My diminishing suitcase packing list for a Europe holiday in earlySpring

Well I'm here in France! I never got to publish my packing list before we left Australia, because as per usual I was too busy with work and sick (yes again! This time with the flu) before we left. I guess now I can add some preliminary notes.

Packing light for just over a month away is no mean feat for some one who enjoys dressing up... but it's very important for someone who also enjoys to shop whilst away.

What worked really well for me back in 2012 when we traveled to the USA, was packing a diminishing suitcase. This means, that apart from the staples, I also packed a few items that were on their last legs.

I did the same on this occasion and specifically 'saved' a few bits and pieces from my recent wardrobe cull to take with me, so that as I travel across Europe acquiring new stuff, I will get rid of this old stuff hence making room in my suitcase.  It's also a really good way to just get rid of worn out pieces that you find yourself clinging onto, even though honestly the items belong in the bin.

My packing list (items in red text are the pieces destined for the bin):

Coats and Jackets

• Etoile Isabel Marant Kady leather jacket in tan
• Etoile Isabel Marant tweed blazer in dark grey
• Fleur Wood felt wool blazer in light grey (worn on Day 2 in Nice)

Day 2 outfit

Dresses

• Etoile Isabel Marant Prewitt dress in black & ecru (can be dressed up or down)
• Trenery check dress in navy

Knits

• Etoile Isabel Marant Falk sweater in black & natural
• Country Road knit in light grey 
• Indie designer light knit in black

Tops

• Country Road long sleeved striped jersey top with zip
• Country Road crew neck long sleeved striped t-shirt
• 2 x SABA striped breton top in black and white
• Jane Lamerton striped Breton top in cream and ink navy
• Country Road long sleeve tee in grey marle
• SABA white tee  
• Layering tops
• Seamless tank tops in black, grey and nude

Jeans/Pants

• Country Road skinny jeans in blue
• Nudie skinny jeans in black
• Zara cropped cuffed trousers in black

Shoes

• Isabel Marant Dickers in tan*
• Isabel Marant Jenny in dark grey*
• Country Road Winona ballet flats in black*

* After walking 20 km around Nice and Monte Carlo I have decided I need to buy sneakers. Walking on cobble stones and up a million stairs is a bit different than walking the streets of New York...

Miscellaneous/Accessories

• Statement necklace in black
• Scarf in black
• Socks
• Opaque tights in black
• Undies
• 2 x bras (one nude and one black)
• Pyjama pants (with daytime layering tops as pyjama tops)

That's it.  In case you are wondering the above list includes what I wore on the plane.

Toiletries & Makeup Packing List

We depart for our holiday in less than a week! First off, I'm publishing my toiletries and makeup packing list.  Of course these packing lists will be different for everyone, depending on what products one uses, but they are a good start.

Back in 2012 when I holidayed in the United States, I only packed sample sizes or almost finished cosmetics.  This turned out to be a great idea given that within 24 hours of our plane landing I found myself in Sephora hemorrhaging money.

Our first stop on our Europe itinerary is Nice, France, and well, I can almost hear the French pharmacies calling my name in the distance...  I will be packing very lightly in the skincare department, knowing that I will certainly buy a few new products in France.

Toiletries Packing List  

• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Floss
• Dry shampoo (travel sized)
• Cleansing Oil/Makeup Remover (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)
• Exfoliating Cleanser (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)
• Facial Oil (remainder of my Kosmea Organic Rose Hip Oil) 
• Moisturiser (a small deluxe sized sample from Clinique)
• Eye Cream (a tiny sample tube from Caudalie)
• Body wash (deluxe sized sample) 
• Fragrance (a couple of sample vials)
• Shampoo and conditioner (sample sachets)
• Comb
• Hair ties
• A few bobby pins
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers

When it comes to makeup, I plan to play it safe and pack the items I use on daily basis here at home.

I'm packing my every day favourite cosmetics

Makeup Packing List

Foundation and tinted moisturiser.  A small sample tube of tinted moisturiser and my current foundation (Bourjois Healthy Mix).

Concealer.  I can't live without my Ellis Fass concealer...

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder palette.  This is one of my favourite recent purchases.  I have fair skin, so the powders in this palette work for me as a setting powder, highlighter and bronzer.

Blush.  A small travel compact of a pinky neutral Tarte powder.

Eyeshadow.  I'm taking my Clinque Chubby Stick in 'Ample Ambre' (a favourite), my NARS shadow pencil in 'Skorpios' and Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks in 'Amethyst' and 'Sugar Frost'.  These four colours will create a lot of looks and the products require no brushes for application.

Mascara.  A deluxe sized sample tube.

NARS lipstick.  My favourite YLBB shade for day ('Dolce Vita').

MAC lipstick. My favourite bright shade for night or day ('Vegas Volt').

I am packing the bare minimum make-up brushes with me - just the MAC 187 duo fibre brush which I use for powder and a Tarte blush brush.

The ultimate packing list - In my suitcase

The last 24 hours have been horrible for me.  I have come down with food poisoning!  If anyone has any tips on how to deal with it whilst traveling - I'm all ears (we fly out tomorrow morning).  Currently taking stuff to paralyze my intestines (so that I can stop running to the toilet every half an hour) and electrolytes to rehydrate.

Anyways, back to the subject of this post... packing.  I have looked at the weather forecast for NYC for the next 10 days and the temperatures are basically like the coldest I ever experienced where I live now - obviously not unbearable but very chilly by our Aussie standards.  I'm relived to see though that there is no rain in sight and Thursday is looking like it might be a balmy 17 degrees.

