While still on the subject of Paris..

Disclaimer: I am not a fashionista.  I do not keep up with trends in colors, fabrics, textures-I am a jeans and sneakers chick.  For work, I usually pick up my tops and bottoms at Ross Dress for Less.

That being said, I do, somewhat, know that the rhythm of the fashion heartbeat is set here in Paris.  I expected to arrive here and find runway models walking the streets.  What I have discovered instead is far more beautiful, and unexpectedly simple.  The women here do not pile on layers of makeup, instead, spanning all ages, I have seen fresh faces, bereft of anything besides a great moisturizer.  An occasional bright lipstick here and there for pop is the most I have witnessed.  As someone who struggles every morning and winds up giving up on complex,multicolored, blended eye shadow looks for a basic, one shade sweep, I find this refreshing, welcoming and in some peculiar way, validating.

Linens and cottons are the majority of the fabrics that I have observed (I am only familiar with the linen because, in our journey for a more sustainable lifestyle, I made some linen napkins).  These are worn in the form of flattering, short summer dresses-some in solid colors, others in geometric or floral prints.  They are worn with everything from sandals and strappy  heels, to flip flops and tennis shoes.

It is important to note that, at least from this amateur perspective, one of the most aesthetically appealing accessories they all seem to wear is their glowing self-confidence.  This requires no contouring or highlighting, it just IS.