Next month. Our annual Thanksgiving trip to Paris will resume. Our last one was 2019. Click This for a look at our last Paris Trip in 2019! We all know what happened in 2020.
Oh how I can’t wait to be back!
We’ll be returning for a week. Oh, this has been a long time comin’ and, quite frankly, I cannot wait to arrive in the City of Lights. But this time, there’s a few more preparations we have been making.
Unlike her, I’ll be stuffing my face with pain au chocolat
Most notably, the Passe Sanitaire—or, the Health Pass. This is a pass somewhat akin to the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket. It’s a hot commodity. And without it, we can’t go anywhere. Meaning we can’t gain entrance into museums or any cultural events and we do need it for going out to dinner.
And to think my husband wants me to put a damper on my iPhone! He’ll need his too!
The Frenchman was mumbling lots of naughty words in his native tongue in attempting to get our passes. It’s a process. I had to make copies of our marriage license (I have no idea why that was needed), our passport photos, our driver’s licenses and our Covid vaccination cards. Oh, and proof of address in the form of a bill addressed to each of us.
True. The Passe Sanitaire process made my Frenchman angrier than if he had witnessed two mimes!
Now, under normal circumstances this isn’t that bad. It’s a rather simple procedure. But we’re talking about the French. It’s only logical that I would scan two separate files with all the documentation needed. As in Monsieur Lartigue’s information and then a file with my information.
Non! Every document had to be separate and labeled. I swear if he had a stale baguette within arm’s reach, he would have thrown it against a wall. Nevertheless, we are presently awaiting our passe.
Actually, my husband would NEVER abuse a baguette. I worships that long wand of crusty outside and chewy inside!
Trust me, I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing either. In fact, I wish we had to show a pass of some sort here in the States—but it would offend a number of people and in America, we are so effing “offend-friendly”—honestly, this opens a Pandora’s Box of sorts for me so I’ll shut up on the subject.
Actually, the only thing that irks me is having to take yet another Covid test. I swear, with the money I’ve spent on Covid testing, I could have purchased a Louis Vuitton Noé Petit bag! Even being double-vaxed and having a Booster shot (along with flu shot) doesn’t allow me to skip the test. But hey, it’s what we have to do!
And yet, more Covid Testing…
That out of the way, the real preparation starts for me. Packing the clothing. Yeah, I know. I know. I have a little over a month to do this. However, I really like to be organized when I’m traveling. It’s all about efficiency and simplicity. And cohesiveness with the wardrobe.
The weather will be chilly. Actually, very chilly especially when we are walking around perfecting our ability as the flaneur and flaneuse—just wandering around aimlessly. That is, when we aren’t at a museum or cultural event. Because of the cold weather, I’ll need a coat. And a hat because my wig will need to be kept warm. And gloves because my hands get cold.
This is the coat I’ll bring. It was purchased at Galeries Lafayette on our last trip. It’s a great coat and will suffice well for the chilly November weather!
My beloved black beret. Purchased at a tourist stand for 2 Euros in Paris. I can’t find it. I need to find it. Note to Emily in Pars. THIS is how you wear a beret!
Here’s where it gets weird for me. I love my blazers. And I’m pondering bringing one. What if the weather becomes unseasonably warm? My heavier camel coat will be too heavy? I doubt it will because that’s the coat I’m bringing.
The tan Schoolboy blazer is the one item I’m pondering about bringing. I’m definitely on the fence. You’ll see as you scroll below why I’m sticking to tan and not even thinking about navy.
I’ll sweat so much that passersby will mistake me for a Wallace Fountain and try to place an empty bottle at my body parts for water.
This is the Wallace Fountain across from Daniele’s apartment and from where we will be staying. If I get too hot from wearing too many clothes, I’ll sweat like a fountain and people will want to drink from me.
Since I’ll be cramming everything into a carry on (my husband brings a huge suitcase. I’ll throw my blazer and a pair of boots in his suitcase), I’ve got to give plenty of thought to what I’ll wear.
A week’s worth of clothes, shoes and wigs should fit in here comfortably. Okay, perhaps not comfortably but I’ll make it work!
I took photos of some ensembles. These will be printed out in color and I’ll use them for reference for the final pack!
In sticking to a black and tan palette, I’m fortunate this faux-suede skirt manages to still fit me. It’ll be worn with a black turtleneck and boots. This will be one of the dinner outfits that will be worn on repeat.
Two (or probably three) pairs of black knit pants will do . My J. Crew Pixie Pants on the right will work from day till evening. I picked up the pants on the left a few weeks back. A Jegging if you will that’ll work while running errands and shopping!
