September is probably one of my favorite months in Paris because the weather is amazing, and people are in a great mood with the kids just back to school. Something I love to do is people-watch, and observe what they eat and wear, the simple things they do. Oftentimes, I notice women, fully decked out head to toe in the most beautiful outfits while doing very mundane tasks such as eating their morning croissants. It’s made me re-evaluate how I dress to leave the house, even if only for a snack. I’ve noticed that no matter what your style is, you can always embody a cool French girl aesthetic by how you put together an outfit- it’s all about mixing/matching/and styling. As you can see in my picture, I styled a simple black dress with comfortable sneakers and an over-the-shoulder bag. This simple outfit is an example of my everyday go-to look for city life and something that’s easy for anyone to recreate. 

Image copyright belongs to Alana Hope Josephson 2023

After spending 1 year in my favorite place on earth, it’s safe to say that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been…and the best fed. It’s impossible to say exactly what my favorite part of living here is; I guess it’s just that je ne sais quoi they all talk about. Oh, and the French paradox is a real thing because I’ve lost 10 lbs and eat better than ever! Whenever people say to me “you’re just like Emily in Paris“, I can’t help but laugh because life here really isn’t like that silly TV portrayal, and there’s not a Gabriel at every corner…but I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Image copyright belongs to Alana Hope Josephson 2023

Nothing says fall like putting away your mini dresses and replacing them with midi skirts, but what about a change of color? Black is so chic, and it never goes out of style, especially when the weather begins to change. Honestly- I feel like a good portion of my wardrobe is black, and living in a city for the past year has taught me that lighter colors stain easier. There’s nothing worse than ruining a cute pair of shoes, but black combat boots (for example) look better with some wear and tear. Crazy right? When I was shopping at Bon Marche, I stumbled across these gorgeous Chanel heels that literally made me do a double-take. They’re the perfect edition to any wardrobe, and I might just ask Santa to bring me them for Christmas!

Image copyright belongs to Alana Hope Josephson 2023