We all know that shopping in Paris is the dream of many women. We think about the haute couture fashions, the name designers and, of course, the high prices.

Well, our French exchange student is in love with American fashions as well as American prices. Since the Euro is stronger than the dollar, Laura has entered a fashion paradise.

She was recently invited to two homecoming dances, one at Cathedral City High School and another at Palm Desert High School. After getting permission to attend, the race to find a dress was on.

Because the budget was limited, we scoured every thrift shop and consignment shop in the valley. While we saw some tempting possibilities, nothing was the “right” dress. Too big, too small, too old, too short, too … well, you get the idea. We then toured the Palm Springs area downtown. Many dresses were too funky for Laura's taste.

Two weeks had passed and it seemed as if we had spent every available minute searching for “The dress.” I was exhausted and ready to receive an award for marathon shopping. Still, we persevered.

Tired, but undaunted, we arrived at the mall in Palm Desert. Searching from one end of the mall to the other, both top and bottom floors, we found several dresses. I kept my hopes in check as she entered the dressing room.

After what seemed like an eternity, Laura came out of the dressing room, with a dress in hand! Ah, sweet success. The price was reasonable, she loved it, and so we purchased it. The dress went well with the shoes she was in love with, so we were finally finished — so I thought.

After a little investigation, we found out that the dress code for the dance was casual, not dressy. The downside of this was Laura did not get to wear her Audrey Hepburn-inspired creation. She wore a dress she brought with her from France, instead. The upside to all of this is she will wear her new dress to the Rotary Foundation dinner, which is a black-tie event that will take place this month.

As for me, I am going to apply for a black belt in shopping.

Laura Ahmed is the youth service chairwoman for the Rotary Club of Cathedral City.