In three weeks Bonaparte and I will be off to the Mediterranean shores of France. While I am looking forward to our trip, I’m also a bit less excited than usual because we won’t be in Paris this time around.
Time for me to brush up on my French!
I know, I know. If you aren’t familiar with my little world, it may sound like I’m an entitled bitch. But I’m not–entitled, that is. I’m just a bit less excited because it’ll be the first time that we won’t be with Daniele.
It’s tough when someone you love passes…
I need to get it together and start personal preparations. We’ll be gone just short of three weeks.
It’s a different kind of preparation process now. Since we won’t be in Paris, two wardrobes won’t be packed! I won’t need “city” attire this time around
First I’ll make a list of what I plan on purchasing. This year the purchases are minimal. My ass got way to wide to even think about buying any articles of clothing. Besides, working in Retail Hell has diminished my love of shopping.
Maybe if I gave up cheese, my ass would have not gotten so wide. Wait. I’ll be feasting upon this in a few weeks anyway. Oh well! Time to size up. Again!
I’ll buy a pair of Rondini sandals when we’re in St. Tropez to add to my collection. Luckily, my feet, unlike the rest of me, haven’t grown wider! I’m torn between the Bikini’s, the Serpents and the Sahariennes Tressées. What do you think? Which ones do you like?
I need a new pair of Rondinis. Which do you think I should get? The Bikini’s,top left; the Serpents, bottom left; or the Sahariennes Tressees on the right? I want all three!
Also on my list is music. I need to add Michel Polnareff, Michel Delpech, and Juliette Greco CD’s to my collection of French Pop Music.
My collection of French music is sorely missing the ever-hotness of Michel Polnareff…
…the smoothness of Michel Delpech (RIP), and the sultry sexiness of Juliette Greco. I’ll stop by FNAC in Cannes to pick up the CD’s!
I’ll stop at Fragonard for some more Fleur d’Oranger.
I’m running low and need yet, another refill!
My purchase list is complete.
Now on to packing and essentials to bring along.
I tell you, if the TSA tries to snag this away from me, you will see me on the nightly news!
Number one on my essentials list is Toppik to hide the menopausal bald spots! I wish that I was an heiress and could bring Adam, the guy who does my hair with me. He could give me blow outs that would channel my inner Bardot! I’ll have to settle for bringing my big-ass hair rollers instead!
When it comes to my hair. I have not one shred of dignity. My hair rollers will be vacationing on the Cote d’Azur!
I picked up a few books for reading at the pool and beach. I also bought a journal so that I can write during downtime. I’ll be on the lookout for one more journal and a supply of pens before we leave.
The ever gifted and talented Mr. Chippy is deciding which book he will eat, read before it’s my turn!
Oh. I have to pack a magnifying mirror. Even though the sun will give me a healthy glow and I won’t need foundation, I still need to make my eyes look nice. And believe me, my eyesight gets worse by the day. I’ll need that magnifying mirror to see those damned unsightly chin hairs that pop up from hour to hour. The tweezers are already packed!
Hey. An old broad has to bring essentials. Magnifying mirror and tweezers ARE essentials for any woman over 50!
Which brings me to clothing. I’m trying my best to be a minimalist packer. It never works out that way because I always pack way too many clothes. I’m making an effort…
Naturally the bathing suits will come with me.
Two swimsuits by La Blanca. On the left is one from last year. On the right, is the most recent budget find from Marshall’s for $29.99. I don’t spend more than that on swimsuits!
More swimwear. I like to mix the suits up a bit. I can’t find the top to the striped bottom. It’s around here somewhere….
Oh. And by the way, contrary to what a 2011 survey stated from UK’s Daily Mail had to say, this 61 year old woman with the not-so-perfect body will be wearing her bikinis!
And despite my thick middle, I’m still gonna wear a bikini. My 61 year old body said I could!
I’ll also be packing my ever-comfortable and multi-tasking white shift from J. Crew and my chambray shift from Banana Republic.
These are the perfect shifts. In the morning over my swim suit and in the afternoon seeing the sights! No need to buy new clothes when I’ve got enough in my closet!
One pair of white jeans
Thank God my Uniqlo jeans from last year still fit. That little bit of Spandex is a lifesaver. I can stuff myself like a sausage! And, as usual, my Old Navy Fitted Tee shirts will be packed!
