Planning for LA

I had a few readers ask if I was going to post my outfits for LA like I did for my trip to Paris and since I'm still not exactly sure what I should be wearing, I start planning them out! These outfits are my first run through of options that I think will work. As I mentioned previously, LA is much more casual than New York but some of these looks are my version of casual. I've also heard conflicting advice as to whether white jeans are acceptable so I decided to just go for it and include them. I can always swap them out for my dark jeans if I get there and realize that they are indeed inappropriate. I'll also be changing each night for dinner and I think I might need to add another dress outfit but that just might give me an excuse to go shopping when I get there!

I'm still undecided on what to wear on the plane and the above outfit might work. It will be chilly when I leave New York but I don't want to wear a heavy coat since I won't need it in LA so I think my old Helmut Lang anorak could be a good outerwear option. I've also been advised that I need to wear layers in LA so the tee shirt means that I can peel off J. Crew cashmere sweater when I get hot. Even though it's white, my Goyard tote is perfect for packing all my reading materials for the plane and I can't wait to wear my new Jack Rogers flats! My Hermes watch with the blue band will also add a pop of color.

Again, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to wear white but this could be a good casual outfit for driving up the coast or hitting the Farmer's Market where I hear they have great fish tacos!

We have some fancy stuff planned while I'm in LA and I will be meeting some important peeps so for some of the days, I might need to be a little more dressed up. I thought this black J. Crew jacket would work with my silk Rag & Bone tank and white jeans. I have been told that the girls in LA are still wearing boots but the whole point of my going away is so that I don't have to wear boots so I will be wearing my Roger Vivier sandals as much as possible! I also plan to take a page out of Rachel Zoe's book and bring my black Birkin. I've also been told that I need a scarf so I'm packing two, including this black one from Club Monaco.

If I can't wear white jeans, then this outfit of black jacket and blush colored top with dark jeans is my alternate choice. I am very excited to wear my Phillip Lim ribbon necklace again!

If I need a slightly more casual outfit, than I can replace the blazer with this black Phillip Lim cardigan. Although, it does have some beading on it so maybe it's not really any more casual!

Again, my idea of casual is a blazer and jeans so I hope I can wear this white linen and cotton version from J. Crew. It's actually a little more on the winter white side so I'm going to make it work! If it's too cold for the Roger Vivier sandals, I am also going to pack an old pair of black Loeffler Randall flats. The necklace is from Asha by ADM.

I'm trying to plan outfits with components that can be worn more than once and the white blazer could also work for a casual night out with the blush top, Phillip Lim necklace and my vintage gold clutch. I also have a blush colored cashmere scarf to complete the look.

For a dressier night on the town, I am packing my plum colored Phillip Lim jersey dress. Since it will be chilly at night, I will top it off with one of the black blazers and the black cashmere scarf. The heels are Christian Louboutin, the belt is new from Marni, the gold bracelet is from J. Crew and the ring is from Marcia Moran.

I am debating if this Phillip Lim dress with the attached rhinestone bib necklace is a little too dressy for LA but I could always cover it up with the black scarf. Rolling up the sleeves on the jacket might help dress it down as will the tan clutch from Club Monaco and Lanvin bracelets. Or maybe not. I feel like I should just wear a sign in LA that says I'm visiting from New York and this is as casual as I get!

I was also trying to pare down the essentials in my handbag. For this trip, I'll definitely need my make up case, Goyard business card holder, pink agenda, orange receipt envelope, wallet, Mason Pearson hair brush, passport (it has a better photo than my driver's license!), CrackBerry, camera and case with extra memory cards and battery, and Tom Ford sunglasses.

Luckily, I don't leave until Thursday so I have a few more days to tweak my "casual" outfits and wrestle my Hartman suitcase out of the closet to start packing. Just hope it's not over the weight limit like it was in Paris!

All photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Packing for Paris

I just wrestled my ginormous suitcase out of the closet and I'm about to start filling it. You really didn't think I was going to go to Paris for five and a half days with a carry on did you? I can barely pack everything for a short weekend in one! I really thought I could finish up all my work, get ready for my trip and blog everyday but that proved to be a ridiculous idea so you'll have to talk amongst yourselves while I finalize my outfits and make sure I don't forget anything. I'll check in tomorrow before I take off. Bonsoir!

Photo by Miles Aldridge

Planning for Paris

I'm a notorious overpacker but that's mostly because I always like extra options. One of the best ways to avoid overpacking is to plan out all your outfits in advance. This is especially helpful if you are attending an event like a wedding where don't want to forget your special shoes and accessories. In an attempt to prevent myself from overpacking for my upcoming trip to Paris, I've started laying out what I might want to wear each day. Of course, I can't finalize anything until I check the weather report a few days before I leave but this is a good start.

On the plane, I will probably wear my white JCrew jeans with a black silk tank from Rag & Bone and a cashmere cardigan (above). It's best to wear slip on shoes to get through security quickly so I'll wear my gold Louboutin flats. Accessories will include my new Phillip Lim necklace, bangle bracelets, Asha by ADM ring, and Prada bag. Inside the bag, will be a cashmere scarf, reading material, headphones, eye mask, moisturizer and Melatonin. I'd like to arrive looking chic and feeling refreshed! And if not, I will hide behind my Tom Ford sunglasses!

I'm not exactly sure about this orange dress since I've been advised to wear black everyday but it could be fun for when we attend Maison & Objet. I usually don't wear a necklace with it but it looked better with one for styling purposes. The bangles and ring will be the same as before but I might wear my Roger Vivier sandals if it's warm enough. Just in case it's chilly or wet, I am packing a pair of nude Loeffler Randall wedge flats that can work with neutral outfits or my black dresses for day.

For sightseeing and shopping, I am going to wear my old black Phillip Lim dress with my new Phillip Lim necklace. This dress looks better belted so I have to remember to pack one. On my feet will be my black Roger Vivier sandals. Yes I have them in two colors! When you find something you like and it's on sale, get it in every color!

I've been caught wearing inappropriate shoes, like opened toes Louboutin flats, to tour historic outdoor sites before which is the reason I bought the Hogan sneakers. We plan to spend many hours touring the chateau at Versailles as well as the gardens and Petit Trianon so I want to be prepared! My outfit will consist of white or blue jeans, little blush colored silk top with a JCrew striped cardigan. Jewelry will be bangles from before, blue stone ring, and pearl necklace on twine from Florence. And of course I can't forget my camera! I'm taking a small Canon for quick pics and my Nikon for when I want more professional looking photos!

I'm really excited to wear my new Ports 1961 dress while in Paris. It has a thin layer of tulle under the skirt so it will be the perfect day to night dress. During the day, I'll wear it with sandals or flats and I'll pack a pair of heels and different jewelry for the evening.

Depending on the weather, I might have to pack a thin raincoat. Before my flight back, I will have time to walk around so I was thinking about bringing a blazer to wear with a blouse and trouser jeans. It's better not to sleep when returning so you can go to bed at your regular time when you get home. Other helpful hints include packing bubble wrap which will fill up the empty spaces in your suitcase at the beginning and can be used to wrap your purchases for the trip back. If anyone else has some good travel tips or clothing suggestions, let me know! Bon voyage!

*Update: I just want to clarify that I don't leave until September 2nd! I decided to plan out my outfits early so I would be prepared in case I needed anything. When I wait until the last minute, I usually get too busy to plan and that's when I just throw everything in a suitcase and get to my destination missing a belt or without the right shoes!