SOLDES SOLDES SOLDES

Since I first learned about the famous French “soldes” (sales) in my 8^th grade French class I have always imagined what participating in them would be like.  Throughout the year, there are two government-regulated sales in France: in the winter and in the summer.  But these are not your typical sales- they are similar to America’s Black Friday but the deals are better and last for 5 weeks!  You can buy amazing clothes, appliances, accessories, shoes, electronics, and more for ridiculously low prices.  It’s fantastic!  The winter soldes this year are from January 11^th to February 14^th but, as a rookie soldes shopper I took my time in making a purchase. I attempted to go shopping on the first day of the soldes but found this to be a massive mistake- the entire world seemed to be in every store!  I walked in to H&M, was overwhelmed first by all the people, and next by the brightly colored signs reading “20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%” and so on to alert shoppers of the markdowns.  I attempted to go into a few other stores but felt a bit out of my league. 

In the following weeks I had done some serious window shopping and popped into a few stores to check out the sales on shoes.  Finally, yesterday morning I decided to go to a shoe store and make a purchase.  I knew the stores would be quiet after the festival all weekend, and most people are at work on Monday mornings so I had a good feeling.  As luck would have it the store I went to was empty AND the pair of shoes I’ve had my eye on was still there- only one left in my size!  I tried them on and fell in love at once.  I happily brought my shoes to the register excited to make my first official soldes purchase.

Where I bought my shoes from! (and yes, they were 50% off!)

This picture doesn't make them look as cute as they truly are.
Love, love, love them!

Shopping during the soldes was a full circle moment for me: I have gone from a young girl reading about French culture to a young woman living in it.  I thought back to my 8th grade-self and wondered: did that young girl have any idea just how greatly her French studies would shape her life?


Word of the Post: faire du shopping -- to go shopping