Whether you're bronzing in the sun or starting a self-tanner regime, tans develop much quicker if you've properly exfoliated! Exfoliating regularly also gives your skin a much more even tone as well as boosted radiance- making you look even better in the more revealing clothing of summer! My personal favorite body exfoliator is Exfoliant Fraichelle from Lancome- it smells divine and is very effective at sloughing off the remains of your dull winter skin. I also am a fan of The Body Shop's Brazil Nut Body Scrub.

Click of French Culture:
I have to admit, I'm a huge French music fan. For your enjoyment, I present a current hit: Bob Sinclair's La La Song and the disco classic Dalida's Laissez Moi Danser which I guarantee will get your head bopping!

A bientot readers...

-Liz Anne