Hey Everyone!

I am sorry this blog is super late. Every since I arrived here in this beautiful place I have not had internet. The only way for me to use the internet was to go to another students room and by the time we would get home from class or exploring it would be really late at night. Long Story short I didn't have internet but now I DO!

To sum up this past week...AMAZING! I have seen so much in this past week, it's incredible! I never and still can't imagine that I am in Paris. This is a dream come true! So far everything is going very well with class and traveling. As you can see from the photos I have uploaded already I have been pretty busy exploring all the sites and what Paris has to offer MOI! From walking Bastille,Marais, Saint Paul & Ile de Saint Louis districts, celebrating France's Revolution Holiday(Bastille Day), watching Fireworks at and Climbing up the Eiffel Tower, Seeing Claude Monet's famous home & grave and Tasting the well known bubbly alcoholic beverage we all love in Champagne! Along with roaming the streets of Paris and mingling with the locals and the enjoying night life. I HAVE BEEN A BUSY FASHIONISTA!

There have been some rough times though while I have been here especially when it comes to our living here on campus and dealing with the culture shock.

Get this! We live in dorm style apartments with bunk beds, 1 closet, 1 large desk and 1 (your gonna love this) small bathroom with a shower the size of a coffin. Don't worry I will post photos of my living area, its quite "cute". Here in France everything is very, very, very small and everything is very close together. So I have definately gotten to know my roommate a lot more then I probably should. As for culture shock..WOW! I love it! I love hearing the people around me speaking French. (Althought my French is not the best, I do know how to get around). The only thing here that bothers me is how rude some people can get. Like the other day I was ordering at a little coffee shop a "cafe du lait" (coffee with milk) and I was perfect with my french but the waiter interupted me and said "just speak english". I was really bothered by it because not only do I want to experience Paris for all is beauty and known cites but also embrace it's culture. Kind of brought my confidence down but it's something you just get use to. But otherwise the locals around our building love us! I think it's because, honestly, everytime I walk somewhere there is always a huge smile plastered to my face and a look of amazment.

As for class, since you know that is kind of why I am here...It's GREAT! I love it. The fashion styling is everything I had hoped it would be. For those of you who don't know my Major is in Retail Merchandising and Management with concentrations in Fashion Marketing & Buying and Management (My dream job is to be a stylist or the Art Director for Vogue Magazine) In this class we gets hands on experience with styling from planning the looks, the themes, the trends and putting together looks, make-up, the hair EVERYTHING! It is everthing and more! I can't wait to get really into it!

So WHAT DID I DO TODAY? Today was kind of a slower day. We had class in the morning at the Mod' Art Institute and then we did our 2nd photo shoot and went shopping in the Marais District. Photo shoot was extremely fun(As we finish each shoot I will post them up for you guys to look at). Our theme was "the AfterMath" basically a bunch of girls went out, had a great time, drank a little too much and woke up the next morning in their previous nights clothes make-up smudged, hair all matted and of course some had gotten a little lucky then others. It was great the only limitations we had was the place where we shot the phots were in the Metro (Frances main transportation system) and that the models needed to be in eveningware (formal clothing, mainly dresses). It was a great shoot!Like I had mentioned we did go shopping in the Marais District. This is the biggest and most well known for their shopping especailly boutiques and creative, hidden vintage shops. It was incredible! Of course I do have to watch my spending (I am on a budget) but I did manage to find a adorable set of heels for under 50 Euros! AH I LOVE IT!

Anyways...Like I said I apoligise about the tardiness of my first Blog but don't worry I do have internet access from my room now. So I will be updating and informing you of everything I am doing!

I hope all is well and I miss you all very much! Hugs and Kisses!

Bon Soir!

-Tara-