I’ve already packed 5 white tees and for good measure, I’ll throw in this white cardi from Target.
Shorts
My favorite white shorts from J. Crew Factory. More tee’s. And a scarf to hide turkey neck!
This pair of shorts from Loft fits wonderfully, a bit longer and a bit more dressy. I can pair it with a cotton sleeveless shell from J. Crew!
Maxi dresses.
Another Loft find from last year. I LOVE this maxi. I’ll bring another more casual one but I need to iron it–that’s why I didn’t take a photo of it. You can read more about my love for maxi dressing HERE!
Shoes? I’ll stick to flip flops and my other Rondini sandals. I will pack my Cole-Haan Air Nike Ballet Flats from many, many years ago. The bottom sole grips the old and slippery stone steps that are found throughout France. We learned our lesson about that some years ago when Bonaparte almost fell down a flight of ancient steps while wearing flip flops!
These Cole-Haan Nike Air Ballet Flats are about 8 years old and they do NOT wear out. These are the best shoes for touring and travel. EVER! Too bad CH discontinued them!
Rondini sandals….
..and flip-flops will suit me just fine.
Accessories? Yeah. I’ll pack a couple of scarfs. As far as jewelry goes, I’ll pass on bracelets and necklaces. I will, however, bring a card of those inexpensive hoop earrings from Walmart. If I lose or leave them behind, it won’t be a loss. And hoops always look great! Besides—I’m lazy. I don’t want to think too much about accessorizing.
My fancy earrings. From afar nobody can tell they are Walmart specials!
That’s pretty much the basics on the packing—but there’s more to plan…
While on the plane, I’ll make a list of groceries and household items we will need to pick up at Hypermarché Géant in Mandelieu. Between my short attention span, watching in-flight movies and thumbing through trashy gossip magazines, it’ll take me the seven hours to complete this list.
Forget Chanel! She was a Nazi sympathizer anyway. THIS is my idea of fine shopping while on the Cote d’Azur! The Hypermarche! Grocery shopping is an experience here!
The plan of action upon arriving in Nice is routine. Get the luggage, run over to the car rental and hope there isn’t a long line. Then it’s off to the familiar drive on A-8 to the apartment.
The film festival at Cannes will be well over and will be in a state of slight relaxation and chill before the summer high and tourist season begins.
During this time, the surrounding areas kind of move at a slow-motion pace. It’s lazy. It’s easy. It’s wonderful.
We’ll drive to Ste. Maxime and enjoy a water taxi ride to visit Bonaparte’s dad in St. Tropez.
As a young girl, I ferried over to Fire Island. These days we ferry to St. Tropez from Ste. Maxime on Les Bateau Verte
We get to spend time with Bonaparte’s dad, Dany. I couldn’t resist placing these two photos of Bonaparte and his dad side by side. The photo on the left was taken by Bonaparte’s grandfather, the photographer, Jacques Henri Lartigue. The photo on the right was taken by the non-photographer–Me!
We’ll return to old sites like Abbaye le Thoronet and discover new sites like the Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton.
The Abbaye le Thoronet is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. The outdoor cafe across the way is even more fun!
I’m looking forward to visiting the Musee Jean Cocteau…
..speaking of coqs, I came across these guys in Biot last year!
We’ll spend a morning in Eze and afternoon in Monaco.
Maybe this year we’ll have better weather when we visit Monaco!
We’ll just enjoy life for a while without computers or iPhones or tablets. And we’ll watch TV maybe for a few minutes before going to sleep at night…
And we will fall asleep listening to the sounds of the Mediterranean Sea hitting the rocky shore while being illuminated by moonglow.
This is the view we see before falling off to sleep! The view from the terrace remains the same!
We aren’t glamourous or glitzy. We live like the locals and not the ritzy. It’s simple and fun.
I HAD to add this clip of the film Le Chateau starring Paul Rudd. It’s hysterically funny. You need to watch this trailer. I speak French the way Paul Rudd does!
It’s our version of the Cote d’Azur. A bit of paradise for me and Bonaparte!
Here’s some early Michel Delpech singing “Chez Laurette”, it’s just so beautiful! XOXOXOXO
