chic bust: galeries lafayette return policy

to be fair, galeries lafayette does try to go the extra mile to welcome foreigners/tourists to its shops-- with welcome staff that speak multiple languages, 10% discount cards for tourists, etc. however, i had to have a laugh at their return policy, spelled out in detail in their big christmas catalog. the page i am referring to is titled "le client est roi" [the client is king], which would make one think that they are adopting the american customer service attitute.....but this is one of the listings:

Remboursement de la Difference: Si vous trouvez moins chers ailleurs, avec la meme offre de services, nous vous remboursons la difference, dans un delai de 30 jours, sur presentation du justificatif d'achat.

Translation--
We will reimburse the difference: If you find it cheaper elsewhere, with the same offer of services, we will reimburse the difference within 30 days, with proof of purchase.

on first read, it sounds dandy and fair. but read closer-- the second part of the sentence, reading "...with the same offer of service...," sounds a bit ambiguous to me. and probably one of those french things where they would rather argue over the subtlties of their return policy for hours rather than give you your money back....

anyone out there actually tried to use this policy? let us know....

chic shopping tip: press sales

here is the lowdown on the press sales in paris. if you work in PR or fashion or have good connections, you can get invited to advance sales, which happen several weeks before the twice-yearly sales. [translation-- they are happening now!] we went to a zadig & voltaire sale the other day, where scads of hip-but-nearly-identically-dressed young women were waiting out in the cold to get in-- only to find out that the cashmere, zadig's hot item of the moment, had all been snapped up by the first few who got in. lucky for me, i had baby lucie in the stroller, and got to enter tout de suite, bypassing the line and drawing some very mean stares from the hipsters in the cold.

not on the invite list? well, if you see a big line of greedy looking girls huffing and puffing in the cold, ask what sale it is and jump in the line. might be worth it, if you have the time. and make friends with store employees and sign up for mailing lists whenever you can.

mode & merveilles sale this weekend

looking for unique holiday gifts? stop by the winter salon held by mode & merveilles, a cooperative of up-and-coming designers. funky clothing, bags, jewels and more are on sale--check their site for ideas of what they offer. saturday, december 10th from 11am to 9pm and sunday from 11am to 7pm.

9 /11, cour Debille - 75011 Paris
Métro Voltaire

quick curls

as you probably know by now, french women are as into their "brushing" as big apple girls are into getting their hair blown-out. to follow this season's trend in curls, sephora champs elysees, the headquarters of the mega beauty emporium, has a special deal going on. stop by the style lounge frederic fekkai [named after French hottie hairdresser to the stars], and in 20 minutes you'll have a head full of curls. [11am to 9pm] the price? 12 euros! quel bargain! and while you are there, check out the other quick beauty fixes-- the brow bar, quick peeling center, etc.