putting things in a large purple suitcase

we start with a few days on the Riviera, the season is ending but the weather is still fine and sunny. That means that my lovely furry outfits, inspired by a charming sketch I recently saw, won't come out of the suitcase until we reach Paris. In fact, since Parisians are a touch judgmental where fashion is concerned, the outfits may not get into the suitcase at all. Seems a pity to waste all that inspiration, especially when Target is selling lovely opaque tights in 5 or 6 different shades of green for $8.

note green legs

note headwear

note matching hat, coat, gloves

Ah, yes, we creatives are at our happiest when seeking Inspiration from Nature...

note jaunty scarf

In addition to a sack of different colored tights, the packing includes such original things as:

pants

skirts

jackets

shirts

I'm reminded of former neighbors whose living and dining rooms remained unfurnished for years because every decorator they consulted had the same "unoriginal" ideas - tables, couches, chairs... Himself and I eagerly awaited the engagement  of a decorator who would put a koi pond and viewing bridge in the dining room and a mirrored sauna in the living room.  Didn't happen. They got divorced instead.

Back to packing, this time it has to deal with transitional season and transitional climate, and if one more person suggests dressing in layers I will scream. No, I do not want to trudge through a museum carrying a light jacket and an extra sweater. No, I do not want to make a picturesque neighborhood more picturesque with a coat hanging off my shoulders and a sweater tied around my waist. No, I do not want to walk the Stations in a gothic church with shoes dangling from my belt and an extra tunic in a backpack. I think layering is a travel concept that works well in practice maybe three days out of a year, and since we'll be on the road for 18...

So I'm working with color, but not slavishly. The list reads:

black stuff	taupe stuff	wine stuff
leather blazer (RL collection)	leather jacket (new, Theory)	knit jacket (vintage, Adolfo)
cotton zip jacket		2 tops that match trim on jacket
wool slacks, 2		wool slacks (DK)
jeans, 2
silk blouse, white, black collar	silk blouse (new, Theory)	long-sleeve silk tee, (DK ,vintage)
silk blouse, hearts (navy, really)	silk blouse	long-sleeve striped silk blouse (JC)
silk blouse, satin/crepe cashmere pullover		sweater (new, RL) cashmere tank (RL)
skirt, tweed (JC)	skirt (sssnakeprint)
suit, midi skirt, funnelneck jacket	skirt, leather, midi	twinset (Creatures of the Wind)
	twinset (Missoni)
basics	shoes	coats
tees	Chie oxfords, black	raincoat (haven't decided which)
LBDs, 2	Chie oxfords, multi	black cashmere trench
rainhats, 2	wedge sneakers, Tod's, black
tights, socks scarves	ditto, light brown restaurant shoes, black or multi

And yes, the suitcases are truly purple. Last fall, our trusty 10-year-old TJ Maxx suitcases fell apart as we neared Paris. We laid them to rest and actually went to a "real store" and bought brand new suitcases that had not been marked down. I still tremble at the thought. The purple came about because the suitcases were available in black (indistinguishable on airport carousel), beige (dirt magnet), red (he couldn't, he just couldn't), Kelly green (TSA magnet), and a stately purple. How many other people, we asked ourselves, would have purple luggage? More than you would think, it turns out.

And I got a haircut. Old reliable straight "graduated bob" needed a break.

tres Parisienne, dontcha think?