Hello friend! Today I want to show you how and what I’m packing for walking around Paris, our porch set with voluptuous peonies, tips for hanging a gallery wall and more. Annie and Cindy are also sharing their fab finds with us!
I am writing this from the Air France airport lounge in JFK headed to Paris. Howard and I will meet the kids there and we will be staying in an apartment in the 7th arrondissement. YAY! Follow me on Instagram for more.
Also, I hope you caught our guest room post…progress on our new home!
1. Simple Weeknight Table Setting
It doesn’t take much effort to set a simple table and these votive candles inside the wire baskets (similar) make it easy. We sat outside on the covered porch while it rained. Cozy!
How about these peonies from Publix? They didn’t last long but had a spectacular finish.
2. Gallery Wall Tips
This method works for me since I like symmetry. This is our upstairs hallway and I used vintage prints collected from the various places we have lived and visited.
3. Antique Mirror with Modern Sconces
I haven’t shown on the blog the finished look with my mother’s antique mirror and the Circa Lighting modern iron sconces in the stairwell. Makes me happy to see the mirror that was in our home growing up here.
4. How To Pack Your Suitcase To Maximize Space
Howard bought me these pink packing cubes from Amazon and I really like them.
This time, to save space, I rolled all my clothing (as my friend Joy does). It does save space!
5. Packing For Walking Around Paris
If you are new here…we lived in Paris for a couple of years a long time ago and have gone back for a visit almost every year. Comfortable shoes are key as even taking the Metro you put in A LOT of steps!
You can see in the above photo that I packed this cute checked linen sheath dress (on sale) for our trip (comes in tall, regular and petite — I bought the 8P–it’s long enough but a 6 regular would have been good too), along with my white denim jacket and comfortable Madewell sidewalk sneakers (25% off now). That Dior lipstick is one of my favorites…and is in my purse now.
Shop the Outfit:
You may also like:
Summer Packing Tips Two Weeks In Europe and Fun Things to Do In PARIS.
Each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
MA … I love your gallery wall. One of these days I’m going to get brave to do something like this at the end of our hallway. I’ve pinned so I can refer back when the time comes. Packing cubes are great and I adore your walking around Paris outfit. Thank goodness sneakers are French approved. Bon voyage! xo
Sorry for this late comment–is the J. Crew gingham dress bra-friendly? Looks lovely!
Yes, mine doesn’t show.
I purchased compression packing cubes with double zippers on Amazon. Let’s you pack even more!
Wow…sounds great.
Mary Ann, your simple, but elegant table setting is gorgeous! I cannot get over how beautiful the peonies are from your local grocery store! Love your walking around Paris outfit! And travel cubes for packing are fabulous!
Did you tell me your middle name is *envy*? Jax beach and Paris all in one summer.And a cute dress too. Go Girl!
Mary Ann, Thanks for featuring the lovely Banana Republic Effortless Tote. I’ve enjoyed my 2021 purchase, though in natural linen with black leather trim…a version no longer on BR site. I studied tote dimensions prior to purchase, yet tote seems smaller than in photos, and is better as a light-duty stylish shoulder bag versus mid-duty shopping tote. Wonderful post to get the wheels turning and once again make travel memories!
Thanks, Char…I was thinking that it could hold more than my smaller crossbody.
What fun to be in Paris again for you and your family! We have been twice and can’t wait to return. The food, the art, the wine! Look for Ina and Jeffrey as they are there too😉 -Debbie
I know! I saw that on her Instagram!
I know what you mean about being happy to have a piece from your childhood home (the mirror).The sconces flanking it make a lovely trio. I’ll be right behind you on AIr France, staying at an apt owned by my BIL and sister on Rue St. Dominique in the 7th. Safe travels and fun times with your family.
We are staying in a apartment in the 7th too!
Hi Lynn, If I’m not mistaken, the hat is from Madewell. I ordered it after seeing it on a previous post from Mary Ann. When I ordered it this weekend, it was marked down by using a code (don’t remember what) and the price was only 32.21 total for me at my tax rate. Hope that helps.
And to Mary Ann: I mentioned the 7th since I know you are staying there! Bon journee!
Enjoy Paris. Do you have a link for the packable hat?
It’s from J. Crew. Sorry, it won’t let me add the link from Europe.
I really enjoy your blog and especially like viewing your outfits with the details you provide. I have packing cubes but your new packing cubes seem to take up less room in your suitcase. I may try these. Normally I pack my clothes adding tissue paper to reduce wrinkling. I’ve been tempted to try rolling my clothes but worry if they get wrinkled?
They are a little wrinkled…some of the wrinkles are falling out as I have hung them…and we have a iron in the room for a quick touchup if necessary.
Hope you are having a lovely time ! Once you are home, will you share where you stayed? I have never been to Paris and wouldn’t know where to stay. Would love to stay where an experienced traveler stays ! Thank you !
We rented an apartment that was supposed to have a balcony and a view of the Eiffel tower but they put us on the ground floor. So I can’t recommend them. I have other places that I can recommend if you search Paris at the top of the blog.
I love your and Howard’s tradition of returning to Paris each year and meeting your family there is even better. Have an enjoyable vacation. I’ve had packing cubes in my shopping cart for months. I just need to hit the ‘buy it now’ button. Haha.
I love the table setting with the peonies and the wire basket voties.
xo,
Karen B.
Thanks so much, Karen!!!