Although it looks like I'll need to pack my Winter wardrobe, the name of the game for this holiday is pack light and shop hard.  The items in red text are the things which I intend to throw out/donate to charity whilst on my holiday.

My packing list:

Coats and Jackets

• Witchery faux shearing lined long coat in beige.
• Etoile Isabel Marant tweed blazer in dark grey (will double as an outwear layer on warmer days).

Dresses

• Country Road seamed dress in black (can be dressed up or down).

Knits

• by Malene Birger cape knit in black
• Fleur Wood bat wing knit in light grey

Tops

• Jane Lamerton striped top in cream and almost black navy.
• Witchery statement shoulder top in black.
• Woolen bat wing top in black.
• Bat wing top in khaki.
• Country Road long sleeve tee in black.
• Layering tops.
• Seamless tops in black and nude.

Jeans/Pants

• Country Road skinny jeans in blue.
• Nudie skinny jeans in black.
• Country Road panel stretch pant in dark grey.

Shoes

• Isabel Marant Dickers in anthracite.
• Country Road biker boots in black.
• A pair of flats.

Miscellaneous/Accessories

• Scarf.
• Socks.
• Fleece lined tights in black.
• Undies.
• 2 x bras (one nude and one black)
• Pyjama pants (with daytime layering tops as pyjama tops).

That's it.  And in case you are wondering the above list includes what I will be wearing on the plane.

The ultimate packing list - in my makeup and toiletry bag

I have this zany idea to only pack sample sizes or almost finished cosmetics when I go overseas (in less than 3 weeks time now) - idea being that I can bin each item as I polish it off leaving room for newly acquired items (make-up wishlist post is under construction).  So really this make-up and toiletry bag packing list is only suitable for those who plan on splurging on beauty products on their holiday or those who use minimal cosmetics.

Sample size me!

I will be packing the following cosmetics:

Foundation and tinted moisturiser.  I have a small sample tube of Stila Sheer Colour Moisturiser.  I may or may not take the remnants of my current foundation depending on if there is any left. 

Biotherm Light Catch concealer.  I think by the time March rolls around it will be almost finished.

Make Up For Ever loose powder.  I have been using this for years - as in I bought it when this brand was still sold in David Jones and I question every time I use it whether my face will fall of that day.  It hasn't fallen off so I guess it's ok.

MAC eyeliner.  I will probably take a brown one as it is softer for day.

Clinique High Impact mascara.  This is the current mascara that I am using.  Come the end of my holiday it will be four months since I opened it (shock horror - I will have used it for longer than the obligatory three month self life once opened).  I will replace it with a new mascara at some stage during my travels.

MAC lipstick.  I will probably take the shade "Fanfare" with me, as it is a good everyday shade.  It also looks great for evening with thick layer of shiny gloss over the top.

I am taking the bare minimum make-up brushes with me - the MAC 217 blending brush for eyeshadow and the MAC 187 duo fibre brush, which I use for powder.  I am undecided at this stage whether to pack a blush brush... hmm.

Note, that I am packing no eye shadows or blushes as I will purchase both products on my holiday.  Although I wear blush on a daily basis, I can totally do without it.  If I do get absolutely desperate for cheek colour, I can use my lipstick.

I am packing the following toiletries:  

• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Dry shampoo (travel sized)
• Eye makeup remover (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)
• Cleanser (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)
• Moisturiser (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)
• Eye serum (sample from Clinique)
• Comb
• Hair ties
• A hairpin or two
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Fragrance (a tiny 5ml bottle of Chloe).

Lastly, I have decided to pack my makeup and toiletry bag into my suitcase.  As "Anonymous" commentator pointed out with respect to my last packing post - the less for customs to check through, the better.  Though the few items I specifically listed in that same post (to battle the four Ds) I'm definitely taking on board the plane (unless the powers that be stop me).

Next up my clothing packing list... the most challenging of them all.

The ultimate packing list - in my cabin bag

I do not travel much, so I do not have much experience as to what to pack when going away for an longish holiday to the other side of the world. Actually I have not traveled overseas since I was a little girl, and in my old age I have a habit of over packing each time I fly interstate *just* for the weekend.

So after scouring the Internet and some of my old magazines (and given I am off to the US for a month in a month's time!!) I have come up with what I think are the ultimate packing lists for an overseas holiday suitable for a TRANS-SEASONAL climate.

Without further ado, here is the list that I have complied as to what to pack into my cabin bag (my old and faded, but trusty Kenneth Cole handbag): 

• Purse.
• Travel papers.
• Toiletry/make-up bag including hydrating facial mist, lip balm and hand cream.
• Tissues.
• Anti-bacterial wipes.
• Hand sanitiser gel.
• Hat and gloves (we arrive in New York after 9 pm, so I can only imagine that it will be cold. The last thing I want to be doing is rummaging through my suitcase looking for these items). 



To combat the four D's of travel: dirty hands, dry hands, de-hydrated face and dry lips.  Pictured is MAC Fix + Rose, Jurlique Rose Hand Cream sachet, Jurlique Moisturising Hand Sanitiser and Biotherm Aquasource Moisturizing Balm for the lips.

Special items for a long-haul international flight:

• A couple magazines - I know that they are heavy, but magazines on a plane is a bit of a ritual for me.
• Pashmina - I will use this as a blanket on the plane, but it will also double as my scarf throughout my travels. 
• Sleep aid widgets such as an eye-mask, neck pillow, earplugs (in case there are crying children in our vicinity) and sleeping pills.

The in-case-our-luggage-goes-missing items:

• Change of underwear.
• Thick woolen socks.

Also coming on the plane with me is my camera bag which will contain my DSLR camera and my compact camera (along with their chargers).

What have I forgotten???