So. . . this was me, in Vancouver, a week ago yesterday, all dressed for the airport (except that yes, I wore my new pink spring raincoat over all this because I have often needed a raincoat in Paris in April). I checked my carry-on to make the airport walking easier (2.8 kilometres before I was done!) and increase my chances of making the tight connection at CDG. . . I also had a backpack (20-litres) and a small cross-body bag, for those who are curious about packing light. . . This is only a 17-day trip, so reasonably easy to pack for, except that the weather was likely to span from 12 to 26 degrees Celsius. . .
And here I am in that same outfit — which I’d worn through three airports over 31 hours — just checked into my Lisbon hotel room. . . Just a week ago, but it feels much longer. A week in which I averaged walking 8 kilometres a day and climbed hundreds and hundreds of steps; saw Lisbon spread out below me from various viewpoints (Miradouros); sketched with new friends; played with new art tools and media and techniques; and just generally stoked my creative spirit in a vibrant and beautiful city. A city that graced our week with gentle breezes, welcome sunshine and pleasantly warm temperatures (never too hot, but I got to wear summer clothes after a cool, wet spring in Vancouver.
There hasn’t been time (nor energy) to post here since I left home, although I’ve added to Instagram daily. But I know many of you are curious about What I Wore and how I pack for travel, so I’ve been snapping an OOTD photo in my hotel room mirror for you each morning.
Since it’s almost 7:30 p.m. here now, and I have to get everything back in that carry-on and back-pack, ready to catch a train first thing in the morning, I’m going to post the photos with very little accompanying text, and I’ll add a link to the Instagram post for that day, so you can connect outfit to activities if interested. So much more to show and tell when I get home late next week, but for now . . .
That first day, after unpacking, I sprayed wrinkled cotton and linen garments and hung them to dry so this dress was ready to wear when I woke up from a necessary nap.
Here’s some of what I saw that first afternoon and evening, walking in my new neighbourhood (Principe Real bordering on Barrio Alto). . .
The dress above is linen; the one below is cotton; they’re both so comfortable and easy to wear with sneakers for city walking in warm-ish weather. Bonus: there’s enough coverage that I didn’t need to apply much sunscreen.
As you’ll note, I brought two pairs of sneakers (purple Ons and white Stan Smith Adidas) — and no other shoes. So far, so good. . .
And both dresses punched above their weight for packing space; so far two days for each dress (I’ve just abandoned my idea to link each OOTD to an IG post of the activities I wore it for — that project is taking too long and I really have to pack up here! I’ll provide a few links where I can, but otherwise you might just browse my Instagram posts to see where I got to. And there will be more of those to come as I find time to sort out where I’ve been ;-))
On Saturday, our sketching group met at the open-air market in the Principe Real Garden. It had cooled a bit, and we were sketching in the shade of the park’s huge trees, so my lightweight merino cardi and a pair of Aritzia black jersey pants (10 or 12 years old?) were very comfy. Some photos of that day here.
Warmer again on Sunday, with a long, hilly walk to the Miradouro where we’d be sketching — cool, comfortable gear was a must. This striped top is cotton/linen, the skirt cotton and so breezy, easy to move in. . .
It was a bit too warm for the Stan Smiths, but luckily I didn’t end up with blisters. . .
Don’t worry, I did remember to pop my sunhat on before I left my room. . . But I did forget my hearing aids, and didn’t realize until I was about three blocks away. Already running late (maybe because I stopped to take a photo with my sunhat!!), I decided I had to manage. The stress got worse when my new iphone, with my new eSIM, wouldn’t connect to the Internet, so that I had to navigate with the directions I’d (luckily) screenshot the night before — which worked until a street sign was missing or I took a wrong turn. . . . Yikes! That might be why there are no pictures of that morning at Miradouro da Graça. . . but I did post a few on IG from my walk home after lunch. . .
I’m intent on getting this post out to you this evening, but increasingly anxious about packing and readying myself for an early taxi to the train station. So here’s what I wore today — that teal cotton skirt and a linen top — perfect for today’s mid-20s temperature. The Stan Smiths because I knew I’d be walking less (barely 4 kilometres) . . .
Again, I did wear my sunhat . . .
and this fun pair of earrings (extra fun for me because I won them as a draw/door prize at an embroidery workshop about 5 or 6 years ago. . .
This is a more scattered post than I’d hoped to send out, but I know you’ll understand. Better scattered than not at all? Hmmm, I hope that’s true.
For now, sending love from Lisbon,
Stay tuned for my next stop . . .
xo,
f
This post didn’t feel scattered to me, though I could feel (and relate to) the anxiety of time running low to prepare for an early departure the next morning! Were you able to get a good night’s sleep after that? I struggle to get to sleep the night before travel, but I’d guess all the walking on this trip helped with that.
My favorite outfits include that gorgeous striped cardigan and the first dress. I can’t get enough bright colors these days. That’s a fantastic self-portrait at the end with the jazzy (new?) glasses, fun earrings and all those curls!
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I did okay for sleep that night, but ended up waking before 5 and just staying up. Worth it for the comfort I feel being at the station in plenty of time.
And thanks re the selfie (yes, the glasses are new . . . the curls, on the other hand, are quite quite old 😉
Lovely Lisbon , you’ve brought back memories for me . A good place to be a solo traveller I think , as the locals are so friendly. We are currently in Somerset & spent today walking around Bath . Not quite as tiring as the hills of Lisbon but we are pretty tired tonight . Especially our old dog ! Enjoy the rest of your trip .