Since we’ll be out and about, tee shirts will work well. You can’t go wrong with white tees and black ones!
A tan cashmere sweater from Quince is also on board for cooler days as is a black one!
Last of all, two scarves in the same neutral family. Honestly, I have no time to decide over color.
Now on to footwear. As mentioned previously, my boots (and only one pair) will be thrown into my husband’s suitcase. When not wearing the boots, I’ll be wearing black ballet flats. These will be worn on the plane as well. They can easily be slipped off and back on for my friends at the TSA. I’ll bring my black suede Dulci pumps from J. Crew (which, by the way, have been discontinued) for our dinners out. Oh wait!! My black Geox pointy-toed booties with the cute heel. I need to bring those too. See why planning is so important?
The shoes. Booties which I’ll wear only in the evening because I’m not traipsing around Paris in heels. The same goes for my J. Crew Dulci pumps. Evening wear. The ballet flats and boots will be worn during the day hours for touring and wandering the streets.
Contrary to the casual look, I enjoy dressing up for dinner when we go out. It doesn’t even matter where we are. In Philly, in NYC and in Paris I love to dress for the occasion. I don’t go all out, I keep it simple and this trip will have me wearing a plain, basic black sweater dress also by J. Crew.
This textured sweater dress from J. Crew Factory is a great item. I didn’t show her enough love last winter but this will be coming to Paris. Another dinner item. I’ll wear with pointy-toed pumps (I’m going to tan before we leave because we all know that I abhor panty hose!), and a scarf.
Sadly, none of my jeans fit at the moment because my pandemic weight gain is sticking around. Around my belly, ass and thighs. That’s why I’m opting for knits. Besides—the knits are comfortable.
Correction!!! These Katy Girlfriend jeans by Kut From the Kloth fit. I might bring them and I might not. And this is why I plan ahead of time!
The underwear? We’ll be in Paris for 7 days and nights. I’ll bring a change of panties for each day and the bra that I wear. They will slide right into that carry-on!
Toiletries? Naturally, toothpaste, a toothbrush, floss and deodorant will be packed. And those items will be placed in my husband’s ditty bag. And samples of moisturizer. I’m not chancing getting any of the good stuff confiscated by my friends at the TSA. CityPharma is a few blocks away so I can pick up anything else that I need.
Makeup? It’s all compact and travel friendly! I’m packing everything that can be thrown into my LY Neverfull bag.
Oh my dear friends. This trip has given me the opportunity to clean out this bag after almost two years. I’m a bag slob. I should belong to Bag Slobs Anonymous. You would NOT believe some of the stuff I found in the bowels of this tote!
My MOB Beauty face palette, my Subtl Beauty stack and a Trestique mini-kit. A few random lip glosses and my new MOB mascara. Absolutely no foundation. And I would like a moment to discuss this. French women rarely wear a ton of shit on their faces. The eyes and lips. They take great care with their skin but as far as loading the heavy foundation, concealer and bronzer—they just don’t do it. I’m getting my French beauty on. I’ll stick to the eyes, blush and lips! And I’ll have to find a little empty perfume vial. I had a full-sized bottle of Guerlain’s L’Instant confiscated by my friends at the TSA a few years back so I no longer carry full sized scent. It’ll be too close to Christmas and my friends at the TSA like to do their Christmas shopping via confiscation. I’m not gonna be donating this year!
One of my three Subtl Beauty Stacks….
One of two Mob Beauty face palettes…
And one of three Trestique travel kits will be tucked away in my Neverfull.
All three are in there..
Along with a journal because I write every day when traveling..
..and a book to read while in the air. It all fits in the bag!
In a nutshell? I travel as light as possible. During the colder months of late autumn into winter it’s difficult due to the outwear and heavier clothing. But wearing on repeat and sticking to a very neutral, almost monochromatic clothing palette works wonders. You don’t need to pack as much!
Reservations for dinner have been made at various restaurants like Paul on Place Dauphine, Le Procope, and Allard. We’ll have a kitchenette so a meal or two in won’t hurt and it’ll be a nice walk to Café Bonaparte for some serious comfort food!
Dinner reservations at three restaurants have been made. Will wing the rest!
Yeah. To some it may be a bit odd that I’m preparing so far in advance, but in the end, it’ll be less stressful and I love me a smooth trip.
Trust me I’m sure to be adding and taking away but it’s a head start on packing and being prepared!
How do you pack? Well in advance? Last minute? Throwing everything into a ball? Let’s talk!