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August 31, 2021

There’s a lot that comes with learning a new language. It isn’t just verbs and being able to read your shampoo bottle’s additional instructions. It’s opening up your world to discover an entirely different universe of culture. French is often called “the language of love” but honestly, it’s no surprise that it’s the language I (and so many others) love, too!

I took my summer session of classes at the Alliance Française de Chicago and it was a wonderful experience. Having been pretty rusty in my college French, I was nervous. So let me break down what it was like in case anyone else is wondering… what’s it like going back to school!?

You’ve got a schedule

I STILL have nightmares about not knowing my class schedule, and showing up late to my classroom on the first day of school. But as busy adults, we often forget to set time aside for ourselves to do something strictly for ourselves. Taking a bath, reading in a quiet space, heck—even taking a nap can seem like a gift. However, having a set class schedule allowed me to dedicate time and energy to my French studies and it was a great way to hold myself accountable to treating myself to something I adore. We all need more of this in our lives, I guarantee it.

You get to use your brain

Hear me out. Ever have one of those days that you drive to the office and then realize you don’t even remember doing it? Yep. Me too. Routines can make us numb to our surroundings and in all the hustle and bustle of juggling work and life during another pandemic season, we’re all just doing what we can to get by.

BUT.

I’ve found that working through conjugations and searching for adjectives stimulates my brain. And when so much of our lives is steeped in routine, the idea that we are still gaining skills and building a way to connect you to the rest of the world, I feel like other parts of my mind benefit from the old muscles being flexed.

You find a community

Already, as a member of the Alliance, I’ve made new friends. That includes people who weren’t even in my class! The French community in Chicago is special and I’m so excited to be counted among other people who treasure the French language and culture.

Not to mention you find support. My classmates and I were learning together. Passé composé? L’imparfait? Ce qui vs ce que? We were all figuring it out as one. Of course, some had a better grasp of the rules than others, but our class and our instructor were all patient and kind during the learning (and re-learning) every session.

As I gear up for my next class, I look forward to learning alongside my classmates and hope to see some familiar faces in the fall session!

Bonjour, Paris!

Well… almost. ha! I’m still bashful in speaking, but I can genuinely say I’m significantly more comfortable speaking French in front of a group (even though it was virtual, I still get nervous!). But speak I did, and I can’t wait to try and take that confidence with me when I venture to France in October!

Who knows, maybe I’ll be brave enough to venture over to the Alliance Française in Paris!

Bienvenue, automne

The fall session begins September 13th, and if you’re still unsure about joining, send me a message, I’m happy to give you any insight! Just in case, here are a few key dates and links if you’re ready to take the leap for the language of l’amour!

  • Fall classes begin on September 13 & registration is open NOW! Classes can fill up, so if you’re ready to dive in, don’t hesitate! You can find all the classes here.
  • If you want to dip a toe before you dive, try out one of the Virtual Free Trial Classes on September 7 or 9
  • Interested in learning more about the Alliance outside of the classes? They’ve got a Virtual Open House on September 8 where they’re holding a raffle for a chance to win a free session! One lucky winner will win a free 8-week French class! I like those odds…
  • Want to see the place I’m always wandering around in my reels? They’ve got an on-site Open House + on-site Free Trial Classes on September 8

For so many reasons (Paris included, obviously!) I can’t wait for this next season to begin. I genuinely look forward to taking my French skills to the next level with the Alliance Française de Chicago, and hope that if any of you out there are on-the-fence about indulging your desire to learn a new language, that this is the time you go for it! See you at the Alliance!

Be sure to check them out on Instagram or to sign up for their newsletter to have all the latest and greatest info sent your way!

This content is shared in partnership with the Alliance Française de Chicago, but of course all opinions are, bien sûr, my own.

