Packing for Paris (and Bruges!)

As promised, thought you might be interested in what I'll be taking with me when I leave for Paris in a few days.

This was a bit challenging. There are some warm days, and cool days, at least one day of rain, and even when the days are warm my experience here is that it cools down quickly in the evening in September.

But I am always up for a challenge and am very happy with my choices!

Colour stories are sensible for trips and mine is mostly navy, creams and green.

First up: jackets.

I am taking two jackets: a lightweight navy anorak with hood and my old H&M fatigue jacket.

 

Can you bring too many t-shirts on a trip? T-shirts take up no space and they are wonderfully comfortable, able to be dressed up and down. I'm bringing whites and navies, one navy sequin tank, a pale grey and a striped t-shirt.

 

I like pant options. I have a pair of fancy green lace pants for dressing up, a pair each of navy and black cigarette pants, comfy jeans that end at the ankle and one full-length pair in case it gets cool in Bruges as threatened.

Dresses/Skirts

All very lightweight. A knit maxi dress, a short dress, an Eileen Fisher black jersey dress and my gold knit skirt.

On silk broderie tunic blouse:

Sweater: navy cashmere cardigan for the plane (layer, layer, layer on the plane I say - I am always freezing in the middle of the night!), a creamy pullover, a green cardigan and a lightweight flax sweater set from J Crew that I bought on sale months ago.

As for accessories, I am bringing three pair of fun earrings and some inexpensive bracelets

Three scarves: a chambray one, an iridescent green one (hard to tell from the picture) and a heavy black one that will double as my blanket on the plane:

Given the latest weather forecast, I am iffy on taking walking sandals. I do need some bling, so I will pack these oldies, but goodies:

I will have knit gloves, a little knit beanie and an umbrella with me as well. For the plane I am bringing cozy socks and slippers to change into (and the cutest blackout mask):

Basically, nothing over the top, and all things that can roll to become very small. I will need room in my suitcase for gifts! 

I reserve the right for last minute substitutions, but I hope they are few!

I will be posting pictures and stories on Instagram and Facebook, so by all means, follow along!
Talk to you as soon as we are back!  Am I missing anything?

xoxo wendy

 

Packing for Paris

Hi All!

We are now in the throes of planning for our trip to Paris.  We leave next Tuesday and are gone for 10 days.  A few days in Paris, then on to the South of France.  We actually booked the same place in France where Miss Dani BP stayed last summer!  It is so nice to rent a spot where a friend has already been - you arrive knowing that it recommended, and that all of the ameneties are there. 

We are each only taking one small-ish bag.  We are being very disciplined this time and plan to buy a soft sided bag over there if we need one for the goodies (hello wine and macarons, I am taking to YOU!)

My colour story is simple - navy, white, pops of blue and pink.  While I do not have a picture of my shoes, they too will be simple - my walking flats by Arche, simple white tennis shoes (the Joe Fresh ones that look like bensimons), my butterfly van eli sandals and a pair of blue sandals.  I will buy my espadrilles there when I arrive.  Thus far, the weather looks promising - warm and sunny.  As we get closer, I may have to trade out a thing or two if the weather looks like it is suddenly going to be colder..

I am packing around 8 tank tops and tshirts - they are easily packable, take very little room in a suitcase and are interchangeable with my bottoms.  One sequin tank for some bling. 

So far - only two pair of trousers - my j crew eyelet capris and a pair of white jeans for the airplane.  I am always cold on airplans and will have a warm wrap and a nice jacket for that!

4 Skirts and one pair of shorts for the gite in southern france for lounging around.

Sweaters!  I am always cold and I like to mix and match with the ts and skirts and dresses - one pink jackie, a navy jackie, the royal blue jackie, and the periwinkle jackie twin set.  I am also bringing the Rococco top and a lightweight ivory cardigan.  All roll easily into the suitcase!  Did you notice the throw pillow with Paris written on it - purely a coincidence, I tell you!

Three dresses - the J Crew Giverny Dress, a Joe Fresh white eyelet shift and my Theory black jersey. 

The one "undecided" is the maxi jardin skirt:

I think it will simply take up too much suitcase space!  If it fits, it will be an add-on!

I will pack 2 or 3 lightweight scarves in appropriate colours to coordinate.  Have not finalized the jacket I will take - I may take a simple blazer, but I am not sure...

That is it!  I think this is a reasonable amount of clothes and really, I am going to France, if I truly need something else, I can simply pick it up!

I am very pleased - I did pretty well in Boston recently, but even then, I bought home a couple of extra things that were never worn.  I know I have 10 days, but I have access to a washer and dryer in southern france (no - that won't help with the Giverny dress, but I figure I can get three wears out of that if I am careful before I need to dryclean it!)

Now to help the others pack - THAT will be a challenge!!!