“Entre les deux, mon coeur balance” [Between the two, my heart swings].

The year was 1998.
On the World Cup Scoreboard: France vs Brazil.
The genius of Zinedine Zidane made, to my disappointment, France the world champion.
A moment of glory, Paris was buzzing, and I was moving here. Indescribable sensations in that festive and frenetic atmosphere, and my troubled heart swung between the country that I now chose as my home and my dear Brazil.
We celebrated the French victory at Les Bleus on Avenue Champs Elysées. I danced a lot to the sound of “I will survive” in the voice of Gloria Gaynor. The next day, to my surprise, from my window, I watched the arrival of the entire French team being welcomed by former President Jacques Chirac. In the midst of that whirlwind of emotions, I still managed to think:  yes, I celebrate this victory, because France played very well and, besides, from now on, it’s my country too.

I soon understood that that city was much more than history, art, cuisine, and fashion.
Thanks to my peculiar curiosity and child-like spontaneity, I have been exploring alleys, galleries, avenues, and parks.
And I didn’t even realize that I was falling in love, yes, with that sumptuous and elegant lady, romantic, charming, dazzling, glamorous, enchanting, and, above all, mysterious. These Mysteries I set out to unravel…

Although I already knew Paris, I had never thought of living here, but fate had brought me here, and it was here in the “City of Lights”; that I received the greatest gift of my life – Raph – my beloved son.
My enormous curiosity about Paris and the fact that my greatest love was born here were the most motivating ingredients for me to face the challenge of discovery.

I had heard that the French could be unsympathetic and even grumpy – pure prejudice!
Nothing that a bonjour, excuse moi, je ne parle pas français (good morning, I’m sorry, I don’t speak French) can’t solve.
By the way, here’s a tip: “Bonjour; S’il vous plait; Je suis desolée; Merci; Au revoir” are also magical and infallible words that open doors here in France.

Since I was very young, I never liked being part of the “gang,” I always knew what I wanted and, therefore, I didn’t want to submit to the opinion of my friends. I grew up and became a woman; today, I see that I remain the same – a woman of many tribes, and that gives me freedom.
Oui, la liberté that allows me to enjoy lunch at a simple and alternative restaurant, to attend free events, or to be a regular at the most sophisticated and trendy addresses in the French capital.

In fashion, I avoid brands that use slave labor in their production. There is little in my wardrobe because I have learned that less is more and  stagnant energy must be eliminated. I donate, trade, sell, I do not get attached to my clothes or accessories.
I value natural materials because synthetic is not my thing and as I know the city’s secrets very well, I know where to find great products, articles of clothing at excellent prices that go well with a classic article with a good cut and modeling (from a famous brand or not!) or vintage result in a trés chic look.

I learned to shop like Parisians: I can find cool models in supermarkets, at a neighborhood fair or in sophisticated stores at the right time (as a journalist, I am invited by brands to soldes de presse – exclusive sales for the press).

Personally, I love art and I don’t hide my special admiration for contemporary art, and Journalism gives me the privilege of being present at vernissages, exhibitions, operas, ballets, concerts, and countless lunches and dinners (the hard part is controlling the scales!).
In the beginning, even without knowing anything about the city, my mission was to write for Brazilian magazines about funky places, sophisticated restaurants, fine stores, and exhibitions, in short, about the luxury lifestyle.

Since then, there have been many years of research in loco, which, associated with living with Parisians and my proximity to the media, always allow me to go to the source of the news in the “City of Lights” (I am often invited to visit places, shops, hotels, restaurants, and boutiques even before they were launched on social media).
The workload does not prevent me from pursuing my hobbies, and so I practice yoga and Pilates, I love jogging in the Jardin de Luxembourg, on the banks of the Seine or in the Jardin des Tuileries, seeing friends, buying fresh products at the markets, going to organic restaurants, delicious brasseries, looking for cool stores, cool restaurants, cinema, theater, and why not wander around in this divine Paris?
Sometimes, walking around, I get the feeling that I am living in a movie; the landscape is so beautiful and romantic. Even today, after 20 years, I am surprised by cinematographic scenes that, in reality, are also part of great films.

Walk, walk, walk – a basic requirement for my job as a real estate agent, whether visiting apartments or looking for the best property option for a client. This makes me really learn every corner of the city (even the ones that are not on the maps), know every boulangerie, every peculiarity of each arrondissement.
I gave up driving a car a long time ago, and walking around the “City of Lights” has become a healthy and delicious hobby. I walked nearly 20 kilometers on a freezing winter night. I confess that the pleasure is indescribable.
I am grateful for this divine gift of being able, every day, to contemplate the architecture and beauty of the “City of Lights” down whose streets I walk and participate in the urban landscapes that are unforgettable movie sets.

Like Parisians, I have a practical life in every way with the touch of a Brazilian who has adapted very well to the local culture.

Paris is a dream, a charm, elegance, history, art, mystery and, above all, it is the city of lights and d´amour.

Sharing is caring! , so I share news with you from stores, art galleries, bars, restaurants, exhibitions, history, and little secrets in my trunk collected over these two decades of pure love.
As a Franco-Brazilian woman, my mission is to mine so I can share it with you!

Bisous
#dicasdakarmita