This is it, dumped out onto the bed. We’ll have to buy toothpaste in Paris, where you can actually get a 3 ounce tube – big enough for more than a few days… Samples of my skin care products are very helpful; some things I only use once or twice a week.
The thing that finally got me to minimize the volume of liquids that I pack? On the first day of some month, years ago, I vowed that I was going to live ENTIRELY out of my dopp kit until it ran out. And I realized, near the END of that month (almost four weeks into my experiment) that I still had quite a bit of stuff… Since then, I’ve cut way back on quantities, and if I have to buy something, then I’ll just HAVE to shop in Paris. (oh bother)
Exactly!!! I actually skip packing soap and pack only enough hand lotion to survive the plane so I can pick up my favorites in France. Hoping you are having a GLORIOUS time.
Don't forget your sunscreen (or is it there?). Another Paula fan here.
Oh, it's there! The silvery tube in the top row is SPF 25, I think. I'm the girl with the divot in the tip of her nose from a close encounter of the sun damage kind…
Kindred spirits! I love Paula's Choice and save the samples for trips.
I see you're a fan of Paula's Choice … I love her BTR show, Paula and her team always have great advice!
"… then I'll just HAVE to shop in Paris." Poor you! LOL!!!
In a burst of travel-light enthusiasm this summer I spreadsheeted how long it took me to use up travel sized liquids. I switched from body wash to a solid pure glycerin bar and from toothpaste to tooth powder(travel only says my dentist)which accommodates a bigger volume of sunscreen. Altho shopping in Paris does sound like fun!
Thanks for sharing.
I too love Paula's Choice. However I haven't figured out how to make the sample packs work when I travel. I tend to get several uses out of a packet and I find that I have to leave it standing upright on my counter or it will spill out (I just tear open a tiny corner). How do others handle this when you may only be staying 1-2 days in a location, or even when you have a sink situation where the packet can't be left out, but has to be put away? thanks.
Extra zip lock bags
Use the binder clip!
Janice, I'm learning so much from you! I really hope you show us what wardrobe you will be traveling in and packing. I'm going on a trip to Germany for the holidays in December for 10 days. I would love to copy you as I do these days a LOT T hanks for all the inspiration.
Use the tip of your safety pin to put a little hole in the sample packages. The contents won't ooze out as easily.
Can anyone recommend a reasonable hotel in Paris in a safe and convenient location — near shopping and museums? Thanks, Martha
Hotel Jeanne d'Arc, at 3 rue de Jarente. Weird lobby decor, small rooms, but always clean and quiet. NOT where we just stayed (more on that soon) but a hotel I've been in a few times and would return to.
I did an experiment in the same spirit once: when I started a new bottle of something, I wrote the date in sharpie on the bottom of the bottle. When I finished it, I could see how long it lasted. I was shocked to see how little shampoo, body wash, etc., I actually use and it did give me confidence to pack far less for trips.
I love multitaskers for travel, too. Paula's Choice makes a hair and body shampoo that also works as a face wash if you have normal skin. And I use Nivea cream (the German version, which they sell at Merz Apothecary) for face, heels, hands, cuticles…