In a little over a week, Bonaparte and I will be back on his home turf—Paris.

This is as close as I will ever be to the Eiffel Tower. I’m not kidding. Too many people for my comfort level!

Then we’ll head off to the South of France.

It’s a quick ferry ride from Ste Maxime to St. Tropez and we get to visit Bonaparte’s dad–Bonaparte Sr.!

We’ll be away for a while and that’s cool—the trip will be good for me. I’ll be able to go to Aunt Bonaparte’s office and keep up my job search online. I figure while Bonaparte is tending to some family business, I can tend to my employment search. Perhaps I’ll even be able to apply for positions in American companies that have offices in Paris!

I’ll be job searching from this office..and cursing the European keyboards where the letters are placed differently!

Anyway, one of the things that I love when in France is the way Bonaparte’s personality changes. He is just so relaxed and loose when he’s “home”. Under normal circumstances here in the States, Bonaparte is a very quiet man. He observes. He is a man of few words.

But when in Paris! Wow! He laughs! He cracks jokes! He engages in extremely animated and lively conversation with family and friends. Sometimes he forgets that I am an American and rambles to me in French. I gently remind him that, although I can pretty much understand what he is saying, it’s hard for me to reply!

It’s all good.

With one exception.

Packing.

For him it is an easy task. He usually packs a couple of days before we leave.

My suitcase has been opened and closed for over a month now.

Earlier this morning. Everything gets thrown around while I pack and repack. This will be a familiar scene every day for the next week!

I keep reassessing. Mostly because two separate groups of clothing are needed. One group of clothes is for our stay in Paris. The other in the Côte d’ Azur. Maybe I get all “weirded out” over packing because I’m still, after many years, pinching myself that I’m actually going to France.

I’m not a jet-setter.

I’m no jet-setter, but I’m thankful and appreciative of the trips I do get to take!

My background is strictly blue collar, working class.

When we were kids, our vacation was to the “Police Camp” in Tannersville, NY. It was a fun filled week spent in the “country” with other families of NYC police officers.

The Police Recreation Resort aka “The Police Camp” in Tannersville NY. A great place where NYC Police officers and their families were able to kick back and enjoy.  It was always fun to see my mom play Volleyball like a pro!

My poor mother had to deal with packing wardrobes for four kids (this was before our youngest brother was born) and both she and my dad. Whew!

For me, packing can be a daunting chore.

A disaster of a scene, I must say.  Everything gets all unorganized, I get flustered and nothing gets accomplished!

Oh, it isn’t the mulling over choices of clothing, it’s trying to compact two sets of clothing into one to mix and match and interchange. Basically, I hate carrying suitcases around and don’t want to pay an extra charge if my suitcase is too heavy.

To tell you the truth, my damn beauty supplies and toiletries weigh more than the clothing!

I still have to review my make up. This shit weighs more than my clothing!

 As of today, I’ve narrowed my suitcase to:

1 pair of GAP 1969 indigo skinny jeans. 1 pair of white skinny jeans.

The white jeans are from Uniqlo and are a great fit. The weather in Paris is usually cool and rainy when we arrive so the jeans will be perfect. I have to remember my umbrella!

1 pair black point pants from Lilly Pulitzer

Actually, these black pants won’t be packed. I’ll wear them on the plane. I’ll also wear my Kut from the Kloth denim jacket, a white t shirt and this scarf. The complete ensemble is hanging in my closet.

1 Gray Old Navy T Shirt Dress. 1 Black Old Navy T Shirt Dress

These dresses are the best dresses ever. I paid $15.00 for each dress and the fit is incredibly flattering.  Both can be dressed up a bit for a fancier restaurant dinner, and….

..both are now rolled securely in my suitcase. Ugh. I can spot Chippy’s hair on the black dress!

1 gray Loft Maxi Dress.

I can wear the gray maxi with the denim jacket for cool days and alone when I’m in the South. 

1 pair of chartreuse shorts from Loft . 1 pair of White shorts from Old Navy

I gained so much weight that I had to size up to a 10. I’m so ashamed–not really!

1 stripped boat neck pullover shirt from Uniqlo.

This’ll go with my jeans and shorts. Very versatile–and the fit is very nice!

2 scarfs that can double as cover ups at the pool and beach.

I need to iron these scarfs, but they can multitask as pareos when I’m at the beach and pool!

1 lightweight paisley scarf to cover turkey neck.

1 tan linen blazer from J. Crew Factory

1 J. Crew Factory tunic/beach coverup

Light as a feather and looks fantastic paired with my white shorts!

6 Old Navy fitted T shirts in white, 4 fitted t shirts in black, 2 fitted t shirts in navy, 1 fitted t-shirt in gray. (I’m obsessed with these shirts.)

This pic was from a post maybe two months back. THIS is how I obsess!

2 belts (both brown leather)

3 bathing suits (all two pieces)

1 pair lounge pants

Bras, panties. 2 really pretty matching bra/panty sets for travel time.

Beauty products and toiletries.

Books.

I’m looking forward to some extreme beach reading. Oona told me I REALLY need to read “Where’d You Go Bernadette” because the main character reminded her of me. I’ll judge that!

That’s it for three weeks. I will be able to do laundry since we’ll be in apartments. Maybe I should still pare this wardrobe down a bit. I’m being OCD.

I still have to throw in shoes and flip flops. I’m good with that. I’ll wear my black Repettos on the plane. I’ll be able to wear the Repettos for going out to dinner so I won’t bring heels. I’ll bring my navy Dr. Scholl’s…the shoes, I’ll figure out.

I’ll just wonder how many more times I’ll open and close that suitcase!

And all is calm and neatly packed and organized until tomorrow–or later tonight–or this afternoon!

Today’s song is more of a mix. I found this little film on You Tube of the Police Camp. It made me cry because of the great memories! Enjoy. It’s very sweet! XOXOXOXO!