allons-y a londres et paris!

via purduecal

I have been even more restless than usual all week because I am headed to Europe for the first time this Friday evening.  Even though it will be a short, one-week trip to the city of dreams and the city of light, my boyfriend and I plan on hitting up everywhere and doing everything.  Oddly enough, though it may not be some's cup of tea, one of my favorite things to do is packing.  Or rather, planning what to pack.  When friends see my suitcase (or lack thereof), they are often surprised by how light I pack.  Both my boyfriend and I made it a week in Asia with carry-ons only (one backpack and one suitcase each), but this time, I think we can do it in one suitcase and one backpack all together.  Without further ado - here are my his and her's packing lists:

Electronics:
- DSLR + battery charger + 2 memory cards
- iPhone, iPad + chargers
- Wall Plug adaptor (essential for any international trip)

Personal:
- Wallets with cash
- Subway maps
- Eurostar train tickets
- Notebook + pen
- Book (for reading on the plane)
- Umbrellas (that darn London weather!)
- Some OTC meds (just in case)

Toiletries:

For him:

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Hair product
• Cologne samples
• Deodorant
• Shampoo/Conditioner sample packets (in case the hotel doesn't provide what you like)
• Small comb
• Face wash

For her:

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Dry Shampoo
• Perfume samples
• Deodorant
• Shampoo/Conditioner sample packets (in case the hotel doesn't provide what you like)
• Hair Brush
• Cleansing Towels
• Makeup Remover
• Moisturizer/Cream
• Makeup
• As far as makeup goes, everyone's essentials vary.  Mine are:
• LORAC Pro Palette + eyeshadow brushes - you can do any neutral/smokey eye look with this
• UD Eyeshadow Primer
• Pencil Eyeliner - love my dual-ended Sephora in brown/black for this
• Stila felt-tip eyeliner - I swear by this baby!
• Etude House BB Cream - I love the lightweight coverage and sunscreen in one!
• Anastasia Eyebrow Pencil
• Anastasia Brow Powder
• Anastasia Eyebrow Gel - I swear by this trio to get my brows perfectly groomed.
• Nars orgasm/laguna duo + blush brush
• Benefit Watt's Up highlighter (sample)
• Fresh lip polish in Petal (for a natural pink look)
• Stila liquid lipstick in Dolce (for a nude lip)
• Bite lip crayon in Pomegranate (a bold red lip)
• Buxom in Menace (a wine lip)
• Tweezers

As far as clothes go, I like to pack items that are easy to mix and match.  Both mine and my boyfriend's closets are pretty well curated and have a single color theme, so thankfully, choosing what to take isn't too difficult.  If you have a lot of clothes in many different styles, I highly recommend sticking to a few colors for travel.  Starting with the "for him", since guys have less options.

For Him:

- (How many days you travel) + 1 pair of underwear

- (How many days you travel) + 1 pair of socks - you can't skimp on packing these!

- Sunglasses (my guy swears by his Ray-Bans)

- Watch - he's in love with his new automatic timepiece from Steven Alan

- 2 sleepshirts

- 1 pair of sweats

- 1 scarf - he's taking a classic black wool one from Barney's 

- Utility Jacket 

- Lightweight hoodie - he has a fantasticly thin one from AllSaints

- Thin puffer vest - J.Crew makes the best ones!

- 2 pairs of jeans: skinny black pair from Gap, and a skinny dark wash pair from AllSaints

- 2 v-neck sweaters: a gray one from Gap, and a turquoise one from BR

- 4 undershirts/tees: 2 grey ones, 1 black one, and 1 slate one

- 2 button-downs: 1 light plaid one from Frank & Eileen, 1 dark plaid one from AllSaints

- 1 heavyweight l/s tee: a mariniere from Saint James (only fitting for Paris)

- The most comfortable pair of sneakers you own - his are Nike's

For Her:

- (How many days you travel) + 1 pair of underwear

- 1 pair of tights

- 5 pairs of socks - you have to plan a bit more than guys depending on the footwear/bottom you plan on wearing

- Sunglasses - I love my cat-eye Ray-Bans

- 1 sleepshirt

- Bras - but at least one black and one nude

- 2 pairs of leggings - for the plane and train ride

- 1 scarf - I'd go for a lightweight neutral one that goes with everything

- 1 pair of jeans - my trusty dark wash J.Brands!

- 2 skirts - a white silk Zara one and a jade-colored Etoile Isabel Marant jersey one

- 5 tops - a white v (AllSaints makes a perfect tissue slouchy one), a black tank (Everlane's Ryan is great), a mariniere (J.Crew has a nice tunic-length one), a silk blouse (Uniqlo's is not too expensive and classic), and a sweatshirt (AllSaints Ridley goes with everything!)

- 1 pair of sandals - for dressier days I love Sam Edelman's Sutton sandal

- 1 pair of sneakers - my trusty black/white Nike Frees

- 1 day purse - my Loeffler Randall Rider holds and goes with everything!

Even though some items will get more than one wear, a bunch of different outfits and looks can be created from the above.  I can't wait to give all of these outfits a go - and still have some room to bring back some goodies. :)