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Very true — the locals are really friendly; everyone in our group (staying in separate accommodations) remarked on the friendliness and feeling of genuine welcome.
City walking brings its own kind of fatigue, don’t you think?
This post felt like a mini vacation. Always enjoy the outfit posts. And those glasses are w0nderful!
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Glad you enjoyed it! I’m pretty happy with the glasses (tried on so many frames before I chose!)
Not scattered…newsy! But oh I am with you 100% on the horrors of the early start (I’m still recovering from the 3am alarm clock in Florence) and the cold fear that the taxi will not arrive.
There are a number of days and a temperature range beyond which packing becomes more difficult. You did well, you always do! I never thought to spray things to release the creases (I just swear, and iron lol). I bought a new black summer dress (Sezane Pippa) to replace a faded and worn black linen and think/hope it will be good in the suitcase as well as for regular wear. (I always love black for summer…I made a black cotton sundress in Home Ec in grade 9…)
Lisbon looks so beautiful from your Insta. Now I can picture you there in your outfits…
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I have an early train departure coming up again, even earlier than the last one. Did a dry run this morning just to be sure I know the station layout and where to pick up to-go lunch, etc. etc. — Not going to trust my morning brain with everything 😉
“There are a number of days and a temperature range beyond which packing becomes more difficult” — Yes! Exactly! So far, mine has worked well. Cool temps and rain in Paris will be the challenge — but also fully justify hauling around my new pink coast (I really didn’t want to be separated from it, but of course didn’t wear it once in Lisbon except on arrival and departure)
That Pippa would also be great in navy, but I’ve been admiring black summer dresses on others, lately . . . (is the side-tie faffy? or easy enough to manage?)
re: Pippa side-tie…not faffy…the dress has a fair amount of stretch so doesn’t rely on the tie for shape (unless you want to cinch in the waist a bit)…so the tie can be knotted or just tied loosely. And because of that bit of stretch the fabric is not slippery.
Maybe you can try one on in Paris! Amuse-toi bien!
Wonderful outfits! I’ve been following your posts on Instagram and enjoying all of the sights you’re sharing. What a trip you are having! Solo challenges, creative and inspiring classes, lots and lots of exercise. Whew!
I particularly like the colors of your cardigan. It’s so cheerful. Your linen dresses look very comfortable (the blue of the first one is lovely) and the added sun protection is a real plus.
I’m getting ready for a trip to Paris and I’m struggling with choices of shoes to bring.
I’m going to see if I can get some inspiration from your OOTD for my packing list. I want to bring a pair of white sneakers, but I’m worried that the ones I have are not broken in enough. I know that I’m bring a bulky pair of Hokas, because they will keep my feet in reasonable shape. I probably should put the white sneakers on now and walk around the house more.
Like you I am likely to have a mix of temperatures during my three week stay.
Safe journey home. I look forward to reading more details about your trip soon.
Author
Dottie, I’m realizing that for this trip I could have got away with one pair of sneakers (the dark purple ONs) and not bothered taking up space for any others — although if it ends up raining in Paris (looks like a real possibility), I’ll be glad to have a dry pair back in my hotel room. . .
Three weeks in Paris?! What a dream!
I hope I remember to ask you about this “spraying” step to revive packed cotton and linen. Does it require an empty spray bottle or just how does it happen? Thank you for great tips and enjoy the rest of your wonderful adventure
Author
I just pack a small spray bottle (empty) and risk arthritis in my fingers 😉 (the pumping!!!)
But it works well enough — no room in my case for a travel iron and I haven’t seen one in a hotel for a long while. . .
I’m smitten by your stripey cardigan too, great colours on you and goes well with your stylish glasses.
Lisbon felt to me like a very liveable city, more geared to the needs of residents rather than wow monuments for visitors although it has a few of those too. Their cakes are wonderful too, not fancy looking but delicious to eat and all those steep hills and steps would balance the calories.
Author
Thanks! The glasses are new, required by a change in prescription. I like them too although resent my having to abandon my only-two-year old pairs! I’m getting expensive to maintain as I get old(er) . .
You’ve brought a welcome ray of travel into my stuck-in-the-north existence. I loved all your outfits, especially the first dress, the striped cardigan and the ?mustard top and teal skirt combination. Didn’t find your post scattered, but I could definitely feel the packing haste behind it. Bonne continuation!
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Thank you! Yes, re-packing for onward travel is on my short list of least favourite travel activities. Also figuring out train stations and airports!
Wow, Frances, your OOD outfits are great and those glasses are perfect! I hope at some point when you return you will add more info on the striped tops and the knock-out earrings in the last photo.
Enjoy the rest of this wonderful vacation.
Author
Thanks, Frances. The multi-coloured striped top (fine merino) is by an Italian company whimsically called “In Bed With You,” a line carried by a favourite shop of mine in Vancouver; the blue/white marinière is Armor Lux. And the laser-cut balsam earrings were embroidered by a local artist– I won them as a door prize in an embroidery workshop — Lucky!
You go to Europe a lot. How very fortunate. Must be nice to escape our cool west coast weather
Love your outfits.
I am a stripes gal all the way!
Such excellent packing skills! And so kind of you to share so many photos. My favourite outfit is the merino cardi with the black pants – very artistic 🎨 It’s pretty clear you’re having a great time and enjoying the workshops. How wonderful to take the time for a deep dive into a favourite pastime in such a beautiful part of the world. Best wishes for the remainder of your trip x
If I found myself, say, sitting in a cafe near you (and I didn’t know you) I would definitely strike up a conversation 😉 But then I guess that’s why we’re friends.