1. Black Leggings -- If it gets cold, I can wear these under my dresses with ballet flats.
2. Two Scarves—One cashmere that I can also wear on the plane. The other one can be a lighter fabric or wool.
3. Cashmere Hoodie by b.chyll –I get freezing on most planes, so I invested in this sweater (I got it on sale) and I wear it all the time. You could also bring your own warm travel blanket and wear a regular hoodie or bring a warm, soft hat.
4. Herban Essentials Towlettes –I’ve written about these before. They come in different scents and can be used for other things besides sanitizing your hand since they are in aromatherapy scents like lavender (my fave) and mint. I always carry one of these in my purse.
5. Bric Nylon Bag -- It fits within a small bag and can be used for purchases on your trip. I also love the Feed 100 bag for day-to-day shopping and on trips because it folds and zips into a small package. FEED 100 Bag = 100 School Meals for Hungry Children in Rwanda.
6. Kumaara Luminizing Eye Treatment –I hate when my skin looks dull and my eyes look tired on the plane and from jetlag. This seriously makes your eyes look gorgeous and helps with fine lines. It’s unique. (http://www.kumaara.com)
7. Jurlique Hand Cream in Lavender–my hands and cuticles can get very dry and I need a heavier lotion than what’s available in hotels.
8. European Flat Iron and/or Hair Dryer –I bought a flat iron on sale at Sephora in France that I like better than my one at home. (I finally cut 9 inches of my hair off and donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. I use the flat iron on my bob.)
9. Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones – These were the best gift ever. DK is totally jealous that my headphones are nicer than his.
10. World's Softest Cozy Spa Socks or Target Socks/ Lightweight Slippers (found in sock section) – I usually bring a combination of these because my feet get cold easily. There aren’t always slippers available in hotel rooms and they are usually flimsy. I only use them after I bathe.
11. Black Cardigan --I bought a cute medium-weight one from H&M in May. This is a wardrobe must-have anyway.
12. Wine/Champagne Bottle Stopper -- A lifesaver.
13. Umbrella -- buy a cute mini from H&M, Forever 21, or Target. It's annoying to get caught in the rain and have to buy a cheap, overpriced umbrella

Jessica Biel looks cute here. She always looks cute, though I wish her lips were real. I've seen her around town a few times now and she seems like someone who would be cool to hang out with. When I've seen her at restaurants, she isn't checking her lip gloss at the table, or running to the bathroom to make sure she looks photo ready. Oh, and she eats food like a normal person. The problem with Jessica Biel is that she can't act. On the plane back home I tried to watch Easy Virtue. I had watched Revolutionary Road and was desperate to follow it with a light movie. After about a half an hour, I couldn't watch her anymore. Can't someone send her to the best acting teacher in Hollywood? I mean, she was playing this glamorous character who was also the first woman racecar driver. How much of a stretch is that to act? Maybe the fact that movie was set in the 1920s was difficult, but still. In real life, Jessica Biel is an athletic tomboy who turns into a glamazon for pr related activities. I do hope that she will get some acting chops someday or be directed by someone who brings out an amazing performance.

Whenever I get back from France I scan the “living in France blogs” and figure out which books on Paris I should read, and decide to learn more French. I’ve only taken one basic French class where I felt like I was in a high school language class (it was taught at a high school) and promptly forgot everything that I learned. I need a good French tutor. I’ve asked quite a few people that one would think would know this sort of thing, but they all knew a teacher that doesn’t teach anymore or has moved. I was at a tasty Italian restaurant in Cannes (Al Gambero) with a couple of multilingual people. No, I did not need help translating the menu because the most French I’ve memorized is food related. My favorite vegetables: epinard (spinach) asprege (asparagus) oignon (onions) and least favorite vegetables: aubergine (eggplant) and champignon (mushroom). I like my meat cooked medium-rare = rosé. I’ve also memorized fruit that comes in the pastries that I like: framboise (raspberry) fraise (strawberry), and I love the cherries in France (cerise). There are times, like when I ate at places such as Lenôtre with DK for lunch in Cannes, where neither of us could understand much. Luckily, we ran into an acquaintance who could translate. I did end up ordering what I was going to in the first place: asparagus three ways (DK got the tomato tart), but wouldn’t have known about the other options. And, yes, that is a savory macaron. Oh, there are also times where you can’t get a menu in English or with translations even in touristy areas. But that is how you learn French, no? BTW, The millefeuille at Lenôtre is to..die.. for…

Coming back from France always makes me depressed, the main reason being that the food is so much better there. I met a shop girl in Paris who had spent the last 5 years in LA for school. She said that she missed everything about LA except for the food. The only food that I missed while traveling was sushi and Mexican food. One thing positive, is that I’ll never have to eat another macaron in the States again. I tried some from Pierre Hermé in Paris that were the best I’ve ever had (their croissant was also amazing). The middle parts of the macarons were so creamy and the complexity of flavors so unusual that I knew for certain I’d never be able to eat a regular macaron again unless it was in France. I didn’t even make it to Ladurée this time for my favorite caramel fleur de sel and raspberry macarons. Unfortunately, I wasted a precious breakfast at Angelina, which was not good this time. The omelets were overcooked and the pistachio/strawberry millefeille that we shared tasted like it was artificially flavored. They must have a new pastry chef. Even the croissant was stale. I would suggest only going there for their hot chocolate and their Mont Blanc if that is your thing. Seriously consider dropping by Pierre Hermé first.

Pierre Hermé
72, Rue Bonaparte, Paris - +33 1 43 25 28 17(go early if possible. Doors open @ 10 am)

If you live in certain countries, you can order some of the macarons from the Pierre Hermé website.
There is a book by Pierre Hermé called Macaron.
Click here for some pictures that really do the macarons justice and for a funny ode to Pierre Hermé.
Pierre Hermé the man, insight and a look at his house on the killer design blog.

Hi guys,

I just got back from traveling for a few weeks. Posts to come shortly and I be e-mailing the Kumaara giveaway winners today. Good news: Kumaara has generously increased the number of giveaway winners to 15!

But can you believe that Rihanna was on my British Airways flight from London to LA yesterday in business class? Thought she's be flying first. She was flying solo and looked the exact same as in photos. The picture above is from after she left the airport. Wish I had had her trousers instead of my jeans for the flight. I also love her Dallin Chase Jasper black leather jacket. I'm not usually a fan of ruffles, but this jacket is perfect.

I was excited to try a skincare line that uses some organic ingredients that I haven't seen in other lines. Kumaara incorporates trendy organic antioxidants (goji, Indian gooseberry, bearberry and acai) -- that improves skin's density, and elasticity. I haven’t tried out the night cream or eye creams long enough to see if they make a real impact, but I am really liking their Daily Antioxidant Protection with SPF 15 (though I wish the SPF was higher) and their Luminescent Primer. The primer is great to put on if you don’t want to wear makeup but want a glow, or of course under makeup. Up until now I really wasn’t a fan of primers. This one is subtle and my sensitive skin reacts well to both of these products. The only problem is that I'm almost out of them. The coolest thing is that the first 5 Breakfast at Tiffany’s readers to leave comments will win both of these products.

Prices of this line range from 29.95-59.95 and can be bought here .