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There’s a lot that comes with learning a new language. It isn’t just verbs and being able to read your shampoo bottle’s additional instructions. It’s opening up your world to discover an entirely different universe of culture. French is often called “the language of love” but honestly, it’s no surprise that it’s the language I […]

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Summer Plans I’ve been playing around with how I envision my summer in Chicago to look. I’ve put a lot of thought into it, and it mostly involves Lake Michigan, rooftop cocktails, and preparing for my upcoming trip to Paris this fall. The first two things I can accomplish with my eyes closed (although I […]

Scotch and the Fox at The Alliance Française de Chicago

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This spring has had some really lovely warm days. Whenever the season begins to beckon me to the great outdoors, I start to crave simple, fresh foods that won’t require me to stand in front of a hot oven. That means tacos make a frequent appearance on our dinner menu. And my personal favorite? Pork […]

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We did all the research in the world before we got a puppy and we still couldn’t have anticipated all the lessons we’d learn in our first 6 months with the bestest girl. We’re, of course, obsessed with our dog, as most puppy parents are, but we definitely didn’t expect what happened after we brought […]

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Life with Lemon - Family Photo

March 23, 2021

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March 14, 2021

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I LOVE to lounge at home. As an anxious person, it’s very difficult to truly relax. So when we got our first stay-at-home orders, I reveled in the ability to stay in without any guilt. But after a whole year at home, even this homebody is facing a looming pandemic wall. Here’s how I’m staying […]

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March 12, 2021

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The light at the end of the tunnel is BRIGHT. After a year of hesitation, we’ve finally gotten to the stage where vaccines aren’t just a fantasy and it’s nearly impossible to believe. But despite vaccinations providing the beacon of hope we so desperately need, the road to “normal” still seems… long. And this has […]

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March 1, 2021

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Bumble BFF? I don’t even know her. This one is for the Galentines. If after this Valentine’s Day, you found yourself lonely, you aren’t alone. Up until recently, I found myself increasingly sentimental about my network of girlfriends—missing them dearly and quite honestly, lonely for their company. So I took a leap. For people who […]

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“You don’t need Botox!” –The sentiment from anyone when I expressed interest in getting Botox in my 30s. I take my beauty routine pretty seriously. Since the pandemic, I’ve been doing a pretty good job with my skincare regimen. I have more time to commit to it without my daily commute. Still, I am and […]

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November 28, 2020

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November 28, 2020

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I don’t like to do a lot of shopping posts because my shopping habits are—at best—considered unruly. My method is all madness consisting of abandoned carts across the interwebs. BUT I decided to do a 2020 Holiday Gift Guide because: Since we’re not traveling to see our family for the holidays, I had time, and […]

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August 18, 2020

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Hopefully you’re safe and healthy and if you’re lucky enough to be in a position to shop, I would be shocked if you haven’t been hearing about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for the last few weeks. I’ve never done a full style post before, so here goes nothing! Seriously? Shopping? Registering to vote in my […]

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July 25, 2020

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It’s time for a life update! It’s no surprise that life has been absolutely weird the last 5 months. From the onset of COVID, to the paradigm shift in social justice, life has just been one major adjustment after the other. In the middle of all this, was the fact that the husband and I […]

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May 1, 2020

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April was HARD. I think we all started to get itchy to leave our homes but knowing that it’s better not to is the kind of self-induced guilt that can drive you crazy. I know I certainly had some really up and down days, particularly in the realm of productivity (which is my go-to) and […]

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April 9, 2020

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Like everyone else in the world, I’ve been jumping on Zoom or House Parties during isolation and it’s caught me many-a-time with a face free of makeup. If you’re ready to get your glow on in that pixelated screen, this post is for you. …your skin needs more love than your Noxema routine! Right now […]

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April 1, 2020

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Have you ever been to Las Vegas and tried to walk “Just across the street”? But then it turns out that even though it looks super close “It’s just over there, I can see it!”, it is in fact, at least a marathon of steps + 3-cross-walk-mob’s-worth of people away? It’s a weird optical illusion […]

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Last weekend I got to do something super fun with a local business I love…

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March 12, 2020

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