Denied in Celine.

Denied in Celine.

Remember Carrie’s slip-up in Paris?

When she marched into the gorgeous suite she shared with the Russian and was like, “I fell in Dior.” I always imagined that would be mortifying until I had my on little mishap… in Celine.

I decided randomly shortly after I moved to the city, that I wanted to make a big purchase for year anniversary. Chanel should get my coin, I would every now and then put money away toward it. So when we yolo’d and booked this trip, I figured that a Chanel in Paris would be the ultimate treat.

paris fashion channing hargrove blog channing in the city 2Wearing: J.Crew Colorblocked Coat, Zara Leather and Lace T-Shirt, Topshop Skirt, J.Crew Necklace, J.Crew Jenna Bracelet, Michael Kors Watch and Furla Candy Mini Satchel

Here’s the thing, I want a bright blue small quilted 2.55 bag. ‘Cept the blue is a seasonal color. You see where I’m going here? So we go to three different Chanel boutiques, including the biggest one in the world. I see nothing. Nada.

We mosey on down to Celine. Arianna finds something she likes. One, down. Justine and I, well, we like the same bag, but according to the sales lady, there is only one style in the store. So I chose another one.

My boss has this rule, you shouldn’t be able to look someone up and down and know how much they paid for something. So that means, less obvious styles, no logos and it severely decreases the amount of people that carry the bag. It’s like fashion’s little secret, or this is what I told myself, anyway.

So, that’s it. I’ll have this one.

paris fashion channing hargrove blog channing in the city 5

 

We all walk down stairs where we’ll pay. Justine pays hers. Arianna gets hers. My turn? The receipt prints ‘Abandon Debit.’

Abandon. Debit.

Not possible, I tell the lady, try again. I checked my balance to be sure my money wasn’t stolen since I gave myself a Chanel budget earlier in the morning before we left the hotel. Looks good to me.

I go outside in the rain to tap into the wireless across the street. Nope, Mint.com is showing I wasn’t robbed. At this point, Arianna has gone to get Justine (who went back to Chanel) to see if I could transfer the money to her if I use her card. Stephanie swipes for me. Nope. Not happening. Her card didn’t work, either. The sales associates are getting antsy and want to close the store.

I walk dejected back into the rain and try not to cry. I call Bank of America and am told that the expiration date was entered wrong and the system rejected the card.

I was denied. in. Celine.

You know what else happened in Paris? I ate snails and frog legs.

american in paris  15american in paris  16

I will never, I mean, nev-er eat frog legs again. Unless they are off the bone. This was a bit much for me. The snails, though? Yummy.

Go figure.

Au Revoir, Paris, hope to see you again, soon. Try not to deny me next time, hmkay?

Photos by Justine Santos

25 Comments
  • Serena
    Posted at 11:08h, 15 January

    I got sad all over for you again about the Celine experience but I think it was a sign to get what you really want! Yea frog legs weren’t it for me either but I didn’t try snails! I need to…I’m proud you tried those things 🙂

    • Channing in the City
      Posted at 11:21h, 15 January

      Don’t be sad. I’m going to go visit her here and she if I still feel the same way about her while I find a vintage dealer I trust to hunt down this blue bag for me. 

      And it did make me feel good that Justine and Steph were so thoughtful to want to help. Girl, I could only eat the frog if I couldn’t tell that’s what it was, being on the bone just didn’t do it for me. 

  • kel
    Posted at 11:41h, 15 January

    First, that coat is FIRE! Second, I love the blue Furla…and third, how dare they deny you in Celine?! That is awful!! I find that a lot of these high end establishments size you up in a matter of seconds and determine that they either do not want you wearing their products or they assume you can’t afford them. Such mean girls (and boys)…

    • Channing in the City
      Posted at 21:04h, 15 January

      Thanks, Kel! They were pretty snotty, I should write a letter to their corporate office, considering it was their employee’s fault and she was giving ME attitude.

  • Rose
    Posted at 13:22h, 15 January

    Oh my gosh, this is like my worst nightmare, ever haha. I remember when I worked at a hotel and sometimes cards would get declined, and there’s not much of an easy way to be discreet about it yet it’s so embarrassing for them, too! Bummer you couldn’t get the bag you loved 🙁 

    Blonde in this City

    • Channing in the City
      Posted at 21:03h, 15 January

      Well, there weren’t at all trying to be discreet about it. I was so embarrassed, I just wish now I had a way to tell that snotty lady it was her fault my card wouldn’t read properly.

      All is not lost, I can get in here in the states 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

  • Erica
    Posted at 00:33h, 16 January

    One thing I can’t abide by are snobby attitudes by retail associates who can barely afford the very bags or merchandise they are selling. Mishaps with credit/debit cards occur all the time and do not have to reflect upon the owner of the card. However, maybe it was meant for you to get the bag that you had your heart set on cause there is nothing worse than missing out on your first choice.

    • Channing in the City
      Posted at 10:37h, 16 January

      You said a mouthful there! But I agree, I think it was a sign for me to just get the bag that I want. God was looking out 🙂

  • Arianna
    Posted at 14:47h, 16 January

    This was all just a sign that a trip somewhere is in store sometime soon for you to get the bag you really want and deserve! And just looking at those frog legs again made me gag, lol!

    • Channing in the City
      Posted at 11:20h, 17 January

      I know! I shouldn’t have tried to substitute a Celine for my Chanel. But we shall see, I’d love to have both. 

  • Yaszy
    Posted at 09:36h, 18 January

    I am sad that you had to go through that, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I know you will get the one you really want or an even better one!

  • Avonte
    Posted at 20:15h, 16 February

    I love your style!…The JCrew coat is pure fire

    • Channing in the City
      Posted at 21:56h, 18 February

      Thank you, Avonte! I appreciate you reading 🙂

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